Evangelist program

[Rusdude]

Re: Evangelist program

The only HD content I see on Hulu is clips from shows and movies. All the movies and shows I see are nowhere near HD quality. It's lower quality SD. It looks bad just blowing it up full screen on a little 24" monitor.

Yeah, Hulu was probably not the best name to drop since they still don't offer shows in HD (should've said ABC). But I was just trying to make a point that TV networks are now trying to monetize online video by putting it on their sites or aggregates like Hulu, so having another outlet in Vudu might be something to consider.

I agree that even good quality SD content on Hulu will probably not look good full-screened on a 24" monitor because the monitor's resolution is going to be too high. But I've seen it on a 32" 768p TV and it looks pretty decent.

[aaronwt]

Re: Evangelist program

Speaking of TV shows, not only would I be game for season rentals (as opposed to buying each episode outright), I'd even agree with Vudu being the delivery box for ad-supported HD episodes. Since many networks nowadays put up HD or near-HD quality episodes online (be it on their site or something like Hulu), it'd make sense for them to widen the audience. After all, most people would prefer to watch TV programming on an actual TV set

The only HD content I see on Hulu is clips from shows and movies. All the movies and shows I see are nowhere near HD quality. It's lower quality SD. It looks bad just blowing it up full screen on a little 24" monitor.

[dhydro]

Re: Evangelist program

Speaking of TV shows, not only would I be game for season rentals (as opposed to buying each episode outright), I'd even agree with Vudu being the delivery box for ad-supported HD episodes. Since many networks nowadays put up HD or near-HD quality episodes online (be it on their site or something like Hulu), it'd make sense for them to widen the audience. After all, most people would prefer to watch TV programming on an actual TV set

I agree renting a season would be so much easier and I want to have the option just to get the whole season much like buying a season on DVD

[longhorn]

Re: Evangelist program

Speaking of TV shows, not only would I be game for season rentals (as opposed to buying each episode outright), I'd even agree with Vudu being the delivery box for ad-supported HD episodes. Since many networks nowadays put up HD or near-HD quality episodes online (be it on their site or something like Hulu), it'd make sense for them to widen the audience. After all, most people would prefer to watch TV programming on an actual TV set

I'd like the ad-supported Hulu content on Vudu - would be great to get Youtube or Veoh on there as well for other internet content, though the studios might worry about pirated content competing against legal purchases.

I think these are both a bit of a ways off, but would be nice to have more reasons to browse the Vudu box beyond those times when I'm in "movie mode"

[Rusdude]

Re: Evangelist program

Speaking of TV shows, not only would I be game for season rentals (as opposed to buying each episode outright), I'd even agree with Vudu being the delivery box for ad-supported HD episodes. Since many networks nowadays put up HD or near-HD quality episodes online (be it on their site or something like Hulu), it'd make sense for them to widen the audience. After all, most people would prefer to watch TV programming on an actual TV set

[NA9D]

Re: Evangelist program

WOW! Has this thread ever gotten off track from the original topic! But that's OK.

Anyhow, I agree that movies are key with Vudu and I've stressed to Vudu staff repeatedly over the last 11 months that what is needed for a good value proposition is:

- All movies both rentable and purchasable
- Portability of content

I think you have that and Vudu would put Netflix out of business in very short order.

The addition of TV content is something to sweeten the pie a little. I many times find myself using On Demand to watch TV episodes (but not all shows are available). I hate paying $2.00 per episode to buy a show which is why even though I'm an iTunes fanatic, I've probably purchased as many episodes as I can count on one hand. I think show rentals for a lot less money will generate more revenue for Vudu. Or a subscription model for a particular series would also work.

This sort of distribution model is really the future of home entertainment. Broadcast schedules and traditional TV as we know it is going to be going the way of the Edsel before long. It will be an anachronism like the 8-track tape. As services like Vudu proliferate, consumers are going to demand watching what they want, when they want it. That's one reason I'm so excited about the possibilities Vudu offers. We are riding a wave of revolution in the entertainment industry. If Vudu's investors can see 10 years down the road and are willing to invest the funds necessary, I think this product could be as revolutionary as the VCR.

[rstone]

Re: Evangelist program

Vudu's main competitor will be Apple TV when it gets rentals (as expected to happen in a couple of weeks). However, the rumor is that only Fox and Disney are on board with Apple right now.

Personally, I don't even know if I would call Apple the main competitor, as far as movies as concerned. iTunes has a horrible selection of movies, and if you thought vudu was slow on new releases, then you should try iTunes, its god aweful. As for selection...iTunes only has 716 movies available vs Vudu's 5000+. I don't even think I'd put apple in the same category in regards to movies.

If anyone comes close, in my opinion, to being a main competitor, I'd say its Amazon Unbox with Tivo. As that is the closest you get to a box (ie: TIVO) that you can order movies to/from via the box, if connected to the internet (havent tried that yet on my TIVO) or order online via a PC to be sent to the TIVO box.

As for TV, yeah iTunes definately has an edge over Vudu in content availability. And while TV is something I would like in the future, (ie: more content and availability) I'm more concerned with Movie content and availability, which is why I got the box. After all I don't go to blockbuster or hollywood vido to rent TV shows, I go there to rent movies.

