Video On Demand News: Roku, Netflix, Amazon, LG, Vudu, etc.

Video on Demand services and their accompanying digital video set-top boxes continue to improve and make new friends with both consumers and businesses. Today seems to be the day for the main players in digital on demand video (Netflix, Amazon, Vudu, Roku) to get some news out on the future of video on demand:



Amazon Amalgamation: Roku adding Amazon Video on Demand

The Roku digital video player has been solely a way to stream Netflix' Instant Watch movies to your TV, and at $99 for over 12,000 titles, it certainly has done that well. But now Roku is teaming up with Amazon to provide access to their 40,000 titles available on Amazon Video on Demand. Roku owners will soon be able to buy or rent titles to instantly stream from the Amazon Video on Demand service, some films being released the same day they come out on DVD. While most Roku owners probably aren't overly interested in purchasing titles separately, you certainly can't complain about new features.

Premier Package: LG issues the world's first Netflix-integrated HDTV

Scheduled to be seen this week at CES, LG has essentially put the VOD box directly in the television. The new "Broadband HDTVs" (in both LCD and Plasma) will be able to instantly stream the Netflix selection of on demand films. While the integration only seems natural, it will likely cost more than simply purchasing an HDTV and a Roku or Vudu.

On-Demand Digital Discount: Vudu for $99

The $200 off holiday pricing is still available for Vudu, and no longer requires you to pay $50 in additional movie credits. So you can get a Vudu for the same price as Roku. Vudu digital video on demand boxes provide access to 13,000 movies for rent or purchase (like Amazon Video on Demand), as opposed to the Netflix titles (which require a monthly subscription to their mail-based service). Vudu also integrates with free content from YouTube, Flickr, Picasa, and a couple on-demand tv and video game services.

And there you have it, the big news from the big players in VOD. If you're looking for some more great digital video action, feel free to refer to our Online DVD Rental Reviews, Internet TV Sites Reviews, DVD and Blu-Ray Player Reviews, TV Reviews, or even some related blog posts:

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