Instant streaming of HDX

[hersheytx]

I have been waiting for a post saying it has happened. So far all I have read was they were working on it. But on a post talking about the integrated LG Bluray player with Vudu, it sounds like it is a done deal.
I will admit I have not been using my Vudu much because I would rather buy or rent a Bluray disc instead of waiting for the HDX to download.
If on the chance this is now working, I will again start to rent from VUDU.
So, anyone able to confirm. I am sure I can go home tonight and give it a test. But I am at work and would love to know.

Thanks all

[Chrys]

Re: Instant streaming of HDX

Yes HDX instantly streams; however, I believe instant streaming is only available on the newly supported devices, ie LG BD390 player and some HDTV's. I sub to Vudu via the BD390 player and it is awesome - great sound (DD+) and HD video. I would rate it better than DVD but not as good as blu-ray but close.

[aaronwt]

Re: Instant streaming of HDX

Why don't they add instant streaming to the original VUDU boxes? You would think it would be capable of this.

[rgbyhkr]

Re: Instant streaming of HDX

I for one hope that VUDU does indeed add this to the existing STBs. It's possible that they want to manage the load (this avenue isn't P2P, so their serveres have to support all the bandwidth for every streamed movie), and in doing so roll this out to the LG players and then firmware upgrade the STBs later. Since it gives you the ability to watch HDX without any delay, it's a very attractive feature to have. I have, on multiple occasions, passed up a rental simply because I didn't want to wait and I prefer to only watch HDX encodings.

Jeff

[Citizen Erased]

Re: Instant streaming of HDX

This is accomplished on the TVs by scaling the quality of the stream in accordance to the users bandwidth (most streams will work this way, Netflix for example do the same).

It would be a good feature to have as you could select HDX -> Watch Now and if your connection is over 4Mbsp you would get something between regular Vudu HD and fully buffered HDX.

The option to buffer the HDX and wait for the full (max quality) download should be retained however. This would still be the default choice for those who often queue up HDX downloads remotely (via the website or iPhone app).

[rgbyhkr]

Re: Instant streaming of HDX

The option to buffer the HDX and wait for the full (max quality) download should be retained however. This would still be the default choice for those who often queue up HDX downloads remotely (via the website or iPhone app).

Agreed about leaving the user the option. Beyond a quality difference, streaming is automatically a watch now (starting the 24hr clock) while the download gives you the option to start it later (of course you have to wait to start it, but say a case where you want to watch it sometime within the 30 day window).

Jeff

[raaurora]

Re: Instant streaming of HDX

I for one hope that VUDU does indeed add this to the existing STBs. It's possible that they want to manage the load (this avenue isn't P2P, so their serveres have to support all the bandwidth for every streamed movie), and in doing so roll this out to the LG players and then firmware upgrade the STBs later. Since it gives you the ability to watch HDX without any delay, it's a very attractive feature to have. I have, on multiple occasions, passed up a rental simply because I didn't want to wait and I prefer to only watch HDX encodings.

Jeff

we didn't get the hdx trailers or the rotten tomatos either. I feel somewhat abandoned.

[jimmyh]

Re: Instant streaming of HDX

Hi All,

We certainly understand the concern you feel as you see features on other devices that your VUDU-box doesn?t currently support. However, we want to assure you that set top box owners will not be left on the way side. At VUDU, we are very excited about the new features we've released and that we are working on. We will be communicating more on this topic shortly,so please stay tuned and thank you for your patience.

[redwein]

Re: Instant streaming of HDX

we didn't get the hdx trailers or the rotten tomatos either. I feel somewhat abandoned.

Keep in mind that they didn't get Vudu Labs so it's not like the grass is completely greener over there.

[skeeterfood]

Re: Instant streaming of HDX

Yeah, but Vudu labs hasn't been updated in ages...

-John

[raaurora]

Re: Instant streaming of HDX

Keep in mind that they didn't get Vudu Labs so it's not like the grass is completely greener over there.

I don't see that as a fair comparison. Vudu Labs is not the core capability of the product. I bought my Vudu to watch movies, the labs are just a fun sideshow.

The features introduced to the core service need to be delivered to the set top box owners too.

[NA9D]

Re: Instant streaming of HDX

I agree, but there's a significant difference between the way that the new systems stream and the P2P set top boxes work. From my understanding, managing the P2P system to support the higher streaming rate is a significant undertaking. To double your rate, you need to either double your peers or double your data rate at each peer.

On the "new" side, everything is streamed form a central CDN. So if the CDN has the bandwidth, then you do to. If the CDN were to get overloaded, then you might suffer. Maybe it's not likely but it's possible. Still, it's very easy to manage the bandwidth coming from one spot as opposed to many.

Having used both systems, there are things I like in each. I generally prefer the user experience in the P2P STBs though. Much easier, IMHO to navigate through movies.

What would make perhaps the most sense is for Vudu to have a combo CDN/P2P or CDN only streaming for HDX movies on the STBs. Then it could be rolled out to all users equally.

OK, wow. I haven't been on the forums in a while. I gotta go catch up...

[bobpaule]

Re: Instant streaming of HDX

Hi All,

We certainly understand the concern you feel as you see features on other devices that your VUDU-box doesn?t currently support. However, we want to assure you that set top box owners will not be left on the way side. At VUDU, we are very excited about the new features we've released and that we are working on. We will be communicating more on this topic shortly,so please stay tuned and thank you for your patience.

Am i correct in assuming that HDMI 1.1 in the Vudu box prohibits streaming of DD+?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI

As you can see HDMI 1.1 does not allow TrueHD and DSD/SACD, so you may provide all the support you want, there will be no DD+(sister of TrueHD) streaming from the BX100 ever because it is a hardware limitation.

Prove me wrong please! Oh i wish you did, but this and lack of instant HDX result in logical hardware purchase and new ebay listing

[redwein]

Re: Instant streaming of HDX

...and lack of instant HDX result in logical hardware purchase and new ebay listing

Well there is a public beta (see other thread) that lets you participate in the process for bringing instant HDX to the STBs. So that should take away one reason for selling your box.

[aaronwt]

Re: Instant streaming of HDX

there is no way they could correct bitstremaing of DD+. It would be a hardware limitation. If the VUDU boxes have HDMI 1.1 it is not able to bit stream the advanced codecs.

But even with that hardware limittation, the fact they they will be implementing streaming on the original VUDU shows their continued support for it. The VUDU box has been greatly improved with new features of the last couple of years.

They have done alot with the current hardware, but there are limitations to any hardware design.

I have been extremely pleased with their support of the original VUDU box.
I will continue to use my three original VUDU boxes and my LG BD390.