Apple Debuts New Apple TV and iTunes Movie Content in Japan

[MacRumors]

Apple today announced the launch of iTunes Store movie rentals and sales in Japan, offering over 1,000 movies in the initial catalog.

Apple today announced that movies are now available on the iTunes Store in Japan giving customers an incredible way to enjoy movies on their iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or PC, or with the new Apple TV on their HD TV. Starting today, there are over 1,000 movies to rent or buy in high definition and standard definition from major international film studios including 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures, The Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros. Pictures, Universal Pictures and top Japanese studios including Asmik Ace Entertainment Inc., Fuji TV, Kadakowa Pictures, Nikkatsu, Shochiku Company Limited and Toei Company Limited.

Customers renting movies through the iTunes Store have up to 30 days to begin watching their rented content and 48 hours to finish once they have begun viewing it.

The company also announced that the new Apple TV began shipping in Japan this week, offering customers there an additional means to access the iTunes Store video content and other offerings.

Article Link: Apple Debuts New Apple TV and iTunes Movie Content in Japan

 

[HLdan]

That's nice. Good for them.

 

[John.B]

Apple today announced the launch of iTunes Store movie rentals and sales in Japan, offering over 1,000 movies in the initial catalog.Customers renting movies through the iTunes Store have up to 30 days to begin watching their rented content and 48 hours to finish once they have begun viewing it.

I wish that were true in the US of A. We get 24 hours to finish, or it disappears in a proverbial puff of smoke.

 

[iWonderwhy]

I really ought to read the whole title before getting excited.

 

[spacepower7]

TV vs Movie rentals, USA VS Japan, how long in which region, I'll consider alternatives until I get at least a 3 day rental. Didn't Hollywood see Blockbuster go bankrupt?

Considering tech savey people can better quality sources with little effort, please give us something competitive against free.

 

[Cobaltplasma]

Hell... it's about damn time!™

I've been stockpiling my ¥en for a few years now thinking that one day they'd release movies and TV shows; been buying a lot of music/videos too, but I've mainly been thinking about other video-related media I'd love to see in Japan. There's not too much I'm interested in right now but those prices look insanely good compared to what DVDs & Blurays usually are priced at in Japan.

When they add TV shows I'm gonna be all about that! Pretty good first steps, I'm excited to say the last

 

[Nermal]

those prices look insanely good compared to what DVDs & Blurays usually are priced at in Japan.

And at 8800円 (according to the picture above) the device itself is in parity with the US price too.

 

[MikeinJapan]

Thanks you apple! I won't be replacing my macmini but will be enjoying rentals from time to time. When the store works

 

[shartypants]

awesome

Apple TV now international!

 

[Consultant]

Thanks you apple! I won't be replacing my macmini but will be enjoying rentals from time to time. When the store works

Hum, get more RAM?

 

[MikeinJapan]

I don' think the problem is my memory!

 

[Cobaltplasma]

I don' think the problem is my memory!

What I did when I got that error was I just clicked on one of the movie thumbnails and it took me to the Movie page. Not sure why the direct (correct, heh) link is broken within iTunes and everything else works but I'm just happy that in some form it does, in fact, get you to where you hopefully do want to go

Gah, I can't wait till they add TV shows.

 

[DanielJvdBerg]

Too bad Sony isn't in

And when is this coming to the Netherlands?! I'm waiting for ages to buy this.

 

[aussieinjapan]

Thanks you apple! I won't be replacing my macmini but will be enjoying rentals from time to time. When the store works

I got the same error if I just clicked on movie. When I selected sci-fi, it took me to the page...weird huh ?

Finally Movies in the store but I saw that some movies are just dubbed in Japanese (I don't want to watch Jonny Depp dubbed in Japanese anymore)...I hope that they offer a good selection eg: not the same hollywood movies that get repeated on TV here....

Its a step foward - can't wait to buy an apple TV !!

 

[autumnmike]

how much you want to bet the new japan apple tv gets shipped with ios 4.2?

 

[MikeinJapan]

Its a step foward - can't wait to buy an apple TV !!

I won't be buying the apple TV but will if they add TV. I like to have HD audio for movies. For sure it is a step in the right direction. Sony would let apple do it easily as it would compete with their hyper expensive PS3 movies store. 4,000yen for a movie that cost 2,500yen on blu-ray.

 

[iKrl]

They also added movie rentals and purchases to Mexico, Spain,Italy and Switzerland. They just didn't get an apple tv as of now. I would be expecting them to get the apple tv soon

 

[jhpadilla]

just FYI

Also in the Mexican iTunes Store you can buy and or rent movies !!

 

[gorleegor]

Luckily, I have a Japanese Account even though I am not in Japan. Great!

 

[aussieinjapan]

I won't be buying the apple TV but will if they add TV. I like to have HD audio for movies. For sure it is a step in the right direction. Sony would let apple do it easily as it would compete with their hyper expensive PS3 movies store. 4,000yen for a movie that cost 2,500yen on blu-ray.

Oh my GOD really ??? Im ashamed to say that Ive never even looked at the japanese PS3 store (I really only play games on it) ....I did buy Gladiator for 1,450 yen brand new on blue ray in tsutaya last week.....so blue ray is getting cheaper...

Does anybody know if you can access itunes in other countries via the appleTV ??? I also have an Aussie account....

 

[gorleegor]

Oh my GOD really ??? Im ashamed to say that Ive never even looked at the japanese PS3 store (I really only play games on it) ....I did buy Gladiator for 1,450 yen brand new on blue ray in tsutaya last week.....so blue ray is getting cheaper...

Does anybody know if you can access itunes in other countries via the appleTV ??? I also have an Aussie account....

Itune store within iOS devices should be controlled by the a/c login, so if you have an aussie a/c it will take you to aussie store after login ; similar to my situation which will take me to Japanese Store after I log on my japan itune a/c.

 

[sukuba]

ありがとうアップル！

I've been waiting for this for a while, now just get some TV series up there for a reasonable price and get a Japanese ibook store working. There are hardly any Japanese ibook titles.

-スクバ

 

[monchiwai]

Just had a look at the Apple JP website. Even the movie rental price is comparable with US.

However, the "Buy now" button is not there yet.

 

[askywalker]

can't buy it yet

It doesn't seem to be available online yet. No way to purchase it - maybe in store only ... Mind you, they are having some technical trouble - iTunes is having trouble connecting to the store. Won't update apps. Connecting through a Los Angeles VPN connection works fine - seems to be a problem affecting iTunes Japan only.

 

[chatin]

Get some games running on TV and Sony will be getting the Blu's. With Google TV DOA in the states Apple TV is on a roll.