VUDU App Officially Launches on Apple TV

[4jasontv]

Now that VUDU plays on Apple TV it’s great competition, heck they even offer free movies with ads something Apple currently does not.

Free with ads is an oxymoron. Ads compete with content for my attention and therefore are an expense.

 

[Carlanga]

I refuse to buy things like movies on these platforms with stupid names like VUDU. I mean, who is more likely to be around in 20 years: VUDU or Apple? Yeah, that's why I buy stuff from Apple. I don't want to have to download and use some third party app that will break when the service shuts down. Apple will probably also provide some sort of pathway to upgrading movies to 4K as well (I did a quick search and it seems like VUDU doesn't allow upgrades to 4K, you have to spend the full $30).

Actually, the main platform is UV, VUDU is one of the services. If VUDU falls you can still watch your content in any of the other providers that support UV. If anything, UV is more likely to seurvive as a service than iTunes movies.

 

[netnothing]

Actually, the main platform is UV, VUDU is one of the services. If VUDU falls you can still watch your content in any of the other providers that support UV. If anything, UV is more likely to seurvive as a service than iTunes movies.

That is partially true. Yes most of Vudu is UV (although there are plenty of movies and TV that aren't). And while you do get the UV license in your locker, there are rumors that a new Movies Anywhere platform might be coming that breaks from UV. This would be backed by Keychest (the tech Disney uses). It's all up in the air right now for the future - and frankly kind of a mess.

Look at Flixter Video - they just announce they are shutting down US operations. While that was mainly used as a redemption service - it's one less option to watch UV titles.

 

[Rigby]

Actually, the main platform is UV, VUDU is one of the services. If VUDU falls you can still watch your content in any of the other providers that support UV. If anything, UV is more likely to seurvive as a service than iTunes movies.

Problem is that the UV providers are dying off one by one. Flixster just announced that they are exiting, and CinemaNow is already gone. That leaves only FandangoNow and Vudu, and Fandango has only limited title availability. Vudu is really the only good UV provider left.

 

[netnothing]

Free with ads is an oxymoron. Ads compete with content for my attention and therefore are an expense.

I happen to agree about ads, as I prefer to pay to content without ads. But I think the Movies On Us has been well received by people at Vudu. There are lots of people that don't mind ad breaks if they can get content for free.

 

[4jasontv]

I refuse to buy things like movies on these platforms with stupid names like VUDU. I mean, who is more likely to be around in 20 years: VUDU or Apple? Yeah, that's why I buy stuff from Apple. I don't want to have to download and use some third party app that will break when the service shuts down. Apple will probably also provide some sort of pathway to upgrading movies to 4K as well (I did a quick search and it seems like VUDU doesn't allow upgrades to 4K, you have to spend the full $30).

The idea of keeping movies forever is great, but even if you can get past the part where most people only watch a movie a few times in their life, there is a bigger obstacle. Sure, some people have a movie they watch every year, or maybe twice a year, but the average person doesn't, or they are ok with purchasing it again. Note that I consider ad sponsored content repurchasing it. The real issue is that as content production quality increases the value of lower resolution contwnt decreases. People can argue that there isnt much difference, until there is a difference. And that difference has always come in the past and it's likely that 4k content will eventually look so poor people won't want to sit through a whole showing.
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I happen to agree about ads, as I prefer to pay to content without ads. But I think the Movies On Us has been well received by people at Vudu. There are lots of people that don't mind ad breaks if they can get content for free.

You missed my point. Content isn't free if there are ads. Ads are a form of payment to get the content. That's why free with ads is an oxymoron.

 

[macduke]

VUDU is owned by Walmart. They are not going anywhere. VUDU let’s you convert physical copies of movies into digital ones for a price. Now that VUDU plays on Apple TV it’s great competition, heck they even offer free movies with ads something Apple currently does not.

I'm fully aware that they're owned by Walmart. Did you forget that Walmart used to have a music service and a lot of people got screwed over when that shut down?

Maybe you should have conducted a little more research into Vudu and Ultraviolet. It's also pretty funny you ding Vudu for not offering lower priced upgrades to 4K because you think Apple will at some point in the future. You can't make this stuff up.

Yeah, I can't make this stuff up: https://www.macrumors.com/2017/07/28/apple-listing-select-itunes-movies-as-4k-hdr/

Purchased movies were showing up as 4K HDR. At best they'll be upgraded free, at worst there will be a fee. Still cheaper than buying all over again, and there are only certain movies that I'd like to have in 4K or that would benefit much from it.

You always run the risk buying digitally. Most of Vudu is UV enabled - so even if Vudu were to go under, you still maintain the rights to the title you purchased (in theory). But even the future of UV is hazy right now.

