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Vudu is Now Available on Xbox 360 and WD TV Live

Wed Dec 21, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
Tags: VUDU, Xbox 360, WD TV Live (all tags)

The much loved HD streaming service is becoming a standard on connected devices.

Vudu was hailed from early on by people that aren't willing to settle for lower video and audio quality as a tradeoff for digital delivery. The service took a while to grow to the point that it's at now, but Vudu is becoming ubiquitous on streaming devices.

The latest to add the service are WD TV Live set-top boxes and the Xbox 360. On both systems you'll find 1080p video quality, 7.1 channel audio and HDX streaming. To get you to try out the service, Vudu is giving a $4.99 credit to every new customer so they can try out the service.

Additionally, Vudu is running a large amount of Christmas specials, including a few 99 cent rentals, discounts on holiday themed movies, and the early availability of 'Moneyball' and 'Abduction.'

Source: Cnet

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Vudu-To-Go Lets You Download Movies to Watch Later

Mon Nov 21, 2011 at 12:00 PM ET
Tags: VUDU, Digital Distribution (all tags)

The company has announced a few deals as well, like $5 credit when you buy a DVD or Blu-ray at Walmart.

The folks at Vudu tend to be held up as the one group that's doing digital distribution right - at least when it comes to video and audio quality. Today they've stepped over another significant hurdle in the online video world.

If you bought a movie from Vudu, you can now download that movie to your computer for future watching. That means you don't have to be online to watch the movie you bought online - a really nice step forward.

The downside of course, is that since it's a PC version you'll be stuck with standard definition. On the plus side, if the format is right this could be transferrable to smartphones, game systems and tablets.

The company announced a few cool deals too. If you buy select films from Walmart you'll be getting a $5 Vudu credit or a free Vudu rental from a list of selected titles.

To download, simply go to VUDU, head over to your purchased movies and hit "Download"


Today VUDU launched VUDU-To-Go, a new feature that allows customers to download purchased movies and television shows to their computers and watch them later. Any purchased title within VUDU’s catalog of 40,000 blockbusters, Hollywood classics, independent films, and TV shows can now be downloaded to your PC or Mac to watch at a later time.

In addition to VUDU streaming, now customers can also enjoy their VUDU movie libraries on their computer whenever they want – and without an Internet connection. Perfect for plane trips, car rides and more, the new feature allows you to take your VUDU entertainment with you.

To download your purchased VUDU content, simply visit www.vudu.com/movies, navigate to purchased movies and television shows and click the “Download” button. VUDU movie purchases start at $4.99 and TV show purchases start at $1.99 per episode and start at $7.99 –for a complete season. There is no additional download fee.

Also new and in time for the holidays, VUDU has special offers on more than 25 DVDs and Blu-ray titles at Walmart stores. Specific offers include:

$5 Credit: VUDU offers a $5 credit on select DVD or Blu-ray purchases at Walmart. Beginning on Dec. 2, families purchasing The Smurfs at Walmart stores will receive a $5 VUDU credit. Additional movies with a $5 VUDU credit include Megamind (through Nov. 30), No Strings Attached (through Nov. 30), Ghostbusters, Spiderman, Men in Black and more.

Digital E-copy: Families who purchase a variety of Blu-ray Discs or DVDs including When Harry Met Sally (through Nov. 30), Scream 4, and Stake Land will also receive a digital copy of the movie.

BOGO: VUDU has a “Buy One, Get One” offer for families who purchase Despicable Me, Crazy Heart or any of the X-Men movies (including X-Men I, X-Men II, X-Men III, X-Men Wolverine). After purchasing one of these DVDs or Blu-ray Discs at Walmart, customers can choose from a selection of free VUDU rentals.

In addition, select HP PCs and laptops at Walmart stores will provide direct access to VUDU on the home screen. Customers simply click on the VUDU icon to be connected directly to VUDU.com where they can stream more than 40,000 blockbusters, Hollywood classics, independent films and TV episodes.

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Vudu to Start Streaming 7.1 Channel Dolby Surround

Wed Oct 19, 2011 at 12:00 PM ET
Tags: Streaming, VUDU (all tags)

The newest 'Pirates of the Caribbean' film is the first to offer it, with more on the way.

Sure, Netflix is pretty far behind when it comes to picture quality and still stuck in stereo for most titles, but Vudu is making it a little harder to argue the inferiority of streaming content. The picture quality of the streaming service is incredible and now they're tweaking the sound.

'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,' has come to Vudu with one added surprise - 7.1 channel Dolby Digital Plus surround. It's the first film on the service to offer 7.1 channel surround sound and thanks to a partnership with Dolby, it's not going to be the last.

"Today is just the first step," says Dolby VP John Coulin, who has his sights set on more than just Vudu. "We look forward to having the opportunity to work with additional content providers to deliver premium-quality 7.1 surround sound to more consumers."

Source: TechCrunch

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Vudu Adds Next Day Network and Cable TV Shows

Fri Sep 23, 2011 at 01:30 PM ET
Tags: VUDU, HD Streaming (all tags)

You'll be able to pick up some of your favorite shows the day after they air in SD or HD.

Buying episodes of TV shows just after they've aired isn't something that appeals to everybody, but if you're a cord cutter and you want nice crisp HD episodes of your favorite shows, Vudu has something you just might like.

By the end of next month, Vudu will have over 10 thousand titles available for purchase including those from NBC, Comedy Central, BBC America, SyFy, Showtime and plenty more. Over 60 shows will be available the day after they air.

You'll be able to pick these new episodes and back episodes for $1.99 in standard definition and $2.99 in HDX.

