Comments on: Will You Vudu? http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/ Trusted Insights and Conversations on the Next Wave of Technology Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:35:15 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Roku Lives To Make Netflix Set Top Boxes - GigaOM http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-879117 Roku Lives To Make Netflix Set Top Boxes - GigaOM Tue, 20 May 2008 05:18:09 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-879117 <p>[...] is still stuck in the first gear, as far as I am concerned. Call me skeptical, because I believe the average TV users are reticent to add more boxes to their [...]</p> [...] is still stuck in the first gear, as far as I am concerned. Call me skeptical, because I believe the average TV users are reticent to add more boxes to their [...]

]]> By: The Pros and Cons of the Vudu Box | The Fatty Talks by Adam Hirsch http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-530004 The Pros and Cons of the Vudu Box | The Fatty Talks by Adam Hirsch Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:36:41 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-530004 <p>[...] Will You Vudu? (via GigaOM) [...]</p> [...] Will You Vudu? (via GigaOM) [...]

]]> By: tnwake http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-528860 tnwake Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:41:13 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-528860 <p>@michaelawolf: The $100 for cable includes more than just movies. If you only watch movies then you wouldn't have a cable subscription now would you?! So no, the ridiculous price is NOT "eaten up on four months of cable bills" because no one is going to buy Vudu and cancel their cable service.</p> <p>As for Netflix, that's the only one that Vudu has any kind of advantage over. The problem is that advantage (timeliness of delivery) is also an advantage that others share and those others don't have a $400 box.</p> <p>As for Media Center, yes it is a much different experience.. much better. You said "and because it relies on delivery over my home network for the entirely of the viewing experience, this is a problem" but didn't explain why that's a problem. How are the Vudu movies being downloaded? Over my home network. Some online movies can be watched while they are downloading, using your network the entire time and disrupting the movie if you lose service. But there are some that will let you download the entire movie before watching it. "Problem" solved.</p> <p>So I still don't see any reason to have Vudu, even if the box was free.</p> @michaelawolf: The $100 for cable includes more than just movies. If you only watch movies then you wouldn’t have a cable subscription now would you?! So no, the ridiculous price is NOT “eaten up on four months of cable bills” because no one is going to buy Vudu and cancel their cable service.

As for Netflix, that’s the only one that Vudu has any kind of advantage over. The problem is that advantage (timeliness of delivery) is also an advantage that others share and those others don’t have a $400 box.

As for Media Center, yes it is a much different experience.. much better. You said “and because it relies on delivery over my home network for the entirely of the viewing experience, this is a problem” but didn’t explain why that’s a problem. How are the Vudu movies being downloaded? Over my home network. Some online movies can be watched while they are downloading, using your network the entire time and disrupting the movie if you lose service. But there are some that will let you download the entire movie before watching it. “Problem” solved.

So I still don’t see any reason to have Vudu, even if the box was free.

]]> By: Internet http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-525930 Internet Fri, 07 Sep 2007 00:29:57 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-525930 <p>NO NO NO.</p> <p>Don't need it, never did, never will.</p> <p>Investors - please take your money back, Vudu will just add to their own pain (and to others) until they run out of money, then will sell themselves to the first bidder for $1M (taking the cue from Movielink that sold for $6M after raising a boatload).</p> NO NO NO.

Don’t need it, never did, never will.

Investors – please take your money back, Vudu will just add to their own pain (and to others) until they run out of money, then will sell themselves to the first bidder for $1M (taking the cue from Movielink that sold for $6M after raising a boatload).

]]> By: Alex Moskalyuk http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-525465 Alex Moskalyuk Thu, 06 Sep 2007 21:04:07 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-525465 <p>What's the advantage of a standalone box over Comcast Channel 1, i.e. On-Demand? With the similar movie prices, I don't get the need to shell out $300-400 for a new box, since Comcast provides its digital box for $0.</p> <p>Or is this mostly targeted at satellite / aerial TV users?</p> What’s the advantage of a standalone box over Comcast Channel 1, i.e. On-Demand? With the similar movie prices, I don’t get the need to shell out $300-400 for a new box, since Comcast provides its digital box for $0.

