Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

[StevenRushing]

Ouch. They are starting with only 1000 sd rentals though, although they are ALL mainstream releases... Thoughts?

[Dysfnctnl85]

Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

My first thoughts are -- why didn't I buy an Apple TV? Then I think about what level of HD these Apple moves are at compared to Vudu.

I wonder how the legal negotiations for movie distributions came about -- will the industry dictate what Vudu and Apple charge and will they be the same? Will there be HD movies that you can rent through iTunes that Vudu won't allow you to rent? My suspicion is that they have the same agreements, but I can't be sure.

Sorry, that was kind of sporadic. All in all, I'm disappointed that Vudu hasn't been able to capitalize (at least it's not immediately apparent) on contractual agreements for movies where Apple seems to have flourished.

[fijidaddy]

VUDU: Automatic loss of any market share they ever had!!

[bspooky]

Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

My thoughts are still it will boil down to the content. If Apple gets 80% or higher new releases while Vudu is still only getting rental NR at a 30% rate (just an example, I have no idea what it is) then Vudu is pretty much dead.

If they get the same NR at similar times for similar prices then I will keep the Vudu...but honestly, at $170 less that new apple TV hurts....a lot.

[NA9D]

Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

I've merged the two duplicate threads.

This is good news for the VOD industry. Vudu still has many more movies available but it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

I've had an AppleTV since they first came out and now between that and my Vudu, I'll have plenty of choice. Choice is good for consumers...

[NA9D]

Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

My first thoughts are -- why didn't I buy an Apple TV? Then I think about what level of HD these Apple moves are at compared to Vudu.

I wonder how the legal negotiations for movie distributions came about -- will the industry dictate what Vudu and Apple charge and will they be the same? Will there be HD movies that you can rent through iTunes that Vudu won't allow you to rent? My suspicion is that they have the same agreements, but I can't be sure.

Sorry, that was kind of sporadic. All in all, I'm disappointed that Vudu hasn't been able to capitalize (at least it's not immediately apparent) on contractual agreements for movies where Apple seems to have flourished.

Uh, about EXACTLY the same:

With iTunes Movie Rentals and Apple TV, users can just click a button on their remote to effortlessly rent movies from a catalog of over 1,000 titles by the end of February, including over 100 titles in stunning high definition video with 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound, with no computer required. DVD-quality iTunes Movie Rentals are $2.99 for library titles and $3.99 for new releases, and high definition versions are just one dollar more with library titles at $3.99 and new releases at $4.99. Apple will provide the new Apple TV software free of charge to existing Apple TV owners when it releases the new Apple TV priced at $229 in about two weeks.

"With the new Apple TV and iTunes Movie Rentals, movie lovers can rent DVD-quality or stunning HD movies from their couch with just a click of a button," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "No more driving to the video store or waiting for DVDs to arrive in the mail."

iTunes Movie Rentals feature iTunes' legendary ease of use, which makes discovering and enjoying movie rentals as simple and easy as buying music on iTunes. Once a movie is rented, it starts downloading from the iTunes Store directly to Apple TV, and users with a fast Internet connection can start viewing the movie in seconds. Customers have up to 30 days to start watching it, and once a movie has been started customers have 24 hours to finish it -- or watch it multiple times.

New releases are $3.99, old stuff is $2.99. You have 30 days to watch and 24 hours to view. EXACT same model as Vudu...

Now, will Apple have new releases for rent on the same day? We shall see. Vudu still has contracts with more studios that Apple and more content. By the time Apple's HD content is out Vudu will have at least 70 titles out in HD. And Apple's SD content is not in DD5.1 while a large amount of Vudu SD content is in 5.1.

The big thing Apple has going for it is name and price. But the 160 GB version is $329. Vudu gives you a 250 GB hard drive for $399. So the pricing isn't that much different. The $229 is just for 40 Gigs...

Now, will Apple allow HD movies over component video? I hope so since that's what I use...

This is good news for everyone.

[bqmeister]

Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

So will vudu lower new release HD prices by a buck?


$5.99 for an HD rental is gonna hurt vudu.

[NA9D]

Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

So will vudu lower new release HD prices by a buck?


