Vudu offering HD downloads, say goodbye to HD DVD and Blu-ray

You know this big ol' format war between HD DVD and Blu-ray? Well, I hope you haven't spent too much money choosing sides. That's because sooner rather than later we're not going to be all that interested in either format, what with them being physical and all. Yes, the era of HD content in digital formats is coming right at us.

http://blog.scifi.com/tech/archives/2007/11/20/vudu_offering_h.html


I really don't see downloads replacing disk. I'm not saying never, but not as soon as this douche claims it will. How long will it take to download an HD movie, and will the quality match HD and BR? I like having the disk in my hand, not on a Hard drive that can fail in 2 years or run out of space and have to delete $20 downloads. Pfff


Found another link: http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/digital-downloads/vudu-goes-hd-thumbs-nose-at-blu+ray-and-hd-dvd-324913.php

Ya. . . ummm my PC has a 300gb harddrive.

Exactly how many HD DVD or BD quality movies can that hold? 8. . .

Digi-distribution is a pipe-dream right now until we start seeing terrabyte harddrives in every computer.

The sort of HD movies they sell at xbox live for instance.. doesn't seem the same as HD DVDDquality discs. The downloads are like in the 9GB range.. no where near 30Gigs

Count me out until they match (100%) the quality of Blu-Ray and HDDVD.

Even then, I would still only want to 'rent' this way. If I want to own a title, I like to have it physically on a shelf in my house. Call me old-fashioned..

I have comcast on demand, and have only once bothered paying for a hd ondemand movie...I'll watch the free ones in the living room though, if I don't feel like going into the theater to get the full blown experience.

Ya. . . ummm my PC has a 300gb harddrive.

Exactly how many HD DVD or BD quality movies can that hold? 8. . .

Digi-distribution is a pipe-dream right now until we start seeing terrabyte harddrives in every computer.

Doubt you'd get to keep them, it'd more than likely be a download as you want to watch sort of thing. You'd need a bloody fast connection to make it worthwhile as a replacement to physical media.

Count me out until they match (100%) the quality of Blu-Ray and HDDVD.

Even then, I would still only want to 'rent' this way. If I want to own a title, I like to have it physically on a shelf in my house. Call me old-fashioned..

I have comcast on demand, and have only once bothered paying for a hd ondemand movie...I'll watch the free ones in the living room though, if I don't feel like going into the theater to get the full blown experience.

I saw 300 On Demand and it was pretty cool. I was going to rent Transformers in HD, but I just bought it on HD DVD and I am waiting for my $99 "obsolete" A2.

But I agree, on high speed it still takes about 30 minutes to download a movie on iTunes at about 1.5 GB. A legit On Demand service is the only real competitor, but even then, people still buy CD's and there is really no reason to. Hell I buy them and rip them onto MP3, I just feel more secure with the physical media.

I agree 100%. I don't want my hi-def content saved to a hard disk just waiting to become corrupt or lost entirely. I couldn't give a rats ass about downloading films, regardless of how fast internet connections will be in the future. :banghead:

If I'm paying to own a movie the only way I want it is on physical media like HD DVD, and I'm sure there's alot of people out there who feel the same way.

Hmm, if it´s high bitrate download stuff, which i would be allowed to keep, maybe even at an interesting pricepoint? Can´t say i wouldn´t be interested as an alternative to physical media. But then again i´d like to have my copy without DRM and how likely is that? :rolleyes:

No downloading in my future. For movies, I love my physical media.

Yeah, people have been going on about new HDM being pointless as downloads will take over in the near future.

There's not way I can see that happening myself. There's something about actually owning the original disc, with real packing and all that makes it worthwhile. I'd much rather have that than some massive file on my hard drive that will take a LONG time to download, which will use about half my monthly data allowance!

Hell, I don't even download my CDs still, I get them from the store.

For this to take off you would have to be able to download the movie in 15 to 30 minutes or less or be able to buffer the download enough so you can watch it while it's downloading. Currently the download speeds are not even close to being able to do either of those.

If it takes 30 minutes to download 1.5g and if you cut out all the extras and download just the desired audio track, say 15g to 20g for every thing that's 5 to 7 hours to get one movie. Comcast is already throttling people who download too much, any guesses if they would do the same in this case?

How is this download services going to kill HDM any more than any other download service?

"Right Now" in this time & date, downloading will never take off. People would rather purchase the packaged product and have it in their hands. Now 10 to 15 years from now may be a different story.

Just isn't gonna happen. People are hoarders. They like to collect.

