Vudu is trying to ensure that you make good use of its set-top box even when you’re not searching for a movie to watch.

The company has added popular Internet radio provider Pandora as a streaming application to its service, to let you hear your favorite bands and easily discover new music through Pandora’s slick playlist-style operation.

It’s the first music app for Vudu, and you can use it through the set-top box just the way you do while you’re sitting at your desktop—create custom “playlist” stations, give songs the thumbs up or thumbs down, and let everyone in the family have an account to personalize the experience and you don’t get stuck listening to your parents’ 70s disco favorites all night.

All the functionality is controlled with Vudu’s remote control, and you can create up to 100 personalized radio stations through the service.

It’s part of Vudu’s RIA (Rich Internet Application) platform, which also brings you services such as Flickr and Picasa photo viewing into your living room as well. Look for a bunch more from Vudu’s expanding repertoire later this year when it opens RIA up to developers.

You can grab a Vudu box for $149 these days.

Arlen Schweiger - Editor of Electronic House Magazine

Arlen writes about home technology installations and product news and reviews for electronichouse.com and Electronic House magazine.