Do you like streaming movies and TV shows from time to time, but not enough to justify subscribing to Netflix, Hulu, or one of the other streaming services? If so, you are not alone.
People's streaming habits are as varied as the content they prefer to watch. Maybe your friend spends the entire weekend watching a TV show. However, you usually only watch one movie or a few episodes of a show each week.
Or maybe you don't like the idea of paying subscription costs. 5 Free Streaming News Channels for Cord-Cutters 5 Free Streaming News Channels for Cord-Cutters One of the biggest drawbacks of canceling cable television is the availability of news. Or the lack of it. Fortunately, things are changing, and there are plenty of free cord-cutter news channels here. Read More Also, for people with modest budgets, recurring subscriptions aren't always feasible.
All of these realities have made the market ripe for a different type of streaming service. You've probably heard of this before, or seen the little inserts that come on Walmart DVDs and Blu-ray discs with Vudu promo codes. The streaming service is called Vudu, and it could be a good fit for your casual streamers.
Next, we'll explore what Vudu is and how to get the most out of it after you sign up.
Vudu is a Walmart-owned website that allows you to rent or purchase streamed content whenever you want. You can pay for your content with standard or prepaid credit cards.
You can also use the available Vudu credits with various products sold by Walmart. Note that credits expire, so look for dates associated with them.
By hovering your mouse pointer over an interesting title, you can learn more about it. Get a plot synopsis to determine if a movie fits your mood. Also, find out if you can rent the content, buy it, or make one.
You can also click on the More information button. Provides more details on the cast and crew (similar to What Amazon Prime Video Does 8 Cool Things You Can Do With Amazon Prime Video 8 Cool Things You Can Do With Amazon Prime Video You can do more than just " stream videos" through Amazon Prime Video. Here are several nifty tips, tricks, and hidden features that will enhance your Amazon Prime Video experience... Read More) and a rating from members of the Vudu community. This section also reveals the percentage of the film's score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The site offers many new movies and shows on or before their DVD release dates. That feature sets Vudu apart from competitors like iTunes and Netflix. Both services often make viewers expect the most current content. (Check out our Netflix guide. The Ultimate Netflix Guide:Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Netflix. The Ultimate Netflix Guide:Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Netflix. This guide offers everything you need to know about using Netflix (new subscriber or an established fan of the best streaming service out there. Read More
However, you can also find a lot of classic content. As you browse, prepare to reminisce about the last time you saw a certain beloved title.
Maybe sometimes you prefer a different option than buying individual movies. You've probably seen similar movies packaged together at retail outlets. They often appear in boxes at incredibly low prices. You will also see movies embedded in the electronics departments and they will be featured as gift ideas.
They are great solutions if you like a particular actor or genre. Maybe you've splurged on packages after deciding to spend time watching movies with shared features. Vudu offers packaged movies in digital format.
Like many, you may appreciate watching movies digitally but still want physical copies. Vudu allows you to get free digital copies of eligible DVDs and Blu-ray titles purchased at Walmart.
Known as Instawatch, this feature applies to movies purchased at your local Walmart or Walmart.com.
One of the notable advantages that Vudu offers is the flexibility related to the devices that you use with it. Works with most Blu-ray players and HDTVs.
Alternatively, you can stream Vudu content on Xbox One or Xbox 360. It also works with Google Chromecast, Roku, and some lesser-known media set-top boxes. Vudu's Apple TV app is also available for 4th generation devices.
Ready to invest in a Vudu-enabled device to ensure a seamless viewing experience? You can buy them directly from the Vudu site, with the help of Walmart.com, as you'd expect.
Even if you don't use Vudu, you can always use another method to copy your Blu-ray and DVD discs to your computer. Top 11 tools to rip DVD and Blu-ray to your computer. Top 11 tools to rip DVD and Blu. Rails to your computer still have DVDs or Blu-Rays? Those drives won't last forever, so answer them! Here are the best free tools to do just that. Read more.
