Hasta La Gadget!

It took some time to work out most of the bugs, but Vudu is finally expanding its beta of its home-based disc-to-digital service. The idea and the price are still the same as when the private beta launched, but what’s new is support for OS X, plus an improved user experience and disc identification powered by Gracenote. We gave it a try and found the process couldn’t be any easier or more straight forward. To get others to try it out, Vudu is giving away the first conversion on the house and if you’re willing to convert ten or more movies then you’ll get a 50 percent discount. After converting a DVD to HDX we were instantly able to turn around and start watching it, far faster than any disc ripping software we’ve used. Add in the newfound ability to download movies to iOS and Android devices and UltraViolet is really shaping up — though we’re still waiting for that common file format to move copies between devices easily and single sign-on to fix the login mess.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: Vudu Blog, Vudu.com

Walmart Entertainment launched its in-store disc-to-digital Ultraviolet conversion early last year, and now it’s making the process a bit simpler by letting customers do it by themselves at home. Powered by the Vudu To Go app for Mac and Windows PCs that already lets viewers stream or download movies in up to 1080p, they can search for previously-purchased movies from participating studios (DreamWorks Animation, Lionsgate, MGM Studios, Paramount Home Media Distribution, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) and then convert them: DVD to SD or Blu-ray to HD for $2, DVD to HD for $5. Like the beta feature recently launched by Best Buy’s CinemaNow, the app authorizes the copy and then you can watch it through any of the numerous Vudu / Ultraviolet-ready devices and services merely by logging in.

One other new feature on the way is the ability for Vudu users on iOS to download copies to their devices for viewing offline. We first saw the feature on mobiles when its Android tablet app launched last month, and it will come to the Apple family of hardware in mid-February. One other note as Walmart attempts to expand its “Entertainment” brand is a Facebook app that will let its fans read and submit reviews and also vote on which movies will be offered for sale in-store and online. Still need a reason to give UltraViolet a try? Vudu is tossing new users 10 free pre-selected movies just for linking their account or signing up. Check out the full list of details in the press release after the break or hit the source link to see if it’s live.

Continue reading Vudu and Walmart bring disc-to-digital conversions home, iOS app adds offline viewing next month

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: Walmart Entertainment