Vudu Review

Pros World leader in newly released blockbuster movies The most HD movies on demand Cinema-level quality movies and full HD videos No subscriptions – Pay only for what you see (and no late fees!)

Cons Only available in the US Relatively expensive Requires broadband internet connection Not compatible with many platforms

Introduction

Vudu is a unique video delivery service available only in the United States (although a worldwide expansion is rumored). Vudu delivers all movies to your device of choice through a sophisticated peer-to-peer streaming system, provided you have broadband internet connection. Vudu is owned by retail giant Walmart who purchased the service in 2010.

Advantages

World leader in newly released blockbuster movies

Vudu is the world leader when it comes to releasing new movies. The day a movie is launched in DVD it is also available on Vudu. This is by far the fastest online service for newly released movies, and includes all Hollywood blockbusters. Available months before other streaming providers have them on offer.

The most HD movies on demand

Vudu has by far the most HD movie titles online, compared to any other online movie provider, and more HD movies are added on a weekly basis.

Cinema-level quality movies and full HD videos

The overall quality of Vudu videos is truly stellar. As we have seen above, Vudu hosts more HD movies than any other video service and features no low quality video content or low quality movies that have been degraded in order to be streamed online.

No subscriptions – Pay only for what you see (and no late fees!)

Vudu may not be free but there are no subscription fees and no late fees involved. You just pay for any movies you see, nothing else. Their sophisticated peer-to-peer system means that you can rent every movie for two full days with just two dollars. There are no hidden fees and no complications; everything is handled by Vudu’s expertly crafted system.

Disadvantages

Only available in the US

Vudu may be amazing but sadly it is only available inside the US. Even US citizens who are traveling abroad are blocked from accessing Vudu content (even if they have the prerequisite broadband speeds abroad).

Relatively expensive

Even though there are no late fees or subscription fees with Vudu, the price per hour of video is quite steep, when compared with other services. The good thing is that you only pay for what you see, but compared to free or cheap subscription services, Vudu is kind of expensive.

Requires broadband internet connection

In order to be eligible to rent movies from Vudu you must possess a home broadband connection. Not every user has one and buying broadband internet just for downloading movies from Vudu is not really a viable solution.

Not compatible with many platforms

The broadband prerequisite means that Vudu is not available through smartphones and many other media devices. Only iPads are strong enough to handle it from the handheld devices and apart from that, Vudu is only accessible through blu-rays, xbox 360, PS3, TV sets and of course PC and Mac computers.

Verdict

Vudu is the closest you can get to transform your home TV set into a portal to all newly released movies. It may be expensive on a per-movie basis but you ONLY pay for what you see and you never pay any late fees. The quality of Vudu is unsurpassed and Vudu is the only service that offers all Hollywood blockbusters the same day as they are released on DVD.