I'd like to offer up some free marketing and quality improvement advice to Vudu.
I do understand that digital streaming/download services like this are fairly new, but I think if these issues aren't addressed sooner rather than later, it will hurt the company in the long run.
First off, I'm a big film collector and movie buff. I read online reviews and have, over the years, purchased a large number of dvds and blu-rays - many "classics", but also contemporary films. In all, I have about 2,000 movies in my collection.
An online streaming/download service is a tough sell for me. If something's available on disc, I'm probably going to go ahead and get it - having a physical object, at least I know I can play it if a streaming/download company goes under.
After redeeming several Ultraviolet codes for blu-rays I've purchased, I decided to take a closer look at Vudu.
What got me really interested in exploring more and seriously considering purchases to augment my disc collection was the fact that you have several older titles in high definition that aren't available on blu-ray and, considering the disc market, it looks like they might not get released on blu-ray in the near future.
The half-off Disc to Digital incentive gave me enough of a push to purchase high-def upgrades of several of my dvds that are on Vudu in high def, but unavailable on blu-ray.
Some observations:
You need someone on your marketing staff familiar with "classic" films that would appeal both to older viewers and to film buffs that have a range of ages. You highlight, in the "recommended" section, several "classics", but it's the same titles we're all familiar with and likely already have on blu-ray - Gone With the Wind, Casablanca, etc.
A good example are the many titles you have from Warner Archive's "manufacture on demand" program. There's no way you'd find them unless you specifically search for particular titles. And, there are many high-def catalogue titles not on blu-ray - again, you have to search for them to find that they're there.
Film buffs really want to see the movies in the best quality they can and many have home theater setups. The availability of hard to find catalogue titles and titles otherwise unavailable is a big selling point to this audience - they're interested more in high-def rentals and downloads than the "watch anywhere" aspect of Vudu. You're really not reaching this audience right now.
Of the hundred or so titles I upgraded to high-def with the Disc to Digital program, ten were in the incorrect aspect ratio. Of those, one had incorrect coding of the HDX version, which Vudu could correct, and the rest had incorrect aspect ratio masters provided by the studios.
I understand that, with complaints, the studios can provide the correct version. But others might not be so patient - I frequent film enthusiast sites and forums like Nitrateville and I've seen more than one person try a rental or purchase at Vudu getting a film in the wrong aspect ratio and vowing never to return. Again, you're turning off a potential audience here.
Finally, you really need to work on your in-store Disc to Digital service. I went to my local Walmart and the clerk there had provided these before but hadn't processed them in some time. She was confused because I had a printout from the Disc to Digital website - she spent considerable time filling out what looked like an older form, repeating everything on my printout. She was unable to log on to the system to process my order.
I took my dvds to another Walmart about 20 minutes away. That clerk had been working in the Photo Department for about six months and had never had anyone come in to process discs. No one had told him how to do it.
He was able to process the order following the directions in a handbook in the department, but was a little confused by the process. When it came time to stamp the discs, it took him some time to find the stamper - he discovered that the ink in the stamper was dried up. So, he used a Sharpie to write "Vudu" around the center hole of each disc.
Granted, Vudu is only a part of Walmart's big empire, but folks in your division should be pushing the stores a little more on this if you're wanting to expand the service.
I do understand that digital streaming/download services like this are fairly new, but I think if these issues aren't addressed sooner rather than later, it will hurt the company in the long run.
First off, I'm a big film collector and movie buff. I read online reviews and have, over the years, purchased a large number of dvds and blu-rays - many "classics", but also contemporary films. In all, I have about 2,000 movies in my collection.
An online streaming/download service is a tough sell for me. If something's available on disc, I'm probably going to go ahead and get it - having a physical object, at least I know I can play it if a streaming/download company goes under.
After redeeming several Ultraviolet codes for blu-rays I've purchased, I decided to take a closer look at Vudu.
What got me really interested in exploring more and seriously considering purchases to augment my disc collection was the fact that you have several older titles in high definition that aren't available on blu-ray and, considering the disc market, it looks like they might not get released on blu-ray in the near future.
The half-off Disc to Digital incentive gave me enough of a push to purchase high-def upgrades of several of my dvds that are on Vudu in high def, but unavailable on blu-ray.
Some observations:
You need someone on your marketing staff familiar with "classic" films that would appeal both to older viewers and to film buffs that have a range of ages. You highlight, in the "recommended" section, several "classics", but it's the same titles we're all familiar with and likely already have on blu-ray - Gone With the Wind, Casablanca, etc.
A good example are the many titles you have from Warner Archive's "manufacture on demand" program. There's no way you'd find them unless you specifically search for particular titles. And, there are many high-def catalogue titles not on blu-ray - again, you have to search for them to find that they're there.
Film buffs really want to see the movies in the best quality they can and many have home theater setups. The availability of hard to find catalogue titles and titles otherwise unavailable is a big selling point to this audience - they're interested more in high-def rentals and downloads than the "watch anywhere" aspect of Vudu. You're really not reaching this audience right now.
Of the hundred or so titles I upgraded to high-def with the Disc to Digital program, ten were in the incorrect aspect ratio. Of those, one had incorrect coding of the HDX version, which Vudu could correct, and the rest had incorrect aspect ratio masters provided by the studios.
I understand that, with complaints, the studios can provide the correct version. But others might not be so patient - I frequent film enthusiast sites and forums like Nitrateville and I've seen more than one person try a rental or purchase at Vudu getting a film in the wrong aspect ratio and vowing never to return. Again, you're turning off a potential audience here.
Finally, you really need to work on your in-store Disc to Digital service. I went to my local Walmart and the clerk there had provided these before but hadn't processed them in some time. She was confused because I had a printout from the Disc to Digital website - she spent considerable time filling out what looked like an older form, repeating everything on my printout. She was unable to log on to the system to process my order.
I took my dvds to another Walmart about 20 minutes away. That clerk had been working in the Photo Department for about six months and had never had anyone come in to process discs. No one had told him how to do it.
He was able to process the order following the directions in a handbook in the department, but was a little confused by the process. When it came time to stamp the discs, it took him some time to find the stamper - he discovered that the ink in the stamper was dried up. So, he used a Sharpie to write "Vudu" around the center hole of each disc.
Granted, Vudu is only a part of Walmart's big empire, but folks in your division should be pushing the stores a little more on this if you're wanting to expand the service.
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