Anyone all in on itunes movies and tv shows

[LizKat]

If only you could rent content...

I often rent movies from iTunes... love it when I bump into one of their 99c special rental offerings of something I have not yet seen. I can rent it and then buy it later if I like it.

More often I buy TV series I like to be able to rewatch on demand offline, and movies I've seen before that I want to have on my laptop rather than in cases of DVDs on a shelf.

Mostly now I stream stuff by subscription to Netflix, Film Movement (indies, foreign), Amazon Prime... but still tend to buy it later from iTunes if I like it and it's available for purchase.

 

[jetjaguar]

I have gigabit fiber .. the problem lies with sound for the streaming services. I mean there is no comparison if you have a nice home theatre setup. If they start streaming the same audio and video quality as a blu ray then i would be all in on streaming but with speed and data caps on a lot of ISPs I highly doubt this will ever happen.

 

[MBAir2010]

<this mac user never watched a TV show or movey from iTunes stores
not even those annual documentary they show about our herald, devine leader Tim Jobs

 

[400]

Absolutely. Don't forget AV1 compression is 30% more efficient than HEVC so AV1 will be suited to 8K. Definitely true for fibre. In my area 150mbps is the minimum package with 400mbps being the standard package. 4 years ago, it was 50mbps. I'm guessing that with AV1 and 8K something like 50mbps fibre will be required. Not a big deal really. Just don't rely on any WiFi for something like 8K Hard writing Ethernet will be a must!

Been following this slightly and not sure it will the panacea all will hope for. If I am reading this correctly then it will be a streaming thing. That will be niche (though large niche) in a large market unless it gets hardware or onto hardware. Bear in mind all the live and streamed is handled in the background, places we do not interact with and that will need content moving.

Existing processes will need to have a big reason to jump and for things like live TV it will need a proven ability and fit existing hardware or that is another cost, especially with decoders that will take multiple makes original material. That adds another dimension in that people don't like re encoding too much and changing methods for live.

But the idea is there, so yep.

 

[907]

I often rent movies from iTunes... love it when I bump into one of their 99c special rental offerings of something I have not yet seen. I can rent it and then buy it later if I like it.

It would be nice if they let you upgrade your rental to a purchase and only have to pay the difference in the price.

 

[400]

I have gigabit fiber .. the problem lies with sound for the streaming services. I mean there is no comparison if you have a nice home theatre setup. If they start streaming the same audio and video quality as a blu ray then i would be all in on streaming but with speed and data caps on a lot of ISPs I highly doubt this will ever happen.

Not much help but my isp has no caps as long as I buy a particular package. None too expensive for me.

Costing will certainly be an issue and where in the world you are. Some things I read lead me to believe that many parts it is the bottom line for the company not the users experience that is top of any board room meeting.

 

[LizKat]

It would be nice if they let you upgrade your rental to a purchase and only have to pay the difference in the price.

Yes indeed, especially since regular rentals are not 99c more like 4.99-6.99.

 

[400]

Does seem like a good thing for them to try. Not sure who controls the prices though.

Think I have bought one full price, the rest are sale. App called Cheap Charts tracks them and I nab them sub £5-6. But it is a long game.

 

[priitv8]

Anyhoo. Something to drool over. Going on in the background.
https://www.tico-alliance.org
Note it is not the hardware, just the software. Look who are getting on the bandwagon.

I don’t see it becoming a consumer delivery format. I may be overlooking something, of course.
PS IMHO 4:1 compression ratio is nothing to brag about in consumer delivery space, is it?
If memory serves even DV did 5:1 and recompressing them into AVC or HEVC yields significantly smaller files (higher compression ratio).

 

[400]

I don’t see it becoming a consumer delivery format. I may be overlooking something, of course.
PS IMHO 4:1 compression ratio is nothing to brag about in consumer delivery space, is it?
If memory serves even DV did 5:1 and recompressing them into AVC or HEVC yields significantly smaller files (higher compression ratio).

Sorry, tad vague in direction. It is new, industry use at the moment but the tech details are pretty darned good in comparison to existing live delivery methods (including multiple encode decode options) however the point is that the industry is getting behind shifting 4k live. Seriously getting behind it and new tech is coming forward. Who knows what could trickle down.

