http://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/ Engadget HD Comments for VUDU review: the HD perspective http://hd.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://hd.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/Feb 12th 2008 1:18PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/http://paulstamatiou.com/2007/09/30/review-vudu ) and must say that I am very happy with the box ignoring price per movie, which isn't terribly bad. The problem I have with it is that it is actually very hard to find out what movie you want to rent. While they claim 5k+ movies, I have searched for a particular, mainstream movie several times and come up shorthanded. Overall, the instant gratification of being able to instantly play almost any movie is great for when I have lots of friends over and we randomly decide to watch something.

]]>Feb 12th 2008 1:20PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/]]>Feb 12th 2008 1:24PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/Feb 12th 2008 1:26PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/
just my stupid opinion, but im still very interested in VOD when it becomes cheaper]]>Feb 12th 2008 1:28PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/Feb 12th 2008 1:49PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/
Marshall
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The Real HT Info Podcast]]>Feb 12th 2008 1:49PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/Feb 12th 2008 2:22PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/VUDU solves this problem by giving me instant viewing of their content, HD and SD. the quality of course isn't as good as HD DVD/BD but it is better than broadcast and without the broadcast macroblocking. It's quick and convenient which is what i want.]]>Feb 12th 2008 2:41PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/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 (à 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.]]>Feb 12th 2008 2:54PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/Feb 12th 2008 3:05PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/]]>Feb 13th 2008 4:10PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/
Actually, no. The playback is able to start instantaneously because the box caches the first few minutes of every title it offers locally on its HD, so it is able to begin playback before it even establishes an internet connection. While it is playing, it starts to download more of the title currently playing. It is an interesting design to provide instant gratification over a medium that is unable to offer it, but it severely limits the number of titles it is able to offer.]]>Feb 12th 2008 3:05PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/Feb 12th 2008 4:21PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/Feb 12th 2008 4:45PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/
Try a cable from bluejeanscable.com and run the tests over again, use their 24 AWG cabling.

I did notice that 3:10 to Yuma looked better on my physical disc, but it was not that much worse on VUDU at all, I certainly never had artifacting issues.]]>Feb 12th 2008 5:08PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/Feb 13th 2008 8:37AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/
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.]]>Feb 13th 2008 11:57AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/
I don't do Netflix, as I don't like the idea of paying for something whether I use it or not. After I got to about two dozen HD DVD/Blu-Ray discs, I haven't found anything else compelling enough to buy on HD media. And the Blu-Ray discs at my local Blockbuster look like every other DVD in the store, anti-scratch coating or not.

Before HD sets were available, we rented most movies via DirecTV pay-per-view-- the selection was limited, but in the early days (95/96) they threw in a few niche films (Tunnelvision anyone?). So I really like the idea of a rental-only box that eliminates the standing in line at Blockbuster and shows a menu of everything available on screen instead of digging through boxes on shelves hoping something good's in stock.]]>Feb 13th 2008 3:41PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/02/12/vudu-review-the-hd-perspective/It is fun, it is easy to use. It's remote control is so good it's been cited by a number on their best ten of the year for technology (New York Times and others I think. With Netflix, you do not see the preview, you do not can a selected list of only good movies, it is three times slower than Vudu to make selections, and it seemed very good until I got a Vudu box.
The absolute best thing they have going is a bunch of filters you put in place in 10 seconds. If I want a chic flick, I throw that filter in. Then \i put on top of that that I only want to see 4+and 5+ critics rated movies. I don't have to look at any crap. \i don't get something in the mail that I know I hate in 30 seconds. With Vudu, it's much better!!!!
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