Are downloads the future of high-def movie-watching? Maybe, but they have a long way to go. High-Def Digest has a great review of VUDU, one of the systems vying to make in-roads in this area.

On the downside, VUDU ($149) uses compressed video files, takes about two hours to download an HD movie and costs $5.99 per title to watch. High-Def Digest’s conclusion is that the system isn’t great for people who want to buy and keep movies, but is a decent option for the rental crowd, if slow in delivery. I think it’s too expensive for rentals. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 also offer high-def movie downloads for $4.50-$5 per title.

Actually, for high-def downloads, I like what I have with DirecTV. I can record and keep (hard-drive space allowing) any movies that come on the various movie channels, and dozens of other “rental” films are available via pay-per-view or download. I also have all of my TV programming available via DirecTV, or, with the video-game systems, a device that will play games and (with the PS3) play Blu-rays. I like those multipurpose devices. I’m not sure I see the point in having a box like VUDU that’s dedicated solely to movie downloads.

This entry was posted on Monday, April 27th, 2009 at 10:30 am and is filed under DVDs, Home theater. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.