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Vudu launches HDX high-definition format

5 October 2008 16:37 by Andre "DVDBack23" Yoskowitz | 9 comments

Vudu has officially announced that it will be rolling out films in a new high-definition format, dubbed HDX which the company claims is the best looking format yet for content delivered via the web, TV or cable VOD.

The launch will have 50 films available in the format, which plays back in full HD 1080p resolution. A few of the releases include the new hits The Spiderwick Chronicles, In Bruges, Speed Racer and a few classics such as Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Chinatown.

All Vudu users can watch the content via a purchased set-top box and although Vudu admits Blu-ray will offer a superior video and audio experience, HDX will trump any current HD service.

Although the company did not say how large the file sizes were on average, they did say HDX delivery would take about 4 hours per film for the average user. HDX will cost the same as the current HD films, $3.99 to $5.99 per film.

�We don�t make the claim that this is as good as Blu-ray, but consumers will not think the quality is lacking,� said Prasanna Ganesan, Vudu chief technology officer. �This is better than any other on-demand high-def experience out there.�

From now on all HD film releases on Vudu will also be available in HDX, says the comapny. HDX promises "to enhance details within dark images, preserve film grain and tune the picture for optimal display on current LCD and plasma TVs."

�Vudu HDX truly raises the bar on picture quality for [high-def] movies delivered on demand, over the air, satellite or Internet and across the entire video landscape,� added Mark Jung, Vudu CEO. �Accelerating consumer adoption of large-screen HDTVs has fueled strong demand for the kind of viewing experience and picture quality that only HDX can deliver.�

Permalink to this article | Topic: Online video

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JRude (Junior Member) 5 October 2008 18:46
Another format, another set top box...ho hum...Is the Bailout-Extortion Bill going to buy everyone these gasps at ''new'' formats? The General Public has spoken. Standard DVD is good enough! Upscale it and watch these company's stock drop. [ + quote]
jetyi83 (Member) 6 October 2008 3:29
*Originally posted by JRude:* Another format, another set top box...ho hum...Is the Bailout-Extortion Bill going to buy everyone these gasps at ''new'' formats? The General Public has spoken. Standard DVD is good enough! Upscale it and watch these company's stock drop. actually standard dvd is not good enough at all, its just very cheap. Im not sure what you think the bailout is for, but it has nothing to do with this. whether this company makes it or not, industry will shift towards streaming media within the next 5-6 years. [ + quote]
JRude (Junior Member) 6 October 2008 3:48
Standard DVD IS good enough. You haven't read the reports? As for taking the comment on the Bailout-Extortion Bill at face value..you need to lighten UP! The Industry when it gets its head out of it's butt may go streaming mainline, but it WILL be flagged and protected. What do you think DRM'd cables, Hardware, OS's and such are FOR!? btw...I AM very cheap! [ + quote]
Toshibot (Junior Member) 6 October 2008 7:53
PC World on MSN has something to say: http://tech.msn.com/products/slideshow.a...2&imageindex=10 *Quote:* The 10 Most Overrated Products Hype springs eternal. Lots of technologies, products and services don't merit the praise heaped on them. Here are 10 tech items that don't live up to their billing -- and 10 that deserve respect that they don't receive. *Overrated: Streaming Video; Underrated: Blu-ray Disc* Streaming video gets all the buzz: Netflix via Roku or Vudu! Hulu, YouTube and the Beijing Olympics via PC! But we haven't seen streaming video in ages as impressive as those on Blu-ray Disc (and Blu-ray audio rocks, too). The detail, clarity and depth of Blu-ray trump the lower-bit-rate product that streaming video offers every time. That's not to say that streaming isn't convenient: You just click and go, with no packaging to fuss with and no disc to load. But with Blu-ray (the successor to the DVD), you don't have to worry about broadband-network data caps or hiccups in the service. Remember, this is from a Microsoft site. [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 6 October 2008 13:03
Speaking of streaming anyone know how to link 2 or 4 FLV/WMV videos and have them stream as one video though a play list and embed it on a site? [ + quote]
windsong (Junior Member) 6 October 2008 14:12
*Originally posted by JRude:* Standard DVD IS good enough. You haven't read the reports? As for taking the comment on the Bailout-Extortion Bill at face value..you need to lighten UP! The Industry when it gets its head out of it's butt may go streaming mainline, but it WILL be flagged and protected. What do you think DRM'd cables, Hardware, OS's and such are FOR!? btw...I AM very cheap! Look at the news today..seems the bailout didn't help at all and the corporate fat cats are going to hell with or without our money. Anyways, the super upconversion players will be here soon which will look a thousand times better than your standard 100 dollar upconverter at BestBuy. Not to mention plenty of movies that are on DVD will probably never make it to blu-ray. [ + quote]
ThePastor (Junior Member) 6 October 2008 17:13
Is it better? Is it overrated? ... Blah Blah Blah... The two things I saw were... "HDX delivery would take about 4 hours per film for the average user." FOUR HOURS? Are they serious? You call that streaming??? I can get a movie by torrent in under an hour. Maybe 2 for an HD movie. and... "you don't have to worry about broadband-network data caps or hiccups in the service." Already the industry is reacting to this new movement towards "broadband data caps". This is a very, very bad thing. Stifling the future of video streaming. Personally, I'm sick and tired of new formats. We have MORE than enough already. And, if I have to use a proprietary set-top box to see it, then I don't want it. Thanks. [ + quote]
miltex (Member) 7 October 2008 5:15
what about bandwidth caps ? When the chips are down, you can count on miltex ! [ + quote]
JRude (Junior Member) 7 October 2008 14:33
Bandwidth caps? lol! As soon as they get service by the gig, there will suddenly be PLENTY of BW! [ + quote]