Vudu begins shipping 1TB box, updates system software

by Ed Oswald

March 6, 2008, 5:39 PM

Vudu pushed an update to its platform this week which would allow for users to free up hard drive space by "storing" purchased movies on the company's own servers.

Known as the "Vault," it appears to merely allow for the customer to delete the movie from the set-top box's hard drive by flagging the movie as having been previously purchased from the Vudu servers.

The function would be available for select movies and TV shows offered through Vudu, and re-downloads would incur no additional charges. If the consumer wishes to not archive the movie, they would be able to delete it -- in which case, additional charges might apply.

However, in some cases, content providers may only allow for deletion and not archiving. Both functions would be available through the My Movies menu screen.

Other enhancements would be provided with version 1.3 of the set-top box' OS, including revised sort functionality, updated TV show search functionality, a revised advance settings menu, and a new Most Watched list, ranked by popularity among Vudu users.

Vudu said it would also make available an IR receiver kit for $39 which would make the device usable with selected programmable universal remotes.

The company has also confirmed to BetaNews late this afternoon that its Vudu XL, a version of the set-top box with a 1 TB internal driver has begun shipping as of Tuesday. That option would be available for $999, over two-and-a-half times the cost of the standard $295 box.

Add a Comment

0 Comments

Name E-mail

Betanews reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Foul language and personal attacks will not be tolerated.

Tiny netbooks, simple video set Sony sailing through CES

It's only the first set of Sony announcements, but the product assortment at...

Live from the Panasonic press conference

No longer "Matsushita," and given a big boost with the pending acquisition of...

Sony's big news: the Vaio P 'Lifestyle PC'

The question in advance of Sony's first press conference at CES (there will...

Samsung shows slimmer LED TVs, slimmer Blu-ray console

In an era when HDTVs are being measured in terms of pinky-width, Samsung...

Sharp stays (mostly) on point at lunchtime CES event

A very big room, journalists on the feedbag, and the tricky task of pitching...

Audiovox flashback features Elvis and rabbit-ears

Elvis! The season's first sighting of the King occurred at the Audiovox press...

Live from the Cisco press conference at CES 2009

Known worldwide as an infrastructure company, Cisco now plays a bigger role...

Toshiba focuses on mid-range DTV for everyone

Toshiba's press conference at CES 2009 this morning featured announcements in...

LG unleashes its annual flood of announcements

Holding down its traditional CES-opening spot at 8:00 am, LG on Wednesday ran...

Netgear debuts a BitTorrent-enabled set-top box

The first of NetGear's three big product announcements at CES this morning is...

Live from the LG press conference at CES 2009

Speaking to an overflow crowd in Las Vegas Wednesday morning, executives from...

CES Unveiled event provides a high-energy opener

If CES is a banquet, CES Unveiled -- the opening press event -- is like a...