Video service Vudu has become the first on-demand digital video provider to offer a download-to-own option for high-definition movies, starting off with 50 HD titles from independent film companies like Kino, FirstLook, and Magnolia Pictures—and that happens to include the just-won-an-Oscar documentary Man on Wire.
Under the service, high-definition titles can be stored on a user’s Vudu set-top box or in the online Vudu vault, an online storage service for movies and TV shows. High-definition movies are priced from $13.99 to $23.99. Selections are available in either HD or Vudu’s own HDX format at the same price; Vudu claims HDX is the highest quality on-demand format available in any medium. Vudu will offer every HD release from Kino, FirstLook, and Magnolia Pictures for high-def purchase day-and-date with the film’s DVD release. Vudu says they expect to see other film studios get on board with the download-to-own option in the coming months.
"Consumers are clamoring for the ability to own digitally-delivered titles in high definition, especially in our HDX format, and we are excited to be the first in the industry to meet this consumer need," said Vudu executive VP of strategy and content Edward Lichty, in a statement. "This is a watershed event for the industry as well, signaling the studios’ recognition of and confidence in digital delivery as an increasingly important part of their business."
Vudu currently offers over 14,000 movies and TV episodes, about 10 percent of which are available in high-definition. Vudu adds new movies and tittles every week.
