Vudu

Vudu, Inc.
Subsidiary
Industry P2P/TV
Genre Net TV
Founders Alain Rossmann
Tony Miranz
Headquarters Sunnyvale, California, United States
Area served
 United States[1]
Services Video content delivery
Parent Walmart (2010–present)
Website www.vudu.com

Vudu, Inc. is an American content delivery and media technology company responsible for Vudu-branded interactive media services and devices. Vudu distributes full-length movies over the Internet to televisions in the United States of America and Canada. It does this with a content delivery network that uses a hybrid peer-to-peer TV technology.[2] Vudu was acquired by Walmart in March 2010.

Vudu began by only making its own set-top boxes (the Vudu Box and the Vudu XL), but Vudu now primarily markets its software as a smart TV/connected TV platform and video on demand (VoD) distribution service to third-party consumer electronics devices.[2] Vudu is also available via PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, iPad, Android TV, Apple TV (4th gen and 4K), TiVo Roamio, and Roku devices (such as Roku 2, Roku 3, Roku 4 and Roku Stick), as well as most smartphones via the Vudu app (Android and iOS) which also supports Chromecast use.[3] As of December 2011, the Vudu app within the downloadable version of the Boxee media player is no longer supported, due to DRM and certification requirements.[4]

2014
VUDU had a plain logo in 2014.

Movie delivery and storage via Vudu Box

P2PTV overlay network serving three video streams.

Vudu Box requires a home broadband Internet connection to deliver movies. Users are given the option of watching a selected movie now or watching it later. The first couple of seconds of every movie within the catalog are loaded onto the Vudu Box's hard drive, ensuring instant playback when the user chooses to watch a given film. The remainder of the movie is delivered to the box via an exclusive peer-to-peer network.[5] This process begins instantaneously while the user views the loaded portion of the movie, allowing for seamless viewing.[6] The movie then finishes downloading to the box’s hard drive. Users are able to set the amount of bandwidth the box uses, with settings at 1 Mbit/s (Delayed movies), 2 Mbit/s (Instant standard-definition movies), and 4 Mbit/s (Instant high-definition movies).

Digital locker integration

In 2012, Vudu began partnering with the movie-industry-backed UltraViolet to offer users a digital locker as well as digital versions to some DVD and Blu-ray purchased in retail stores.[7]

In 2014, Vudu became a participating provider in Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA), Disney's digital locker service that is separate from Ultraviolet.[8]

Vudu is currently one of only two U.S. streaming providers to be compatible with both UltraViolet and Movies Anywhere, the successor to DMA.

Movie format

Movies are encoded in MPEG-4 video and Dolby Digital Plus audio.[9] Vudu offers movies in three formats: standard-definition (480p and 480i), high-definition (1080p and 1080i) and ultra high-definition (2160p) or commonly known as UHD or 4k. Standard-definition movies are up-scaled to higher 1080i/p resolution and high-definition movies can be output at 1080p24.[6] Audio is sourced in Dolby Digital Plus and output in Dolby Digital 5.1, with the option of stereo output.[10] Audio is limited to stereo playback on HTPC/PC/Mac platforms. Users are able to adjust video to display in stretched, boxed, or zoomed format as well as adjusting overscan settings depending on their television format.

Movie selection

As of January 2015, there were over 18,000 movies in the Vudu catalog, and 5,000 television shows. Titles range from major motion pictures, independent films, documentaries, children’s programming, anime, musicals, recorded musical performances, cartoons and television series. Over 13,000 of these titles are available in high-definition, the largest for any service of its kind.[11] Vudu has established content licensing contracts with all major movie studios as well as over 50 smaller and independent studios.[12] Movies are available to rent in standard-definition, high-definition, and HDX format. A rented title can be stored on the Vudu Box for 30 days before being watched. Once a user begins watching a rented title they have 24 hours to finish. After this 24-hour period, rentals can be extended for a discounted price. The majority of movies and television shows are available for purchase in standard-definition format only. This policy is consistent with studio standards and other digital retailers concerning digital purchases.[13] Movies from FirstLook Studios, Kino, and Magnolia Pictures are available to purchase in high-definition format.[14] On February 25, 2010, to comply with the policies of its parent corporation, Vudu discontinued operating the AVN After Dark channel which provided users with adult movies.[15]