Just isn't gonna happen. People are hoarders. They like to collect.
Yup, just like many of us :D

I'm cool with it. As long as it's the same quality. And then I could burn it to an HD-DVD Recordable.

It should be able to work if you consider that FIOS is really taking off. Fios is fast enough to handle that large of file sizes. And even then I dont think people will mind if they have to "order it" and have it be playable later that night or in the morning. They wait days for rentals they wont mind waiting a bit for a download. They could queue up a bunch too. Would be all ready for them when they want to watch.

Besides that they could make it a "pre-download". Then it's on their Hard drive and ready to go when it's "released". So no time lost. It's there that day to be unlocked.

This could be great to. Then we would get 4k transfers sooner. whenever some super high res TV's start showing up.

And think about this.... there won't be "Blu" or "red" movies. All movies would be available at some point :)

but even then, people still buy CD's and there is really no reason to. .

Sound quality?

It's because CDs are >> UNCOMPRESSED PCM << !!

(clouds parting, rays of light, choirs singing, etc)

:D

I'm cool with it. As long as it's the same quality. And then I could burn it to an HD-DVD Recordable.

It should be able to work if you consider that FIOS is really taking off. Fios is fast enough to handle that large of file sizes. And even then I dont think people will mind if they have to "order it" and have it be playable later that night or in the morning. They wait days for rentals they wont mind waiting a bit for a download. They could queue up a bunch too. Would be all ready for them when they want to watch.

Besides that they could make it a "pre-download". Then it's on their Hard drive and ready to go when it's "released". So no time lost. It's there that day to be unlocked.

This could be great to. Then we would get 4k transfers sooner. whenever some super high res TV's start showing up.

And think about this.... there won't be "Blu" or "red" movies. All movies would be available at some point :)

Be cheaper to burn to BD - at today's prices.

Yeah and we all know how 100% reliable burning is don't we?
There is no substitute for having a manufactured disk in a nice case that can be stored easily and played anytime. Downloading will compliment bought disks but any idea that it will replace them is nonsense in my case and I suspect many others.

Be cheaper to burn to BD - at today's prices.

oblioman, since you're so into the idea of burning, why do you support the format that uses such excessive DRM?

It's because CDs are >> UNCOMPRESSED PCM << !!

(clouds parting, rays of light, choirs singing, etc)

:D

So why did we need SACD and DVD-As? :p Kinda helps explain why they didn't take off :p

So why did we need SACD and DVD-As? :p Kinda helps explain why they didn't take off :p

SACD/DVD-Audio had higher sampling & bit rates compared to CD.

SACD/DVD-Audio had higher sampling & bit rates compared to CD.

lol

did these make as much of a difference as the higher bandwidth has for blu-ray? :lol:

Actually it made an ACTUALLY REAL WORLD difference unlike the BD bandwidth. ;)

Sound quality?

But I don't listen to the CD, I listen to it on my iPod, and on my Computer at work. I really don't hear that much difference in quality, althought I could just be adjusting my expectations based upon the quality of speakers I am running it through.

But I don't listen to the CD, I listen to it on my iPod, and on my Computer at work. I really don't hear that much difference in quality, althought I could just be adjusting my expectations based upon the quality of speakers I am running it through.

Using headphones will cloud the hearing somewhat, but the differences are there to hear if you have an ear for it and know what to listen for. Many people just use music as background noise, instead of intently listening to every nuance of every note.

Actually it made an ACTUALLY REAL WORLD difference unlike the BD bandwidth. ;)

We still haven't had the chance to hear a max bitrate DTS-HD MA track vs DDTHD vs PCM for the same movie. According to a reviewer at HTF it sounds better than anything he's ever heard. We've already established that uncompressed often sounds better than DDTHD even with the dialnorm off.

But I don't listen to the CD, I listen to it on my iPod

There is no way an iPod can sound even remotely close to a CD. iPods have the WORST low's ever (read: no bass period, it's like listening through a tin can). Even if you use a bass booster adapter it will still sound like crap because it's just a lame attempt to round out the mid's and high's. I hate iPods.

But I still use them. :o

Sony Walkmans produce a pretty decent sound. I've got a nice official Sony docking kit for mine that I use as a stereo at work, it's just more conveniant to use my phone rather than cart CDs to and from work.

Depressing as it is, I'm yet to experience any noticible improvement depending on audio codecs used so I guess it's just not the sort of thing that would benefit me having all this high def lossless audio hoo-har.

