Amazon FireTv Announced Will there be a Vudu App?

[Woodoo4Vudu]

Re: Amazon FireTv Announced Will there be a Vudu App?

It's a bit pricey but check out a new/used Oppo BDP-103. Blazingly fast and Vudu button on remote. 3D. 4K up sampling. HDMI inputs with switching capability. Nice. About $400.

Or get the prior model BDP-93 used for about $300 just as fast but not quite as many features.

The Sony BDP-5100 is a gun for running Vudu as well. Don't see myself getting a Fire TV in the near future, as I don't need to waste money on more new toys, when I already have it on others, and I don't need shadow services like AIV or Netflix, I'm a Vudu happy customer.

PS: I enjoy kissing Vudu's A**!

[BlakkMajik3000]

Re: Amazon FireTv Announced Will there be a Vudu App?

Not sure why you think this product will have limited appeal. Anyone considering an Apple TV or a Roku would be smart to consider the Fire TV and buy the one that best fits their needs. Just because Roku does things pretty well doesn't mean no one else should enter the market. Not everyone has the same wants in these devices. The market for these devices is not going away, so why shouldn't Amazon give it a shot?

If you have an iPhone or iPad, Apple TV should be your first consideration without question, simply because of the integration. Chromecast would be next, and then a toss-up between Roku and FireTV (or insert streaming box here), depending on your needs.

If you have an Android phone/tablet, Chromecast should be the first consideration, then Roku (last I checked, there's an unofficial channel for Google Music), and it's a toss up between Apple TV and FireTV, again, depending on which one has the apps you need.

If you already have a Roku, the FireTV is not really offering you anything you don't already have access to. Plus, the Roku has a pretty big developer community making plug-ins for it. I doubt the FireTV will be that open.

If you want to play casual mobile games on your TV, get one of the bajillion Android devices that will play any title from the market and a MOGA controller. If you have any discerning taste in games whatsoever, an actual gaming console (or PC), while more expensive, will have infinitely more value over time. Let's face it, publishers still make their bread and butter on consoles (to a lesser extent on PC), and that's where the best games are going until the revenue from mobile gaming catches up. How many people do you think are going to pay $50 or $60 a pop for an Android or iOS game?

To top it off, both VUDU and HBO have already said there are currently no plans to bring their services to the FireTV. To be fair, HBO GO will likely come to the FireTV at some point, but I'm not holding my breath for Vudu support. To date, there is still no VUDU app for the Kindle Fire line.

If the FireTV offered something truly revolutionary, I'd have one on the way myself. For example, had they announced that I could stream games from my gaming PC via Steam to it, I would not have been able to buy one fast enough. But in it's current state, it's still pretty much just a "me too" media streamer that, imho, does nothing really significant enough to warrant consideration in this already crowded market.

[BlakkMajik3000]

Re: Amazon FireTv Announced Will there be a Vudu App?

My point was Walmart needs to put some marketing dollars into promoting Vudu and UV as the premier streaming service. Vudu users already know this but lets get the Gazillion Walmart shoppers into it also. Are you watching how aggressive Amazon has been in recent years and how Walmart is resting on the fact that they are Walmart. Ask Nokia and Blackberry how that worked out for them. Walmart needs to catch up to the Amazon train and pass it again, Vudu can be a big part of that. Amazon ala Netflix is even doing original programming. Vudu should become like this. It's the way things are evolving in the ever changing Digital Media landscape.

Personally I'm really beginning to hate how everyone is fragmenting the digital media market. We have too many companies doing things their way and no standard. This is only bad for the consumer but obviously good for those companies. Ultraviolet if it were better managed could have solved this and we probably would have only UV and iTunes. Now we have UV, Google, iTunes, Amazon, DMA and it's probably just getting started. Microsoft and Sony might do the same thing. I don't want to have an Android tablet, iPad, Kindle, Surface Pro, Xbox, PS4, Roku, Chromecast, this is getting ridiculous. Choice is a good thing but in this case I'm not 100% convinced it is. I might actually just stick to blu ray because I want to own what I purchase not lease. I don't want my content spread over 3 or 4 different services each with their own rules and agenda's. With physical media I have the media and player, and that's it.

