http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/ Engadget Comments for VUDU lowers barrier to entry once more to $99 even http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/
VuDu out of business by mid-February? ]]>Jan 4th 2009 10:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/
They have been adding movies like crazy recently. I'm very satisfied.]]>Jan 4th 2009 10:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/
Before Christmas promotion - $299 for unit - $200 you get in movie credits = cost of hardware $99

New Year Promotion - $149 - $50 in movies = cost of hardware $99

Current promotion - $99 no movie bonus.

Seems pretty ok to me.]]>Jan 5th 2009 3:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/Jan 4th 2009 10:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/Jan 4th 2009 11:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/Jan 4th 2009 11:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/Jan 4th 2009 11:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/Sticking to RedBox/DVDPlay/Netflix for now. ]]>Jan 4th 2009 11:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/
A subscription fee would be the way to get me to buy in.]]>Jan 5th 2009 7:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/Jan 4th 2009 11:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/


]]>Jan 5th 2009 4:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/
Vudu HDX movies look as good as Blu-Ray visually. Though most people have the option to get HD that looks pretty good as well (much better then upscaled DVD).

Dolby Digital Plus is not really bad either. Sure, it's not DTS-MA but considering majority of people really can't even tell the difference it's hardly a deal breaker. Do i need to remind you that Transformers with Dolby Digital + got rave reviews as reference audio title. So it's hardly crap.

I think you should try something and be a bit objective before you start naying it.]]>Jan 5th 2009 5:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/
According to Vudu's website they use standard mpeg4 compression and require a 4Mbps connection for "instant-on" HD. That is a very low bitrate for a 1080p HD movie. I wouldnt even encode a 720p movie at this bitrate (and yes, I very often encode movies and did many tests at various bitrates ranging from aproxx. 5000 to 14000. There is a clear difference on my 110" setup.

Dolby Digital Plus is a fine codec, but they do not say anything about what bit depth, coding bit rate and sample rate settings they use. That is kind of important.

In regards to Transformers. Yes it was fine, but the new Blu-ray edition is better when compared. according to sites like HighdefDigest.

Vudu is probably fine for many people.. But personally I will not be locked in to one vendor and pay the same price as I would pay to rent a Blu-ray with the potential for better quality.
]]>Jan 5th 2009 7:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/
I've only heard that vudu titles look good enough compared to blu-ray, not equal.]]>Jan 5th 2009 7:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/Jan 5th 2009 8:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/
The reason for me not buying HDX movies that is not the quality. I am actually very impressed by it. HDX movies look great and I'm watching them on the same system where I have Blu-ray hooked up (106" Sony VPL-HW10 1080p projector with 1.8 Gain screen). It looks great and really as well as Blu-Ray. I'm being totally honest. There are other problems with purchasing though. You can't buy HDX movies at all. It's in the contract with studios. I guess they are still protecting their Blu-ray investments for one reason or another.

The problem with Vudu and my purchasing habits is DRM you are right. I will probably not buy a lot of movies the way situation is because DRM is not unified among providers and services. My hopes are that DECE will make a positive statement this CES and that Vudu will join. If they do, then I will undoubtedly buy them without hesitation because it will be something like PlaysForSure but on a global level, considering that majority of players both from Hollywood and CE companies are members of DECE consortium (except Apple).

Vudu is definitely not flawless. They have long way to go to really be superb. For now they are great for rentals. Some of you are right, but I have no issues with that. I downloaded Mr and Mrs. Smith last night and Hitch to compare to my Blu-Ray copies, I had no issues at all, looked same to me and sound was full and booming with good surround. It's no DTS-MA or TrueHD but it's definitely great experience nonetheless. DD+ at 640k and up on HDX movies is not crap for sure and rental price that I paid $3.99 for both movies is pretty acceptable.

Another issue with Vudu as it is now is that they have a cap on the speed. They will limit you to 4mbps tops no matter what speed your connection is. I assume this is because of their infrastructure and opening it with no cap would tear them down really quick, so they take it slow.

Another issue is that their Wifi Networking kit works on G standard that's really not optimal for HD streaming, so in that case I would definitely advise anyone planning on picking up the Vudu box not to get it and instead spend $50-$60 for either a Wifi-N wireless bridge or another cheaper N router that acts as bridge so you can connect it to your router and then use cables if you can run it to the router (distance wise). This way you will get 4 ports for wireless access and it will be able to stream HD too.

