VuDu's HD Video has been signed - forget the High Def format wars for $399

John Casler · « **on:** 20 Nov 2007, 03:41 pm »

While my distributors carry this unit, I am only posting here to give a heads up and not promote the product for profit (since there isn't much)

But below is a Press Release to announce the High Def content coming from this system.

I see this as the "future" leapfrogging the HTPC quite quickly.

Why purchase "$thousands$" in Terabytes and Software to load onto them, when you can for a reasonable fee, $2.99 - $3.99 watch a huge (and surely to grow) online and on-demand library.

However, the current Achilles heel is the "sound". For some reason many of the films are not currently even in DD 5.1???? and the "other" sonic concern for some may be that in its current HDMI output, it is not equipped to perfrom the 1.3 audio function.

I have been told that this will be changing soon, but right now this is a negatory.(although a good processor makes it almost bearable

)

Below is the press release which pretty much will give you both Blueray and HD DVD content from a single cheap ($399) unit if I understand it correctly.

http://forum.vudu.com/showthread.php?t=1968

Quote

Press Release: VUDU SIGNS DEALS TO DELIVER TOP HD TITLES TO EVERY CUSTOMER

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VUDU SIGNS DEALS TO DELIVER TOP HD TITLES TO EVERY CUSTOMER

Universal, Paramount, Lionsgate Are the First Studios to Offer High Definition Feature Films on the "Movie Store in a Box"

SANTA CLARA, CA, November 15, 2007 ? VUDU Inc., the Company that brings instant access to video-content to the living room, said today it will add high-definition (HD) movies available during the home video and video-on-demand windows to its service, and that Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios, and Lionsgate will be the first studios to offer their titles in HD on VUDU.

"We're pleased to deliver to consumers HD films during the home video and video-on-demand windows from studios that have brought us so many legendary movies," said Mark Jung, CEO, VUDU. "Our new offering will provide customers a superior viewing experience and begin to expand the range of offerings on VUDU."

The VUDU box, which first went on sale to consumers last month, offers approximately 5,000 standard definition titles from the major U.S. film studios and more than 22 independent and international film distributors.
VUDU's standard definition content is already optimized for HD televisions, and the addition of HD content will give consumers an even sharper viewing experience. Films encoded using high-definition format deliver six times higher resolution to the television than standard definition encoded films.

"We're pleased to expand our partnership with VUDU to include digital distribution of our films in HD," said Thomas Lesinski, President, Paramount Pictures Digital Entertainment. "VUDU is rewriting the rules with its superb user interface and ease of use. Consumers will find watching our movies in HD on VUDU to be a great experience."

Universal's agreement provides an opportunity for the companies to hand-pick films of particular interest to VUDU's consumers. Craig Kornblau, President, Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Universal Pictures Digital Platforms, added, "Delivering exceptional HD programming through VUDU's groundbreaking service will provide entertainment consumers with an unparalleled combination of content and convenience. It also furthers our goal of leveraging emerging technologies to allow viewers to experience Universal content whenever and wherever they choose."

"Our partnership with VUDU is another opportunity to monetize our content in the digital marketplace of the future," said Lionsgate President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Beeks. "Our decision to be among the first studios joining with VUDU to offer VOD titles in high definition reflects Lionsgate's commitment to remain at the cutting edge of new entertainment technologies for content creation and distribution."

The addition of HD content highlights the inherent capabilities of VUDU's video on-demand service. Because the box is always connected to the Internet, VUDU can continually update the quality and quantity of the content available to customers. Each week, new feature films are added to the VUDU service giving consumers instant access to the latest content.

VUDU gives movie fans the ultimate in flexibility and choice. Consumers can finally watch the right movie at the right time ? no planning needed, no computer necessary, no software downloads, and no cable TV service or satellite subscription required.

About VUDU

VUDU is dedicated to bringing instant access to thousands of mainstream movies to every living room. Through relationships with every major US movie studio and more than 22 independent studios and distributors, VUDU offers the optimal home entertainment experience for consumers. The company was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Silicon Valley.

samplesj · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 Nov 2007, 04:22 pm »

Its a rather bold claim to say this will replace blu/hddvd. The press release is pretty, but doesn't actually give any technical details.

I can't find ANY reference (including checking their site and forum) to the actual resolutions they will be providing. Are they going to provide the 1080p 24hz of a blu/hddvd disc (or better even a higher res

) or will it instead be a HD lite scenerio like sat used to do (and may still)? They do say that their box will support 1080p24hz, but that isn't the same as saying that most of the HD films they get will be that res.

Also if they aren't providing movies in even old DD when available will it truely be competive with blu/hddvd since they can offer uncompressed PCM, TrueHD, and even sometimes DTS-MA? Even the HD media without lossless or uncompressed sound offer DD+ which is a better encoding mechanism than DD. So what sound formats will they offer on these movies?

John Casler · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 Nov 2007, 04:40 pm »

Quote from: samplesj on 20 Nov 2007, 04:22 pm

Its a rather bold claim to say this will replace blu/hddvd. The press release is pretty, but doesn't actually give any technical details.

I can't find ANY reference (including checking their site and forum) to the actual resolutions they will be providing. Are they going to provide the 1080p 24hz of a blu/hddvd disc (or better even a higher res ) or will it instead be a HD lite scenerio like sat used to do (and may still)? They do say that their box will support 1080p24hz, but that isn't the same as saying that most of the HD films they get will be that res.

Also if they aren't providing movies in even old DD when available will it truely be competive with blu/hddvd since they can offer uncompressed PCM, TrueHD, and even sometimes DTS-MA? Even the HD media without lossless or uncompressed sound offer DD+ which is a better encoding mechanism than DD. So what sound formats will they offer on these movies?

Hi Jeremy,

I am far from an answer man, and the system is too new to be smoothly running (thus my complaint of the lack of DD 5.1.

However, the capabilities seem to be there and at a reasonable price. I see it as "something to seriously "watch" (or jump into if you're an early adaptor).

I personally haven't seen or heard the difference between the normal DD 5.1 and the HDMI 1.3 audio.

I think the early adaptors, might not have that capability.

As far as the 1080p 24, it does have that capability, and it also "upconverts" SD to 1080 also.

If it is successful, it will provide some significant advantages that are rather expensive.

A couple other "disadvantages" are no SAP, no subtitles, and no "extras" like on DVD's.

It also doesn't have "Wireless" capability, but can be used with "sidecar" Wireless units.

However, that doesn't mean they won't be available.

I had a client who wanted one (that is how I know there is little margin) and I hooked it up and programmed it for him after running it in my system.

It was quite simple and easy to use, and as a side benefit, it has RF remote, so you don't need to have it placed at a special point.

samplesj · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 Nov 2007, 05:14 pm »

I'll move my follow up questions to the other VuDu thread. Sorry John didn't notice where this was.

John Casler · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 Nov 2007, 05:31 pm »

Quote from: samplesj on 20 Nov 2007, 05:14 pm

I'll move my follow up questions to the other VuDu thread. Sorry John didn't notice where this was.

No problem.

As I said, I have no gain from it. I just posted in this section since I am able to sell them through a distributor.

I just see it as having a BIG FOOT in the door, of the potential of the concept, if it can offer the technology, and content.

Right now it doesn't, but it is only a couple months old.

They do have a forum, and most of my posts have been a little critical to areas that need addressing (like the availability of 5.1 sound on ALL movies that have it on DVD)

I would expect "imitators", maybe even the big boys like Blockbuster and Netflix, who have more muscle.