Vudu vs iTunes

[twobelowpar]

I've been growing my digital collection of movies for a couple years now, thanks to buying and selling of codes every week, and keeping an eye on the $6.99 and under sales through the iTunes store. I've always preferred iTunes for a variety of reasons, but Vudu is the more attractive option for adding to a collection cheaply and quickly. Overall, my library is split pretty evenly between the two but my preference is to have everything in one place. For digital users, what do you prefer and why? Here are my pros and cons for each.

iTunes
+ preferable interface on Apple TV; Bluray-like menus and extras
+ in the Apple eco-system with iPad and iPhones and ATV as our go-to box
+ this is intangible, but just has a better "feel" to it
- in Canada, so no DMA
- not as many codes out there, especially in Canada

Vudu
+ UV codes obviously much more prevalent than iTunes codes
+ disc to digital is tremendous and cheap and you can even have trusted sellers load movies to your account for a small fee
+ Disney Movies Anywhere
- Roku is our secondary streaming box choice
- need to have a US VPN going to use it (can be a major negative at times)
- a lot of Disney movies in my iTunes that aren't in my Vudu that I'd have to get codes for again

I think you get the gist of it. I continue to grow both collections at a fairly even pace, but for how long? I'd like to hear what others have to say.

[AnemicOak]

For me the biggest downside iTunes has is all content is basically tied to Apple devices which for me means my iPhone or a PC running iTunes. Since Apple views content as a means to an end for selling hardware (as opposed to someone like Amazon where they sell hardware as a means for selling more content) I don't expect that to change. I'd actually prefer iTunes as the downloads are tied to the account as opposed to to the app/device like all current UV providers I can think of.

I mainly use Vudu since it works on so many more of my devices and also on family/friends devices when I go visiting and we want to watch a movie (if they don't have Vudu they often have another UV provider + Amazon or Google for DMA access). D2D is a very nice boon as well.

[alchav21]

I go way back to the PC vs Apple Wars, and I see UV on the PC side so I'm all for Vudu. Vudu also has HDX, which is the best Streaming Format. I also use Amazon, so I think people need to have access to more than one Streaming Provider. So I would suggest keeping both, especially being in Canada. The Providers, for what ever reason, don't like VPN users. That way you will be covered if you can't access Vudu.

[Greyman]

Your biggest issue is being in Canada, and Vudu is trying or at least made an effort to limit VPN access. If you don't have another UV provider as a backup, there is a risk of loss of access.

Also do you have mobile access to Vudu? This may be important to some of your family members.

[twobelowpar]

I went a couple months without Vudu access because of the VPN issue. I have it running again for now. My backup is a horrible CinemaNow app on Roku. It's good enough for watching a movie I want to see but not long term for utilizing as a digital library. Flixster isn't even on there now and sucked anyway. Another pro for Vudu is the fact UV codes are redeemable no matter what country they're from. iTunes is USA/Can for most, but there are still several times that US iTunes codes won't work for me.
No Vudu mobile access but haven't really needed to be at this point. Maybe I'll have to continue using both as Alchav said.

[Krizzle1]

Honestly, being in Canada shouldn't be seen as a downside with Apple/iTunes, just create a US iTunes account and you'll have access to all the iTunes codes that are available.

I live in the UK and I have a US iTunes account and the only 'regret' I have is that I cant have thousands of movies readily available like VUDU users. But to kinda counter that I really only buy movies that I am likely to watch more than once or if the codes/sale is too good to pass on.

You've mentioned the pro's/con's more or less...there are much more UV codes available which means you can add thousands of titles to your collection quickly without breaking the bank. Already being in the Apple ecosystem is a major plus for me, i have an iPhone, iPad, Macbook and an ATV, so it makes perfect sense, everything looks/feels better.

[whiteberry]

Vudu doesn't allow HD on IOS devices which would be a show stopper for most.

[huskerbear]

Originally Posted by whiteberry

Vudu doesn't allow HD on IOS devices which would be a show stopper for most.

They are beta testing that right now so for those that need that I believe it's coming.

[master gandhi]

I definitely use both for a number of reasons. Love the iTunes interface, but also find disc-to-digital (and UV) to be a huge plus for Vudu.

iTunes sometimes has exclusive extras (see Star Trek Beyond), and almost always more extras than Vudu (but at least Vudu has more extras than they did in the past). I'm not as big on extras as I once was, but I'd rather have them than not.

My primary streaming box is the Roku, though, so despite all the movies I have on iTunes, I typically watch my Vudu/Amazon titles more often. Something about iTunes feels more "official" than Vudu, but maybe that's just me.

[Undeadcow]

Originally Posted by twobelowpar

Vudu
+ disc to digital is tremendous and cheap and you can even have trusted sellers load movies to your account for a small fee

Curiously where does this occur that trusted sellers load movies into your disc to digital cart? That seems shameless.

