Vudu filled an important gap on Tuesday by starting up web-based browsing. Viewers can now either buy or rent a movie for viewing on the web in the same formats that previously needed Vudu-capable hardware. The support extends from standard definition up through to HDX-encoded 1080P, including with Dolby 5.1 surround if supported.
The web component is available immediately and carries the same pricing as elsewhere. Renting costs between $4 and $6 for a new title depending on the image quality, and ownership typically sits at between $15 to $20. Older titles can cost $3 to rent and $10 to own.
For Vudu, the move is effectively in the opposite direction of Netflix, which started off on the web before heading to devices. Vudu already has support on a range of TVs, Blu-ray players, and set-top boxes and has hinted that it may support iPads and iPhones in the future.