Another point is it adds another option to get the consumer in and try to nudge the ISP's to increase their offerings and better options also the networks need to be up there to carry the stuff. I like the live 4K TV option I have, I want it improved. I don't think a film streaming service will nudge the industry in the right direction, not on its own. I hope it all adds up and increases what we can get, I hope that the pipes get bigger as industry wants us to have more that they make.

If that makes sense.

 

[priitv8]

If that makes sense.

It does. But as I understand it for now, Tico is at this moment fully geared towards professional, backbone delivery.
Hence, we will not be discussing it here on the forums, like we do over AVC and HEVC, also in the near future.
I am with you in the bigger picture, that the whole industry needs to gravitate towards UHD and beyond and if Tico will allow to achieve that in cost & time efficient manner over existing SDI infra, then god bless it!

 

[400]

I just picked on one thing going forwards the many do not see, it is not the only thing and not involved with a recent test, see EBU recent trials of UHD improvements and content and delivery for EBU members, (edit>>) 2160p100 etc. Realise it is not ATV and what we get via iTunes but for ATV 4K to be survive, it needs the back haul and consumers getting other content.

Anyway. Kettles on.

 

[Tech198]

Anyone go all in with getting their movie / tv shows with itunes ? especially now with the free upgrades to 4k ? I have a decent size library with about 300 movies .. was tempted to start getting some of my favorite shows but just dont know if that is a smart move. It seems like more stuff comes out in UV and also now disney and a few studios are starting their own download locker.

I am now... 4K for me is non-existent.. I would have have done it anyway

But while on exactly 100% on TV shows because i still don't like Apple's encoding methods..

eg. The Simpsons seasons 1 through 20 are NOT HD originally, but watching iTunes Purchases, you can clearly see them all "zoomed" in somewhat to still keep aspect ratio full screen... Its not the TV doing it because like other shows like Futurama i just purchased on iTunes yesterday, and their SD.

 

[wilkinxp]

Anyone go all in with getting their movie / tv shows with itunes ? especially now with the free upgrades to 4k ? I have a decent size library with about 300 movies .. was tempted to start getting some of my favorite shows but just dont know if that is a smart move. It seems like more stuff comes out in UV and also now disney and a few studios are starting their own download locker.

So far I got 1975 movies on iTunes. Lots of them are getting upgraded to 4K at no extra charge.

 

[gtg465x]

Meh, I'm not worried about the things people in this thread seem to be worried about. I have never had a movie removed from my iTunes account. If I did, I have the receipt email from all of them saved, and I would just ask Apple for a refund since it's no longer available. I did that for an app I purchased on iTunes that went away once, and they had no problem giving me a refund. Highly unlikely worst case, you lose a movie, can't get a refund, and are out 5 or 10 bucks? That minor, not so scary risk sounds totally worth the convenience iTunes provides from my perspective. Disks are expensive, not instantly available, and a PITA to store and get out.

 

[boston04and07]

Meh, I'm not worried about the things people in this thread seem to be worried about. I have never had a movie removed from my iTunes account. If I did, I have the receipt email from all of them saved, and I would just ask Apple for a refund since it's no longer available. I did that for an app I purchased on iTunes that went away once, and they had no problem giving me a refund. Highly unlikely worst case, you lose a movie, can't get a refund, and are out 5 or 10 bucks? That minor, not so scary risk sounds totally worth the convenience iTunes provides from my perspective. Disks are expensive, not instantly available, and a PITA to store and get out.

Couldn’t have said it better myself. I haven’t lost anything yet and I’ve been using iTunes movie and tv show downloads pretty much since they began. Even if I did lose some things in this long time span, I know would have definitely worn out, scratched, or lost way more physical discs anyway. Not to mention the fact that I love the idea that I can purchase something and have access to it whenever and wherever without really having to think about it at all.

 

[jetjaguar]

I’m not saying that it isn’t great to be able to have access to things instantly. It is more about the quality. If they would up the quality on video and audio then it would be perfect

 

[FFR]

I’m not saying that it isn’t great to be able to have access to things instantly. It is more about the quality. If they would up the quality on video and audio then it would be perfect

I’m right here with you and maybe with h.266.

But coming from someone that has a Blu-ray collection of over 1500 Blu-rays, it’s beyond convient.

And one of the best streaming service with regards to video and audio quality.

Given the choice I would purchase a movie or a tv show on iTunes over steaming it with my Netflix or amazon subscriptions.

I went all in with Apple and iTunes and have no regret.