And that's why I would rather buy from a store that isn't going to close or run into financial troubles all of a sudden.

Actually, the main platform is UV, VUDU is one of the services. If VUDU falls you can still watch your content in any of the other providers that support UV. If anything, UV is more likely to seurvive as a service than iTunes movies.

This is pretty funny. Sure, Apple has hundreds of billions in cash reserves, but they would go under first. Right, keep dreaming.

The idea of keeping movies forever is great, but even if you can get past the part where most people only watch a movie a few times in their life, there is a bigger obstacle. Sure, some people have a movie they watch every year, or maybe twice a year, but the average person doesn't, or they are ok with purchasing it again.

You must not have children, lol.

 

[mmm1345]

.....

 

[bookcase]

I refuse to buy things like movies on these platforms with stupid names like VUDU. I mean, who is more likely to be around in 20 years: VUDU or Apple? Yeah, that's why I buy stuff from Apple. I don't want to have to download and use some third party app that will break when the service shuts down. Apple will probably also provide some sort of pathway to upgrading movies to 4K as well (I did a quick search and it seems like VUDU doesn't allow upgrades to 4K, you have to spend the full $30).

To be fair, Vudu has been around for 10 years now, and it's owned by Walmart, so it's not like it's going anywhere soon. I only redeem movies for Vudu if they come with my Blu-rays, otherwise I'm with Apple/iTunes all the way.

 

[mmm1345]

Pretty cool, it also includes Vudu Extras to a lot of my movies that didn't have them before now have them. Not all of them though, like my LOTR series still doesn't include the bonus material. But one of my Hobbit editions now do. One of the things that always ticked me off about Vudu is most of the time resumptions didn't include the Extras.

 

[macduke]

To be fair, Vudu has been around for 10 years now, and it's owned by Walmart, so it's not like it's going anywhere soon. I only redeem movies for Vudu if they come with my Blu-rays, otherwise I'm with Apple/iTunes all the way.

Like I already replied to someone else, people forget when Wal-Mart shut down their music download service many years ago. A lot of people got screwed over by that. Things like this get shut down not because the company behind them goes bankrupt, but because the company behind them made a decision to shut them down due to licensing terms changing, no longer making a profit because they can't compete on price or feature set, etc.

 

[D.T.]

It was Apple's attempt to consolidate multiple apps into one area. You still need the app. Problem is, that unless everyone is on board and allows access in the TV app, it's a mixed bag. Netflix for example isn't included.

I saw something that suggested Vudu was included, but I just checked and it's not (plus, integration into the TV app is done via a prompt).

 

[mmm1345]

.....

I love how people always say "the average person," without backing it up with nothing. I would say the average person DOES watch their favorite movie a heck of a lot more than once. Why do you think they always rerun Harry Potter on ABC Family - nearly every two months, or certain movies like The Godfather, Goodfellas, Titanic, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, It's a Wonderful Life, Wizard of Oz, etc... are rerun CONSTANTLY? Oh, I don't know, because people will almost always stop and watch them? This idea that very few people watch movies multiple times is a stupid falsehood, not at all supported by anything when the anecdotal evidence clearly says otherwise.

 

[acarney]

I still won't buy movies on VUDU (though to be honest, I won't do it on Apple either) but what I love is that I can buy the BluRay and it has the UltraViolet copy. I'm about 50/50 on if I watch the BluRay or the actual digital copy... usually I like the BluRay when I'm actually watching the movie, when it's just on in the background or to kill some time (so when I know I won't have time to watch the full thing in one sitting) or when falling asleep, I'll load up the digital copy.

Sounds like AppleTV 4 is what I need now. Once Amazon hits it'll have everything I need, potential cord cutting options if I go that route, Netflix, YouTube, UltraViolet and Disney digital support, and soon Amazon. Finally one device... now just to wait until the next TV comes out so I either score a decent discount on the 4th Gen or go full force on the latest tech...

 

[5097842]

Make sure you have the Best Available option selected in Audio settings to get the DD+ to come though. Although the ATV4 has always been flaky with audio.

Thanks, I've tried that and the other settings. I think it's Apple's sound encoding with movies. In the trailers app, some are very loud with great dynamic range (The Force Awakens for example).

The ATV 5 would need to support HVEC / H.265. If Apple re-encodes movies to support the new codecs, hopefully they'll do something better with sound.

Looking forward to testing the new VUDU app tonight to rule out hardware.

 

[ThatGuyInLa]

VUDU movies have Dolby Digital Plus, and sound louder/fuller than movies from the iTunes Store. It will be interesting to see if this is an encoding thing, or if it's the AppleTV 4.

