Recent Comments:
Netflix Player, Apple TV and VUDU compared: movie STB shootout {Engadget HD}
Jun 5th 2008 3:43PM At this point in time, there is no way that anyone should be comparing Netflix player (streaming-only) with ATV or Vudu (both - downloadable content). The three services that could be compared are ATV, Vudu, and 360 (plus Unbox, whenever it gets HD stuff, and PS3 store whenever it goes live).
Sizing up Apple TV (take 2)'s HD {Engadget HD}
Feb 13th 2008 7:33PM Looking at Vudu forums, owners of both Vudu and AppleTV seem to think that Vudu HD quality is slighly better.
The WGA strike is over, when are our favorite TV shows returning? {Engadget HD}
Feb 13th 2008 1:50PM According to TV Guide, Scubs has 4 episodes shot but that's not enough to wrap up the series, so the creators are trying to figure out what to do -- either get blessing from NBC for 4 more or shoot them for DVD.
The WGA strike is over, when are our favorite TV shows returning? {Engadget HD}
Feb 13th 2008 1:48PM Yeah, I wish Journeyman was renewed too... Bionic Woman deserved being cancelled because they could never setlle on the theme (dark, edgy vs. light, campy), dropped storylines without any regard for the overall plot, and et cetera, et cetera.
VUDU review: the HD perspective {Engadget HD}
Feb 13th 2008 11:57AM Vudu offers 30-day money back guarantee, so you can get the box and try it out for yourself. I have no trouble recommending it as long as you have reasonable expectations, i.e. quality worse than Blu-Ray/HD-DVD (better than AppleTV or 360 though) and no unlimited plans like Netflix.
Personally, I don't think XStreamHD will see the light of day (even if it does, it will be in Q4 2008 according to their site). The most problematic aspect is not technology but getting content from studios and XStreamHD has ZERO deals with content providers. It took Steve Jobs 2+ years to get rentals for AppleTV, so XStreamHD may never happen.
VUDU review: the HD perspective {Engadget HD}
Feb 12th 2008 2:54PM To correct/comment on some other points:
1)"Needless to say, garnering said backing still seems to be an uphill battle"
All companies, even Apple and Microsoft, are in this situation, so it's seems pointless to dock Vudu for an industry-wide phenomenon. And, AFAIK, Vudu has the largest library for VOD.
2)"As we expected, there is no way for a user to manually initiate the v1.2 update, and worse still, technical support can't push it to your box on command."
Box is automatically updated in the background with latest content (i.e. headers for movies) and software. Your point about faster updates has been mentioned and it's very possible that Vudu may implement a functionality that would allow faster updates during initial set-up. But this is a one-time ordeal, so it'd not be much of pain.
3)"Of course, VUDU suggests that you leave your unit plugged in at all times ( la Nintendo's Wii) so that hopefully, future updates will arrive overnight and you'll never be forced to twiddle your thumbs when you're ready to be entertained"
FYI, Vudu uses a proprietary P2P technology to distribute content, so your box should be on to help with that (takes up 100-200K of upload bandwidth).
4)"[a] number of titles were temporarily out of reach thanks to a message that stated: "Updating box -- available soon." "
That means that the "headers" for the movies haven't been downloaded yet. One of the ways Vudu enables instant SD and HD playback, is that it downloads first 30 or so seconds of a movie (a header) then downloads the rest after you place your order.
5)"Also of note, The Bourne Ultimatum was the only high-definition title on tap that could actually be purchased outright rather than rented, but we're hoping this situation will change in the future."
Valid point, but iTunes doesn't allow HD purchases on ApplTV either. Neither does Xbox Marketplace, if I recall.
6)"HD films looked marginally better than upscaled DVDs, but honestly, they simply can't compete with bona fide HD DVD / Blu-ray discs."
Are you sure you output was set to 720p, 1080i, or 1080p/24? You are using component cables whereas only HDMI allows HD output.
7)"with HD VOD quickly expanding into more markets across the nation -- not to mention the smattering of local B&M video stores surrounding most everyone -- we're still left scratching our heads trying to uncover exactly what niche this thing is aiming for"
Vudu HD content offers broadcast HD quality (by their statement) and above-broadcast quality based on tests done by owners on multiple titles. It's not a replacement for Netflix, but rather for cable/satellite VOD and brick-and-mortar stores. You get bigger selection and immediate gratification.
Vudu price slashed to keep up with Apple TV {Engadget HD}
Jan 24th 2008 1:15PM New releases aren't priced at 99 cents anywhere. But as I mentioned in the other comment, Vudu does offer more price points which are less than or equal to Apple's (except for new HD releases). But from my time on Vudu forums, pricing isn't really a major concern. The whole deal about what's rent-only / purchase-only / purchase-now-or-wait-and-rent-on-X-date is more of an issue, but Apple has similar issues with iTunes content.
With regards to content, Vudu has more movies, iTunes has more TV shows, and HD content will be about the same.
Vudu price slashed to keep up with Apple TV {Engadget HD}
Jan 24th 2008 1:05PM FWIW, the content you downloaded to your Vudu box is yours to keep. Since it's not streamed, you can play it without Internet connection. So, for example, I can take my box to a friend's place and show off Bourne movies in HD without having to hook it up to the network.
Vudu price slashed to keep up with Apple TV {Engadget HD}
Jan 24th 2008 12:59PM Uhmmm... Apple's pricing structure is similar to Vudu. Apple will have two tiers of SD (2.99 for catalog titles/3.99 for new releases) and for HD (3.99 and 4.99 respectively). Vudu offers slightly more flexibility ($1.99-$3.99 for SD; $3.99 or $5.99 for HD), but lower pricing for catalog titles is better for the consumer so the only advantage AppleTV has is that new HD releases will be $1 cheaper. But nothing stops Vudu from matching Apple's pricing.
I believe the confusion you probably refer to is that some movies on Vudu are rental-only or purchase-only or the fact that a lot of new releases are available only for purchase when they get released. But from what has been reported so far, iTunes has similar issues and, more importantly, HD content is rental-only at Apple's store.
