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Apple Compromising On iTunes Movie Terms?

Wow, no thanks. I'll continue paying $1 for a movie rental at a moviecube at my local grocery store.

Of course I have to leave my home and leave a whole 10 minutes total, which probably takes less then the download. Which is still a lot less then what it takes to download a movie.
 
Videos on iPhone/iPod Touch

NightStorm said:
I agree... they could try and tackle it via a software update, but full HD playback (even 720p) is unlikely (and would take up a lot of space on limited devices like the iPhone/iPod Touch). Including 2 versions of the movie would work, but would likely cause confusion and make downloads even bigger. If I were to make a prediction, I'd say that the videos will see a resolution bump, and hopefully the devices will be updated to include proper handling of anamorphic encodes.
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I thought videos were automatically downsized in resolution when copied to the iphone and ipod or am I wrong about that?
 
SthrnCmfrtr said:
I dunno, and the idea creeps me out.

I have an Apple TV and, as of today, I've bought 0 movies, 0 TV show episodes, and 0 songs from iTunes. I think there are a lot more people like me than some non-Apple TV owners would suspect.

$300 might seem a bit steep for a box to play video files on a TV, but that is precisely what many of us want.
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The last I recall Video Disc, Laser Discs, VCR's, DVD players and now HD and BlueRay players have all initially cost that much or a whole lot more.
 
fluidedge said:
Sounds reasonable, cheers.

I still don't like the sound of files disappearing or 'expiring' - couldn't some malicious code apply a DRM type thing on system files that could then expire?
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Code that could do that could much easier just delete those files, so that is not something you need to worry about.
 
mambodancer said:
I thought videos were automatically downsized in resolution when copied to the iphone and ipod or am I wrong about that?
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The files are copies over in their native format and resolution. The iphone/iPods scale down the content for playback. Currently there is a 720x480 max on the iPhone and recent iPod's, the bitrate can exceed 3500.
 
zedsdead said:
The files are copies over in their native format and resolution. The iphone/iPods scale down the content for playback. Currently there is a 720x480 max on the iPhone and recent iPod's, the bitrate can exceed 3500.
Click to expand...

Well, I'm no major league geek, but the current resolution of movies purchased looks great on my 46" LCD. Surprisingly good. Does Apple TV convert to 1080i? Looks like it does. I'm still pretty frustrated that I can't get HD content from iTunes though. If I could buy or rent HD content, I won't have any grip left with :apple:TV
The answer to the scaling HD content for iPhone/Ipod must be to have iTunes do it prior to transferring to the device. I'm frustrated it's not already doing that for me.
 
The problem with 24 hours is that for most people it means you only get one shot at getting through your movie. Let's say you come home from work at 7pm (you DO work, right?). Let's assume you have already pre-downloaded the movie and further assume that the window doesn't start until you start watching. Well if for some reason you have to stop the movie (kids, whatever), you'll never be able to finish it because by the time you get home from work the next day and sit down to watch, your window has expired. That's why 30 hours vs. 24 hours makes a huge difference. You'd still have that opportunity the next evening to finish it up. In the physical rental world this is a problem because they need to get that disc back in the store to rent to someone else. But renting digitally it shouldn't be an issue.
 
filmguy15 said:
It has the hardware capability for true 5.1 surround...it just needs a quick software update. The current model supports everything I will need to do for the next 2-3 years, which is perfect. Back on topic.....
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So does it do exactly what you want...or does it need an update to do 5.1 surround? Seems contradictory.

CWallace said:
True, but we need to remember Apple isn't solely driving this bus. They're sharing the wheel with the content providers. And those providers either view us as criminals (the RIAA) or as potential criminals (the MPAA).
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Apple has to share responsibility with the studios for content pricing and terms. And I've long argued that the studios are a big influence in the aTV's lack of a DVR. But I don't see how things like lack of 5.1 surround, lack of full HD support up to 1080p, no content sales direct from the tv, etc are the fault of anyone but apple.

applehappy said:
The answer to the scaling HD content for iPhone/Ipod must be to have iTunes do it prior to transferring to the device. I'm frustrated it's not already doing that for me.
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Not the best solution since converting the file can take hours depending on your machine. iTunes could do it in the background or when the machine is not being used, but you wouldn't be able to just plug in your iPod and pick a bunch of movies to load up.
 
milo said:
So does it do exactly what you want...or does it need an update to do 5.1 surround? Seems contradictory.
Click to expand...

Right now it does exactly what I want...mainly because I don't own a surround system, which is why the Apple TV's initial lack of surround didn't phase me. I knew when I bought it however, that this feature is most likely coming via update, and I am most likely getting a surround system in the near future.

Of course, I'm no fortune teller and I don't KNOW if surround is coming. Even if it doesn't...I am perfectly happy with ripping my movies in Pro Logic II. I don't really notice a huge difference day to day.

I am in the camp of people who haven't bought any video content on iTunes yet, but own an Apple TV. Right now, it's just too low quality. Even without iTunes purchases though, it offers a great way to get rid of shelves and shelves of DVDs.
 
Still a whole lot cheaper than...

Paying $4 for the convenience of watching it now versus packing up the car, driving to the theater, paying $8-12 per ticket? Sign me up!