Source: TWICE

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The Vudu Movie Rental Service Comes to the iPad

Thu Aug 11, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
Tags: VUDU, iPad, Apple, Walmart (all tags)

Unlike many other services, Vudu hasn't launched an app, but simply made their site iPad friendly.

We're sold on the awesomeness of Vudu. You get streaming HD videos with excellent quality - the closest thing to Blu-ray out there - and the price isn't too bad all things considered. We're also sold on watching movies and TV shows on portable devices like the iPad. Clearly some movies are better suited for the home theater, but it's nice to have some entertainment with you.

Vudu on the iPad is a bit less exciting. The primary advantage of Vudu over other services is the ability to watch those gorgeous HD movies, but the iPad version is like the PC version - it only streams in SD. Of course, the iPad isn't an HD device to begin with.

Still, if you've rented a movie at home and you want to watch it on the iPad, you can do it. It works the other way around too - you can rent a movie on your iPad and then watch it on the big screen. At the very least, it's an easier way to navigate than your TV remote.

Source: Walmart

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Vudu Launches 99 Cent Movie of the Day - Walmart.com Adds Vudu Rental

Thu Jul 28, 2011 at 12:00 PM ET
Tags: VUDU, Walmart, High-Def Retailing (all tags)

Big news from Walmart owned Vudu, which will almost certainly gain a great deal of attention from the placement and deal.

Blu-ray fans are a demanding bunch. They can only be so satisfied with Netflix streaming, which offers a large selection at a low price, but lacks the kind of video and audio quality that hardcore HD enthusiasts crave. Vudu, on the other hand, specializes in giving the highest quality experience possible.

One of the problems with getting people to try out the Vudu service is the price. $5.99 for one HDX rental doesn't seem terrible, but many consumers are comparing that to $1 rentals and $7.99 monthly fees. That's why Vudu introduced 99 cent Movie of the Day specials. Every day a new movie is made available to rent for just 99 cents.

In addition to the new promotion, Walmart has added Vudu to the main page of its website and set up a seamless experience for customers who want to buy from Walmart.com and enjoy a movie rental while they're at it.

Source: Walmart

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Vudu Debuts Movie Specific Gift Cards

Thu Jun 16, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
Tags: VUDU, Walmart (all tags)

The move is aimed to help take advantage of Walmart's massive consumer base.

Digital distribution loyalists often say that streaming content will be the end of packaged media and the relationship between movies and retail stores. When you've got a company like Walmart behind you though, things can look a little bit different.

Starting with the release of 'Battle: Los Angeles,' Vudu will be offering customers the ability to purchase their movies in retail stores the same way that Microsoft, Sony and others offer their membership services - gift cards. For right around $15, you can pick up a card redeemable for a copy of 'Battle: Los Angeles.'

It's a sort of strange execution of the idea though. Instead of offering the customer a choice of movie, they're restricted to a single title.

Source: Engadget

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VUDU is Now Renting and Selling TV Shows

Thu May 05, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
Tags: VUDU, Digital Distribution, Industry Trends (all tags)

Unfortunately, many of the shows are only available in standard definition.

If you're an avid VUDU user, you'll be happy to know that the service is now offering television shows as part of its selection. You might be a bit unhappy, though, when you find out that many of the shows are only offered in standard definition.

The catalog update brings titles like 'Modern Family,' 'Glee,' 'Weeds' and AMC's 'The Walking Dead,' based on the comic book series of the same name.

The VUDU interface has been updated to make picking up shows simpler. You can sort by individual network or search by show as normal. They've also enabled a new feature that allows you to buy entire seasons at once.

The folks at Engadget did a little comparison shopping and recommend that you do the same. While 'The Walking Dead' is actually a really good deal, buying season six of 'Weeds' will set you back more than the Blu-ray.

Source: VUDU Blog

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Vudu Now Streams Standard Definition Movies to PCs

Wed Apr 13, 2011 at 03:30 PM ET
Tags: VUDU, Streaming, PC (all tags)

The lack of HD is disappointing, but the availability is nice nonetheless.

The folks at Vudu are known for specializing in high quality streams, but the latest move goes in the other direction. The company is branching out, and they're doing it in SD.

While most streaming services, like Netflix and Hulu, started on the PC and moved to television, Vudu took the other approach. They started on set-top boxes and have only recently moved to the PC from there.

The company's move to PC is a bit disappointing to those who were expecting something with the same quality as their set-top box streaming. You'll only be getting 480p and stereo sound, which Vudu says is less due to technical issues and more tied-in to licensing.

Source: Engadget

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Redbox Subscription Streaming Plans are Official

Fri Feb 18, 2011 at 12:00 PM ET
Tags: Redbox, Streaming, VUDU, Walmart, CinemaNow, Amazon, Industry Trends (all tags)

Just who they're working with is still a mystery, but Walmart, Amazon, and CinemaNow are all rumored.

Redbox is doing just fine financially, but that doesn't mean that the company is just going to sit there complacent and collapse under its own weight and failure to evolve. That's more of a Blockbuster thing.

Instead, Redbox is going to be the next company stepping into the highly profitable business of subscription based streaming, making them the first real competitor to Netflix. Mitch Lowe confirmed this in a meeting with analysts this week, but stated that just who they'll be working with is up in the air. "What we're looking for is a partner that, yes, has customers, but also more importantly has a lot of quality entertainment rights," said Lowe.

CinemaNow has often been touted as the logical choice, but the Seattle Times is reporting that Walmart's Vudu service and the upcoming Amazon streaming service are possible Redbox partners. Walmart might be the most logical, since Redbox kiosks are already in thousands of Walmart stores around the country.

Source: Engadget

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