For example, the opening of John Wick 2 played on VUDU thru my TV app sounds incredibly loud, full and dynamic. Same movie thru AppleTV sounds tepid.

I much prefer the interface of the AppleTV, but the sound quality of iTunes movies thru ATV4 leaves a lot to be desired. Tonight I can play same content on same device thru different services, and see where the issue is.

My buddy who is a sound engineer and my own ears long suspected iTunes movies on AppleTV are doing a DRC to all files. Even when the option is turned off in ATV. DRC is part of the encoding process it seems. Comparing ATV dynamic range to other services reveal massive differnces. If this continues when ATV finally goes 4k and possible Atmos sound, then it's still a dead platform those of us invested in quality home theater entertainment.

 

[off_piste]

Like I already replied to someone else, people forget when Wal-Mart shut down their music download service many years ago. A lot of people got screwed over by that. Things like this get shut down not because the company behind them goes bankrupt, but because the company behind them made a decision to shut them down due to licensing terms changing, no longer making a profit because they can't compete on price or feature set, etc.

You still don't understand what ultraviolet is. I would say it's unreal you keep running your mouth (or waggling your fingers).

 

[macduke]

You still don't understand what ultraviolet is. I would say it's unreal you keep running your mouth (or waggling your fingers).

You sound really "off piste", so I see why you named yourself that. What is your deal then? I wasn't even talking to you in that quote. You just keep saying that I don't understand but you won't explain why. I doubt you even understand it! Years from now when the movie industry changes their mind and goes in a completely different direction developing a new alliance or consortium to combat the rising power of Netflix or who knows what else, I'll be secure with my Apple-backed digital downloads. I've been around long enough to see many formats and services rise and fall and throughout it all the only one that has been consistent and available is Apple's. Even physical discs fall in and out of vogue. I have every confidence I'll still be able to watch my digital copies purchased from Apple in 20 years which is why I've made the decision to buy everything digital through them. That's how I operate so get over it, it's my personal choice!

 

[DCJ001]

It's no different than restaurants not letting you bring another companies food in it to sit down and eat.

Sure, it is different.

I can sneak outside food into a restaurant.

 

[5097842]

My buddy who is a sound engineer and my own ears long suspected iTunes movies on AppleTV are doing a DRC to all files. Even when the option is turned off in ATV. DRC is part of the encoding process it seems. Comparing ATV dynamic range to other services reveal massive differnces. If this continues when ATV finally goes 4k and possible Atmos sound, then it's still a dead platform those of us invested in quality home theater entertainment.

Wow, there is no comparison. Played the opening scene in John Wick 2 on ATV4, first from iTunes and then on VUDU app. Night and day difference. VUDU was louder, fuller and had much more dynamic range. Immediately noticeable and significant difference. Even tried turning up the volume on the iTunes version, still sounded thin and compressed.

I really hope Apple makes some improvements because I much prefer the ATV interface. Perhaps with the new codecs for the forthcoming ATV5. For now I'll keep renting from VUDU.

 

[4jasontv]

You must not have children, lol.

.....

I love how people always say "the average person," without backing it up with nothing. I would say the average person DOES watch their favorite movie a heck of a lot more than once. Why do you think they always rerun Harry Potter on ABC Family - nearly every two months, or certain movies like The Godfather, Goodfellas, Titanic, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, It's a Wonderful Life, Wizard of Oz, etc... are rerun CONSTANTLY? Oh, I don't know, because people will almost always stop and watch them? This idea that very few people watch movies multiple times is a stupid falsehood, not at all supported by anything when the anecdotal evidence clearly says otherwise.

Who said average? I said most people dont watch movies more than once. Not your favorite, but all movies. Take every movie you have watched more than once and divide it by all movies you have seen. Im willing to bet it rounds close to 1. Saying you watch harry potter every sixty days means nothing if you watch twenty movies between.

People dont always stop and watch them. Heck, I bet people falsely remember the number of times they have watched it's a wonderful life simply because having access to it every year makes them confused between the number of times they saw it and how frequently they thought about it.we know they do that for other things, so it's not a stretch to say it applies to movies.

 

[CarlJ]

Typical Apple..."We'll let you watch your VUDU content, but you can't rent or buy it from OUR device!". I guess negotiations with Walmart for Apple to get a piece of the every VUDU rental or purchase must have fallen through.

Or they're just getting the app out there for now. Amazon is coming to the ATV in the fall, and Tim Cook suggested there'd be substantial news about the ATV. It's entirely possible Apple's plans include changes to the terms for 3rd party content purchases/rentals, something Amazon could agree with. If so, it's still reasonable for Vudu to get their app out there now to get the basic mechanism widely tested before the fall updates.

