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Thursday, October 2, 2008

Vudu Making A Splash

A number of articles on the new HD format now available through an internet connected device, Vudo, David Pogue of the NYT seems pretty impressed with the quality of the picture. "Vudu calls the service “HDX,” with video encoded at variable bit-rate in MPEG-4 H.264 in 1080p at 24 frames per second—the highest HD format currently defined." And while the download isn't instantaneous, iit iis certainly faster than the day or two wait that occurs to receive your DVDs in the mail from Netflix. We certainly have become a society that lacks patience.

One interesting discussion that Pogue makes is the 24 hour window that limits how long your rental lasts for. With Netflix, hold on to your DVD for as long as you like; although, their download policy is also one day. VOD has this same one day rule. Vudu offers the second day at only a dollar more. Still, Pogue has an ingenious thought, "The 24-hour window is absurd from the get-go — why should downloadable movies offer any less viewing time than a DVD rented from Blockbuster? It should be a three-day or seven-day window, period." Cable companies should consider this move as a competitive benefit.

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