I can tell the difference between 2.1 and 5.1, and I can tell if something is tinny/lacking bass etc. But when it comes to Dolby 5.1, DTS, THX and the like, I can't really tell much difference. So I've always assumed lossless would probably be similar. At the current prices for lossless receivers over here, it's not a difference I want to really notice either :p

Sound quality?

DD and 5.1

The boxes from Vudu will most likely come down in price in the near future, I the interm you can buy the box use it for 30 days--not happy return the box for a refund on the box(not movies) they state(which seems bold)funds returned in 7 to 12 days---when we canceled Directv it took them 4 1/2 months to sent the refund

WOW !!! JUST WHAT the WORLD NEEDS...a Ton of people downloading not just regular movies, but HI-def movies and crashing the internet!!! (was that sarcastic enough?)

oblioman, since you're so into the idea of burning, why do you support the format that uses such excessive DRM?

Me content burned is from me own HD camcorder - weddings, birthdays, bar mitzvah's, graduations, etc. Me also has a never ending clientel that own HD camcorders and wish to share their home vids via HD disc to share with others (that own a PS3 or SA). You would be surprised at the amount of "boomers" buying HD camcorders and want to send vids via disc to their own children that own a PS3 (most popular request), but they have no idea or means to burn to disc. Me has never advertised me side-line, all of me clientel is purely word of mouth. Simply put, me computer stays busy - and since it all be home vids - DRM does not come into play.

WOW !!! JUST WHAT the WORLD NEEDS...a Ton of people downloading not just regular movies, but HI-def movies and crashing the internet!!! (was that sarcastic enough?)

What the world needs is a "ton of more people " to crash the trash they call the internet.

http://blog.scifi.com/tech/archives/2007/11/20/vudu_offering_h.html


I really don't see downloads replacing disk. I'm not saying never, but not as soon as this douche claims it will. How long will it take to download an HD movie, and will the quality match HD and BR? I like having the disk in my hand, not on a Hard drive that can fail in 2 years or run out of space and have to delete $20 downloads. Pfff


Found another link: http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/digital-downloads/vudu-goes-hd-thumbs-nose-at-blu+ray-and-hd-dvd-324913.php

I know, like MP3's replacing CD's that will never happen.......Oh wait!

Just isn't gonna happen. People are hoarders. They like to collect.

Pigs and slobs collect, normal people keep what they need (not maybe sometime)

Unlike some people I do not like to hoard my media I much prefer just to rent it. I use the Napster to go service and I just started using the 3 disc netflix plan. I haven't ordered any HD DVDs yet, but plan to in the future. I would much rather just pay $3.99 for movies that I want to view and not have to wait more then 5 mins for it to be downloaded.

Hmm, if it´s high bitrate download stuff, which i would be allowed to keep, maybe even at an interesting pricepoint? Can´t say i wouldn´t be interested as an alternative to physical media. But then again i´d like to have my copy without DRM and how likely is that? :rolleyes:

remotely likely. I have said it before, despite the HD DVD vs BR hoopla, the studios really want you only purchasing limited viewing rights, not permanent media. To my understanding the goal is for downloadable movies which are only playable for several days. But the real problem is that most people just won't want to watch blockbusters on their computer screen. And I don't think many households have their computer hooked up to their HDTV. Seems like some hardware is needed on HDTV's for this to really happen (like a built in internet connection and HD).

Ed

Connecting a HTPC is probably the highest growing market for many home theater dealers, so I would predict it will be standard equipment within the next 5 years. It will take some software to make it mainstream that isn't quite there yet, but I think it will come. I think the main drawback is the download time for a full length movie.

When they can deliver 1080p and lossless audio and then give me the movie the week it is released on video then we'll talk.

When they can deliver 1080p and lossless audio and then give me the movie the week it is released on video then we'll talk.


Vudu already did that with Bourne Ultimatum last month - available on Vudu the same day it was available in stores. The video is 1080p, and the audio is DD 5.1.

The challenge is when will the studios loosen up their grip.

Next week Vudu will release the instant view HD software to the field, along with some HD titles not available on video (BR or HD-DVD). For examples, the Star Trek movies in HD on the Vudu are not available to folks with high def players in either format. Are you OK with availability BEFORE video stores?

Oops double post.

Vudu already did that with Bourne Ultimatum last month - available on Vudu the same day it was available in stores. The video is 1080p, and the audio is DD 5.1.

The challenge is when will the studios loosen up their grip.

Next week Vudu will release the instant view HD software to the field, along with some HD titles not available on video (BR or HD-DVD). For examples, the Star Trek movies in HD on the Vudu are not available to folks with high def players in either format. Are you OK with availability BEFORE video stores?