 

[Maxim730]

It's the same with the Amazon Video app, you can watch Prime or previously purchased content, but you can't buy new content (you can add it to your watchlist, to make the purchase outside of the app).
[doublepost=1503404371][/doublepost]What I'd like to see soon is Vudu content integrated into the global search and the TV app.

Because apple takes a 30% cut. Same reason you can't buy a Spotify subscription through app

 

[off_piste]

You sound really "off piste", so I see why you named yourself that. What is your deal then? I wasn't even talking to you in that quote. You just keep saying that I don't understand but you won't explain why. I doubt you even understand it! Years from now when the movie industry changes their mind and goes in a completely different direction developing a new alliance or consortium to combat the rising power of Netflix or who knows what else, I'll be secure with my Apple-backed digital downloads. I've been around long enough to see many formats and services rise and fall and throughout it all the only one that has been consistent and available is Apple's. Even physical discs fall in and out of vogue. I have every confidence I'll still be able to watch my digital copies purchased from Apple in 20 years which is why I've made the decision to buy everything digital through them. That's how I operate so get over it, it's my personal choice!

It's a winter sport/alpine term.

You can do what you want, obviously. I'm not trying to sell you on using Ultraviolet because I really don't care what you use. On the other hand I simply don't care for your misinformation which you've subtly tried to change in your latest post. It's never been about Vudu vs Apple's ecosystem since Vudu is just one of several providers in which you can play your UV content. Nor is the defunct MP3 service applicable since there wasn't an independent licensing agency involved.

You may trust Apple more, which is totally fine, but there are reasons why UV codes are 3-4x those for iTunes. In addition to not being locked into Apple's ecosystem you have a large conglomerate of studios that have worked to create a unified repository that makes the long term survival of Vudu, Flixster, FandangoNow, CinemaNow, etc immaterial.

 

[mmm1345]

Who said average? I said most people dont watch movies more than once. Not your favorite, but all movies. Take every movie you have watched more than once and divide it by all movies you have seen. Im willing to bet it rounds close to 1. Saying you watch harry potter every sixty days means nothing if you watch twenty movies between.

People dont always stop and watch them. Heck, I bet people falsely remember the number of times they have watched it's a wonderful life simply because having access to it every year makes them confused between the number of times they saw it and how frequently they thought about it.we know they do that for other things, so it's not a stretch to say it applies to movies.

Now you are just being silly by parsing your definition of "most" vs "average."

Who said most people watch ALL movies multiple times? I'm saying a LOT of people do watch their favorites more than once and presumably if you are buying a movie - unless you are a silly collector like me, who has over 2,000 movies, you are buying movies that you are going to watch more than once. You are using an oversimplified and obvious generalization when you say "People don't always stop to watch them." Of course not everyone stop to watch them, I never said that.

I'd argue most people are MORE likely to REWATCH movies they already know they love than to give something NEW a try. Why do you think sequels and franchises are so popular and completely new films aren't? Or new TV shows fail? Some people have limited time or patience and do like to spend it watching something familiar. Especially when there's a lot of bad films out there now.

Not to mention spending $15 - $25 to own a movie is still cheaper than taking a family out to the theater and if you like it, you'll most likely watch it a few more times.

"People confuse the number times they watch It's a Wonderful Life?" What does that have to do with the cost of tea in China? Do you really think you can convince someone they didn't watch a film the number of times they said they did? You are just making stuff up to "support" your original statement. I didn't say anything about the number of times someone watches something, I said they watch it multiple times.

To use your "debating" technique almost everyone I know has that one or two movies that they will almost ALWAYS stop and watch when it's on TV. I would bet most of the people on this thread, has several movies that they've seen multiple times. I bet YOU do as well. You'd be lying if you said you don't or you just simply don't like movies. So what are you trying to "argue?" We could probably start an off topic debate about people's fav films and the number of times they've watched it.
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I refuse to buy things like movies on these platforms with stupid names like VUDU. I mean, who is more likely to be around in 20 years: VUDU or Apple? Yeah, that's why I buy stuff from Apple. I don't want to have to download and use some third party app that will break when the service shuts down. Apple will probably also provide some sort of pathway to upgrading movies to 4K as well (I did a quick search and it seems like VUDU doesn't allow upgrades to 4K, you have to spend the full $30).

Not buying something based on a name is silly. Your other point though is spot on. However Vudu is owned by Walmart (one of the 10 richest companies in the world) so they have just much of a vested interest in the platform as Apple has in iTunes. I also agree, I do not trust Digital especially when I've been burned numerous times by digital services including Amazon AND Apple. So it's really a crapshoot.