Vudu Secrets

[BrandonC]

Comments on this anyone?
From http://www.cdfreaks.com/news/15336-V...now-about.html

Vudu has secret some users don't know about
Posted on 20/12/08 23:59 by Michael Hatamoto

Although some reviewers announced they like Netflix and Vudu HD more than the Blockbuster broadband video box, a writer from Forbes is concerned over a dirty little secret that Vudu hasn't disclosed.
Vudu uses peer-to-peer technology to help distribute content to its users, the Forbes writer learned after chatting with a Vudu executive.
Although it may sound like it's not a big deal, the problem here is that the technology could be a major bandwidth hog even though the consumers aren't aware of it happening. Lee Gomes admits he hasn't noticed a slowdown in bandwidth, but it's still not appreciated to use Vudu owners' bandwidth without their knowledge.
On top of that, Vudu doesn't openly disclose the fact that they use P2P technology to distribute content to subscribers.
"The big problem is that the company doesn't clearly tell customers that it's doing this," the article states. "I haven't found a word about this forced downloading on the box I bought or on the company's Web site. My bandwidth is my property, in much the same way my living room or front yard is mine, and I don't take to people using it without telling me."
If asked about using P2P technology, Vudu said it won't deny using the architecture -- but why doesn't the company openly state the information on its web site?
The ability to stream content directly into the living room is a growing market that a number of companies have entered over the past 12 months. Vudu, Roku, Netflix, Blockbuster and others offer viewers the ability to watch movies and TV episodes on-demand, with the Microsoft Xbox 360 and several Blu-ray players now supporting streaming Netflix.
There are a pile of set-top boxes designed to allow consumers to stream content to their TV, but Vudu is one of a select few that handle HD content. As more people purchase HDTVs and have the ability to watch HD content, expect more set-top boxes to be able to handle HD.

[cearum]

Re: Vudu Secrets

I don't have a problem with it. I would think it saves us money in the long run since Vudu doesn't have to pay for all of the bandwidth to distribute the videos. I also didn't know it was a secret, I've known it was like that since day one of getting my Vudu. As far as network slowdown is concerned, it was a little rough in the beginning. However, I think that as more people get them the lighter the load will be overall.

[HeadHodge]

Re: Vudu Secrets

Comments on this anyone?
.

Streaming sucks. I have yet to use a streaming service that doesn't have buffering or other glitches because it can't do error recovery.

Downloading is much more reliable no matter where the content comes from.

To me it should be obvious to the most casual observer.

[rstone]

Re: Vudu Secrets

Forbes is concerned over a dirty little secret that Vudu hasn't disclosed.

Dirty little secret? Hardly, someone hasn't done their homework... it is clearly stated here...

How does VUDU work?
http://supports.vudu.com/questions/8...+VUDU+work%3F+

And finding that hardly took me more than 10 seconds to find, I think Forbes needs to learn how to do research before they write articles.

Regardless, I much prefer the Peer-to-peer technology for this type of application. Streaming can often be unreliable, slow, and prone to buffer issues. With P2P you don't have those issues, at least from my experience. Lastly, VUDU caps the amount of bandwidth it uses at any given moment, so as not to interfere with your bandwidth when you need it, and even if that cap is causing you problems, you can always turn it down, which Forbes also fails to mention. Either way, I have no problem with, it has not affected me or my bandwidth usage or ability to use the Internet in ANY significant way as to cause me problems or concerns. That article is nothing more than making a mountain out of a mole hill, as they say.

[NA9D]

Re: Vudu Secrets

Hey BC,

The Vudu only uses a max of 300 kbps of upload speed when sharing any content. And if you have content on your box that is being sent to someone else, you'll probably only see the usage for maybe 20 minutes at a time. It's hardly noticeable. I've got 2 boxes on my network right now and never have a problem.

On top of that, you can do things with the box to reduce the amount of upload bandwidth used (it will reduce your d/l bandwidth as well).

[aaronwt]

Re: Vudu Secrets

...."The big problem is that the company doesn't clearly tell customers that it's doing this,"....

I purchased my first VUDU(now I have three) in January 2008. Before I purchased it I knew VUDU used P2P. It was certainly no secret. The info was right there on their website.

Apparently, Michael Hatamoto needs to do a better job reading about products he reviews.

[HD_Dude]

Re: Vudu Secrets

I agree with the responses here that it was no secret. But using the P2P issue as a jumping off point, I have a couple of questions.

