You Can Now Buy HD Movies From iTunes
You could rent ‘em before, but starting today, you can buy movies in high def from the iTunes Store. More than that, you’ll be able to buy HD movies before you can rent them.
AU: Seeing as how we can only rent HD through the Apple TV over here, I have no idea whether the purchase option has been introduced for ATV users. But you can’t rent or buy HD through the iTunes Store yet – probably understandable given the state of broadband. – NB
They’re $US20—yes, about as much as a Blu-ray—and they’ll pop up as the usual $US5 HD rentals within 30 days after that. It kicks off with Quantum of Solace and Twilight for pre-order, with Transporter 3 (Jason Statham, YES) and other blockbusters available right now.
HD movies are pretty hefty—about 2-3x bigger than standard def, running between three and four gigs, and then you get a bonus file on top of that, the iPod- and iPhone-compatible standard-def version—so I hope you’ve got some sick NAS storage for these whoppers. But is $US20 really worth it? [Apple]
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Comments (AU Comments | US Comments)
So stereo audio and one 10th the size of a blu-ray?
I can understand renting it for the convenience, but theres no way I’d pay around the same price as a blu-ray for it, I’d rather the dvd than that.
I don’t think the size for downloads is a factor anymore. iinet (fanboy) and a few others are quota free now so is no excuse. And I pay for the connection. The price however is. There is no production costs transport ect so why are they not cheaper and I take the risk in storing on a hard drive.
I rented a movie via itunes on the weekend just to try it out and was presently surprised, fairly good quality on a 27″ monitor (lucky me. I don’t watch TV so don’t have a TV) and would love to start a HD folder for the movies that would benefit in HD (transporter 3 would not qualify)
Come on apple, I know you are elitist snobs and has this techno-magical apple tax but come on its costing you very little to host and the labels are saving on other costs AND you are the only online store for this (realistically to the masses – no I will not deal with downloadthedodgeDVD.com.ru for DVD’s/music for anyone that can suggest viable alternatives. Also DRM only affects the people who aren’t going to use itunes anyway – but dont get me started on that.
The ‘download-to-own’ market is busted. Besides an almost criminal lack of available content in Australia, the pricing is ridiculous. AU$24.99 for a movie? I don’t think so.
Or AU$38.99 for Battlestar Galatica Season 1 via itunes vs $29.99 for the DVD in JB HiFi? The DVD also includes the extra content such as deleted scenes, etc. Someones pulling our collective legs.