Disney movies on Vudu as high-def downloads

DIGITAL: More than 60 catalog titles available immediately

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 6/4/2009

JUNE 4 | DIGITAL: Vudu has become the first digital video download service to offer permanent high-definition film downloads from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

Starting immediately, Vudu users will be able to access more than 60 Disney films, including Doubt, High School Musical 3: Senior Year, No Country for Old Men, The Sixth Sense and National Treasure. Vudu said it will soon offer new movies as permanent downloads simultaneously with DVD release.

People can choose to watch either in instant high-def mode or as Vudu’s proprietary HDX, which the company touts as the highest quality download format available anywhere.

Many studios offer high-def titles for digital rental delivery through such services as Xbox Live and Netflix. Vudu in February was the first Web-based digital service to offer permanent high-def film downloads. Some services have since expanded to download-to-own high-def. Apple’s iTunes now offers a limited selection of permanent high-def titles, including MGM Home Entertainment’s Quantum of Solace (distributed by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment) and Lionsgate’s 3:10 to Yuma.

WDSHE "is showing its continuing leadership in the creative community by embracing digital delivery and ownership of HD," said Edward Lichty, executive VP at Vudu. "Our customers have shown a strong interest in buying HD films. We are pleased to expand our HD ownership options by adding these top-quality films to our collection and offering them for both HD and HDX viewing to our users."

Lori MacPherson, Disney's general manager of North America added, "We are pleased to work with Vudu as a distributor of our HD films for digital purchase."

Vudu offers more than 15,000 movies and TV episodes that consumers access via a set-top box ($149 entry model price) for view directly on TV displays.