Vudu announced their HDX format for movie downloads on Thursday. Customers will be able to download movies in1080p format, optimized for 40-inch screens and larger.

To date, Vudu has compiled a library of 65 movies available in the 1080p format -- which will take several hours to download depending on the length of the movie. CNET on Thursday claimed a four hour download.

Vudu system

"HDX content is displayed in the true cinematic gold standard of 1080p at 24 frames per second. HDX delivers twice the resolution of other Internet HD formats and offers an ultra-detailed and virtually artifact free picture on any size screen. HDX also provides the best available surround sound quality for Internet delivered movies with immersive, high resolution sound at a 40 percent higher bit-rate than standard surround sound DVD’s," Vudu said on Thursday.

Vudu spokesperson Mike Brown explained to iPO that the "high resolution sound" means that the Dolby Digital 5.1 system bit rate has been increased from 512 to 640 Mbps. Also, Vudu is not claiming that the picture is equal to that of Blu-ray discs.

The movies will cost the same as current 720p movies, US$4.00 to $6.00

The Vudu box sells for US$299 but until December 31, Vudu is offering a $200 credit that can be used for movie purchases. The Vudu box is just one of many boxes that are competing for space in the digital living room, like the Apple TV, and the latest announcement appears to be designed to ignite new interest in their system.