[Paul Maxx]

Re: Evangelist program

There are a lot of comparisons being made with Apple TV and yes VUDU surpasses it on a lot of levels. However it unfortunately does not always come down to what the best quality product is. Apple and Amazon are household brands to the everyday person. And that is huge especially in relation to Apple. The fact that there content is limited and not DVD quality gets overlooked because everyone has an Ipod and uses Itunes already so they are very comfortable with it. And it works. Be it with a IDOC from Walmart or an AMX or Crestron controlled house. This is a HUGE hurdle for VUDU to overcome. They have released this product which is getting good reviews in the industry but all with reservations.
There was a good right up on the box in Home Entertainment under their Top Picks of '07. Good exposure to the high end integration industry. The problem is that VUDU cannot be controlled. So it is immediately overlooked for things that are known to work regardless of the lesser quality. Cable VOD, Sat. DVRs and VOD, TIVO, Itunes,and Verizon all work now and promising more content with an established Library and customer base. VUDU right now is a lot of promises and what ifs. Now I do love my VUDU and have faith but time is most definitely of the essence. If Verizon or someone says six to a year VUDU cannot afford to do the same they need to be first. They need to get IP Control out of BETA and released or no one will confidently integrate. That is just the nature of the indusrty and clients. VUDU has a great selling point as a solution to the format wars but it needs to show it with titles that are available on both. Having the Bourne Trilogy available is great and a big landmark but means nothing to the consumer and integrator.
There is a statement in the article mentiond previously that the originator of an idea is not nearly remembered as it's innovator. Who is remembered more Humphrey David or Thomas Edison? Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot or Henry Ford? VUDU needs to get it right, get it out there, and shout it from the mountain tops or somebody else will. Everyone is looking for the box that will get this technology right. If VUDU wants to be Henry Ford they have to be aggresive and be aheadm, not in line with the competition.

[NA9D]

Re: Evangelist program

From what I understand, people have been hugely critical of Apple TV. It's actually made it into some Worst of 2007 lists. Neverthelessl, Apple managed to sell 400,000 units. Small by Apple standards, but Vudu would take that, I am sure

I have an AppleTV and yeah, it's disappointing - especially compared to what it "could" do if Apple hadn't done a poor job with it. But it could all be fixed in software updates though...

I am sure Vudu would love to have 400,000 units sold! FWIU, sales are good but not that good!

[Rusdude]

Re: Evangelist program

One thing to note: iTunes has ZERO (A BIG FAT GOOSE EGG) movies in Dolby Digital. Those people who have been so critical of Vudu for this fact had better set their sites on Apple now...

From what I understand, people have been hugely critical of Apple TV. It's actually made it into some Worst of 2007 lists. Nevertheless, Apple managed to sell 400,000 units (before the holidays). Small by Apple standards, but Vudu would take that, I am sure

[NA9D]

Re: Evangelist program

Vudu's main competitor will be Apple TV when it gets rentals (as expected to happen in a couple of weeks). However, the rumor is that only Fox and Disney are on board with Apple right now.

Well, Disney is easily on board since Mr. Job's is their largest shareholder and has a seat on the board.

But we know nothing of the rental terms or interface. At present, the AppleTV doesn't support anything but trailers from its UI. All downloads and transactions have to occur via iTunes. It is possible that this will still be the case. It's also possible we will have rev 2.0 of the AppleTV software coming out.

One thing to note: iTunes has ZERO (A BIG FAT GOOSE EGG) movies in Dolby Digital. Those people who have been so critical of Vudu for this fact had better set their sites on Apple now...

[Rusdude]

Re: Evangelist program

Vudu's main competitor will be Apple TV when it gets rentals (as expected to happen in a couple of weeks). However, the rumor is that only Fox and Disney are on board with Apple right now.

[redwein]

Re: Evangelist program

cfisher's got it right. This is about first mover advantage, and there's a lot of competition from large companies in this space. Timing is everything. It is that simple.

I agree that timing is important but, so far, there is nothing on the horizon from the competition that is remotely interesting to me. The closest thing is Amazon Unbox/Tivo. If that becomes a better offering in quality and selection than Vudu, I would probably switch over. I believe Vudu is the "first mover" in the VOD space as far as what they have been able to achieve and the quality product and service they have to show for it.

[dvcii]

Re: Evangelist program

I'm not saying that Vudu can remain static or complacent on either their library offering or the price for the box, etc.. However, your doom and gloom prediction is way too simplistic to reflect reality.

cfisher's got it right. This is about first mover advantage, and there's a lot of competition from large companies in this space. Timing is everything. It is that simple.

[redwein]

Re: Evangelist program

One thing we don't talk about much is advertising. Incorporating advertising into the Vudu experience may be the only way to bring the price of hardware and software down. It may also be the only way to keep revenue coming in when the demand for the boxes stagnates as other VOD services improve. As for the poll, we are arguing about whether "3"s are good or not. I don't think anyone at Vudu should be happy with a "3". I am not sure why we spend so much time on the forums bickering about the quality of the service and so little time thinking about how to improve it. Evangelist or not, I think we are lucky to participate in Vudu early. If, perchance, someone other than the moderators are following our discussion, then we have the opportunity to shape the service towards our own ideals. Kind of exciting to me.

I agree that discussions about improvement are more fruitful than rehashing the same old same old. However, the biggest area for improvement happens to be in various facets of the content offering so it is only natural to have the most discussions on it.

I think it is premature to "worry" about the price right now. Price changes over time and is something that Vudu can work with as the competitive landscape changes. As such, I would be hugely disappointed if I had to endure any type of commercial advertisement to use my Vudu box. I pay for satellite radio so that I don't have to endure commercials. People universally don't like advertisements with their entertainment. Talk about a way to tick people off. If it had to happen for survival, that would be one thing. However, discussing it now as something that should be considered is also way too premature.