HDX and TruFilm

Vudu is capable of downloading and playing movies in HDX format, a format created by Vudu which encodes titles in 1080p HD at 24 frames-per-second. This technology is similar to a movie on a Blu-ray Disc. However, Blu-ray Discs will have better video and audio quality because of their higher bitrates.[16] Vudu utilizes the H.264 (MPEG-4 Part 10) encoding process along with proprietary encoding techniques dubbed TruFilm.[17] TruFilm is composed of four main technologies designed to maximize the H.264 encoding standard:

  • Psychovisual Processing: Designed to dampen and eliminate artifacting and pixelation commonly seen in areas of dark sky and water in movies by utilizing a constant algorithmic and visual check, then flagging these sections to be re-encoded.[18] See also Psychophysics and Subjective video quality.
  • Film Grain Preservation: A process which maintains the slight imperfections that the director of the movie decided to leave in the final film. Vudu makes multiple encoding passes over the original film, allowing the final encoded product to contain the original film grain.[18]
  • Statistical Variable Bitrate: Ensures optimal video quality throughout the film by allocating a higher encoding budget to high detail and high motion segments of the film, while conserving the budget during slower sequences. With peaks as high as 20Mbit/s and as low as 2 Mbit/s, this process allows for the highest possible video quality streaming over a broadband Internet connection.[18]
  • Color Gradient Processing: A unique technology used to tune the picture for optimal display on modern LCD and plasma televisions vs. an older CRT television.[18]

Vudu Internet and mobile applications

Vudu Internet applications have been developed using Vudu's rich Internet application platform that allow users access to online content. Via the Vudu Box, users can access and watch videos, view photos on Flickr and Picasa, and play casual games. Vudu Internet applications also contain access to on-demand television shows, some of which are available in HD.[19] In May 2009, Vudu partnered with Brightcove to bring ad-supported content to the Vudu Box. The first application available from the partnership is the ability to watch Sony music videos through the MyPlay service.[20]

Vudu has apps available on iOS's App Store and the Google Play Store. Movies can be streamed to the device itself or sent to a second screen via the application's Chromecast integration.[21]

Search functions

Vudu allows users to explore the catalog in a multitude of ways. Users are able to search by movie title or actor or director name. Users can also browse through genres and add filters to the results to narrow down their results. Users are able to select a genre or multiple genres together and add a filter such as a critic's rating, release date, and whether the movie is available for rent or to purchase. The Vudu system also links the directors and casts of movies together, similar to IMDb, allowing a user to see all of an actor or director's movies available on Vudu.[22]

History

Vudu was founded by Tony Miranz and Alain Rossmann (the creator of WAP). The Vudu Box had been secretly in development since 2004, but on April 29, 2007, The New York Times revealed that Vudu had signed deals with many movie studios and independent distributors to deliver access to nearly 5,000 films.[23]

As of April 2007, Vudu had received $21 million in venture capital funding from Greylock Partners and Benchmark Capital.[24] The company is based in Santa Clara, California.

In May 2008, Vudu began displaying and selling its set-top box in Best Buy stores. Before this time, the box was only available via online retailers.[25]

On February 24, 2009, Vudu became the first on-demand service to offer high-definition movies for download to own. Prior to Vudu allowing users to purchase high-definition movies, studios only allowed their films to be purchased in standard-definition format.[14] LG was the first to integrate Vudu into its HDTVs, with access beginning in August 2009 though the TV's NetCast application.[26][27]

On January 8, 2010, (the second day of Consumer Electronics Show 2010), Vudu announced it was no longer shipping its set top boxes and would provide its service to select HDTVs and Blu-ray players from LG, Magnavox, Mitsubishi, Samsung, Sanyo, Sharp, Toshiba, and Vizio. The company also announced its Vudu Apps platform for delivering internet services including embedding Wikipedia links in its movie descriptions[28]

On February 22, 2010, Walmart announced that it was acquiring the company for a reported $100 million.[29]

Vudu became the official sponsor of the 2017 WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view event on January 29, 2017.