Or is this mostly targeted at satellite / aerial TV users?

]]> By: TekWek http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-525419 TekWek Thu, 06 Sep 2007 20:44:21 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-525419 <p>does it work like Vudu? I mean if I kick it will someone else feel the pain....if not then its another new product that I am not interested in.....</p> does it work like Vudu? I mean if I kick it will someone else feel the pain….if not then its another new product that I am not interested in…..

]]> By: Jesse Kopelman http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-525204 Jesse Kopelman Thu, 06 Sep 2007 19:38:21 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-525204 <p>$400 for the box is about twice the price point these guys need. At $400 you are getting dangerously close to full-blown HTPC pricing. For $600 you can get a Mac Mini that looks nice, lets you use Youtube, Joost, and such, lets you download from Unbox and iTunes, lets you watch DivX stuff you got from wherever, and has a DVD drive to let you continue using Blockbuster and Netflix while only having a single device connected to your TV.</p> $400 for the box is about twice the price point these guys need. At $400 you are getting dangerously close to full-blown HTPC pricing. For $600 you can get a Mac Mini that looks nice, lets you use Youtube, Joost, and such, lets you download from Unbox and iTunes, lets you watch DivX stuff you got from wherever, and has a DVD drive to let you continue using Blockbuster and Netflix while only having a single device connected to your TV.

]]> By: Raj http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-524777 Raj Thu, 06 Sep 2007 17:29:56 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-524777 <p>Vuze + tversity + 360 setup does the trick. Especially for viewers interested in European / Asian apart from american content..this is the best way to go.</p> Vuze + tversity + 360 setup does the trick. Especially for viewers interested in European / Asian apart from american content..this is the best way to go.

]]> By: michaelawolf http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-524607 michaelawolf Thu, 06 Sep 2007 16:52:44 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-524607 <p>All great comments. I would say that much of what Vudu has done has to be put into context. When you compare to cable VOD, you have to understand you're paying $100 a month for the subscription. What if you just watch movies? Then this is ALOT of money for the right to have the STB next to your TV. The $400 Vudu price is basically eaten up on four months of cable bills.</p> <p>And comparing to Netflix, you are all right, much greater selection. But I don't know about you, but 1 day turnaround has never happened for me, its more like three days. And then there's the fact I'm paying $20 a month and sometimes I will go a month without watching one movie.</p> <p>Lastly - the Media Center experience is MUCH different. I've been using it Media Center for years, and because it relies on delivery over my home network for the entirely of the viewing experience, this is a problem. I truly believe you need direct-download to the box next to the TV for most consumers.</p> <p>That being said, Vudu has alot of challenges ahead, including building out its library, making usage terms more friendly, and seeing if the box works as well in wide release. Time will tell...</p> All great comments. I would say that much of what Vudu has done has to be put into context. When you compare to cable VOD, you have to understand you’re paying $100 a month for the subscription. What if you just watch movies? Then this is ALOT of money for the right to have the STB next to your TV. The $400 Vudu price is basically eaten up on four months of cable bills.

And comparing to Netflix, you are all right, much greater selection. But I don’t know about you, but 1 day turnaround has never happened for me, its more like three days. And then there’s the fact I’m paying $20 a month and sometimes I will go a month without watching one movie.

Lastly – the Media Center experience is MUCH different. I’ve been using it Media Center for years, and because it relies on delivery over my home network for the entirely of the viewing experience, this is a problem. I truly believe you need direct-download to the box next to the TV for most consumers.

