Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Walmart-owned movie streaming service Vudu is now accessible from the web browser.Users can rent or buy movies and TV shows from Vudu.com, even if they dont own a Vudu-compatible TV or Blu-ray player. Vudu has more than 17,000 titles in its library with a big focus on new releases and major studio films. Users can rent titles for 24 hours for $3.99, $4.99 or $5.99, depending on quality level.Vudu started life as a set-top box aimed at movie lovers. Since launching, the service has shifted away from its own box, instead opting to license the service to consumer electronics makers. These include devices from Sony, LG, Samsung and Panasonic. The new Boxee Box supports Vudu, and users who run Boxee on their Mac, Windows or Linux PC can also install the app.In February, I tested and rated some of the most popular streaming media services and noted that from a quality standpoint, Vudu is unmatched. HDX rentals really blow the boundaries of what one expects from a streaming service.Unfortunately, users that access the service strictly from the web browser wont be able to take advantage of that fantastic picture quality. Vudu says that due to restrictions by content providers, playback is limited to SD quality when viewed in a web browser.Fortunately, Vudu is designed to work in such a way that a user can start a movie or TV show on one device and resume playback on another. That means that films that play back in SD in the browser will still be accessible in HD or HDX via a Blu-ray Player, PS3, Boxee Box or HDTV. It also means that purchases or rentals made from those devices will be accessible in SD in the web browser.Its a shame that content restrictions prohibit Vudus HD streaming. Still, allowing users to have access to additional a la carte content is a win for consumers. If youre in the U.S. and you are looking for an alternative to iTunes, Vudu just might fit the bill.What is your favorite online rental service? Let us know.More About: Film, Media Streaming, Movies, rentals, vuduFor more Media coverage:Follow Mashable Media on TwitterBecome a Fan on FacebookSubscribe to the Media channelDownload our free apps for Android, Mac, iPhone and iPad Read More ...
