VUDU 2.0 interface is live

[doctorD]

I searched but didn't find this info posted.

First Netflix, then Hulu Plus, and now VUDU. The movie rental service is making its way onto PlayStation 3 just in time for Thanksgiving later this month -- November 23rd, to be exact. If you're familiar with Walmart's recently-acquired video service, you know the drill: on-demand HD titles streamed for a fee, up to 1080p and Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound. The interface will be the same as every other VUDU iteration -- until mid-December, that is. That's when, as we've been told, the company plans to roll out version 2.0 of its UI. In addition to being more streamlined, there's ratings, recommendations, and most interestingly, support for PS3's Move controller. Pictures below, press releases after the break.

Source

[doctorD]

Press Release

PlayStation®Network Continues to Expand its Industry Leading Entertainment Offerings with VUDU™ HD Streaming Movie Service

VUDU Brings High Definition Movies On-Demand to PlayStation®3

FOSTER CITY, Calif., November 16, 2010 – Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (SCEA) today announced that on-demand movie service VUDU™ will launch on PlayStation®Network in the United States with an application that allows for High Definition (HD) and Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound streaming to the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system. VUDU delivers a massive library of movies to PS3 in true 1080p HD format, providing another choice for PS3 users to experience cinema-quality entertainment in the comfort of their living rooms. When the VUDU application launches on November 23, PS3 will be the first and only system with dedicated gaming functionality to offer this service. This partnership further establishes PlayStation Network as the complete home entertainment hub, which includes the latest in gaming, movies, television shows, sports, original programming, internet browsing and social networking.

Using the VUDU streaming movie service, PS3 owners will be able to conveniently and instantly access more than 4,000 HD movies for all major Hollywood studios on-demand, including new releases available the same day they are released to DVD or Blu-ray Disk. The VUDU streaming movie service also offers great value to PS3 households, with an enormous collection of titles available for only $2 for a two night rental.

"PlayStation® has long been the leader in providing living room entertainment. PlayStation Network has emerged as the industry leading entertainment hub for experiencing an unmatched amount of digital content," said Peter Dille, senior vice president, marketing and PlayStation Network, SCEA. "With the addition of the VUDU application to our free PlayStation Network, users will have another way to access entertainment, with thousands of HD movies available instantly in the comfort of their own home."

"PS3 is tailor-made for the high-quality, high-speed VUDU streaming experience," said Edward Lichty, general manager, VUDU. "Now with VUDU on PS3, we are able to deliver a completely immersive experience to those loyal to their entertainment system when they want, where they want."

Customers that have a free PlayStation Network account can download the VUDU application in the "Media" category on PlayStation®Store and then access it under the "Video" icon on the XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) menu. New VUDU customers receive a $5.99 credit, enabling them to watch their first HD movie on the service for free.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC.

Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, the ground-breaking PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and its online and network services the PlayStation®Network and PlayStation®Store. Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one, PlayStation 2, PSP and PS3 systems for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC serves as headquarters for all North American operations.

About VUDU

A leader in digital entertainment, VUDU offers the world's largest selection of streaming HD movies, including thousands of blockbusters, Hollywood classics, and indies available in stunning HDX 1080p with Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound. Movies are available the same day they are released on DVD or Blu-Ray, and can be rented or purchased without a subscription. VUDU comes built in on select internet connectable HDTVs and Blu-Ray Disk Players from, LG, Mitsubishi, Samsung, SANYO, Sharp, Toshiba and Vizio, and is also available on PC or Mac via the Boxee platform. VUDU is a wholly owned subsidiary of Walmart Stores, Inc., and is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA. For more information, visit HYPERLINK "http://www.vudu.com/"http://www.vudu.com/.

[RedIsNotBlue]

I have no experience with VUDU but the quality and selection seems to kick Netflix's ass from what I can tell. But they paying per movie thing is what kills me. They don't offer any flat fee monthly subscription like Netflix? That would be the only deal breaker for me.

[Ascended_Saiyan]

The difference seems to be that VUDU is offering day & date releases with Blu-ray and DVD but at half the price of the PSN video store. Netflix can't do day & date releases. It fills a very big gap. It's like a cheaper Blockbuster, but in your house! I think switching from DirecTV to Hulu Plus and Netflix would allow me to rent and/or buy a lot more movies a month. I'm seriously thinking of taking that route now. I just need to find out which networks I watch that I would lose, if any.

[RedIsNotBlue]

Originally Posted by Ascended_Saiyan

The difference seems to be that VUDU is offering day & date releases with Blu-ray and DVD but at half the price of the PSN video store.

Then I wonder why Sony is even allowing the service to be included if it pretty much puts their PSN video rental store out of business

[Maximus]

The PSN video store is not going to be around in its current incarnation much longer. Qriocity is the future for Sony and that will offer a completely new service model.

[garlad]

Originally Posted by Maximus

The PSN video store is not going to be around in its current incarnation much longer. Qriocity is the future for Sony and that will offer a completely new service model.

So Ireland will most likely never get to see the Video Store then? We better get Qriocity!!

[RedIsNotBlue]

Originally Posted by Maximus

The PSN video store is not going to be around in its current incarnation much longer. Qriocity is the future for Sony and that will offer a completely new service model.

Makes a lot of sense. The PSN video store was doomed from the start. Pricing is ridiculous.

[Septimus Prime]

What is the Qriocity model?

[Maximus]

Can't say until Sony release at least some information.

