Vudu offers free STB with purchase of Sharp Aquos TVs

Vudu [1] has partnered with Sharp Electronics Corp. [2] for a holiday promotion that offers the Vudu set-top box, for free, when consumers purchase certain models of Sharp’s Aquos HDTVs.

Vudu’s movie box, which ports movies and other content from the Internet to TVs, normally sells for $399. The free Vudu box will be offered through Jan. 5 on purchases of Sharp Aquos TVs with 42-inch or larger screens.

"Through this offer, new Aquos owners will be able to instantly enjoy thousands of movie titles, television content and more on a pay-as-you-go basis,” said Bob Scaglione, SVP and group manager of Sharp’s product and marketing group, in a statement.

Vudu uses a peer-to-peer (P2P) system that allows customers to watch a movie while other parts of the movie are being downloaded from other Vudu users’ boxes. The company pre-loads some items, such as company logos, so that the movie can start while the rest of it is being downloaded.