VUDU review
I’ve tried several Internet-based movie services such as Vongo, Movielink, Netflix and Amazon Unbox. Each has its own pluses and minuses and require a Windows PC in some way (though now you can get some movies from Unbox directly through a TiVo). VUDU’s device and service beats them all with its excellent interface, great video and audio quality, ability to immediately view movies, large—and good—selection of content and no subscription fee. It’s not perfect, but it’s damn close.
Movies can be rented with prices from .99 cents to $3.99 and again, they’ll stream immediately. However, like other services, you have 30 days to start watching a rental and then 24 hours once you’ve pressed play to finish it. There are titles that can be purchased for anywhere from $4.99 to $19.99, too, and stored permanently on the device’s 250GB hard drive. VUDU requires payment in advance with a credit card in amounts of $20, $50 or $100. As you rent/buy, the account empties until it’s all gone and then the company charges you again for the pre-authorized amount.
It’s kind of a drag that you can’t send the films to other TVs in your home, but it is a tiny box that could be disconnected and hooked up to another TV with little effort. (Of course if there were a built-in wireless adapter, it would be even easier.) Also, for every one movie you want to watch, there are probably 10 you don’t, but that goes for all similar services. VUDU is a film junkie’s dream though, especially if you’re a junkie of means with an HDTV. The $399 for the box plus the rental costs is a big chunk to swallow up front. But, them’s the cost of doin’ business if you want the best in instant, at-home movies that look and sound good on an HDTV. Plus, VUDU promises to continually make ownership worthwhile with more movies and features coming online in the next six months, so you don’t have to worry about obsolescence a year from now.
VUDU [product site]