Vudu, the creator of its namesake set-top box, has announced that its basic version is dropping in price by over $100, to reach $295. The cut takes effect today, and anyone who bought the device at its regular price within the last 30 days is entitled to a $100 movie credit. Vudus allow users to rent or buy standard- and high-definition videos from their TV, downloaded via the Internet; purchases cost between $2 and $20, while rentals are $1 to $4.

No reason for the set-top's price cut has been given, but it is likely a response to Apple's reinvigorated Apple TV, which now allows purchases and rentals without first syncing with a computer. A 40GB Apple TV costs $229, and a 160GB version is $329. The Vudu's main advantages are the ability to display 1080p/24, and in some cases receive newer titles, as there is no automatic 30-day delay past retail shipment.