Comments on: VUDU Reviewed, Doesn’t Cut It On HD Quality http://www.gizmolovers.com/2008/02/13/vudu-reviewed-doesnt-cut-it-on-hd-quality/ TiVo, Slingbox, Android, Blu-ray Disc, and whatever other tech I feel like blogging about... Fri, 18 Sep 2020 20:50:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Ivanhttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2008/02/13/vudu-reviewed-doesnt-cut-it-on-hd-quality/comment-page-1/#comment-22783 Ivan Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:52:22 +0000 http://www.tivolovers.com/2008/02/13/vudu-reviewed-doesnt-cut-it-on-hd-quality/#comment-22783 You would be surprised at the quality of HD content on Vudu. While they officially claim to be "broadcast" quality (i.e. matching cable/satellite VOD), most owners (who took time to compare multiple movies) seem to think that the quality is better than broadcast, especially due to lack of macroblocking. And the quality is better than content on Xbox Marketplace and newly released AppleTV HD rentals. You're welcome to drop by Vudu forums and read the comments.I also don't understand why Engadget and you think that Vudu's concept of "headers" is somehow a flaw that compromises quality. The overall movie size is about the same for Vudu/iTunes/Xbox Marketplace (Vudu is 1080p/24 while the others are 720p/something). The difference between Vudu and AppleTV is that Vudu keeps 30 or seconds of every title (headers) on the box's 250GB HDD (HD and SD) allowing instant watching and then it streams the rest after you place your order. AppleTV on the other hand, makes you wait a minute or so before you can start watching (360 works similarly).Bottom line, no solution will deliver Blu-Ray/HD-DVD quality VOD right now and between the three that offer slighly lower quality (Xbox 360 / AppleTV / Vudu), Vudu offers a slightly better quality and overall experience. Now, it doesn't offer same functionality set of 360/ATV or all-you-can-eat plans like Netflix, but no one is really forcing you to buy Vudu right now.P.S. Having said above, rest assured that we made plenty of suggestions to Vudu and since they seem to release major updates about every 3 months, there is a good chance some of them will be addressed. You would be surprised at the quality of HD content on Vudu. While they officially claim to be “broadcast” quality (i.e. matching cable/satellite VOD), most owners (who took time to compare multiple movies) seem to think that the quality is better than broadcast, especially due to lack of macroblocking. And the quality is better than content on Xbox Marketplace and newly released AppleTV HD rentals. You’re welcome to drop by Vudu forums and read the comments.

I also don’t understand why Engadget and you think that Vudu’s concept of “headers” is somehow a flaw that compromises quality. The overall movie size is about the same for Vudu/iTunes/Xbox Marketplace (Vudu is 1080p/24 while the others are 720p/something). The difference between Vudu and AppleTV is that Vudu keeps 30 or seconds of every title (headers) on the box’s 250GB HDD (HD and SD) allowing instant watching and then it streams the rest after you place your order. AppleTV on the other hand, makes you wait a minute or so before you can start watching (360 works similarly).

Bottom line, no solution will deliver Blu-Ray/HD-DVD quality VOD right now and between the three that offer slighly lower quality (Xbox 360 / AppleTV / Vudu), Vudu offers a slightly better quality and overall experience. Now, it doesn’t offer same functionality set of 360/ATV or all-you-can-eat plans like Netflix, but no one is really forcing you to buy Vudu right now.

P.S. Having said above, rest assured that we made plenty of suggestions to Vudu and since they seem to release major updates about every 3 months, there is a good chance some of them will be addressed.

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