[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Wal-Mart Launches Vudu Disc-to-Digital Store Program: Here's How It Works here

[Jakehuez]

"Next, you select whether you're after the $2 SD or $5 HD version--the Walmart rep confirms you can't have both, which is unfortunate for HD buyers who want an SD alternative on devices with low bandwidth or data-caps."

This is incorrect. As with all VUDU movies, if you own the HD version you can always bump down to SD if you don't have the bandwidth.

[puterdood]

I think I will keep my disks and just copy them to iTunes for playback. For cheaper overall than converting many hundreds to Vudu!

Netflix can take care of most of the rest.

[Kadidelhopper]

Pay 5 dollars for a movie that you already own? What kind of idiot would do that?

[Kadidelhopper]

Wise up people, Walmart is a total rip off of a company and this is just one more example of it.

[ButchLemmonhvkc]

A good article. We have DVD's in our collection. We do not plan to convert any time soon.

[rkinne01]

Why not just download one of the dozens of DVD rippers out there and convert videos for free?

[rkinne01]

rkinne01, on 17 April 2012 - 09:55 AM, said:

Why not just download one of the dozens of DVD rippers out there and convert videos for free?

No need to even leave your house!

[cfnordstrom]

Don't get the business model! This makes me real nervous about what's next.
So Walmart gets $2 for the conversion, do they keep that (seems like it would cost them at least that much to "process" the conversion. Who provides the network site where all these streams come from and how is that paid for? My fear is that it won't take long before the other shoe drops -- all of sudden there is a monthly fee involved to access your content after paying the $2. The business model is going to fail without a continuing subscription of some kind.

[butlerwm]

The biggest problem I see with this is as some of the other posters have stated: Paying $2 to $5 to watch what I've already purchased is, at best, unreasonable.

Additionally, to call this "conversion" is a misnomer. Nothing is converted. The digital content already exists on VUDU's servers and the fee simply allows access to specific movies that correspond to movies (here it comes again) already paid for and owned.

Now, it might be worthwhile for the many, many people who don't understand conversion software and/or don't even own computers (yes--there are people who don't own computers) but who have video libraries, one or more of the playback devices (smartphones, game consoles, or tablets), and want to make movies in their libraries portable. As a business model, it can work. After all, it's just one more extension of the "cloud" (gag) model. "Put it in the cloud and have access to it anytime and anywhere you want."

Personally, I'll stick with my current library of disks and converted content on "my" storage drives. If I need to take a trip, I move content to my portable device (tablet or phone) and go on about my business.

[tweetattempt]

All UltraViolet HD titles come with SD download and streaming as well.

[tweetattempt]

Kadidelhopper, on 17 April 2012 - 08:04 AM, said:

Pay 5 dollars for a movie that you already own? What kind of idiot would do that?

[custompcmaxt31d]

I have about 300 DVDs in my collection and personally have no problem with the quality that my PS3 upconversion does. That said, if I wanted an easy way to get rid of my DVD shelves and have my movies cloud based, this is probably a reasonable solution. You don't have to go through the painstaking work of ripping each DVD and then manage storing those.

Is the price right? Seems reasonable too, since buying an HD version of a movie from most services costs almost as much as buying a disc... $5 a pop isn't bad when you think about it. That is the typical cost of renting an HD movie.

[JasonSpencer]

custompcmaxt31d, on 21 April 2012 - 06:28 AM, said:

You don't have to go through the painstaking work of ripping each DVD and then manage storing those.

This was my first thought. I've got better things to do with my time than watch my computer to ensure that everything ripped correctly. I also feel that the HD "upgrade" for $5 isn't too bad. I only moved to Blu-Ray this year, so the bulk of my collection is DVD. I'd much rather pay $5 for a higher-quality stream than $20+ for BR discs. Plus, when I've taxed my hard drive to the point of failure, the information still exists somewhere.

My burning issues are:
1) Will Vudu stick around. They've been here a while, and gone through a few business model revisions before inking this deal with WalMart. I'd almost suspect Google Play, Apple, or Hulu to gobble them in in 2-3 years, potentially leaving users in the dark.

2) Is it really per disc? That does make those "seasons" of TV shows a bit more costly. I'd prefer to see it per-title, but it's still not bad.

Is the price right? Seems reasonable too, since buying an HD version of a movie from most services costs almost as much as buying a disc... $5 a pop isn't bad when you think about it. That is the typical cost of renting an HD movie.

