VUDU video streaming service now available on Xbox 360, get first HD rental free

PlayStation 3 owners have had the pleasure (no sarcasm) of using VUDU for a little while now, and the Walmart-owned video streaming service is now also available for the Xbox 360.  And to celebrate the launch, they are offering credit for one free streaming HD movie rental to all new users.

VUDU for the Xbox 360 also features Kinect voice and gesture controls. The service requires an Xbox Live Gold subscription.

Read on for all the details.

Walmart today announced the launch of its popular VUDU entertainment service on Xbox 360. Xbox LIVE customers can now shop VUDU’s library using new, interactive features such as voice search, voice control and Kinect gesture commands to rent or own the latest Hollywood hits, TV shows, cinema classics and independent gems in standard or high definition. To encourage customers to try VUDU on Xbox, VUDU is offering a $4.99 credit toward their first rental or purchase. Also, through today only (11:30 p.m. PST) at Walmart.com, customers can get free shipping to home on Microsoft Xbox 360 consoles, games and accessories and still receive in time for Christmas.

Kinect for Xbox 360 offers customers the ability to become the controller, using their body and Bing voice search to browse VUDU’s expansive catalog, and their voice to play, pause, fast forward or rewind content. Because VUDU is a cloud-based service, content purchased via the Xbox LIVE service is viewable on other VUDU-enabled devices or platforms including game consoles, Internet-connected Blu-ray players and HDTVs, tablets, computers, Walmart.com and more. Also, content purchased on any of these platforms can be viewed on the Xbox LIVE service.

“VUDU on Xbox 360 brings more fun into finding, watching and buying your favorite movies and TV shows,” said Edward Lichty, general manager, VUDU. “With the new, interactive features on Xbox 360 to browse VUDU’s library, along with special savings like 99-cent VUDU rentals, we hope to make the holidays even more entertaining and affordable for families.”

“Our partnership with VUDU marks a significant milestone in our vision to bring you all the TV entertainment you want, shared with the people you care about, made easy,” said Pete Thompson, General Manager, Xbox LIVE. “By bringing VUDU to the Xbox LIVE service and adding the magic of Kinect, we are transforming the way consumers experience entertainment forever.”

VUDU End-of-Year Savings
As families gear up to watch their favorite movies and TV shows together this holiday, VUDU is offering big end-of-year savings and digital exclusives. Examples include:

• 99-cent rentals including Jingle All the Way starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints starring Robert Downey, Jr.
• Early digital availability of Moneyball starring Brad Pitt and Abduction starring Taylor Lautner.
• 50%+ savings on holiday favorites like Christmas with the Kranks, The Holiday and This Christmas.
• Season 1 episodes (to date) of Pan Am free
• Every first episode from all BBC America seasons for just 99 cents each.

Expanded VUDU Library
VUDU’s recently expanded catalog features newly added TV shows from CBS, Comedy Central, HBO?, MTV, National Geographic, Nickelodeon and SHOWTIME? as well as blockbuster movies, Hollywood classics and independent films. Now, more than half of VUDU’s library is available in high definition, and VUDU also delivers a cinema-like experience with vibrant-streaming HD and rich Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 and 7.1 Surround Sound.

Customers can access VUDU using their Xbox LIVE Gold subscription as well as their existing Xbox billing credentials without the need to enter a separate credit card. For more information, go to www.walmart.com/vudu or www.vudu.com.