VUDU readying Blu-ray quality rentals

While rumors have been flowing hot and heavy about VUDU's possible demise, it seems the company has other plans in mind. We've received word that select beta team members are now being asked to try out new downloads that are intended to rival Blu-ray quality. Dubbed HDX movies, these ultra-high-def flicks are currently being watched by folks willing to wait a number of hours (two to three) for a film to start, but there's no guarantee that we'll ever see this hit the masses. Sure, we totally dig the idea of BD-quality content on-demand, but we could almost scoot down to Blockbuster, rent a bona fide Blu-ray Disc, watch, and return it before a so-called HDX title even begins.

[Thanks, anonymous]

[Jamesy @ Sep 10th 2008 12:13AM]

This + Comcast 250gb Limit = Not Happening.

[Jeff @ Sep 10th 2008 1:53AM]

My thought exactly ... Comcast + Vudu = no go

[Craig @ Sep 10th 2008 12:13AM]

I hate to say it, but this has FAIL written all over it...for lots of reasons.

Don't want it to...more options == more better...but it will.

[Paul Stamatiou @ Sep 11th 2008 1:17AM]

I doubt I'd have to wait even 15 minutes for it to play... 80 megabit fiber here :-P

Nonetheless, I have been a Vudu user since launch and watch their regular HD movies almost every weekend on my Samsung 50incher. Waiting for "HDX" to come to me..

[Dillon @ Sep 10th 2008 12:38AM]

I hate you...

[Jamesy @ Sep 10th 2008 9:45AM]

The envy is currently overflowing...

[billy bob thorton @ Sep 10th 2008 10:11AM]

nobody cares.

douche.

[Troy Powers @ Sep 10th 2008 11:25AM]

That's all well and good, but I'm sure they'll need more than 5 people to adopt this in order for it to be a success. Good for you though.

[John @ Sep 10th 2008 12:33AM]

The point is that you never have to leave the house. I mean, people wait days to download blu ray quality movies now off TPB.

[phanbouy @ Sep 10th 2008 12:44AM]

what is this "leave the house" you speak of?

[Dillon @ Sep 10th 2008 12:49AM]

Yes, tell us moar about this "leave the house" as you say.

[Ignatius @ Sep 10th 2008 5:50AM]

I don't mind just renting HD movies from Netflix, don't have to leave the house besides having to go out to the mailbox. :P

[Troy Powers @ Sep 10th 2008 11:29AM]

Exactly. And Netflix doesn't suck up most of my bandwidth.
I think we're still a ways off from downloading HD movies conveniently.
But, that makes me wonder. Why am I able to watch HD movies on cable in real-time, but can't download them the same way? Isn't it the same amount of data going over the same line?
Anybody know?

[Dillon @ Sep 10th 2008 12:37AM]

Sorry to mention this to you VUDU, but nobody has fibre optic cap-less unthrottled internet as of yet.

[Paul Stamatiou @ Sep 10th 2008 1:00AM]

except the 400 people in my building: http://paulstamatiou.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/pstam_bandwidth_august.png

[phanbouy @ Sep 10th 2008 1:02AM]

the power of VUDU
who do?
you do!
the power of the babe

[phanbouy fan @ Sep 11th 2008 2:52PM]

funny

[Colin @ Sep 10th 2008 4:53AM]

This is a fantastic idea... If there are enough titles, I will totally get a Vudu, despite the fact I already use the 360 movie download service, have a PS3, and use Netflix! This would be perfect for renting, although, I will still buy blu-rays for collecting.

[Michael Scrip @ Sep 10th 2008 1:38AM]

I love how everyone says that digital downloads will kill the disc... but is your ISP gonna keep increasing your bitrate/cap over time so you will be able to download this kind of stuff?

Sure, we've gone from dial-up to cable/DSL, and fiber is the next big thing... but is connectivity ever gonna be fast enough, cheap enough and everywhere for people to enjoy this?

Suddenly, renting a 50GB disc through the mail is a good idea!

[IK @ Sep 10th 2008 1:55AM]

This+fios == I laught at poor comcast users.

[phinn @ Sep 10th 2008 2:04AM]

Meh, I got Netflix for $8.99 a month and I get Unlimited Blu-ray rentals. Nothing rivals Blu-ray right now the quality is amazing. Watched Transformers (just came out) in fact last night on my PS3 and it was sick.

[why not the LS2LS7? @ Sep 10th 2008 2:22AM]

I'm sure it's good quality. It's not BluRay quality though. When you start to have 25GB+ encodes with uncompressed 5.1 or 7.1 audio we can talk about being at BluRay quality.

[why not the LS2LS7? @ Sep 10th 2008 1:49PM]

Excuse me. I mean lossless audio. Most BluRays do not have uncompressed audio.

[Kelmon @ Sep 10th 2008 4:24AM]

My interest in this waned after they told me that Vudu has no plans for an international service. As much as I am in favour of digital downloads rather than Blu-Ray, this service can die as far as I am concerned.

[Rogbog4299 @ Sep 10th 2008 5:41AM]

I have heard rumors and rumors about VUDU's possible demise. Ha, ha! HDX movies, these ultra-high-def flicks are really great. This is a fantastic idea.

[VuduUser @ Sep 10th 2008 8:45AM]

I am willing to select a movie or 2 to rent on Tuesday when they come out and then on Friday they are there to watch. I guess I dont have the need for instant gratification that most have though. Also, HDX, from what I have "heard" is AWESOME.

[Troy Powers @ Sep 10th 2008 11:33AM]

I select my HD movies on Tuesday and watch them on Friday also. It's called Netflix.