Following the General Data Protection Regulation in June 2018 the site is no longer accessible from the EU.

Set top box features (2007–2010)

The Vudu Box was capable of connecting to standard-definition (SD), enhanced-definition, and high-definition (HD) televisions. The box connected to a television by HDMI, component, S-Video, or composite video cables. An HDMI cable and a composite video and analog stereo cable were included; any other connections must be provided by the user. Audio was provided through HDMI, digital coax, digital optical ports, or stereo analog. The box connected to the Internet through an Ethernet port with the provided Ethernet cable.[10] Wireless was not supported directly from the player but Vudu offered an optional wireless kit for purchase using 802.11g and 128-bit WEP security encryption.[30]

There were two USB ports present on the Vudu Box. One can be used to power the wireless kit that the company sells but usage for the other is unknown.[31]

The Vudu Box was separate from both a computer and cable/satellite television system. A user must only provide a broadband Internet connection to use the service.[30] Users do not pay a monthly subscription fee; instead they add a selected amount to an online account which is depleted depending on how many movies the user rents or purchases.[32] Users can purchase and rent movies via the set-top box or through the company's website.

Movies were stored on the box's hard drive. The Vudu Box was capable of storing about 50 purchased films in standard-definition format. There was no limit for film rentals.[33] Vudu also allowed for the remote "archiving" of purchased movies.

XL version

Vudu made an XL version of the Vudu Box. The XL featured one terabyte of storage, which can store approximately 500 standard-definition movies. The XL features technology typically used for home automation and is designed for use in home theater systems.[34]

Remote control

The Vudu remote control features five buttons and is designed to fit in the palm of either hand. Users browse through the menus using a scroll wheel which doubles as a button for making selections. The scroll-wheel is also used to move through movies similar to fast-forward and rewind. The remote also provides a play/pause button, a back button, a more button, and a Vudu button which takes users to the main Vudu screen. The provided Vudu remote uses radio frequency, allowing the user to control the Vudu Box without having to point the remote directly at the box.[35] Using off the shelf external Infrared dongles a Vudu Box can be integrated into a universal IR remote.[36]

Specifications

Competitors

Competitors include Apple iTunes, Amazon Video, Hulu, Google Play Movies & TV, Netflix, FandangoNow, Movies Anywhere, Tubi and Sony Crackle.[39]

