AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

[Rusdude]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

I got a $99 black Zune 30 from Woot sale and couldn't be happier. Actually, I am sitting at work listening to its radio right now. New Zune software is strange but iTunes on PC has its issues too. And we all know the reasons why iPods have PC support and Zune has no Mac support yet.

P.S. "Cranky Geeks" is fun -- I watch it on TiVoCast.

[RonV]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

Yes, but at least unlike other closed universe devices (ie: Zune anyone?), the "i" products are multi-platform.

You need to watch the "Cranky Geeks" podcast. John Davorak and two to three columnist every week. Davorak plays devils advocate against the columnist. Funny each one of the columnist over that few episodes want to play the Mac in the Mac vs. PC commercial based on their comments on Apple TV and they didn't even mention the VUDU as competition.

I sent them a request about 2 months ago to talk about the mono-culture issue and still no response. Also I sent them a correction on the Apple TV's competitor the "VUDU."

I could see Apple's next commerical:

"Hi I'm Apple TV, Hi I am Netflix along with PC"

[NA9D]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

So its a "closed" universe to play. Only devices and software starting with "i" qualify. Wasn't Mossberg warining about a mono-culture with Microsoft a few years ago? Now we have a "i" mono-culture.

Yes, but at least unlike other closed universe devices (ie: Zune anyone?), the "i" products are multi-platform.

[RonV]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

If you purchase anything from the iTunes store it is playable on a Mac or Windows PC. It is playable on an iPod or an iPhone or AppleTV. You cannot make a DVD format disc. You cannot play it on any other brand portable player.

So its a "closed" universe to play. Only devices and software starting with "i" qualify. Wasn't Mossberg warining about a mono-culture with Microsoft a few years ago? Now we have a "i" mono-culture.

[NA9D]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

There is nothing and/or no one more dillusional then a Apple fanboy and Engadget(EngadgetHD, Ryan Block & Staff) are card carrying members.

Engadget is nothing more than a bunch of wanna-be journalist weenie hacks who have started a web page and think they are experts.

Kinda reminds me of how back in the 1980's Consumer Reports used to never give Sony CD players a good review. This attitude carried over into the stereo stores too. I was in looking at players one day and the sales guy and I were talking and I told him how I liked Sony. He said, "Oh, it's way over priced. This Toshiba model is just as good as the Sony." I said, "Oh really. Can I do this?" And I took and rapped on the top of the case with my fist. The disc skipped and stuttered all over the place. The sales guy sheepishly replied, "Well, if you want player stability like that, then get the Sony."

FYI: For those who are too young to remember, Sony had the best and most stable CD players. A tank could rumble by and the disc would never skip a beat. Other makers couldn't touch Sony's laser system.

[Petercarbo]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

There is nothing and/or no one more dillusional then a Apple fanboy and Engadget(EngadgetHD, Ryan Block & Staff) are card carrying members.

[HeadHodge]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

Well, EngadgetHD certainly seems to think that AppleTV HD quality is sufficient and offers best HD VOD quality out there -- http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/13...-apple-tvs-hd/
(also, in the comments Engadget's Ben says that ATV HD > Vudu HD)

When you read the article about ATV, remember that just yesterday same source (EngHD) wasn't very happy with Vudu's HD video quality -- http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/12...d-perspective/

Now, from looking at comments here it's fair to say that ATV HD quality = Vudu HD, so I think it's hilarious that Engadget praises ATV for about the same video quality as Vudu.

Now everyone who didn't see this coming, please raise your hands!

[Rusdude]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

Well, EngadgetHD certainly seems to think that AppleTV HD quality is sufficient and offers best HD VOD quality out there -- http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/13...-apple-tvs-hd/
(also, in the comments Engadget's Ben says that ATV HD > Vudu HD)

When you read the article about ATV, remember that just yesterday same source (EngHD) wasn't very happy with Vudu's HD video quality -- http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/12...d-perspective/

Now, from looking at comments here it's fair to say that ATV HD quality = Vudu HD, so I think it's hilarious that Engadget praises ATV for about the same video quality as Vudu.

[kikar]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

Okay I am watching Transformers as I type. After watching the Base attack scene here is what I can say. The sound is practically identical between the two it is no HD DVD. I honestly can not say which is better. Picture quality is better on the ATV than the Xbox I am not seeing the major macroblocking that I see on Live. There is some there but it is slight since did not experience this on Vudu I would say the PQ goes to Vudu. Looking at what Aaron used as a test (the radar screen) I was able to read the numbers and letters clearly. I will try to take pictures and post but my camera sucks so I will see how it turns out. My wife's opinion she just gave me is that it is no HD DVD but ATV looks really good. It is a toss up between ATV and Vudu with PQ and AQ. I would give a very slight edge to Vudu. For me I am just glad to have both. My parents rent a lot of movies so I will be buying them a Vudu as they really loved it when I brought it over but my friend lives and breathes all things iPod so I will be getting him an Atv for his B-day in a few weeks. It is all about what you want from the box.

[kikar]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

There's no money in that. Not when we continue to buy every device under the sun only to later realize that it no longer works with this or that.

.....Tru True.... I guess we just keep feeding the beast.

[pmilin]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

I had to buy a zen in order to take the shows I had purchased on my Tivo from unbox on the road with me. It is a pain having different devices. If they are making such a big stink of only wanting one disc format (HD DVD or Blu-ray) because they say it causes consumer confusion why are they not pushing for a format that is universal to all devices when it comes to downloads.

There's no money in that. Not when we continue to buy every device under the sun only to later realize that it no longer works with this or that.

[kikar]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

.....The 5th generation iPod that I bought 9 months ago won't play the rentals

Yeah Apple really hosed the customers that purchased the 5Gen model. I thought that was pretty low.

[kikar]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

Compare the audio too.

No problem

[NA9D]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

Sounds like the portability aspect of the ATV is a bit overrated then. As long as you have Apple devices then it is portable. Otherwise, it really is no better then buying movies and storing them on the vudu.

I hear that the vudu stores the files in a more open standard like MPEG4. Is that true? My thinking here is that if they come out with a way to store the files to external hard drives or PCs that maybe the media could be used on a different device besides the vudu like my PDA or something. Of course, I would need a way to get the file off of the external drive as well.

OK. Both Apple and Vudu use H.264 which is a subset of MPEG-4 for the file format. But that has NOTHING to do with the encryption/DRM of the files. When Vudu comes out with external storage, the Vudu will format the external drive. The drive format is encrypted itself. You will not be able to pull media down to different computers.

iTunes store content is somewhat portable. With music you can burn CDs and re-rip them. Not so with video. I've never purchased a movie from iTMS, only a couple of TV episodes. With the new rentals you can move the rental from device to device but only with current generation iPods/iPhones. The 5th generation iPod that I bought 9 months ago won't play the rentals

[kikar]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

Sounds like the portability aspect of the ATV is a bit overrated then. As long as you have Apple devices then it is portable. Otherwise, it really is no better then buying movies and storing them on the vudu.

I hear that the vudu stores the files in a more open standard like MPEG4. Is that true? My thinking here is that if they come out with a way to store the files to external hard drives or PCs that maybe the media could be used on a different device besides the vudu like my PDA or something. Of course, I would need a way to get the file off of the external drive as well.

I had to buy a zen in order to take the shows I had purchased on my Tivo from unbox on the road with me. It is a pain having different devices. If they are making such a big stink of only wanting one disc format (HD DVD or Blu-ray) because they say it causes consumer confusion why are they not pushing for a format that is universal to all devices when it comes to downloads.