I said 1080p and LOSSLESS audio. DD5.1 is not lossless. And yes to me it does make a difference as I have had lossless via HD DVD and BD. And also they will not have ALL of the HD releases the day they come out. They will only have a few to start with. I don't know who you are trying to kid, those movies that release before video stores will be very few and far inbetween. Star Trek movies? Who cares. It will be a long time before movies streamed over an internet connection will equal the quality of HD DVD and BD.

Connecting a HTPC is probably the highest growing market for many home theater dealers, so I would predict it will be standard equipment within the next 5 years. It will take some software to make it mainstream that isn't quite there yet, but I think it will come. I think the main drawback is the download time for a full length movie.

The time that it takes at the moment to download HD from Vudu is just shy of 4 hours so that is a disadvantage. The nice thing about the box(service) is that you can sit down and have a movie ASAP, no driving or wait at the mail box, we also have Netflix, but haven't rented from them since Vudu sent me the box. I remember when Netflix started no one thought they would make a go of it , look now.I don't think Vudu wants to take over the movie rental business just to get a share of it. Like I said today is rainy,ice in some areas, the kids are off from school and the movies are NOW

The time that it takes at the moment to download HD from Vudu is just shy of 4 hours so that is a disadvantage. ....snip....

This is not correct. HD Movies on the Vudu are instant delivery/viewing if you have 3MB or faster internet service. Also, there are now over 100 HD titles in the Vudu rental catalog, and it continues to grow.

I'll agree that if you are part of the DVD Tuesday crowd that has been convinced they need to see the movie the same day it's released, then Vudu is not there yet. On the other hand, if you want faster service than the model posed by Netflix, Vudu is a very competitive alternative that you should at least give a chance (i.e. take advantage of the 30 day money back guarantee).

This is not correct. HD Movies on the Vudu are instant delivery/viewing if you have 3MB or faster internet service. Also, there are now over 100 HD titles in the Vudu rental catalog, and it continues to grow.

I'll agree that if you are part of the DVD Tuesday crowd that has been convinced they need to see the movie the same day it's released, then Vudu is not there yet. On the other hand, if you want faster service than the model posed by Netflix, Vudu is a very competitive alternative that you should at least give a chance (i.e. take advantage of the 30 day money back guarantee).

What I ment was that if you want to buy the HD movie(if it not only is for rent but sale also)that the download will take close to 4 hours. My viewing of the Vudu HD movies is instant as our connection is 6/1

What I ment was that if you want to buy the HD movie(if it not only is for rent but sale also)that the download will take close to 4 hours. My viewing of the Vudu HD movies is instant as our connection is 6/1

That is out of date information from December '07. As of February '08, the HD movie viewing is now instant, and the download is at the same time - there is no delay anymore. Only Bourne Ultimatum purchase took 4 hours to download, and that was an intentional bandwidth throttle put on the download in December when HD was first released. What you are saying is no longer true, the Vudu has changed the download process to take advantage of faster internet connections. The challenge you would face today is that most of the 100+ HD titles are rental only. That is something that should change over time (many, many, many more HD titles, plus purchase options on them, in addition to rental).

The real question is, is this good enough and priced right for J6P?

The second question is the distributed storage model that VUDU apparently uses. Will J6P be okay with others pulling movie content (Bandwidth!) from HIS VUDU unit?? :eek:

http://www.wikiappletv.com/page/Apple+TV+Versus+Vudu

That is out of date information from December '07. As of February '08, the HD movie viewing is now instant, and the download is at the same time - there is no delay anymore. Only Bourne Ultimatum purchase took 4 hours to download, and that was an intentional bandwidth throttle put on the download in December when HD was first released. What you are saying is no longer true, the Vudu has changed the download process to take advantage of faster internet connections. The challenge you would face today is that most of the 100+ HD titles are rental only. That is something that should change over time (many, many, many more HD titles, plus purchase options on them, in addition to rental).

While optical discs are selling like they are no studio in the world would let their property be sold digitally. Because of the physical product, there is more profit as they can warrant charging more. Thats why HD films are only avaliable for rental, you'll have to wait until the studios have exhausted the market (and your wallet) first.

While optical discs are selling like they are no studio in the world would let their property be sold digitally. Because of the physical product, there is more profit as they can warrant charging more. Thats why HD films are only avaliable for rental, you'll have to wait until the studios have exhausted the market (and your wallet) first.

from California. The studios would rather just rent movies so they can charge each time a person views them, that has been the Holy Grail in Hwd for quite some time. It might be that if this business model works, we could see fewer titles released on HDM.