[EricJ]

The program's already up and running--
Can't say for certain whether I'm impressed, as I don't have an HD connection at the moment, but just on first viewing:

A) While there's more available titles, much of the New-release and back-catalog titles are nearly identical in availability and price to what's on PSN Store--Except that Vudu offers streaming titles (a la Instant Netflix) while PSN Store offers the security of a complete downloaded movie.
Of course, PSN Store has long since given up new back-catalog titles for the indie-fringe , while Vudu has more commercial percentage of mainstream titles, which could make Vudu more reliable down the road, but at the exact same VOD prices ($5.99 HD rent, $2.99 SD rent, $19-24 to own), there's not much inducement at the moment.

B) Some of the streaming titles are already available for "free" on Instant Netflix, and like NFS, not every back-catalog title is in HD if the studio hasn't remastered it yet...Again, mostly a lateral move.

[RedIsNotBlue]

Any chance at all of VUDU offering any kind of monthly subscriptions? The selection and quality compared to Netflix VUDU easily wins. Would easily pay double for a monthly subscription for VUDU access.

[steve_dave]

VUDU, like Netflix, offers 1080p HD streaming while the PSN Video Store offers 720p HD video downloads.

All three offer 5.1 audio for selected titles.

PSN Video Store has no streaming so you have to wait for a download. Vudu requires only a 2.25mb or higher connection for 720p HD streaming. Netflix requires a 5mb or higher connection for HD streaming.

Vudu offers a larger selection of new to video titles for rent and sale. The PSN Video Store also offers a decent selection of new to video titles along with recent television episodes from selected distributors. Netflix offers a few new to video titles for rent but 99% are just independent releases from Magnolia. Netflix does have a few select recent television shows available fore streaming.

Vudu gives you 30 days to start watching a rental; once play is chosen for the first time, you have 24 hours to enjoy it. During the 24 hour perioid, you can watch it as often as you want and some rentals are avaiiable for 48 hours. Stuff you buy, you own without time limitations.

PSN Vidoe Store gives you 14days to start watching a rental; once play is chosen for the first time, you have 24 hours to enjoy it. Stuff you buy, you own without time limitations.

Netlfix is rental only but you can watch the film as many times as you want as long as it is available as a Watch Instantly title.

So why Vudu?

Netlfix is great but you may want more choices in movies.

The PSN Video Store has the same prices but if you have wait for the video to download.

Vudu is just another alternative video service that provides more consumer options.

[RedIsNotBlue]

Well here is where I personally stand when it comes to all 3 options.

PSN Video Store - Download only. I really don't mind waiting to download a movie as long as the quality is great. But prices are too high and I prefer streaming.

Vudu - From what I can tell so far the quality and selection is great. I especially like the ability to preview movies for 2 minutes just to check out the quality before buying. But same as the PSN store...prices are too high. Streaming is preferred because I would rather pay one flat fee even if $20 for one month and be able to just watch whatever I want whenever I want without paying for each movie.

Netflix - This wins simply for the reason for a month you can pay under $10 and be able to watch whatever and give movies a chance you are unsure about without having to worry about the cost. But the tradeoff is that the selection and quality is mediocre compared to VUDU.

So for me there is still no perfect service that is willing to make me wanna give up on my current Blu-ray buying habits.

Perfect service for me would be VUDU but with a subscription even if at a higher cost compared to Netflix I would pay.

[Cyorg]

Vudu isn't working on my PS3. getting an error "ADU has no available record for device". Anyone else having this issue?

[obiwopkenobi62]

I bought a standalone Vudu box about 2 years ago and loved it. It was absolutely the best quality available. It also had an adult section called Vudu after dark. For Vudu you would open an account and put a default ammount in either 20, 50 or 100 bucks, then everytime you rented a movie it would deduct it from your account.
So then along comes Walmart and buys Vudu. They immediately got rid of Vudu after dark and I started to notice other changes as movies taking longer to be available. I then canceled my account and have been streaming with Netflix ever since. The other thing about Vudu is it isn't cheap. Movies can go from 3.99 up to 6.99 based on the quality you want. That's kind of ridiculous when I can stream all I want plus get blurays from Netflix for much less.
Netflix has been in the game for a lot longer than anyone else and they do it right.

[dereksworl]

does anyone know the difference between "HD" and "HDX" and why HDX is a $1 more?

[RedIsNotBlue]

Originally Posted by dereksworl

does anyone know the difference between "HD" and "HDX" and why HDX is a $1 more?

I believe HDX is 1080p while HD is only 720p. You can preview any movie in any quality so you can check out for yourself and see if you notice any differences.

[Lopan]

Originally Posted by dereksworl

does anyone know the difference between "HD" and "HDX" and why HDX is a $1 more?

Umm yeah, if you just download the service and try it, it tells you.

HD is 720P with normal 5.1 sound.

HDX is 1080P and HD Surround up to 7.1 (if available)

Just tried it out last night using the free $5.99 credit they give you and watched Grownups HDX. Works great and I will definately use it again if I want to rent somthing in HD.

[dereksworl]

Originally Posted by RedIsNotBlue

I believe HDX is 1080p while HD is only 720p. You can preview any movie in any quality so you can check out for yourself and see if you notice any differences.

Originally Posted by Lopan

Umm yeah, if you just download the service and try it, it tells you.

HD is 720P with normal 5.1 sound.

HDX is 1080P and HD Surround up to 7.1 (if available)

Just tried it out last night using the free $5.99 credit they give you and watched Grownups HDX. Works great and I will definately use it again if I want to rent somthing in HD.

cool, thanks fellas