First, if I download movies onto the Vudu, and then disconnect its internet connection when I am not downloading, am I somehow 'breaking the contract?' Because no one will be able to use my box P2P.

Second, Vudu says its portable. So if I download a bunch of HDX movies and take the Vudu to a lake house with an HD set but no broadband, will the HDX movies still play well? Or does its stability and frame rate somehow depend on a live broadband connection?

Thanks

[NA9D]

Re: Vudu Secrets

Answers to your questions:

1.) No, you aren't breaking a contract by downloading and then disconnecting, but if everyone did it, then the service would suffer. But secondly, there are new database updates the come down frequently and so if you disconnect the box, you will not have the latest updates.

2.) Once a movie is on your box, it is on your box and NO internet connection is required to view it.

[BrandonC]

Re: Vudu Secrets

Dirty little secret? Hardly, someone hasn't done their homework... it is clearly stated here...

How does VUDU work?
http://supports.vudu.com/questions/8...+VUDU+work%3F+

And finding that hardly took me more than 10 seconds to find, I think Forbes needs to learn how to do research before they write articles.

Is it on the box? First of all, I don't are either way. But say you are walking around Best Buy, spy the Vudu and look at the box and decide to buy. Then find this out later. Some folks may not like it, just saying....

[Rusdude]

Re: Vudu Secrets

That article was very lame. I've been on the forums for around a year and there have been less than a handful of people who weren't aware of P2P feature. I mean, P2P is VUDU's claim to fame and is the main distinguishing characteristic. How a tech journalist couldn't know that is beyond me.

With regards to bandwidth usage, it doesn't use too much and we've had people with multiple boxes use them without any issues. Once the initial refresh finishes (1-2 days), the load isn't very great.

Also, don't forget that P2P and resulting lower bandwidth costs is why VUDU can offer higher-quality HDX titles for the same price as HD movies even though they are approximately twice as large.

[rstone]

Re: Vudu Secrets

Is it on the box? First of all, I don't are either way. But say you are walking around Best Buy, spy the Vudu and look at the box and decide to buy. Then find this out later. Some folks may not like it, just saying....

Are you saying that everytime you purchased a product at a store, ALL the technical specs were on the box?? I'd be amazed if that is the case. In fact I recently purchased a LCD TV, and I can tell you for a fact, that ALL of the technical specs were not actually on the box. Just some of the major features of it. Does that make it a bad product? or a misleading product? absolutely not. And if I purchased the TV and found out something I didn't like about it, I wouldn't blame the TV manufacture for it, but myself for not doing my homework.

[klieb]

Re: Vudu Secrets

2.) Once a movie is on your box, it is on your box and NO internet connection is required to view it.

Yep. My Vudu is on vacation with me right now. Besides the movies and TV shows that I had purchased a while ago, I recently bought three movies and rented one movie to play during vacation. Everything works just fine.

(No ethernet connection now).

[bluedrop]

Re: Vudu Secrets

you don't have a problem with it, but its clear they do not pass on THEIR savings to their customer base.

I don't have a problem with it. I would think it saves us money in the long run since Vudu doesn't have to pay for all of the bandwidth to distribute the videos. I also didn't know it was a secret, I've known it was like that since day one of getting my Vudu. As far as network slowdown is concerned, it was a little rough in the beginning. However, I think that as more people get them the lighter the load will be overall.

[bluedrop]

Re: Vudu Secrets

AT&T DSL is thinking of switching to a metered internet usage plan too. many people bailed on Comcast and went to AT&T and AT&T is currently in a testing phase for that plan, its unknown if they will adopt it, its scary though, because AT&T is a bit mafia like, introducting terms into their contracts without notifiying you, and expecting them to be legallly binding to you, if you want service with them. so, whatever. they're just nazi's. i hope they don't become another comcast (metered internet usage, or terminate your account) but a friendly alternative for folks like us, who need the internet to provide content, all these media providers, use the internet, yet the providers introduce these, limits, (which are actually threats [termination of service]) so hopefully there will be some that will recognize the legitimate need of fair use consumers for these content providers that must have the internet, vudu, netflix, all these people, are banking, on other people figuring out these everyday problems that people in north america face, if it doesn't work out, they screw themselves.

[aaronwt]

Re: Vudu Secrets

That reminds me. I keep forgetting to purchase the travel kit. I better go do it right now before I forget again.