]]>Jan 5th 2009 11:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/]]>Jan 5th 2009 5:01AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/
Personally even though I control everything with Harmony, I LOVE Vudu super slick remote. It just looks cool on the table and I have no problems having that little bugger next to Harmony on the table, so it doesn't bother me at all.]]>Jan 5th 2009 5:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/I want a box like this that plays movies when I want in a quality that is comparable to Blu Ray, and that doesn't mean to have to turn my PC or Mac on just for a simple task like this, does it tick that box, YES!
]]>Jan 5th 2009 6:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/
Plus there's always the pricing issue. Having access to a large catalog of on demand videos in HD would be great, but if I come across a movie I'd like to watch a bunch of times, neither do I want to pay for it a bunch of times, nor do I want to have to stream it every time. I like to have the discs, and you'll find that a lot of american consumers agree with me. The only way digital downloads will be a viable option for the masses is if they come up with a standard market and/or codec so that one only has to own one box and they come up with a subscription model so that it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. That's why the blu ray player + netflix streamer is such a great option. Not only do I have the option of buying a movie with near perfect video AND SOUND, but I can also stream a ton of content when I get bored with the movies I've bought or have received from netflix.]]>Jan 5th 2009 6:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/Jan 5th 2009 7:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/Jan 5th 2009 7:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/Jan 5th 2009 10:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/Jan 5th 2009 12:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/Jan 8th 2009 3:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/
I myself use a Stewart StudioTek 130 110" screenwall and a JVC DLA-HD1.

]]>Jan 5th 2009 12:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/Jan 5th 2009 2:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/
Yes, I am quite pleased with the JVC projector. Black levels are great, but the best is the contrast without the use of a dynamic iris. I was horrified when I watched a movie on a Mitsubishi (think it was a 4900 or perhaps 5000) where the dynamic iris was very noticeable, but I have to admit it was very quiet compared to the JVC.

I am considering changing it to the JVC DLA-HD750 that just got released, but I'll probably wait a year before buying anything new ( I still consider my HD1 fairly new :-) )

I too heard quite good things about the Carada screens, but make sure you order a sample first because a local tech here tested the gain and found it to be lower than advertised.
]]>Jan 5th 2009 9:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/
And that brings me to the second problem with boxes like Vudu, Apple TV and Xbox. Your ability to use the hardware is totally dependent on one company’s ability to stay solvent. And this is serious issue with all DRM’ed digital content (as the demise of Yahoo Music, Google Video and MSN Music all show). If LG or Sony were to go bankrupt tomorrow I would still be able to watch any discs I have purchased and at least be able to buy a player from another company if my current one breaks. With DRM you never really “own” anything because there are so many strings attached.

I will start buying digital video when they drop the DRM al la the Amazon mp3 store. Until then, digital delivery is good for the occasional rental and that's about it.

]]>Jan 5th 2009 7:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/Jan 5th 2009 11:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/
I have not seen a single compelling reason to BUY digital video online yet. Apple TV, Vudu and Xbox all charge the same as the DVD for less quality and more restrictions. And while the rentals are nice enough they are still expensive compared to a Netflix plan and licensing deals change with the wind so I'm not counting on Microsoft or Vudu to always make sure my favorite movies are available. The IDEA of digital downloads might be nice but the REALITY (as it stands today) is underwhelming.]]>Jan 6th 2009 12:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/ If you use it for rentals then you don't have to worry unless 99.00 is unaffordable. The same price as 4 BDs that can get messed up or lost. There are pros and cons to everything. BDs are pricey, confusing profiles for the average consumer, constant updates to players, If Blu-ray goes belly up a la HD DVD then you have a player and some disc and players eventually die. If mine BDs die will I feel as though I am out the 3000 + dollars I have put into it or the 2000+ dollars in HD DVD...no hell being out 99.00 pales in comparison.
People can always find little things to Bitch about, HD DVD fanboys complained about BD DRM (even though HD DVD had it), Blu-ray fanboys complain about VOD drm (even though they have it) hell VOD fanboys will probably complain about ebook DRM and stick to paperbacks. Yeah you can't play most VOD on other devices but my BDs won't play in anything other than a BD player.
If you don't like VOD cool no need to harp on it, If you don't like BD the same applies. Different strokes for different folks. Me I like have the best of both world's. Give it a try IMO they compliment each other. ]]>Jan 6th 2009 1:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/vudu-lowers-barrier-to-entry-once-more-to-99-even/Feb 6th 2009 6:49PM