I have never been one to be quiet about my opinions, and with the email I received this morning from set-top video on demand provider VUDU has me once again thinking… “how does this benefit me?”

VUDU makes an excellent set-top box (that does get unreasonably hot) for downloading video content directly for viewing solely on your television (Disclosure: I did receive a discounted VUDU device to test out and market the service to friends and family as an evangelist), and while I have read on and off about VUDU’s supposed demise, it has yet to happen.  In fact, VUDU is alive and continuing to attempt to differentiate themselves in this crowded VOD marketplace.

Despite my love for the small form factor, the sleek remote and easy to use interface (and the basically free movies to this point), VUDU has been a hard sell for me.  When compared to my TIVO/Amazon behemoth, VUDU lacks in two distinct areas.

1. Download speed and ease.  Let’s start with the fact that when I received my VUDU, wifi connections were not an option, so I was forced to an ethernet over powerline adapter… those, while not extremely expensive, are not cheap. Regardless, downloads may be immediate, but viewing is not… the idea of VOD has been rent now, watch now… Not so, in my experience and that is a downside. $99 for a new wireless adapter does not make sense for me, and while the TIVO still has download sluggishness as well, it is still wireless and faster than the VUDU.
2. No season passes.  This is the single reason why my VUDU mostly gathers dust and my TIVO/Amazon combo are used extensively.  Add in the fact that Amazon’s new Video-on-Demand is quite “killer” in my opinion.

But today, I received the email that VUDU was now offering something called HDX.  HDX is apparently VUDU’s answer to all the questions about the quality of their HD movie offerings, and supposedly will put VUDU’s video quality on par with that of Blu-Ray.  The notes from the email are as follows:

• The highest quality available from any Internet, broadcast, cable, or satellite on-demand service
• A true cinematic experience with a vividly detailed and virtually artifact free picture
• Immersive, high-resolution sound
• The ability to initiate a download via the Web

The only item on that list that has any interest to me as a consumer?  “The ability to initiate a download via the Web.”  I have tested this web download initiation and while the interface has a way to go in terms of ease of use, I believe that it is headed in the right direction.  The offer of higher quality videos do not “sell” me.  Why?  While the current economic situation does not immediately impact me, but the value proposition of spending an extra $2 for an HD download doesn’t intrigue me when the quality of SD (standard definition) suits my viewing just fine.

Until VUDU can offer the season pass option or the ability to purchase a full season of television shows at a discounted price, it will still continue to be fringe/luxury device and not an everyday use.  But, there is potential.