News from CES

[mebby]

Re: News from CES

I'm kind-of surprised that they've focused on releasing new hardware rather than focusing on continuing to improve on what they've got.

I assume they've focused on this since it was their first press release at CES.

Additional storage is at the bottom of my list. content, IR control, and portability would be at the top of the list (in that order).

I trust that they are continuing to work on these but when they release new hardware right out of the gate (and without any further hints on the existing hardware) it tends to make people nervous. Now (while I'd like to doubt it) I'm left wondering if they are considering abandoning the current hardware. I've even be MORE nervous if the new hardware has IR support.

[Nded]

Re: News from CES

I'm kind-of surprised that they've focused on releasing new hardware rather than focusing on continuing to improve on what they've got.

I assume they've focused on this since it was their first press release at CES.

Additional storage is at the bottom of my list. content, IR control, and portability would be at the top of the list (in that order).

I trust that they are continuing to work on these but when they release new hardware right out of the gate (and without any further hints on the existing hardware) it tends to make people nervous. Now (while I'd like to doubt it) I'm left wondering if they are considering abandoning the current hardware. I've even be MORE nervous if the new hardware has IR support.

Everyone is overlooking the press release about 70+ HD titles coming to your reglular Vudus this month. Again this is not an "either/or" situation. Vudu announced a new piece of hardware with what I consider to be a "protected" profit margin for high end systems integrators AND Vudu announced 70+ HD titiles to be available for instant viewing by the end of this month.

I've started a new thread at http://forum.vudu.com/showthread.php?t=2326 to give you a place to talk about the new HD content announcement.

[NA9D]

Re: News from CES

Yeah, people are missing the big news here by focusing on a piece of hardware that is admittedly going to be a very small part of their overall sales, but a strategic one at that.

The BIG news is that HD streaming is coming by the end of the month and likely sooner. This is really cool guys...

[mebby]

Re: News from CES

I agree whole heartedly that the addition of 70 new HD movies is great. I'm thrilled about it.

I was just surprised about the new hardware that's all.

[steveybaby]

Re: News from CES

We have been told that both instant streaming of high definition movies and the ability to delete purchased movies off your hard drive (and re-download purchases on demand) are coming soon. If this is the case, what is the advantage of having a TB hard drive? Is it purely so you can take the VUDU with you to friends houses and places where you don't have 'net access?

[Nded]

Re: News from CES

We have been told that both instant streaming of high definition movies and the ability to delete purchased movies off your hard drive (and re-download purchases on demand) are coming soon. If this is the case, what is the advantage of having a TB hard drive? Is it purely so you can take the VUDU with you to friends houses and places where you don't have 'net access?

Flip a coin:

Heads - Seems like one could purchase an External 1GB USB drive and turn their classic Vudu into a box bigger than the Vudu XL! Especially for rental customers the XL hard drive is not a selling point. Maybe the XL isn't right for you, and that's OK. It doesn't have to be for everybody.

Tails - Some folks choose to purchase Ferrari that can go 4X the posted speed limit because they can. Other folks would rather own a Porshe that can "only" go 3X the posted speed limit. Both go down the same highway, both get you to your destination. Think of your classic Vudu as the Porshe, and the XL as the Ferrari - both of them get you there in style.

[Chopper]

Re: News from CES

As for the piano black USB expansion box, given that the standard ones are "dirt cheap", I have to think that not enough people are that obsessed with a matching shape to justify paying more for a USB hard drive. How much more would you pay for a matching bookend?

Why build a bigger Vudu box when they can sell the same base unit and provide an optional slim, stackable 1TB hardrive to go underneath?

Like other posters have mentioned... all it does is cause confusion. It also alienates the existing Vudu owners.

If you are saying you think they WILL do that down the line, then I guess we sorta agree.... but I'm not sure thats what you are saying.

BTW, you might not think having a stackable add-on hardrive that matches is a big deal... but I do.. and would bet alot of other owners would too. Besides... if they are gonna make/sell one... why wouldnt they?

[NA9D]

Re: News from CES

Why build a bigger Vudu box when they can sell the same base unit and provide an optional slim, stackable 1TB hardrive to go underneath?

Like other posters have mentioned... all it does is cause confusion. It also alienates the existing Vudu owners.

If you are saying you think they WILL do that down the line, then I guess we sorta agree.... but I'm not sure thats what you are saying.

