Vudu: Another VOD Box for The Home

By Digital Trends Staff April 30, 2007

A new start-up by the name of Vudu is hoping you’ll be willing to add their set top box to the clutter of gear already attached to your television as today they announced the upcoming release of their new device and corresponding online movie delivery service. It has been reported the Vudu service may debut as early as this summer.

Vudu, according to a corporate press release, promises to bring thousands of movies directly to your home entertainment system without the need for a computer. The company has inked deals with seven major motion picture studios, including The Walt Disney Studios, Lionsgate, New Line Cinema, Paramount Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal Studios, and Warner Bros. Entertainment, to offer pay for access to more than 5,000 titles.

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Vudu’s studio partners will provide new releases, along with select titles from their libraries. In addition to entering into licensing agreements with major studios, Vudu has struck deals with 15 independent and international film distributors as well.

Movies will be delivered to Vudu’s set top box via a broadband Interent connection, with the company promising instant access to titles after they are purchased.

"We’ve created the product everyone wants, the product many have tried to build, and, until now, the product no one has succeeded in delivering," said Tony Miranz, founder of Vudu, in a statement.. "We’ve brought together the best team in Silicon Valley to give movie lovers the ability to watch thousands of movies instantly, without leaving their homes."

It remans to be seen how this product will compete against the likes of Tivo, Akimbo, Xbox 360 and Apple TV, among similar devices.

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