Monday, December 10,2007 @ 11:50pm
Vudu to offer Bourne download along with DVD release
Hollywood studios are taking a chance on the Vudu set-top box by granting the service the right to distribute the first of many major movies simultaneously with the official DVD release. The Bourne Ultimatum will be available Tuesday for rent or purchase, in standard and high definition. Universal Pictures is one of a few studios that have agreed to sell high definition content through the Vudu box, though there are not many titles currently available, in contrast to the 5000 standard definition titles that Vudu offers. Vudu sells the set-top box for $400, with rentals ranging from $1 to $5.
The Vudu box is designed to be used with standard or high definition televisions, requiring a 1.5-megabit internet connection for downloading purchased movies or a 3-megabit connection for streaming rentals. The high definition video market is a little uncertain currently, as HD-DVD and Blu-ray battle for market dominance. By providing high definition movies digitally, users can side-step either format and just get the content directly from the Vudu video service.
"Universal is committed to providing new and innovative entertainment experiences for consumers," said Craig Kornblau, President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Universal Pictures Digital. "VUDU's breakthrough technology speaks to the evolving digital distribution market and is a perfect way for Bourne fans to get the best motion pictures in superior home video quality in the timeliest manner possible."