[Jakdonark]

I primarily use my phone for digital copies, and because of time and schedule constraints it’s also my main form of watching movies for the time being, unfortunately. For me, these are the key points:

iTunes:
+ Wide range of titles, and the majority of what I have in my collection
+ Extremely smooth interface and options
+ Downloaded so I don’t have to rely on internet connection
+ Quick transfer to iphone
+ iTunes Extras
- Takes up a lot of hard drive space (currently at 1.5 TB, and I don’t even have all my HD versions downloaded)
- Can’t stream on iPhone
- Requires wifi to download to device
UV:
+ Can stream anywhere
+ often takes less space on iphone if SD version is downloaded
+ Disc to Digital is cheaper than iTunes
- Disc to Digital titles in Canada are limited to DVD
- D2D titles have become ineligible but have not been removed from the list (at least 20 titles that I’ve checked are no longer eligible, and some I verified were two years ago and now are not.
- Can take up to half an hour to download a movie
- Flixster app for iPhone crashes and the resume feature never works (used to work two + years ago, the app has only gotten worse)
- Flixster app has poor interface with no controls for fast forward, rewind, or chapter skip
+ Cinemanow app does have a rewind 30 seconds, but both are very inaccurate for trying to adjust by dragging your finger over the time bar.
- Cinemanow app doesn’t show up Fox/MGM titles redeemed through flixster
- Flixster will often stream in very poor quality for 2-3 minutes or more before it clears up, even on home wi-fi
- Both apps have lag and playback problems even when the title has been downloaded
- Multiple playback errors and restrictions, including titles no longer available to watch

I just started looking into Google play as an option, but I already have over 200 movies in UV and I’d hate to start over. I have codes for all the XMen movies that I’m on the fence about to redeem in UV or Google (I already have them all in iTunes). I redeemed Total Recall and the interface is good, and the quality is good. if UV had a better iPhone app I’d be all over it. I’ve made tickets and bug reports to both UV providers and my issues were rarely solved. The major playback ones are still there, and in flixsters case, the resume does not work at all any more. Before it was spotty at best. I can watch a movie on iTunes 5 years later and it will remember where I last watched, even after deleting it and reloading it on my phone. And I’ve only had one or two problems with itunes in 8 years. So for now, iTunes is my weapon of choice.

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by Jakdonark

I primarily use my phone for digital copies, and because of time and schedule constraints it’s also my main form of watching movies for the time being, unfortunately. For me, these are the key points:

iTunes:
+ Wide range of titles, and the majority of what I have in my collection
+ Extremely smooth interface and options
+ Downloaded so I don’t have to rely on internet connection
+ Quick transfer to iphone
+ iTunes Extras
- Takes up a lot of hard drive space (currently at 1.5 TB, and I don’t even have all my HD versions downloaded)
- Can’t stream on iPhone
- Requires wifi to download to device
UV:
+ Can stream anywhere
+ often takes less space on iphone if SD version is downloaded
+ Disc to Digital is cheaper than iTunes
- Disc to Digital titles in Canada are limited to DVD
- D2D titles have become ineligible but have not been removed from the list (at least 20 titles that I’ve checked are no longer eligible, and some I verified were two years ago and now are not.
- Can take up to half an hour to download a movie
- Flixster app for iPhone crashes and the resume feature never works (used to work two + years ago, the app has only gotten worse)
- Flixster app has poor interface with no controls for fast forward, rewind, or chapter skip
+ Cinemanow app does have a rewind 30 seconds, but both are very inaccurate for trying to adjust by dragging your finger over the time bar.
- Cinemanow app doesn’t show up Fox/MGM titles redeemed through flixster
- Flixster will often stream in very poor quality for 2-3 minutes or more before it clears up, even on home wi-fi
- Both apps have lag and playback problems even when the title has been downloaded
- Multiple playback errors and restrictions, including titles no longer available to watch

I just started looking into Google play as an option, but I already have over 200 movies in UV and I’d hate to start over. I have codes for all the XMen movies that I’m on the fence about to redeem in UV or Google (I already have them all in iTunes). I redeemed Total Recall and the interface is good, and the quality is good. if UV had a better iPhone app I’d be all over it. I’ve made tickets and bug reports to both UV providers and my issues were rarely solved. The major playback ones are still there, and in flixsters case, the resume does not work at all any more. Before it was spotty at best. I can watch a movie on iTunes 5 years later and it will remember where I last watched, even after deleting it and reloading it on my phone. And I’ve only had one or two problems with itunes in 8 years. So for now, iTunes is my weapon of choice.

You actually can stream you're iTunes movies purchases on your iPhone. You have to change your settings in the movie app. But, word of warning. If you stream, it takes up a shit ton of your space on your phone through cache.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Jakdonark

I primarily use my phone for digital copies, and because of time and schedule constraints it’s also my main form of watching movies for the time being, unfortunately.