That being said, Vudu has alot of challenges ahead, including building out its library, making usage terms more friendly, and seeing if the box works as well in wide release. Time will tell…

]]> By: tnwake http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-524447 tnwake Thu, 06 Sep 2007 16:15:25 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-524447 <p>Why? I have a perfectly good Media Center PC that I can download movies onto from a variety of places and watch on my plasma. Any "box" that only downloads movies is just an unnecessary addition that adds clutter, not to mention an extra cost.</p> Why? I have a perfectly good Media Center PC that I can download movies onto from a variety of places and watch on my plasma. Any “box” that only downloads movies is just an unnecessary addition that adds clutter, not to mention an extra cost.

]]> By: luis http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-524198 luis Thu, 06 Sep 2007 14:56:54 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-524198 <p>Why, Why? Who funded them? Is this a tax shelter scheme? What a waste of time, talent and money. VUDU is DOA.</p> Why, Why? Who funded them? Is this a tax shelter scheme? What a waste of time, talent and money. VUDU is DOA.

]]> By: Tom Coseven http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-524141 Tom Coseven Thu, 06 Sep 2007 14:40:52 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-524141 <p>The key to the "on demand" market is not technology. The technology can be USMail, IPTV, Cable/Sat VOD/PPV, Internet download to something (PC, game console, DVR, other STB, ...) or video rental stores. The keys are convenience, pricing and selection. USMail has pricing and selction nailed. Cable, Sat and IPTV have a huge advantage on convenience.</p> <p>What competitive advantage does Vudu have? With worse selection than Netflix and worse convenience than Cable VOD, Vudu's market, is limited to people that can't wait for the one day turn around from Netflix, but consistently want something on the long tail that cable doesn't offer.</p> The key to the “on demand” market is not technology. The technology can be USMail, IPTV, Cable/Sat VOD/PPV, Internet download to something (PC, game console, DVR, other STB, …) or video rental stores. The keys are convenience, pricing and selection. USMail has pricing and selction nailed. Cable, Sat and IPTV have a huge advantage on convenience.

What competitive advantage does Vudu have? With worse selection than Netflix and worse convenience than Cable VOD, Vudu’s market, is limited to people that can’t wait for the one day turn around from Netflix, but consistently want something on the long tail that cable doesn’t offer.

]]> By: James Moore http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-524056 James Moore Thu, 06 Sep 2007 14:20:30 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-524056 <p>Shame there's no way for the general public to buy puts on a business like this.</p> <p>Would I buy something like this box? Sure, it's a fine idea. Price point? Well, it's just enabling me to rent movies. I'm thinking fifty bucks on the high end - you're getting that rental revenue.</p> <p>But:</p> <p>"The box, which sells for $399"</p> <p>Good luck with that. Pure comedy if it's just what it says it is. At $400, it needs to be a very good Tivo competitor.</p> Shame there’s no way for the general public to buy puts on a business like this.

Would I buy something like this box? Sure, it’s a fine idea. Price point? Well, it’s just enabling me to rent movies. I’m thinking fifty bucks on the high end – you’re getting that rental revenue.

But:

“The box, which sells for $399″

Good luck with that. Pure comedy if it’s just what it says it is. At $400, it needs to be a very good Tivo competitor.

]]> By: Coleman Foley http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-523927 Coleman Foley Thu, 06 Sep 2007 13:54:26 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-523927 <p>i wouldn't get if it didn't have all movies</p> i wouldn’t get if it didn’t have all movies

]]> By: Paul G http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-523832 Paul G Thu, 06 Sep 2007 13:25:17 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-523832 <p>Yeesh, when will these folks learn? Anyone remember Moviebeam? Enough already!</p> Yeesh, when will these folks learn? Anyone remember Moviebeam? Enough already!

]]> By: 360 View http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-523773 360 View Thu, 06 Sep 2007 13:04:57 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2007/09/05/will-you-vudu/#comment-523773 <p>I am always skeptical of new hardware inventions till it has innovation and convenience like PSP or IPhone -- but who know - where the money lies ?</p> I am always skeptical of new hardware inventions till it has innovation and convenience like PSP or IPhone — but who know – where the money lies ?

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