Vudu has secret some users don’t know about

Although some reviewers announced they like Netflix and Vudu HD more than the Blockbuster broadband video box, a writer from Forbes is concerned over a dirty little secret that Vudu hasn’t disclosed.

Vudu uses peer-to-peer technology to help distribute content to its users, the Forbes writer learned after chatting with a Vudu executive. 

Although it may sound like it’s not a big deal, the problem here is that the technology could be a major bandwidth hog even though the consumers aren’t aware of it happening.  Lee Gomes admits he hasn’t noticed a slowdown in bandwidth, but it’s still not appreciated to use Vudu owners’ bandwidth without their knowledge.

On top of that, Vudu doesn’t openly disclose the fact that they use P2P technology to distribute content to subscribers.

"The big problem is that the company doesn’t clearly tell customers that it’s doing this," the article states.  "I haven’t found a word about this forced downloading on the box I bought or on the company’s Web site.  My bandwidth is my property, in much the same way my living room or front yard is mine, and I don’t take to people using it without telling me."

If asked about using P2P technology, Vudu said it won’t deny using the architecture — but why doesn’t the company openly state the information on its web site?

The ability to stream content directly into the living room is a growing market that a number of companies have entered over the past 12 months.  Vudu, Roku, Netflix, Blockbuster and others offer viewers the ability to watch movies and TV episodes on-demand, with the Microsoft Xbox 360 and several Blu-ray players now supporting streaming Netflix.

There are a pile of set-top boxes designed to allow consumers to stream content to their TV, but Vudu is one of a select  few that handle HD content.  As more people purchase HDTVs and have the ability to watch HD content, expect more set-top boxes to be able to handle HD.