I have checked it out, actually... I was at Macworld and the keynote when it was announced. And played with it extensively on the expo floor.
iTunes and AppleTV's pricing model is INFINITELY simpler than Vudu's.
For starters, every major studio is on board, with new releases available there 30 days after the DVD release. It'll have much more content available than Vudu. Right now, out of the gate, 100 movies are available in HD. That's what... 98 more than Vudu, currently? After how many months?
Secondly, pricing is consistent: $4 for SD rental (available for Mac, PC, iPod, AppleTV) and $5 for HD rentals (which is available for AppleTV only.) It's a bit inane to compare this to Vudu... since Vudu has *no* option for Mac, PC, or iPod. Your only option is leaving the content stuck on the Vudu box! So yeah, that may be "less confusing," but it's also a lot more limiting. If a consumer is so easily confused, they could just use the AppleTV as a standalone movie box, no computer required, just like the Vudu, and not be so confused.
(Of course, the AppleTV does much more, like stream music and photos, and access YouTube... but that's besides the point.)
--
RonV, I notice you are very quick to defend Vudu in every blog post everywhere that mentions the product. (You're usually flirting with cjohn17, but that's another story.) Don't you think you should be disclosing that you run the Vudu user's forum? I understand that you're hopeful to see the product succeed (as am I) but your bias (and conflict of interest) is painfully obvious. Your connection to the company has tainted your view. Consider giving it a rest, or take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Let the unattached consumers debate and decide on each product's merits. Not disclosing your connection (however tenuous you claim it to be) is completely disingenuous.
I only post when I see mis-information in a blog. I don't run the user forum I am just a moderator. I am a fanboy to no product. I like technology and and I like competition. Both the VUDU and the Apple TV have their pluses and minuses.
Unlike some of the other folks like cjohn17 who have some type of chip on their shoulder about the VUDU I see a competitor in the marketplace.
If Apple wants to charge a flat rate for movies that is just fine. But a 3.99 rental on Apple TV could be 99 cents on the VUDU?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Josh @ Jan 24th 2008 11:07AM
I have checked it out, actually... I was at Macworld and the keynote when it was announced. And played with it extensively on the expo floor.
iTunes and AppleTV's pricing model is INFINITELY simpler than Vudu's.
For starters, every major studio is on board, with new releases available there 30 days after the DVD release. It'll have much more content available than Vudu. Right now, out of the gate, 100 movies are available in HD. That's what... 98 more than Vudu, currently? After how many months?
Secondly, pricing is consistent: $4 for SD rental (available for Mac, PC, iPod, AppleTV) and $5 for HD rentals (which is available for AppleTV only.) It's a bit inane to compare this to Vudu... since Vudu has *no* option for Mac, PC, or iPod. Your only option is leaving the content stuck on the Vudu box! So yeah, that may be "less confusing," but it's also a lot more limiting. If a consumer is so easily confused, they could just use the AppleTV as a standalone movie box, no computer required, just like the Vudu, and not be so confused.
(Of course, the AppleTV does much more, like stream music and photos, and access YouTube... but that's besides the point.)
--
RonV, I notice you are very quick to defend Vudu in every blog post everywhere that mentions the product. (You're usually flirting with cjohn17, but that's another story.) Don't you think you should be disclosing that you run the Vudu user's forum?
I understand that you're hopeful to see the product succeed (as am I) but your bias (and conflict of interest) is painfully obvious. Your connection to the company has tainted your view. Consider giving it a rest, or take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Let the unattached consumers debate and decide on each product's merits. Not disclosing your connection (however tenuous you claim it to be) is completely disingenuous.
Disclaimer: I own a Vudu.
RonV @ Jan 24th 2008 12:03PM
I only post when I see mis-information in a blog. I don't run the user forum I am just a moderator. I am a fanboy to no product. I like technology and and I like competition. Both the VUDU and the Apple TV have their pluses and minuses.
Unlike some of the other folks like cjohn17 who have some type of chip on their shoulder about the VUDU I see a competitor in the marketplace.
If Apple wants to charge a flat rate for movies that is just fine. But a 3.99 rental on Apple TV could be 99 cents on the VUDU?