 

[gtg465x]

I’m not saying that it isn’t great to be able to have access to things instantly. It is more about the quality. If they would up the quality on video and audio then it would be perfect

I sit 12-14 feet away from a 65 inch TV. I can barely tell the difference between 1080p and 4K, let alone the even smaller difference between 4K from iTunes and 4K from Blu-ray. Unless you're rocking a 75"+ top of the line TV, a $500+ audio system, and are a video / audio phile, then iTunes quality is good enough in my opinion.

 

[Snoopy4]

I sit 12-14 feet away from a 65 inch TV. I can barely tell the difference between 1080p and 4K, let alone the even smaller difference between 4K from iTunes and 4K from Blu-ray. Unless you're rocking a 75"+ top of the line TV, a $500+ audio system, and are a video / audio phile, then iTunes quality is good enough in my opinion.

Try a 100” 4k projector setup. The artifacts will drive you nuts. Nothing like seeing a dark scene get completely crushed.

 

[400]

Differences are there but not all eye/brain are equal in what they will accept (vision, on a 55" for me, coal powered audio amp so no dolby past 5.1 to compare). Problem comes when you know what to look for and, then it will get on your nerves...... if you are that way inclined as I am.

On balance it is good enough for me when you consider the systems and method of delivery vs cost of a disc for a casual interest in a film. And for that I can live with what Apple does on 4K in the hope it will improve.

Personal interest films, say Blade Runner and 2001 (latter when released) I prefer the disk.

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

Try a 100” 4k projector setup. The artifacts will drive you nuts. Nothing like seeing a dark scene get completely crushed.

Just be careful!!! A few of my purchased music videos are removed now and two films. Apple DO NOT REFUND on iTunes purchases over 3 months of purchase.
Their after sales services is poor and comes across as though they are not interested. I truly hate dealing with Apple.
I'm sure that if it was a film that you loved and paid for and was taken away, you would in reality be upset. Apple HomeSharing of a film is not an answer as it is unreliable at best.
Even though Apple promote their iCloud an streaming from it on iTunes and Apple TV, it is a luxury offer from them in their eyes. Content DOES get removed. In my eyes and friends have agreed, that is stealing.
Just be careful. I've learnt the very very very hard way and I was the biggest fan/promoter of Apple TV. I've tried to go all in for iTunes films and when I do, something nasty always happens from Apple.
I do not see it as a long term investment. It's a casual platform that is ideal for the film rental, cheap purchases at 3 or 5 dollars or someone like me who watches on a iPhone or MacBook when travelling - all downloaded not relying on streaming! (But I never pay more than £10 for a download).

 

[400]

I'd never noticed this before until I saw the dark scenes in my favourite film 'Call me by your name'. On the iTunes download and stream, there are 'blocks' in the dark scenes - looks horrible! DAMN, we never had this even with VHS

If I may borrow this bit. VHS was primarily an analogue recording medium, UK it would have been PAL,for other parts of the world look up their systems (NTSC, SECAM etc.). Used with CRT initially and there would be no digital artefacts.

PAL was 625 line, go blow that up onto a 4k screen and say the picture is good...... mind you PAL did use a form of compression but in a sly way. Then there was the standards conversion of US shows in NTSC to PAL Never saw the return.

Tapes wore out, machines ate tapes, they snapped. Tapes heads wore out, mis aligned and needed adjusting, carriages that carried the tapes stuck and needed repair.....

Never trust wifi on streaming, always hard wire if that option is available.

Nice thing about analogue, you could push the signal past acceptable reception and still get a picture. IN the digital domain there is the dreaded digital cliff. Pass that and sod all.

 

[-Gonzo-]

I'd never noticed this before until I saw the dark scenes in my favourite film 'Call me by your name'. On the iTunes download and stream, there are 'blocks' in the dark scenes - looks horrible! DAMN, we never had this even with VHS Now I notice it.

When Movies Anywhere first got released and my U.K Flixster Library appeared in iTunes I watched Man of Steel, got to the part in the ship where Clarke is talking to Jor-El and the back of Cavills head was totally crushed do I turned it off and put the Blu-ray on instead.
This was the HD version so don’t know if that’s rectified in the 4K stream.
I want to get the 4K in iTunes but am waiting to find a cheap code if there is one.

 

[furbzv1]

I’ve gone mainly digital only because of not wanting to have a bunch of Blu-ray cases. And I like being able to play the movies on the go. I have thought about saving the media onto a hardrive - do you guys just download to an external HDD or?