VUDU XL: $999 for a bit more space

Granted, we did just ask you how you'd tweak the VUDU, but we're fairly certain none of you would recommend over doubling the price. Nevertheless, VUDU is apparently hoping that folks not quite ready to pull the trigger on its original set-top-box will be totally enthused about dropping a cool grand on the XL. Apparently, this one sports a fair bit more internal space (1TB to be exact) -- enough to hold 500 SD movies. If you're wondering if any films other than the Bourne trilogy will be available to take advantage of all this new space, VUDU is apparently aiming to unleash 70 of 'em later this month. Oh, and those high-definition films will run you $5.99 (new titles) / $3.99 ("HD classics) to rent, but hey, what's that after you've laid down $999 for the box itself?

[Image courtesy of VUDU]
Read - VUDU XL has 1TB of storage
Read - 70 new HD films coming to VUDU

Gallery: VUDU XL: $999 for a bit more space

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[Mke @ Jan 6th 2008 1:50AM]

That thing looks sweeet!

[socalreinvestor @ Jan 6th 2008 1:55AM]

At $999 for the setop box and $5.99 per movie rental, I expect this thing to be about as popular as Moviebeam. We all know what happened to them.

[711 @ Jan 6th 2008 2:43AM]

...what's moviebeam?

[theblockbuster @ Jan 6th 2008 11:20AM]

This is awesome, it costs about as much as a LG Multi-blue player but with this I don't have to drive down to the damn video store, instant gratification

[Richard @ Jan 6th 2008 2:11AM]

I'll stick to Netflix and Redbox.

[Ed @ Jan 6th 2008 2:11AM]

They just never learn do they?

$999 plus rental and market rate purchase fees? They're all on crack. The biggest killer here is DRM. Why would I spend my hard earned money to saturate my internet connection (which that costs you more than $50 dollars a month) and not be assured I could watch my content forever?

That's what it basically comes down to. A set top box with a spinning hard drive storing the movie, or a piece of plastic storing the movie. Which one do I trust more to protect my investment?

I can realistically control the piece of plastic and take steps to protect it. The set top box contains a SPINNING HARD drive. The MTBF alone would lead me to believe that the set top box WILL fail in 5 years.

So in the end, which medium inspires more consumer confidence? DVD, HD-DVD, and Blu-Ray.

DRM can also be removed completely from DVD, and it will inevitably be true for the beavis & butthead HD formats as well.

All I care about when I spend the money to purchase a movie is that I can reasonably maintain my rights to view it forever, and transfer those rights to another person if I wished. Quite reasonable of a position IMO.

Now if VUDU would create a RENTAL only machine, lease you the equipment as part of a monthly contract and offer $5 dollar or less rental fees... you got a winner. I would buy that in a second and cancel HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, etc.

I seem to remember that ideas like this have already tried and failed. Other DRM crippled business models that relied on downloads.

[John @ Jan 6th 2008 2:24AM]

They could make it 100TB and it still wouldn't be a good idea. I'm with the other commenters, when will people learn?

[Matt @ Jan 6th 2008 2:32AM]

WTF is up with that remote? As if this thing didn't have enough problems.

[Daren @ Jan 6th 2008 2:36AM]

The remote is amazing.
If you have ever used it in person, im sure your opinion would change.

[Daren @ Jan 6th 2008 2:37AM]

i would buy one, and use it often, but seriously dont want to fork over $400 just to rent- much less $1000

[theblockbuster @ Jan 6th 2008 11:21AM]

I would, considering it takes the place of both an hd-dvd player and a blu-ray player and the fact that i get the content instantly on demand from my living room

[Russell @ Jan 6th 2008 2:49AM]

That piece of shit isn't worth anything and with you paying for every rental that doesn't pay for itself.

That remote whats up with that it looks like a skunk I don't care that someone above said its amazing.

You can't beat blockbuster or netflix in the mail.

[Sean O @ Jan 6th 2008 3:23AM]

Looks like they know they're screwed, so by making an expensive "high end" product they can possibly attract the elite[ist] crowd that spends $10k+ on a center channel speaker.

Netflix is where it's at. A complete library available by mail. And a growing list of titles available for instant streaming (for no additional charge).

[silverblackvoid @ Jan 6th 2008 3:26AM]

why do i get the feeling that the remote would get some other uses?

[guru_ck @ Jan 7th 2008 3:26AM]

I have the $400 version and the usability and performance is amazing. The remote is really remarkable, I wish my set top box from DirecTV incorporated the scroll wheel that Vudu uses... it really helps with navigating through the guide quickly. I do agree that they need to lower the price of the box to grab market share but that will come in time.

If you're at CES I recommend that you stop by and give the box a go.

-Chris