See also

References

  1. ↑ VUDU, Inc. Terms of Service
  2. 1 2 Paul Sweeting (November 8, 2010). "Strategies of the Top Contenders in Connected TV". GigaOM. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  3. ↑ "VUDU - Shop VUDU". www.vudu.com. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
  4. ↑ Kippen, Andrew. "Boxee 1.5 & Fall Software Update". blog.boxee.tv. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
  5. ↑ Wilson Rothman (6 September 2007). "Vudu Video Wonderbox Picture Walkthrough and Review: Just Short of Wonderful". Gizmodo.com. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
  6. 1 2 Noah Robischon (28 April 2007). "Exclusive Pics of the Vudu – Video Store in a Box". Gizmodo.com. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
  7. ↑ Keys, Phil. "Vudu/UltraViolet: Make or Break Moment for UltraViolet and Walmart". Forbes. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  8. ↑ "Disney Movies Anywhere Now Works with Vudu". Vudu Blog. Vudu.com. 17 Nov 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Cool Products – Dolby's Booth at CES 2008 – Dolby Podcast". Dolby. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
  10. 1 2 https://web.archive.org/web/20090115211837/http://www.vudu.com/product_vudu.html. Archived from the original on 15 January 2009. Retrieved January 20, 2009. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ↑ Pogue, David (December 23, 2008). "Vudu Drops Its Price to $100". The New York Times. Retrieved May 27, 2010.
  12. ↑ "VUDU announces $0.99 extended rentals, "99 for 99" movie channel – Engadget". Engadgethd.com. August 13, 2008. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
  13. ↑ Svensson, Peter (December 20, 2007). "Review: Vudu Service Hampered by Studios". Fox News.
  14. 1 2 http://www.vudu.com/press_release02.24.2009.html Archived 24 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  15. ↑ Siegler, MG (24 February 2010). "Hot And Bothered: Walmart Shutting Down Vudu's Adult Section". Washington Post. Retrieved 2012-09-26.
  16. ↑ Pogue, David (2 October 2008). "For Purists, a Cut Above in Movies". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  17. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20080512073251/http://hdtvmagazine.com/columns/2008/02/showdown_apple_tv_vs_vudu.php. Archived from the original on 12 May 2008. Retrieved January 20, 2009. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. 1 2 3 4 Peter Ha (October 2, 2008). "Vudu officially announces full HD service, HDX | TechCrunch". Crunchgear.com. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
  19. ↑ Mark Wilson (16 December 2008). "VUDU Offering 120 Channels of Free Media with New App Platform". Gizmodo.com. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
  20. ↑ "Vudu, Brightcove Partner to Deliver Ad Supported Content to Set Top Box". Vudu. PR Newswire. May 12, 2009.
  21. ↑ "Cast Away Today with VUDU for Chromecast « VUDU Blog". blog.vudu.com. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
  22. ↑ "Vudu BX100 Review – Watch CNET's Video Review". Reviews.cnet.com. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
  23. ↑ Brad Stone (29 April 2007). "Vudu Casts Its Spell on Hollywood". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  24. ↑ "Faultline: Vudu, RawFlow and Joost all target web video services – Analyst Insights". HPInnovator. 2 May 2007. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
  25. ↑ "Digital News, Home Entertainment, 3D, VOD, Gaming – Variety". Videobusiness.com. Archived from the original on 2008-06-30. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
  26. ↑ Chabot, Jeff (29 July 2009). "LG first to bring Hulu to HDTVs". Hd-report.com. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
  27. ↑ Albanesius, Chloe (22 February 2010). "Wal-Mart Confirms Plans to Buy Vudu – pcmag.com – February 22, 2010". pcmag.com. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
  28. ↑ "VUDU Expands Distribution to HDTVs and Blu-ray Players from LG, Mitsubishi, Samsung, SANYO, Sharp, Toshiba and VIZIO". Business Wire. 8 January 2010. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
  29. ↑ Bustillo, Miguel (23 February 2010). "Wal-Mart Re-Enters Digital Downloading of Movies With Purchase of Vudu – Wall Street Journal – February 22, 2010". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
  30. 1 2 Shane Sturgeon (June 5, 2008). "VUDU Has Gone Wireless". HDTV Magazine, Ltd. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  31. ↑ "Shop". VUDU. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
  32. ↑ "VUDU FAQs :: How does billing work?". Supports.vudu.com. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
  33. ↑ Edwards, Cliff (5 October 2007). "Nothing Mysterious About Vudu". Bloomberg BusinessWeek. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
  34. ↑ "Vudu Introduces XL2". AVguide. 19 November 2008. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
  35. ↑ Wilson Rothman (6 September 2007). "Vudu Video Wonderbox Picture Walkthrough and Review: Just Short of Wonderful". Gizmodo.com. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
  36. ↑ "Can I use my universal remote to control my VUDU box?". Supports.vudu.com. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
  37. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 https://web.archive.org/web/20091212214454/http://www.vudu.com/product_specs.html. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved 15 June 2011. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  38. ↑ "VUDU FAQs :: Can I use the VUDU box and service in a different country?". Supports.vudu.com. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
  39. ↑ Sullivan, Danny. "How trapped are your digital movies and TV shows?". CNET. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
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