$5.99 for an HD rental is gonna hurt vudu.

Oh gimme a break. Buy one less coffee at Starbuck's for Pete's sake!

[bqmeister]

Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

Oh gimme a break. Buy one less coffee at Starbuck's for Pete's sake!

Movies are 20% more expensive on vudu.
Vudu also costs 70% more than appleTV.

And I bet appleTV has an IR remote.

And I don't go to starbucks.

[NA9D]

Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

Hey all you freaking nay sayers.

Get this. APPLE IS NOT GOING TO GET SAME DAY RENTALS:

iTunes rentals gets the titles 30 days after the DVD is released. 30 days to start watching them, and 24 hours to watch the movie. Once you click rental, it will download within 30 seconds with standard broadband. Library films: $2.99. New release: $3.99.

source: http://www.cnbc.com/id/22649169/site...t%7C&par=yahoo
9:41 AM entry

HAH! HAH! HAH! Same limitations as Vudu!

HAH! HAH! HAH!

[bqmeister]

Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

Same limitations as vudu.

So lets compare.

Apple vs Vudu

30 days for new releases for both.
Tie!

Price of HD new releases.
Apple -$4.99. Vudu $5.99
Winner - Apple

Price of hardware.
Apple $229. Vudu $399
Winner - Apple

Vudu is in need of some serious catch-up.

[NA9D]

Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

Same limitations as vudu.

So lets compare.

Apple vs Vudu

30 days for new releases for both.
Tie!

Price of HD new releases.
Apple -$4.99. Vudu $5.99
Winner - Apple

Price of hardware.
Apple $229. Vudu $399
Winner - Apple

Vudu is in need of some serious catch-up.

OK let's really compare numbers here bqmeister:

Number of movies on iTunes: 1000
Number of movies on Vudu: 5000 (or thereabout)

Size of $229 AppleTV hard drive: 40 Gigabytes
Price of AppleTV with 160 Gigabyte hard drive: $329

Size of Vudu at $399: 250 Gigabytes

You still need a computer to effectively store any purchased content with the AppleTV. You don't with Vudu.

Vudu doesn't have as much catching up as you say they do. Don't just spout numbers when the devil is in the details.

[redwein]

Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

Does Apple TV support purchasing of movies at all? It isn't important to me but I'm curious on whether they are taking a rental only approach and avoiding the whole question of expanded storage, etc.

Also, will Apple TV work as well not using P2P technology as far as instant play is concerned? If it will, then that would seem to say that P2P is more of a benefit for Vudu not having to have massive servers, etc., than it is for the Vudu user. Personally, I don't care how the movie gets there, as long as it's "instantly".

I'm still rooting for Vudu and I agree with NA9D that this competition excites me. It makes it seem more inevitable that VOD as a mainstream service is on the way. Whoever does it best will get my business.

[bqmeister]

Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

FWIW, I want Vudu to win. I have a vudu and don't have an appletv. I don't want to buy another hardware device, but it could be tempting.

Apple will allow you to play youtube videos. I already have that functionality with my DVR (youtube and google videos actually).
Apple also allows you to access content on your network. I already have that functionality as well, but still.


Today we find out apple will get new releases 30 days after DVD is released. At least we KNOW. Why couldn't vudu make that info public? Or does vudu not have that same agreement?

If vudu is going to win, they need to convince people to choose vudu over appletv. If I was in the market for a streaming device like this, I'd do one of two things: I'd either buy an appletv today or consider waiting to see what the Netflix/LG box looks like. Today, I wouldn't consider a vudu.

Hopefully vudu has some price cut announcements in the works that'll help to change my (and future customer's as well) mind.

[bspooky]

Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

Same limitations as vudu.

So lets compare.

Apple vs Vudu

30 days for new releases for both.
Tie!

Price of HD new releases.
Apple -$4.99. Vudu $5.99
Winner - Apple

Price of hardware.
Apple $229. Vudu $399
Winner - Apple

Vudu is in need of some serious catch-up.

And lests not forget Jobs seem to say new releases from their studios 30 days later, not just SOME new releases. If that holds to be true that is a serious advantage.

Content, specifcially newer content, is king for the masses of consumers.