While browsing Vudu, you will find movies available in HDX and you may not know what HDX means. In a nutshell, HDX is a format created by Vudu that offers resolution quality up to 1080p.
Vudu dropped its HD offerings and moved to HDX. It also gave free upgrades to all users with purchased HD titles in their libraries. Godzilla and The Golden Compass These are two currently available and inexpensive HDX movies. It's easy to see how the sci-fi and fantasy realms work especially well for high-resolution content.
Now let's look at some ways to maximize your Vudu benefits.
Notice how some of the titles in the screenshot above have a green and white play button below them? You can click on that icon and watch the movie trailer before making a purchase.
Of course, you can also use one of the sites created to watch trailers. The best sites to watch movie trailers online. The best sites to watch movie trailers online. Also read more..
Vudu works with an application called Movies Anywhere that transfers DVD and Blu-ray movies to iTunes Movies Anywhere:what it is and why you need it Movies Anywhere:what it is and why you need it. But what is it and why do you need it? In this article, we take a look at Disney's new digital locker. Read more . Movies Anywhere handles content from Google Play and Amazon as well.
To get started, download the Vudu mobile app and set up an account or log in. Then tap the menu button and select Disk to digital . When prompted by your device, give it access to your location and the camera. Then you can read the barcode on a DVD or Blu-ray title. Scan the code, then choose your preferred resolution.
Next, download the Movies Anywhere app. After installing it, select More from the bottom menu, go to Manage retailers . Finally, give movies anywhere. access permission for titles purchased from iTunes or other compatible services.
By using Movies Anywhere, you only pay for purchased content. There are no subscription fees. However, there are prices associated with DVD and Blu-ray conversions through Disc to Digital on Vudu.
Vudu's disc-to-digital program also offers affordable prices. It costs $2 for a DVD upgrade to a standard definition digital title, and $5 for HDX quality. As for Blu-ray, prices are generally $2, because HDX is your only format option.
This tip is a great one to try if you're eager to move to an all-digital media collection. The low prices and simple method also encourage people who are interested in it but still a bit unsure.
Download: Voodoo for iOS | Android (Free)
Download: Movies Anywhere for iOS | Android (Free)
Another feature that separates Vudu from Netflix and iTunes is its rich collection of supplemental content. To order what's available, go to Movies about us link inside the Vudu header.
As you can see from the screenshot above, most of the free content contains ads. But sitting through the commercials is a small price to pay to access such a large library of free content.
You can see Saoirse Ronan in The Lovely Bones before his popularity skyrocketed. Or you can laugh while watching Jack Black's antics in School of Rock .
There is a similarity between Netflix and Vudu regarding free content. See the “Last Chance to View” header at the bottom of the screenshot? Designates movies that won't be available for free for much longer.
Netflix does not offer content for free, but is known for removing content on a regular basis. Netflix removes 50% of its catalog to fund original content Netflix removes 50% of its catalog to include original content from the fund Have you noticed the Netflix catalog? getting smaller in recent years? We now know that the number of titles available on Netflix has been cut in half since 2012 to fund original content. Read more . While watching a title available on Netflix, you can check the expiration date. It gives you an idea of how much to prioritize a title you want to see. In contrast, Vudu doesn't specifically mention when free content expires.
No matter how you prefer to consume media, Vudu is a viable option. So much so, that Vudu may become a worthy complement to (or replacement for) other streaming services that the canceled cable has been using? 8 TV Streaming Apps To Fill The Canceled Cable? 8 Streaming TV Apps to Fill the Gap If you've canceled cable, you may be wondering what to watch next. These TV streaming apps may be the answer as they offer a traditional viewing experience. Read more.
The content library represents various genres and extends beyond recently released material. And the ability to use Vudu to convert physical movies to digital also sets this service apart.
What are you going to broadcast from Vudu this week? Or if Vudu doesn't have the title you're looking for, tell us what it is and we'll try to help you find it elsewhere!