[BrettHenrichsen]

For those of you worried about "will Vudu or Walmart stick around" or complaining a bit about the conversion, you're missing one of the most IMPORTANT aspects of this whole thing - UltraViolet. VUDU/Walmart is merely acting as the first conduit between you and the new INDUSTRY STANDARD UltraViolet system which is really what will be keeping track of your digital purchases (now and in future) and your CONVERSIONS. That UltraViolet system will be supported by many players (TV manufacturers, aps, players, etc) so it won't really matter if VUDU or Walmart shut down - UltraViolet is an entirely separate, non-brand related industry program designed to allow you to now have access to ALL your digital purchases on any device. The thought is if you buy something now digitally, it's supposed to be part of the UltraViolet program (you link your VUDU and UltraViolet accounts together) and now that UltraViolet knows you've purchased a film, you can now access it anywhere you want on any device. The VUDU "conversion" is allowing you to take all your past and old purchases and add them to the UltraViolet system so they are now available on any device. Sure, for now, VUDU would be the best way to access it, but you won't be limited to accessing UltraViolet with VUDU, which is cool. Vudu/Walmart go out of business (unlikely) - UltraViolet and your account and history still exist.

[BrettHenrichsen]

For those of you worried about "will Vudu or Walmart stick around" or complaining a bit about the conversion, you're missing one of the most IMPORTANT aspects of this whole thing - UltraViolet. VUDU/Walmart is merely acting as the first conduit between you and the new INDUSTRY STANDARD UltraViolet system which is really what will be keeping track of your digital purchases (now and in future) and your CONVERSIONS. That UltraViolet system will be supported by many players (TV manufacturers, aps, players, etc) so it won't really matter if VUDU or Walmart shut down - UltraViolet is an entirely separate, non-brand related industry program designed to allow you to now have access to ALL your digital purchases on any device. The thought is if you buy something now digitally, it's supposed to be part of the UltraViolet program (you link your VUDU and UltraViolet accounts together) and now that UltraViolet knows you've purchased a film, you can now access it anywhere you want on any device. The VUDU "conversion" is allowing you to take all your past and old purchases and add them to the UltraViolet system so they are now available on any device. Sure, for now, VUDU would be the best way to access it, but you won't be limited to accessing UltraViolet with VUDU, which is cool. Vudu/Walmart go out of business (unlikely) - UltraViolet and your account and history still exist.

[rexq82]

Vudu Disc to Digital hell!
I tried to convert 2 of my movies from the Disc to digital at walmart. When i got home and synced my ultra violet account with vudu one movie showed up HDX and the other showed up SD even though i paid for both to be HDX. i have been emailing vudu back and forth for a week and they cannot fix this. I am also sharing my ultra violet account with my bother and the same movies are showing both HDX just fine on his. they keep telling me i didnt purchase the HD version. i emailed them a copy of my receipt that they sent me and everything they asked for. i finally decided to call vudu and they told me i should go to walmart and have walmart fix it. Then i proceeded to tell them that i would not do that because this was a mistake by this program and needs to be fixed. I received an email again this morning stating that since "I" have not responded to them they assume that the problem has been resolved. NO! it has not been resolved! they told me that they would have an engineer "look into this" to have it fixed 3 days ago. this is bull crap!!

Long story short Vudu customer service sucks so bad!!!!!!

[rexq82]

Vudu Disc to Digital hell!
I tried to convert 2 of my movies from the Disc to digital at walmart. When i got home and synced my ultra violet account with vudu one movie showed up HDX and the other showed up SD even though i paid for both to be HDX. i have been emailing vudu back and forth for a week and they cannot fix this. I am also sharing my ultra violet account with my bother and the same movies are showing both HDX just fine on his. they keep telling me i didnt purchase the HD version. i emailed them a copy of my receipt that they sent me and everything they asked for. i finally decided to call vudu and they told me i should go to walmart and have walmart fix it. Then i proceeded to tell them that i would not do that because this was a mistake by this program and needs to be fixed. I received an email again this morning stating that since "I" have not responded to them they assume that the problem has been resolved. NO! it has not been resolved! they told me that they would have an engineer "look into this" to have it fixed 3 days ago. this is bull crap!!

Long story short Vudu customer service sucks so bad!!!!!!

[CarlosGonazalez]

This is the best idea i have herd since apple took there ipad out! You guys rock i love the idea of watching my whole entire movie library in all my gadgets sutch as my tablet's computer lap top, and so on. I will like more info. On this great deal!

[CastCannibal]

I have about 300 DVDs in my collection and personally have no problem with the quality that my PS3 upconversion does. That said, if I wanted an easy way to get rid of my DVD shelves and have my movies cloud based, this is probably a reasonable solution. You don't have to go through the painstaking work of ripping each DVD and then manage storing those. Is the price right? Seems reasonable too, since buying an HD version of a movie from most services costs almost as much as buying a disc... $5 a pop isn't bad when you think about it. That is the typical cost of renting an HD movie.