VUDU SUBSCRIPTION PLAN

[tamanaco]

Re: VUDU SUBSCRIPTION PLAN

Netflix planning for streaming-only subscriptions by 2010

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...d=afOZgc1sX_g0

[Rusdude]

Re: VUDU SUBSCRIPTION PLAN

Netflix planning for streaming-only subscriptions by 2010

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...d=afOZgc1sX_g0

I think, the question is how much better will Netflix's streaming library become? If they can bring it close to the level of VUDU, iTunes, XLM, and other VOD providers (read -- new releases), this may be very important. But they'll have to price is very carefully since they are actually paying per-use fee to studios for streaming, AFAIK.

[RonV]

Re: VUDU SUBSCRIPTION PLAN

Also remember to stream they are sending the data from central server locations that usually incure a cost per MB. So if their quality started to match that of VUDU they cost per movie would also increase along with the fees they pay to the content owners. And that would have to be passed on to the subscribers.

I think this is one reason why Netflix doesn't do HD at this time and that Apple doesn't do more that 720p. They can't cost jutify the bandwidth. With a decentralized delivery model like VUDU the cost of delivery is reduced and quality is higher.

I think, the question is how much better will Netflix's streaming library become? If they can bring it close to the level of VUDU, iTunes, XLM, and other VOD providers (read -- new releases), this may be very important. But they'll have to price is very carefully since they are actually paying per-use fee to studios for streaming, AFAIK.

[NA9D]

Re: VUDU SUBSCRIPTION PLAN

I think this is one reason why Netflix doesn't do HD at this time and that Apple doesn't do more that 720p. They can't cost jutify the bandwidth. With a decentralized delivery model like VUDU the cost of delivery is reduced and quality is higher.

Actually, Ron, if you calculate the bandwidth 720p/60 takes MORE bandwidth than 1080p/24:

1920 x 1080 = 2,073,600 pixels
x 24 fps = approx 49.7 Mega pixels/sec - assuming 1 pixel = 1 bit (it's more but for illustration its OK) we get 49.7 Mb/sec.

1280 x 720 = 921,600 pixels
x 60 fps = 55.3 Mega pixels/sec = for our purposes 55.3 Mb/sec

So Vudu has higher quality but takes less bandwidth.

[RonV]

Re: VUDU SUBSCRIPTION PLAN

Actually, Ron, if you calculate the bandwidth 720p/60 takes MORE bandwidth than 1080p/24:

1920 x 1080 = 2,073,600 pixels
x 24 fps = approx 49.7 Mega pixels/sec - assuming 1 pixel = 1 bit (it's more but for illustration its OK) we get 49.7 Mb/sec.

1280 x 720 = 921,600 pixels
x 60 fps = 55.3 Mega pixels/sec = for our purposes 55.3 Mb/sec

So VUDU has higher quality but takes less bandwidth.

If it was just as simple as that. What about the compression profile for video and audio. If a SD is ~2 mbps, HD is ~4 mbps, and HDX is variable average would take ~16 mbps.

Or in simpler terms HD is twice the size of SD and HDX is 8 times the size of SD. So in theory for a central server model using VUDU's bitrates, to send out HD their data costs are 2 times SD, 8 times for HDX. As quality goes up so does the cost of delivery. That was the point I was trying to make.

[Jake]

Re: VUDU SUBSCRIPTION PLAN

Actually, Ron, if you calculate the bandwidth 720p/60 takes MORE bandwidth than 1080p/24:

1920 x 1080 = 2,073,600 pixels
x 24 fps = approx 49.7 Mega pixels/sec - assuming 1 pixel = 1 bit (it's more but for illustration its OK) we get 49.7 Mb/sec.

1280 x 720 = 921,600 pixels
x 60 fps = 55.3 Mega pixels/sec = for our purposes 55.3 Mb/sec

So Vudu has higher quality but takes less bandwidth.

Well... the reason we encode at 1080p/24 is that movies are 24 fps. At 720p movies are still 24 fps, not 60...

(and - I know relative numbers are the same in your example but in case you care - with the usual 4:2:0 subsampling at 8 bits per channel it's 12 bits per pixel uncompressed)

[NA9D]

Re: VUDU SUBSCRIPTION PLAN

Well... the reason we encode at 1080p/24 is that movies are 24 fps. At 720p movies are still 24 fps, not 60...

(and - I know relative numbers are the same in your example but in case you care - with the usual 4:2:0 subsampling at 8 bits per channel it's 12 bits per pixel uncompressed)

Well, that might be correct about 720p/24 but I don't think there's a TV set out there. So I think Apple and Amazon and others are encoding to 60 fps and sending that. Perhaps the respective boxes are doing 3:2 pull down on the fly but I don't know...

[aaronwt]

Re: VUDU SUBSCRIPTION PLAN

Netflix does do HD. Back in November they were doing HD. The titles I tested my 360 with were all HD. Although the HD title selection is very small right now. I think they only have a few hundred HD titles right now.

Also remember to stream they are sending the data from central server locations that usually incure a cost per MB. So if their quality started to match that of VUDU they cost per movie would also increase along with the fees they pay to the content owners. And that would have to be passed on to the subscribers.

I think this is one reason why Netflix doesn't do HD at this time and that Apple doesn't do more that 720p. They can't cost jutify the bandwidth. With a decentralized delivery model like VUDU the cost of delivery is reduced and quality is higher.

[deparson]

Re: VUDU SUBSCRIPTION PLAN

The question was what would I pay for a VUDU monthly subscription, so...

$15/month for up to 5 movies (SD, HD, or HDX) + 10 TV Shows
-Would allow you to start watching up to 5 movies plus 10 TV shows each billing month and a movie/show would remain available for watching for at least 7 days after you start watching it even if that crossed a billing month
-You could rewatch a movie/show for $1 after it passed its 7 day window good for up to 6 months or use another rental credit if you like

[breed1502]

Re: VUDU SUBSCRIPTION PLAN

I would love to see VUDU create a monthly plan with at least 70% of their video library available to watch. I subscribe to Netflix, their steaming content is very limited but they do offer super high definition through certain cable companies. I also subscribe to amazon on a yearly basis and their library is far more extensive then Netflix. Vudu has such a vast library that i would be willing to pay a little more on a monthly basis to enjoy Vudu content as long they provide 65-70% of their library for viewing.

[BlakkMajik3000]

Re: VUDU SUBSCRIPTION PLAN

This thread is 4 years old (I know I'm not helping by replying), and there's a reason it hasn't been brought up again.

The short answer is, this will never happen. Vudu's model is based on selling you movies, not monthly fees.

Even more importantly though, is that the studios (content owners) wouldn't go for it either. Do you think Netflix doesn't want to stream every movie? I'm sure they would love to, but no content owner wants to lose out on potential physical media/EST sales, and that is the reason they (Netflix) will always have a smaller and constantly changing library.