AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

[kikar]

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.

This is another peeve that I have is that it is still a closed system just not as closed as vudu. With the fers of piracy I fear we may never see a truely open system that allows the free movement of content accross different devices and platforms.

[pmilin]

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.

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.

[kikar]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

OK. That works. But you can't make a DVD from them. That would be true portability.

I wish you could burn them in DVD format like you can burn music to an audio cd. But I guess the studios will have noone of that.

[NA9D]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

That's good to know because I was under the impression that ATV allowed you to create a disc in DVD format. Basically, with ATV you are treating the media as just data on the disc like all of your other files. If you buy content (movies) from iTunes, are you getting it in a proprietary apple format only playable on apple equipment/software?

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.

[aaronwt]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

Just PQ I will look at Transformers tonight.

Compare the audio too.

[pmilin]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

OK. That works. But you can't make a DVD from them. That would be true portability.

That's good to know because I was under the impression that ATV allowed you to create a disc in DVD format. Basically, with ATV you are treating the media as just data on the disc like all of your other files. If you buy content (movies) from iTunes, are you getting it in a proprietary apple format only playable on apple equipment/software?

[NA9D]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

Umm. you back them up as data disc and then re import them into itunes when needed.

OK. That works. But you can't make a DVD from them. That would be true portability.

[kikar]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

Forget everything or just the picture quality comparisons?

How about comparing the price of the boxes as well as the output capability and some of the hardware aspects (hard drives, connectivity, etc.). I assume they both have HDMI. What about the remote controls. Is ATV's remote IR of RF.

Price is close the Atv 40g is 229.00 it was 299.00 when I purchased a year ago. and you can back up to your Mac/PC so hard drive really is irrelevant so ATV is cheaper. But for 295.00 with Vudu you do get 2 HD movies pre loaded a $50 dollar value. and no sales tax.

The USB port on the Apple is not usable and yes they both have HDMI.

The remote for the ATV is IR not RF like the Vudu remote.

[HeadHodge]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

But I will rent movies from Vudu before I consider renting anything on ATV. Because the whole experience is better with Vudu.

I totally agree!

I'll probably use my ATV in a way that NA9D suggested in an earlier post. That is to watch HD titles on ATV that are not available on Vudu. Kind of like a supplemental movie diet.

After using ATV for a while, who knows I may even get to like it! Even so, I will at least be getting some use from my investment.

All the other ATV features are pretty much useless for me. I don't own any other Apple equipment and I'm happy with my Directv and Sonos boxes to meet my media sharing needs.

Regards

[kikar]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

Forget everything or just the picture quality comparisons?

Just PQ I will look at Transformers tonight.

[kikar]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

Uh, can you burn movies purchased via iTMS to DVD? I don't think so...

Umm. you back them up as data disc and then re import them into itunes when needed.

[pmilin]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

Forget what I said about comparing the two. My dumb *** went to new releases and downloaded 3:10. That explains the washed out look. I am going to have to try Transformers tonight. I am going to update my post as soon I view it. Sorry for being sloppy and inadvertantly providing erroneous info for comparison. I will correct that tonight. i GOT LOST IN THE EUPHORIA OF FINALLY GETTING THE UPDATE. I will say that the HD trailer quality was good and I did like that option of having trailers in HD. I was all over the place trying out every feature I will try to pay closer attention when viewing and not get caught up as a kid in a candy store.

Forget everything or just the picture quality comparisons?

How about comparing the price of the boxes as well as the output capability and some of the hardware aspects (hard drives, connectivity, etc.). I assume they both have HDMI. What about the remote controls. Is ATV's remote IR of RF.

[NA9D]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

Yeah, that is my biggest beef as well with Vudu. But I will rent movies from Vudu before I consider renting anything on ATV. Because the whole experience is better with Vudu. But I will purchase from the Atv because of portability and the ability to burn to disc and watch on my Macs. It is a hard delima when having to choose between the two. Just think about what your primary use would be first. rentals or purchase. Then think of all the rest.

Uh, can you burn movies purchased via iTMS to DVD? I don't think so...

[kikar]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

Kikar,

You did a really nice comparison of the two boxes. I appreciate it because I am trying to decide what box to buy. I think I like the vudu better based on your comments but the main sticking point to me is the ability to stream movies that I already own from my PC. I also don't like that vudu movie rentals are stuck on their box. I guess I can wait and see if vudu will ever have a media streaming feature or maybe buy both boxes.

Decisions decisions!

Yeah, that is my biggest beef as well with Vudu. But I will rent movies from Vudu before I consider renting anything on ATV. Because the whole experience is better with Vudu. But I will purchase from the Atv because of portability and the ability to burn to disc and watch on my Macs. It is a hard delima when having to choose between the two. Just think about what your primary use would be first. rentals or purchase. Then think of all the rest.

[NA9D]

Re: AppleTV HD vs. Vudu - First Impressions

I also don't like that vudu movie rentals are stuck on their box.

On the AppleTV if you do an HD rental it is stuck on the ATV only. The only movies you can move around are SD. And then only one device at a time can have the movie.