Washington, D.C. (October 2, 2008) -- Vudu,
the Video on Demand set-top service, says it will offer sharper and more vivid 1080p high-def movies in its lineup starting today.
The Vudu set-top, which costs $299, enables users to download movies over a high-speed Internet connection. The box, which can also store movies, includes both standard-def and HDTV films.
Vudu initially will offer 65 movies in 1080p including Speed Racer, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Chinatown and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The 1080p films, which Vudu is calling HDX, will be available for the same price ($4-6) as existing 720p films in Vudu's lineup.
CNET.com writes today that Vudu plans to eventually make every new movie available in 720p also available in 1080p. However, the site adds that there's a catch: because of their higher bit rate, 1080p films will require at least a four-hour download time.
Can Vudu win over the high-def audience with 1080p movies?
Vudu, however, plans to update its web site so owners can begin streaming the movies to their set-tops from a remote location. For instance, you could order the 1080p Speed Racer at work and, presumably, it would be waiting on your menu when you came home.
The introduction of the 1080p films is guaranteed to stir controversy among Blu-ray enthusiasts who maintain the 1080p high-def disc offers the best picture on the market. When Dish Network recently began offering 1080p Pay Per View movies -- and comparing them to Blu-ray -- some Blu-ray officials squawked, saying Dish's picture was inferior.
CNET reports, however, that Vudu is not claiming that its 1080p films rivals the Blu-ray picture. However, the site says it was given a sneak preview of the service and found it to be "impressive."
"HDX displays content in the true cinematic gold standard of 1080p at 24 frames per second. Content in HDX is displayed at twice the resolution of other Internet HD formats and offers an ultra-detailed and virtually artifact free picture on any size screen. HDX also offers the best available surround sound quality for Internet delivered movies with immersive, high resolution sound at a 40 percent higher bit-rate than standard surround sound DVD's," Vudu's press release says today.
Vudu says it's also offering a $200 credit for new customers who purchase the $299 set-top at Best Buy. However, the offer is only good until; December 31 and the credit, which can be redeemed on film rentals, must be used within four months.
Vudu has struggled to generate interest due to competition from traditional TV services such as cable and satellite and a general 'set-top' fatigue among Americans.
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The Vudu set-top, which costs $299, enables users to download movies over a high-speed Internet connection. The box, which can also store movies, includes both standard-def and HDTV films.
Vudu initially will offer 65 movies in 1080p including Speed Racer, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Chinatown and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The 1080p films, which Vudu is calling HDX, will be available for the same price ($4-6) as existing 720p films in Vudu's lineup.
CNET.com writes today that Vudu plans to eventually make every new movie available in 720p also available in 1080p. However, the site adds that there's a catch: because of their higher bit rate, 1080p films will require at least a four-hour download time.
Can Vudu win over the high-def audience with 1080p movies?
Vudu, however, plans to update its web site so owners can begin streaming the movies to their set-tops from a remote location. For instance, you could order the 1080p Speed Racer at work and, presumably, it would be waiting on your menu when you came home.
The introduction of the 1080p films is guaranteed to stir controversy among Blu-ray enthusiasts who maintain the 1080p high-def disc offers the best picture on the market. When Dish Network recently began offering 1080p Pay Per View movies -- and comparing them to Blu-ray -- some Blu-ray officials squawked, saying Dish's picture was inferior.
CNET reports, however, that Vudu is not claiming that its 1080p films rivals the Blu-ray picture. However, the site says it was given a sneak preview of the service and found it to be "impressive."
"HDX displays content in the true cinematic gold standard of 1080p at 24 frames per second. Content in HDX is displayed at twice the resolution of other Internet HD formats and offers an ultra-detailed and virtually artifact free picture on any size screen. HDX also offers the best available surround sound quality for Internet delivered movies with immersive, high resolution sound at a 40 percent higher bit-rate than standard surround sound DVD's," Vudu's press release says today.
Vudu says it's also offering a $200 credit for new customers who purchase the $299 set-top at Best Buy. However, the offer is only good until; December 31 and the credit, which can be redeemed on film rentals, must be used within four months.
Vudu has struggled to generate interest due to competition from traditional TV services such as cable and satellite and a general 'set-top' fatigue among Americans.
Comment on this article!
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