News & Information for Technology Purchasers
NewsFactor Network Sites:   NewsFactor.com Security CRM Business Sci-Tech Newsletters XML/RSS Feed  
   
Home Enterprise I.T. Hardware Software Communications More Topics...
After Hours
Average Rating:
Rate this article:  
Sony, Vudu To Match Apple in Renting High-Def Video Sony, Vudu To Match Apple in Renting High-Def Video
By Mark Long
October 16, 2008 2:41PM

    Bookmark and Share
With Apple, Inc. offering HDTV rentals online, rivals Sony and Vudu are preparing to join the growing trend toward high-definition video downloads. Apple has added high-definition TV episodes from U.S. TV networks to its iTunes Store. Sony will release the movie Hancock on its BRAVIA Internet module, and Vudu will target big screens.
 

Advertisement

Apple's recent embrace of HDTV is putting the spotlight on a growing trend of renting high-definition movies and TV shows online for up to 24 hours of viewing. Rivals such as Sony and Vudu are already preparing to make high-definition video a bigger part of their online entertainment offerings, and additional providers are expected to join the fray.

However, Apple upped the ante this week by making high-definition TV episodes from all four U.S. TV networks available for download at its iTunes Store, which has already rented more than one million HDTV shows since its introduction of HDTV programming last month. Even better, it now has more than 600 feature films available in HDTV.

"We've got an incredible fall 2008 TV lineup with over 70 prime-time comedies and dramas, including many of the most popular shows on TV in stunning HD," said Apple Vice President Eddy Cue. "With over 200 million episodes sold, iTunes customers have proven they love watching television on their computer, iPod, iPhone and TV with Apple TV."

Streaming Hit Movies

Later this month, Sony will stream its hit movie Hancock to BRAVIA (Best Resolution Audio Visual Integrated Architecture) large-screen displays equipped with the company's BRAVIA Internet video link module. The module is designed to receive a variety of online programming in both standard and high-definition formats, including on-demand movies, YouTube videos, and other content not found on TV networks, cable channels, or satellite TV.

Sony's online Hancock release from Oct. 28 through Nov. 10 marks the first time a top-grossing theatrical movie will be streamed to consumers' homes in advance of the packaged media release. Consumers who register online and purchase Sony's Hancock rental stream will also receive a free Blu-ray copy of Hancock following the movie's Nov. 25 release on disc, the company said.

"This is an important development not only for the industry, but for consumers seeking new entertainment options," said Sony Senior Vice President Randy Waynick.

The movie will be offered online for $9.99 in three forms: A high-definition, 720-pixel stream and two standard-definition, 480-pixel streams for customers with lower bandwidth Relevant Products/Services constraints. Sony's BRAVIA Internet video link module, priced at $300, automatically detects the customer Relevant Products/Services's bandwidth and selects the best stream for optimum performance, the company said.

Big-Screen Clarity

Vudu is also gearing up to make high-definition content available to its subscribers at 1080-pixel resolutions. Called HDX, Vudu's latest video-streaming technology will enable movies and other content to be viewed on 40-inch and larger HDTVs and huge home theater screens.

Vudu says it has already compiled a library of 65 films in the HDX format and will make all its future HD titles compatible with the new format. Moreover, all Vudu subscribers will be able to rent HDX movies at the same price as standard HD titles.

"Accelerating consumer adoption of large-screen HDTVs has fueled strong demand for the kind of viewing experience and picture quality only HDX can deliver," said Vudu CEO Mark Jung. "HDX truly raises the bar on picture quality for HD movies delivered on demand, over the air, satellite or Internet, and across the entire video landscape."
 

Advertisement


Advertisement


 After Hours
1.   Call of Duty Is Setting Records
2.   TV on the Go Is a Little Lacking
3.   Google Will Caption YouTube Videos
4.   Call of Duty Shatters Game Records
5.   Social-Networking Lingo Recognized


advertisement
Frugal Twitter-Only Device OfferedFrugal Twitter-Only Device Offered
TwitterPeek doesn't need a data plan.
Average Rating:
Guide Lists What's on Internet TVGuide Lists What's on Internet TV
Clicker.com indexes full episodes.
Average Rating:
Best Buy Offers On-Demand ServiceBest Buy Offers On-Demand Service
CinemaNow could become standard.
Average Rating:
Product Information and Resources for Technology You Can Use To Boost Your Business

Enterprise Hardware

  Go Green with IBM Blade Center
  

Network Security Spotlight
House Lawmakers Push Ban on Peer-to-Peer Software
Stung by an embarrassing electronic leak revealing ethics investigations into dozens of lawmakers, Congress moved to prohibit federal employees from using the file-sharing software blamed for the disclosure.
 
GAO: Los Alamos Computer Security Has Weaknesses
Security weaknesses uncovered in Los Alamos National Laboratory's computer network increase the risk of a classified-information breach, says the Government Accountability Office.
 
Computer Security Firm Fortinet Plans IPO This Week
Fortinet plans to go public in an initial public offering, giving investors a chance to tap a network security provider with sales that are expected to grow. The IPO could be valued at $137.5 million or more.
 

Enterprise Hardware Spotlight
Flat Shipments Hurt Dell Despite Increased Earnings
Dell's earnings are up and expectations are solid, but the company's stock still took a hit after analysts signaled the company isn't playing a key role in the PC market recovery.
 
New Pogoplug 'Personal Cloud' Does Social Networking
Cloud Engines has released its newest version of the Pogoplug, a small "multimedia sharing device" that connects hard drives to the Internet and allows a user to access the files remotely.
 
Apple Tablet Rumored Delayed as Publisher Gears Up
There have been so many rumors of an Apple tablet that it has taken on legendary status. But now the legend is being revised with reports of a delay and that a major publisher is getting ready.
 

Enterprise Technology Spotlight
Flat Shipments Hurt Dell Despite Increased Earnings
Dell's earnings are up and expectations are solid, but the company's stock still took a hit after analysts signaled the company isn't playing a key role in the PC market recovery.
 
Smartphones: A Bigger Target for Security Threats
Smartphones are increasingly prevalent and adept at handling more tasks, including trading stocks, paying bills, and buying stuff online. That makes them attractive to thieves and hackers.
 
FBI Says Hackers Targeting Law Firms, PR Companies
Hackers are targeting law firms and public relations companies with a sophisticated e-mail scheme that breaks into their computer networks to steal sensitive data, often linked to large corporate clients.
 

Navigation
NewsFactor Network
Home/Top News | Enterprise I.T. | Hardware | Software | Communications | Network Security | Wireless Tech | Linux/Open Source
Apple/Macintosh | Microsoft/Windows | World Wide Web | Data Storage | E-Commerce | Personal Tech | Tech Trends | Press Releases
NewsFactor Network Enterprise I.T. Sites
NewsFactor Technology News | Enterprise Security Today | CRM Daily

NewsFactor Business and Innovation Sites
Sci-Tech Today | NewsFactor Business Report

NewsFactor Services
FreeNewsFeed | Free Newsletters | Free Whitepapers | XML/RSS Feed

About NewsFactor Network | How To Contact Us | Article Reprints | Careers @ NewsFactor | Services for PR Pros | Top Tech Wire | How To Advertise

Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
© Copyright 2000-2009 NewsFactor Network. All rights reserved. Article rating technology by Blogowogo.