C'mon Ultraviolet get with the program and do something industry changing.

*The opinions expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vudu or any of the companies mentioned above.

I'm with you on the UV thing. Oh, and Microsoft already has Xbox Video and Sony has Video Unlimited (which, ironically, does not support UV).

If you think about it, movies are about the only thing left for companies to use as a way of tying you into their ecosystem.

For the most part, I have gone back to discs myself. I've acquired quite a few movies (sans UV codes, but eligible for D2D) over the past few months, but for now I'm only redeeming codes that come with movies I buy, and not feeding any extra money into the system.

[Grey Ghost]

Re: Amazon FireTv Announced Will there be a Vudu App?

Can't buy from flixster, the others are subscription based and don't sell items.

Amazon Prime includes a video subscription service that directly competes with Netflix and Hulu plus to a lesser extent.

I'd actually like for Amazon to release how many Kindle Fire's they've sold so far, but I doubt they do so until investors demand it. As long as the overall financial health looks good, and more importantly, the stock keeps going up, Wall St. won't try to poke at them about it very much.

As I said, this item has very limited appeal, and will likely only be bought by people that use Amazon's video service a lot, but don't have any other "box" with the service on it and tech enthusiasts.

In all honesty, I think the device is Amazon's smug way of telling Android users "look, you're never getting an AIV app, and we're not supporting Chromecast, so go buy our box". Fat chance.

Not sure why you think this product will have limited appeal. Anyone considering an Apple TV or a Roku would be smart to consider the Fire TV and buy the one that best fits their needs. Just because Roku does things pretty well doesn't mean no one else should enter the market. Not everyone has the same wants in these devices. The market for these devices is not going away, so why shouldn't Amazon give it a shot?

[BlakkMajik3000]

Re: Amazon FireTv Announced Will there be a Vudu App?

Amazon is creating an environment like Apple. You'll notice if you look though all the press there is actually a lot of tie in's with their Kindle fire. Personally I can't say that's going to work. I don't think they're really told that many Fire's compared to Tabs, Nexus, Ipad, etc; BUT they keep trying and throwing money at it.

The other selling point is that they are pushing the INSTANT market. It's not something that's going to come across in the press. It's going to be one of those things that you use and you're like it's not VASTLY different from anyone else but it just "FEELS" smoother, quicker, etc.

Then they are going after the cheaper game. People that can't afford (or don't want to) to spend $300-400 on a console and then $50-75 per game. Especially when the rest of the family might be totally lost in how to use it to watch movies or TV.

Lastly they are going after the tweakers with things like voice control. Been done before, mostly in Korean TV's. Still hasn't really taken off. But it's a selling point to draw people in. They may stop using it, but they they buy because of it.

Amazon isn't saying we can do everything, or that we're bleeding edge but they cramming everything we can think of in there, throwing a few kitchen sinks in to make sure it doesn't fall apart with too little power, and making sure that everyone can use it and be (fairly) happy, especially for the price.

>>> I <<< bought one but then I buy one of most every streamer, including a Roku HDMI Streaming Stick last week if for no reason then just to see if Vudu or UV looks, works better, or offers something I missed.

I'd actually like for Amazon to release how many Kindle Fire's they've sold so far, but I doubt they do so until investors demand it. As long as the overall financial health looks good, and more importantly, the stock keeps going up, Wall St. won't try to poke at them about it very much.

As I said, this item has very limited appeal, and will likely only be bought by people that use Amazon's video service a lot, but don't have any other "box" with the service on it and tech enthusiasts.

In all honesty, I think the device is Amazon's smug way of telling Android users "look, you're never getting an AIV app, and we're not supporting Chromecast, so go buy our box". Fat chance.

[MoWeb]

Re: Amazon FireTv Announced Will there be a Vudu App?

No offence to Vudu staff or Wal-Mart but slapping Wal-Mart on Vudu products to "help" sell them would DRAG thebrand image down to image. I understand the resources that Wal-Mart brings but Vudu started out as a HIGH END "nitch" company for videophiles which is WHY I went with them and continued to stay with them.

I had SERIOUS concerns about the buy out when I heard about it. Likewise with the Land Rover, Jaguar, etc buyouts. I have no problems with Chinese or Indian companies but they are the last people you think about to buy out a high end car company. Same with Bentley, Rolls, BMW, VW.

