Vudu has become the first on-demand service to offer high definition movies for download to own on its 1080p Internet Movie Player. HD movies are available for purchase today to all Vudu owners.

Until now consumers have been restricted to renting HD movies from on-demand services. Today Vudu unveiled a collection of over 50 HD movies from independent studios that are available for both rental and download to own. Movies offered in this collection will be available for purchase in both instant HD and VUDU's HDX format at the same price. HDX is the highest quality on-demand format available anywhere on cable, satellite, broadcast, or the Internet.

Magnolia Picture's Man on Wire, is among the first titles to be offered for purchase in HD on Vudu, along with Transsiberian and War, Inc. from FirstLook Studios.

FirstLook Studios, Kino, and Magnolia Pictures are among the independent studios offering films for sale on Vudu in HD. Vudu plans to offer every HD release from these studios for purchase as they are added to the service, day and date with DVD release.

High definition titles purchased from Vudu can be stored on the consumer's Vudu box or in the Vudu Vault, a free online storage option for movies and TV shows that enables consumers to free up disk space while still retaining access to all their purchased titles. Movies are priced between $13.99 and $23.99.

VUDU's library of more than 14,000 movies and TV episodes, including more than 1,400 HD films, is updated weekly with new releases and library titles. HDX with VUDU's TruFilm technology features a 1080p picture and high definition sound.