BTW, you might not think having a stackable add-on hardrive that matches is a big deal... but I do.. and would bet alot of other owners would too. Besides... if they are gonna make/sell one... why wouldnt they?

It doesn't alienate anyone. Gee, so Apple comes out with a 120 Gig iPod after I just bought an 80 Gig. Did that cause confusion and alienate me? Sounds like a normal product cycle to me. Every time I have purchased a high tech product, something better replaces it in 6 months. That's LIFE! My 50" plasma cost me $3200 18 months ago. That same TV would cost about $2000 or less today even w/o the built in HD DVR that it has.

Also, this box is NOT going to be sold in retail outlets. It is specifically going to be sold through high end installers and such. It's not a box meant for the mass consumer. So there's no confusion here. I don't think some fat cat with more money than all of us combined, wants to see a stackable box under his Vudu to hold his movie collection. For these high end wealthy people, it's all about looks and functionality.

[fijidaddy]

Re: News from CES

bottom line; more HD titles for renters is needed.

hopefully they have another announcement coming soon.

[redwein]

Re: News from CES

bottom line; more HD titles for renters is needed.

hopefully they have another announcement coming soon.

Well 70 in one month sounds like a great start.

[Chopper]

Re: News from CES

Gee, so Apple comes out with a 120 Gig iPod after I just bought an 80 Gig. Did that cause confusion and alienate me? Sounds like a normal product cycle to me. Every time I have purchased a high tech product, something better replaces it in 6 months. That's LIFE! My 50" plasma cost me $3200 18 months ago. That same TV would cost about $2000 or less today even w/o the built in HD DVR that it has.

Keep in mind I too am a Vudu customer. I also am a gadget geek, and understand all to well the cycle of life.

The point was... Vudu is TRYING to get its product ramped up. I think the last thing it needed was to introduce a $1000 box that does the same thing as the $400 box, but with more storage.

Just go read the comments on Gizmodo and Engadget.

Total misconceptions, misunderstanding, and cluelessness.

You and I might "get it"... but for a product that is virtually unknown to anyone but a select few, its confusing. And despite your assuption that this is "only for high end customers", I'm not buying it. Vudu would love nothing more than to sell a million of these things.

I just feel it would have been a wiser decision to make an add on hardrive. That way, all the new owners (and we are all new owners) can have the option of adding TO their machine, instead of replacing their machine to have the biggest and best "version".

It would eliminate confusion to uninformed buyers (which is 99% of the pop.) and allow early adopters a chance to still have the newest unit before it even gets off the ground.

At any rate... I want Vudu too succeed and don't want to have to explain that to you or anyone else every time I disagree with something Vudu did or didnt do. Just a message board man. Varying opinions should be expressed, no?

[NA9D]

Re: News from CES

bottom line; more HD titles for renters is needed.

hopefully they have another announcement coming soon.

Did you see this?

http://www.vudu.com/press_release01.06.2008b.html

[NA9D]

Re: News from CES

Just go read the comments on Gizmodo and Engadget.

Total misconceptions, misunderstanding, and cluelessness.

That's typical of just about everything on Gizmodo and Engadget.

[dg900rr]

Re: News from CES

those other sites are very slanted.

and the comments made by people just made me laugh.
(esp the one where the guy thinks VUDU offering HD content is actually HD-DVD and this will be the death of Blu-Ray...ROFLMAO)

anybody that thought this box will replace the current one, or that you need the new box to view HD, prolly thinks 'chicken of the sea' is really chicken of the sea....
these people better stay away from wall outlets maybe the electricity is pouring out of them and they might get shocked if they get too close.



to me, the bigger hard drive says two things.
they are betting on people actually buying HD titles, and this is the solution to the format war that is keeping people out of HD.

IMHO, this is a silly move.
a product touted as VOD/movie rentals from home, why now is there a focus on buying?
better move would have been to offer a same designed hard drive add on.
bundle it with a free HD title if needed.

i know you will say ' but i can buy a hard drive cheaper...blah blah blah.'.
well i care about design and aesthetics.
as with the ipod, it was/is not the best thing out there, but the design and interface won the battle.

[mag12203]

Re: News from CES

I've started a new thread at http://forum.vudu.com/showthread.php?t=2326 to give you a place to talk about the new HD content announcement.[/quote]

Is that so we can be diverted from the fact that Vudu has created a new product and left everyone with the old vudu behind?