macnn/electronista

01/06/2008, 11:10am, EST

Sunday, January 6th

VUDU intros XL media hub, adds HD content

VUDU today unwrapped the VUDU XL, an extra-high capacity version of the company's movie streaming and rental device. The company is hesitant to provide exact storage but indicates that the new model can hold a full 500 standard-definition movies, allowing it to serve as a stand-in for many users' whole DVD collections; the claim suggests 500GB of internal drive space. It also improves home automation with network-based setups and better compatibility with universal IR remotes that control multiple devices. The XL is capable of outputting surround sound and should ship in February for $999.

The company today also said it would have an edge over other set-top video hubs by offering far more HD movies in its catalog. Although it only has a small amount of content today, VUDU intends to have 70 movies in HD by the end of this month which will involve a mixture of the newest titles as well as 'classics' such as the Star Trek series. These higher-quality versions should be available to rent for between $4 and $6 depending on the title and will begin to appear on VUDU's network in the next few days.


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csimon2
Great example...
0
01/06, 1:36pm, EST
Of an idea that is bound to fail because the company behind it doesn't understand the marketplace. The issue services like this and the former Movielink have is that they don't accurately gauge what the typical consumer is willing to spend on such products. These boxes should be loss leaders for the company and the content is where they should focus their profits. DVD players didn't really take off until prices for the players dropped below $150, and then there was another explosion when decent ones could be found for around $60. Sure, they'll sell a few of these at $1K, just like some of the early BD players sold to some people at $1K and above, but at this price point and the $399 of its sibling, this service will never take off until prices drop a minimum of 50%, or more likely, 75%.
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