Vudu announced today that some control and automation firms are integrating their products with Vudu’s high-definition (HD)-capable product line.

By integrating with Control 4, Crestron, Logitech, NetStreams, Philips, Universal Electronics and Universal Remote, residential dealers and installers will have the tools to build additional movie experiences into customers’ homes. Vudu’s XL set-top box (STB), which sells for $999, recently started shipping.

“With a large and constantly updated library of compelling content and significant storage, the Vudu XL is ideally positioned as a home theater complement,” said Kurt Scherf, VP and principal analyst with Parks Associates. "Vudu’s recently announced partners provide it with a solid entry point into the custom installation business, where media servers and enhanced audio/video components are a great complement to the higher-end entertainment systems currently being installed.”

Vudu XL comprises more than 5,000 standard-definition (SD) movies, about 1,000 TV episodes and more than 100 HD movies from all the major Hollywood studios and 22 independent distributors.

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