Anyhow the gap is obviously narrowing quickly and Vudu is not the only 1080P streaming service and 4K is bound to replace it. Likewise 3D and DD+7.1 is also propagating to other services. Vudu needs some game changers to stay in it. I don't like M-Go but them getting the default Roku instead of Vudu was another nail for Vudu to me.

My point was Walmart needs to put some marketing dollars into promoting Vudu and UV as the premier streaming service. Vudu users already know this but lets get the Gazillion Walmart shoppers into it also. Are you watching how aggressive Amazon has been in recent years and how Walmart is resting on the fact that they are Walmart. Ask Nokia and Blackberry how that worked out for them. Walmart needs to catch up to the Amazon train and pass it again, Vudu can be a big part of that. Amazon ala Netflix is even doing original programming. Vudu should become like this. It's the way things are evolving in the ever changing Digital Media landscape.

Personally I'm really beginning to hate how everyone is fragmenting the digital media market. We have too many companies doing things their way and no standard. This is only bad for the consumer but obviously good for those companies. Ultraviolet if it were better managed could have solved this and we probably would have only UV and iTunes. Now we have UV, Google, iTunes, Amazon, DMA and it's probably just getting started. Microsoft and Sony might do the same thing. I don't want to have an Android tablet, iPad, Kindle, Surface Pro, Xbox, PS4, Roku, Chromecast, this is getting ridiculous. Choice is a good thing but in this case I'm not 100% convinced it is. I might actually just stick to blu ray because I want to own what I purchase not lease. I don't want my content spread over 3 or 4 different services each with their own rules and agenda's. With physical media I have the media and player, and that's it.

C'mon Ultraviolet get with the program and do something industry changing.

*The opinions expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vudu or any of the companies mentioned above.

[jbloggs]

Re: Amazon FireTv Announced Will there be a Vudu App?

What I would like to see, as I'm sure many others would too, is a device that would play content from the following providers...

Vudu/Flixster
Netflix
Amazon Instant Video
Hulu Plus
Movies stored on HDD on local network
iTunes (not really that essential but a nice to have)
Disney Movies Anywhere

Having said that, I think this Amazon Fire TV would fly off the shelves if they included 6 or 12 months Prime for free with the purchase.

[Ruinit]

Re: Amazon FireTv Announced Will there be a Vudu App?

How are Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Flixster not competing service?

The lack of iTunes on any box/TV/console other than AppleTV is purely an Apple problem, by my estimation. And I certainly understand the view of Amazon, wanting to be on as many devices as possible. Now that they are manufacturing a competing device, will they want to continue throwing Prime Instant on every possible box? Who, knows.

Can't buy from flixster, the others are subscription based and don't sell items.

[Speedaddict81]

Re: Amazon FireTv Announced Will there be a Vudu App?

How are Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Flixster not competing service?

The lack of iTunes on any box/TV/console other than AppleTV is purely an Apple problem, by my estimation. And I certainly understand the view of Amazon, wanting to be on as many devices as possible. Now that they are manufacturing a competing device, will they want to continue throwing Prime Instant on every possible box? Who, knows.

Amazon was careful to not put any competing services on the box. They could because they are cheaper than any of the others such as Mgo, Targetticket, Cinemanow etc. I have several different devices already that I don't need another one unless it handled all my services. Amazon sells Disney cheaper than Vudu or Itunes. It will probably take years before we know whether or not our UV's are safe I have over 2400 movies now so I am a little concerned.

[Ruinit]

Re: Amazon FireTv Announced Will there be a Vudu App?

Not only that, it's quad core, and Roku 3 is dual core. If the fireTV gets a Vudu app, it won't have the memory/lockup issues that Rokus have streaming/buffering the higher quality video.

This ironically highlights the biggest failing of the fireTV, IMO:



(It's ironic because the fireTV doesn't play iTunes content.)

Amazon was careful to not put any competing services on the box. They could because they are cheaper than any of the others such as Mgo, Targetticket, Cinemanow etc. I have several different devices already that I don't need another one unless it handled all my services. Amazon sells Disney cheaper than Vudu or Itunes. It will probably take years before we know whether or not our UV's are safe I have over 2400 movies now so I am a little concerned.

