HDTV Forum

I want to download and/or stream 1080P HD to my HTPC. I have HDMI from my HTPC to my home theater to 50" Plasma. I really don't want to add VUDU Box if I can use my HTPC as the same fuction. HULU is great, even at 480P Hi RES on my plasma. I also have DirectTV on demand, connected via CAT6 to home network, for download; which is OK, but not up to snuff yet. Can I stream from VUDU without the box or am I going to add another peice to home theater & get the VUDU Box?

Surprised Shane hasn't replied being the VUDU guru...

Based on my understanding if you want VUDU you have to get the box. http://www.hulu.com/ is a source primed and ready for the PC but Hollywood is a small part of what they have to offer.

Well I guess I'll have to evaluate all the capibilities I have now & decide if VUDU is too overwelming to resist & get a box.

I actually started to reply this morning and got distracted.

In my opinion, download us superior to streaming. My reasons for this have to do primarily with bitrate. If you only have a 3MB connection, there's no way you're going to be able to stream true high definition content.

With download, or "play while downloading" as VUDU has, you can get much better quality, and at much higher bitrates. The only downside is that you may have a short delay before you can begin playing your movie, depending on your sustainable connection speed.

I would highly recommend VUDU, even though it requires an additional box. It just so happens that the VUDU comes out of the box with RF support, so there's no need to have it in your rack. Wherever you decide to place it though, ensure that it is ventilated like any other piece of equipment, as it does get warm.

If you're interested in additional details, here are a few pieces I've written in the past year or so dealing with Internet HD Video options:

A Comparison of Movie Download Services

Showdown: Apple TV vs. VUDU

Hope that helps,

- Shane

mattdr,

If your DirecTV dvr and (Windows) HTPC are in different rooms, you can use the DirecTV2PC application to watch your recordings on the tv/monitor connected to your HTPC.

What kind of issues do you have with DirecTV on demand?

I am waiting for more HD1080P/ 24fps movies; right now "The Dark Knight" is only one. I do like the Series' availability "On Demand" from HBO, Shoetime, Starz; wish there were more. I do have a Sony VAIO VGX-TP20 HTPC connected with CAT6 "homenetworked" ethernet cable, also "homenetworked" Panasonic BluRay BMP-BD35 w/ "BD Live" & Direct TV HR20 (1-Terabyte drive) w/"On Demand"; all connected via HDMI to Onkyo TX-SR705 Receiver (HDMI & THX Capibilities); then via single HDMI to Panasonic TH-50PZ800U Plasma.
I do like HULU Site via HTPC & full screen picture is great on 50" Plasma; hopefully more HD programming will be available in future. I am always interested in the up & coming; what is viable & what will "stick" in the market. VUDU seems to fit in that catagory; I may have to get the box. I then will have yet another HDMI cable to negotiate with reciever inputs.