You fall right into Steedeel Little Kindergarten Kids prediction. I thought he didn't know what he was talking about. Maybe there is some truth to his way of thinking. Watching Movies on a Phone just doesn't cut it for me, but I guess if that's all you have and it's convenient...Why not!

[Jakdonark]

Originally Posted by alchav21

You fall right into Steedeel Little Kindergarten Kids prediction. I thought he didn't know what he was talking about. Maybe there is some truth to his way of thinking. Watching Movies on a Phone just doesn't cut it for me, but I guess if that's all you have and it's convenient...Why not!

I've got 15 grand plus in my home theater but I can watch maybe one movie a week, if I get up early enough on a weekend. And I have to keep the volume low, lol. But while I'm getting ready for work in the morning or doing housework I can watch 5 minutes here, 10 minutes there, and when it was warm out I'd spend my lunch break with my car seat reclined and my iPhone hooked up to the stereo. I can watch 4-5 movies a week that way! Believe me it's not my preferred method, but until the basement and other stuff is finished I can get my movie fix that way! So you can see how it would be frustrating when the UV apps freeze up and cost you 2-3 minutes every time you try to watch, when sometimes I might only have 5 minutes to watch lol.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by alchav21

You fall right into Steedeel Little Kindergarten Kids prediction. I thought he didn't know what he was talking about. Maybe there is some truth to his way of thinking. Watching Movies on a Phone just doesn't cut it for me, but I guess if that's all you have and it's convenient...Why not!

Be afraid. Be VERY afraid.

As a side note, it seems Vudu have no plans to come to the U.K. Reading between the lines, I think their Mexico expansion failed and it has put the execs off the idea for good. So, in the event that Bluray dies in a decade, our options (if they still exist) are ITunes, Amazon or Sky, none of which are UV compliant.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Jakdonark

I've got 15 grand plus in my home theater but I can watch maybe one movie a week, if I get up early enough on a weekend. And I have to keep the volume low, lol. But while I'm getting ready for work in the morning or doing housework I can watch 5 minutes here, 10 minutes there, and when it was warm out I'd spend my lunch break with my car seat reclined and my iPhone hooked up to the stereo. I can watch 4-5 movies a week that way! Believe me it's not my preferred method, but until the basement and other stuff is finished I can get my movie fix that way! So you can see how it would be frustrating when the UV apps freeze up and cost you 2-3 minutes every time you try to watch, when sometimes I might only have 5 minutes to watch lol.

So there is hope for redemption with this guy! .

[Crispy0009]

I use both.

iTunes codes on my Apple TV units and iOS devices.
UV codes on Vudu on my PS3 systems, plus the Vudu app on my iPad or phone.

If I have a choice I redeem on iTunes bc of the iTunes Extras. Vudu has been good in the last couple of months about adding special features to their streaming, iTunes still wins.

Plus for example the feature commentary for Star Trek Beyond is only currently on the iTunes Extras. So I'd go with iTunes to redeem it.

Now yes, they might do I double dip blu ray edition of all the collected Star Trek Beyond special features like they did for Into Darkness. But I'm not going down that road again.

In short I use both and people should choose whichever one they prefer.

[mike568]

I mainly use Vudu since all of my tv's have a Roku. Vudu works most of time but 2 of out my Roku's are connected via network cable and the other 2 are connected to a 5Ghz wifi signal that is maybe 10 ft away.

I have a 2nd generation Apple TV and I mainly like for iTunes Extras.

I use Vudu on my phone and iTunes on my iPad.

I wish Fox wouldn't make you choose between Vudu and iTunes.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

[heyadol]

My Vudu collection is bigger because it's really affordable as the OP mentioned, but you can't easily stream Vudu overseas. I have to travel a lot for work and I have to suffer through VPNs and hope Vudu will work, iTunes streams movies worldwide without issue. Vudu does work on more devices, but iTunes just works. Both of my accounts are US.

iTunes
+Better interface (subjective)
+Works worldwide w/o any special configuration (personal benefit)
+iTunes Extras
-Pricey
-Limited device compatibility (wouldn't include this if I could get a Vudu app on Apple TV)

Vudu
+Better HD quality (subjective)
+Really affordable
+3D
-PITA to use it outside of US (personal problem)
-Extras usually only included when purchased from Vudu, not with code redemption
-3D has limited device support (doesn't work on PS4, Xbox One, Roku; PS3 limited to 720p)
+/-3D is EXPENSIVE, but at least the option exists

[sonyfanboy]

I found that Itunes gets 4K restorations sooner even if you only have hd digital copy. Vudu still got old hdtv era masters for Commando, Predator, and Big Lebowski.