[MaxH]

Re: Amazon FireTv Announced Will there be a Vudu App?

I think the biggest thing that Amazon Fire TV box has others do not really fully support is gaming. Yes there is somewhat gaming support on the Roku, but looking at specs between the two boxes Amazon can handle it way better. Roku only has 512 MB Ram while the Amazon box has 2GB which is a drastic difference. Also I know it was mentioned but it has Flixster. So as long as you have your ultraviolet account linked you should be able to view most of your VUDU movies on Flixster (as long as they are ULTRAVIOLET). So ya Im sure you will lose some movies, but Id think you should be able to view most.

Not only that, it's quad core, and Roku 3 is dual core. If the fireTV gets a Vudu app, it won't have the memory/lockup issues that Rokus have streaming/buffering the higher quality video.

This ironically highlights the biggest failing of the fireTV, IMO:

"It drives me bananas that I can't watch my Prime Instant Video on my Apple TV," said Amazon's Peter Larsen.

(It's ironic because the fireTV doesn't play iTunes content.)

[LuzRinggold]

Re: Amazon FireTv Announced Will there be a Vudu App?

Seems like Amazon is looking to compete with the Roku rather than AppleTV.

And what concerns me is that they don't seem to see a need to compete with Vudu and other UV retailers. They continue to ignore UV and do things their own way. Not saying that there is anything wrong with that, because it seems to be working for them. Just saying that I am really getting worried about the future of UV with Amazon, Netflix, Disney and iTunes all out there being very successful without being a partner to UV.

Plus, what are people supposed to think when they visit the UV website and it seems that it was designed and written by elementary students who are learning how to code? What is the real "health" of UV? Nothing major has really happened in a long time for UltraViolet. Extreme lack of marketing and publicity is a major problem and not having a single reliable website to manage your locker is a problem. Not being able to EASILY setup a single account (single ID and password) that can be shared across ALL retailers makes it a real pain.

It's really sad and I don't think that there is anyone out there that can address any of this. Who really owns UV? Who makes "business" decisions and follows up to make sure that right things are being done? Is UV a real company? I think it's just a service that was created by a few studios and they pretty much ignore it now that they feel like it's functional. I really don't know, but I hope that things start improving SOON!

[rdodolak]

Re: Amazon FireTv Announced Will there be a Vudu App?

Seems like Amazon is looking to compete with the Roku rather than AppleTV.

[jeremymc7]

Re: Amazon FireTv Announced Will there be a Vudu App?

Oh yeah, if/when Vudu shows up on the platform, I'll be pretty tempted. The Blu-Ray player we're using for streaming is a little on the slow side and you have to dig through several menus to get to my content.

It's a bit pricey but check out a new/used Oppo BDP-103. Blazingly fast and Vudu button on remote. 3D. 4K up sampling. HDMI inputs with switching capability. Nice. About $400.

Or get the prior model BDP-93 used for about $300 just as fast but not quite as many features.

[jeremymc7]

Re: Amazon FireTv Announced Will there be a Vudu App?

What a great point. I have lots of friends, co-workers, and family that never heard of Vudu even though it's in Walmart. They are not doing a very good job of marketing a great service. These same people have never even heard of a Roku.

No offence to Vudu staff or Wal-Mart but slapping Wal-Mart on Vudu products to "help" sell them would DRAG thebrand image down to image. I understand the resources that Wal-Mart brings but Vudu started out as a HIGH END "nitch" company for videophiles which is WHY I went with them and continued to stay with them.

I had SERIOUS concerns about the buy out when I heard about it. Likewise with the Land Rover, Jaguar, etc buyouts. I have no problems with Chinese or Indian companies but they are the last people you think about to buy out a high end car company. Same with Bentley, Rolls, BMW, VW.

Anyhow the gap is obviously narrowing quickly and Vudu is not the only 1080P streaming service and 4K is bound to replace it. Likewise 3D and DD+7.1 is also propagating to other services. Vudu needs some game changers to stay in it. I don't like M-Go but them getting the default Roku instead of Vudu was another nail for Vudu to me.