Many have pooh-pooh’d add-on video-on-demand set-tops. After all, who wants to spend another $400 on another box?

Well, it looks like Vudu doesn’t plan to go down the same road as Moviebeam... at least not anytime soon.

Today, the company announced that they will have new video releases available for download the same day they hit DVD—and in high definition. They are testing the waters with the release of “The Bourne Ultimatum,” which is also making its DVD and HD DVD debut.

The Vudu box currently sells for $399; viewers can then download 5,000 different movies for a 24-hour viewing period, for $2 to $4 each. A few titles, including the new Bourne installment, can also be purchased and made a permanent fixture on the set-top box.

Rachel Cericola - Contributing Writer

Over the past 15 years, Rachel Cericola has covered entertainment, web and technology trends. Check her out at www.rachelcericola.com.