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Vudu Box Price Drops US$100, Still Gonna Cost You US$300
Posted by Wilson Rothman at 1:00 AM on January 25, 2008
Starting right now, the price of the standard Vudu setup is US$300, down from US$400, but still a tad higher than we'd like to pay for the convenient no-subscription pay-per-view VOD box. What? You bought one during the past month and are kicking yourself? That's okay—check in with Vudu customer service, and you'll get US$100 in credit towards movie rentals or purchases. The first two Bourne movies will be free (in HD) on any box you buy, and there are now other free movies too, mostly dusty old flicks from bygone days, but still. TV shows are also popping on the Vudu service, and some will start at just 50 US cents. Still, is it worth US$300? Perhaps we'll have to square it off against the new Apple TV to find out. Oh, and that 500-movie Vudu XL box will still cost $999.
AU: Obviously this isn't exactly relevant for the Aussie market, but it's still good to look at what awesome products are available in the US, and know that at least someone, somewhere, is getting a better deal, even if it's not us.[Vudu]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Zlevee
Posted 2:11 AM 25/1/08
Looking better all the time. But I want some assurance that this company isn't going to go out of business leaving me with a uselex box before I buy.
Zlevee
NNTPgrip
Posted 3:12 AM 25/1/08
@The Chad: Yeah, I thought that was the point of the whole CableCard/OpenCable/Tru2Way stuff. At least that is the spirit of the idea. There is no reason there shouldn't be stackable AppleTV add-on box with multi-stream CableCard slot. Also, a stackable add-on box with blu-ray/hd-dvd drive etc. etc.
I want to stay in ONE interface, and on one input on my TV and receiver. Maybe then someone besides me will have a snowballs chance in hell of operating my stuff well enough to watch TV.
NNTPgrip
The Chad
Posted 3:12 AM 25/1/08
what is the best way to replace my comcast HD box? I like this and apple TV, but also like history channel, nip/tuck, and jeopardy. Oh yeah, and still catch Seahawks games/superbowl!
Am I dreaming?
The Chad
ANoel
Posted 3:12 AM 25/1/08
question...
VUDU = 1080p
Apple TV = 720p
?
ANoel
jwardell
Posted 4:12 AM 25/1/08
Their site just says the *will* get HD content. No mention of when or how much. So 1080p is not very useful when all the content is SD.
jwardell
pete
Posted 4:12 AM 25/1/08
Vudu is at the top of my 2008 dead pool.
Sorry, it just can't compete in a market with Apple TV and XBLM.
pete
theespacepope
Posted 4:12 AM 25/1/08
I don't really watch TV. I buy DVDs of TV shows and I only watch live sports on DirecTV. This would be nice, but nothing beats being able to take DVDs of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia to a friend's house or let them borrow it.
theespacepope
Rusdude
Posted 12:43 PM 24/1/08
@jwardell: Bourne trilogy is availabe right now in HD and gave people a chance to see the quality of material. Vudu stated that the 70+ HD titles are going to become available by the end of January and judging from reports on the forums, it's going to happen on time.
Rusdude
Rusdude
Posted 12:27 PM 24/1/08
@pete: While Vudu is not perfect, I don't think you can say that about a box that's been out for all of 4 months. You might have had an argument before Apple announced details of their rental model with AppleTV. However, Apple hasn't been able to negotiate better rental terms and the only advantage they have is pricing for new release HD movies but nothing is stopping Vudu from dropping matching that.
So right now Vudu offers better resolution (1080p/24 vs 720p), DD 5.1 in all HD movies and most new SD (Apple only offers 5.1 in HD and not all of them, I think), instant SD and HD watching, ability to actually purchase movies, and a better movie catalog so far.
Having said that, Vudu is not for everyone yet, doesn't have media functionality of AppleTV, and is not a 100% substitute for Netflix/Blockbuster. But Vudu has been adding features/functionality at a good pace. In the short time it's been out, they've added HD functionality, improved interface, gave 2 free Bourne movies in HD, and giving free programming now (first episode of first season of TV shows and some more stuff, I believe).
Rusdude
doctorSpoc
Posted 6:59 PM 24/1/08
can't put my ripped dvd's on it = non-starter...
can't add hard drives as your library grows = non-starter.. appleTV has limitless storage since you can add drives to your PC and stream content (wired or 802.11n)
vudu it too limiting since the only content you can put on there is from them... that's BS!!
doctorSpoc