Last I checked, when I buy a movie ticket I don't get the choice of coming in to the theater any time I want on any day I want.
 
applehappy said:
Well, I'm no major league geek, but the current resolution of movies purchased looks great on my 46" LCD. Surprisingly good. Does Apple TV convert to 1080i? Looks like it does. I'm still pretty frustrated that I can't get HD content from iTunes though. If I could buy or rent HD content, I won't have any grip left with :apple:TV
The answer to the scaling HD content for iPhone/Ipod must be to have iTunes do it prior to transferring to the device. I'm frustrated it's not already doing that for me.
Click to expand...

The current resolution on the iTunes store is 640x480 with a max bitrate of 1500. The new iPods and iPhone support higher, and the content when encoded with the new bitrates looks as good as DVD.

For iTunes to transcode a file before putting it on a iPod, it would have to spend at least 2x the length of the file for the encode (more of less depending on your machine). Most people do not have 8-Core Mac Pro's, and the encode time will take time, so while it will work, I don't think it is viable.
 
filmguy15 said:
Right now it does exactly what I want...mainly because I don't own a surround system, which is why the Apple TV's initial lack of surround didn't phase me. I knew when I bought it however, that this feature is most likely coming via update, and I am most likely getting a surround system in the near future.

Of course, I'm no fortune teller and I don't KNOW if surround is coming. Even if it doesn't...I am perfectly happy with ripping my movies in Pro Logic II. I don't really notice a huge difference day to day.

I am in the camp of people who haven't bought any video content on iTunes yet, but own an Apple TV. Right now, it's just too low quality. Even without iTunes purchases though, it offers a great way to get rid of shelves and shelves of DVDs.
Click to expand...

Dolby Pro Logic (4-channel) and Dolby Pro Logic II (5 channel) are surround sound. The Apple TV supports both, however it does not support 5.1 Surround Sound. As far as I am concerned, I will take Dolby Pro Logic II at this point if Apple can't figure out how to properly implement 5.1 because there is not a gigantic difference.
 
At first I thought 24 hours wasn't long enough, but now I'm not sure.

With traditional movie rentals you go to Blockbuster, rent a few movies for the whole family and watch them over the next few days. With downloads you can just rent the movie you want a few minutes before you want to watch it. As long as you watch it straight through you wouldn't even need it for 4 hours. The next day you can rent the next movie you want to watch...
 
Who Remembers When They Started Charging For .Mac?

...the stony silence, the hostile glares from the crowd?

I'd expect a similar result if these are the terms...this just doesn't seem compelling for most people. You'll get some business from people who just have to have a movie at a particular moment (but, even with that, remember that downloading a high quality version of a film isn't going to be "instant" for most homes).

If this is what gets announced, I'd expect a poor reaction from the crowd. Maybe a few boos.

Movies studio execs must have to take lessons on being stupid before they can get the job.
 
zedsdead said:
Dolby Pro Logic (4-channel) and Dolby Pro Logic II (5 channel) are surround sound. The Apple TV supports both, however it does not support 5.1 Surround Sound. As far as I am concerned, I will take Dolby Pro Logic II at this point if Apple can't figure out how to properly implement 5.1 because there is not a gigantic difference.
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Exactly....the only difference is that the audio doesn't have a separate Subwoofer channel, and it depends on the sound system's built in cross-over to separate the bass channel. I'm sure there are a few other technical differences, but nothing the average end-user would notice...
 
Just when you think Hollywood couldn't be dumber, they amaze you. They just can't accept that the consumer is back in control again. They're going to have to cut down charging their hooker and cocaine expenses to the studio if they want to see the same profits.

If you ever feel sorry for Hollywood, spend a year working out there. Watch how they waste money and enjoy how badly they treat their underlings. I was once yelled at for 5 full minutes because I didn't get the really soft chair, I mistakenly brought just the regular soft chair.
 
milo said:
But I don't see how things like lack of 5.1 surround, lack of full HD support up to 1080p, no content sales direct from the tv, etc are the fault of anyone but apple.
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They are likely not, since I can't see the content providers denying it. So Apple should be castigated for these omissions.
 
It pretty much makes me sick

I really want to buy content online. I have totally crossed the divide of pretty much never buying a CD or for that matter a DVD. I just cannot see why I should pay $14 for so much packaging when it can come to my home with none of that.

Yes, the cost of the computer hardware has a cost. So does the electricity. But that pales in comparison to the life of those plastic disks.

What makes me sick is that we cannot get these media companies to wake up. I still hold out hope for Apple to change the game. But feel that the battle is changing enough that they are loosing what leverage they had.

All Steve Jobs is trying to do now is hold onto market share.
 
mambodancer said:
I thought videos were automatically downsized in resolution when copied to the iphone and ipod or am I wrong about that?
Click to expand...
I believe it does this with photos, but doing it with a video file would take a long time (and noticeably affect the computer's performance while it worked on the conversion).
 
ProRes

So with EVERYONE whining about HD content, how come NOBODY ever talks about Apple's new ProRes codec??? What do you all think about that? I mean isn't that something pretty amazing that they can encode HD at SD file sizes, and if they are going to do HD content wouldn't that be the ultimate way to go? What would it take for them to do that? Would they have to update QuickTime, iTunes, iPods, iPhone etc? Anyone know what kind of implementation that would take on the Mac and Windows? Is it possible? I'm really surprised more people don't talk about this. DISCUSS :)
 
NightStorm said:
I believe it does this with photos, but doing it with a video file would take a long time (and noticeably affect the computer's performance while it worked on the conversion).
Click to expand...

I think with video if it is not the proper iPod resolution etc. it gives you a pop up message and tells you it could not copy those specific files to the iPod when you sync it.
 
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