Apple iTunes Movie Service Survey

[MacRumors]

Appleinsider claims that Apple is in the "intermediate stages" of developing a full blown Movie download service through iTunes.

The information appears to be based on a survey distributed by a research firm asking questions about a potential "iTunes music service" that could be downloaded to your computer or iPod. The survey specifies that users would be required to have a broadband connection and the movies would be offered by monthly subscription.

With the monthly subscription basis, users would have unlimited access to the library of movies. Cost models proposed includes a $9.99 monthly fee, but also considers on a per-movie purchase option similar to the current iTunes song model.

There is no evidence that Apple commissioned the survey or if it means that an Apple movie service is in the works, but several analysts did expect an iTunes Movie service for the February 28th announcement. It was unclear, however, if these predictions were based entirely on speculation or from informed sources.

In January, Vongo launched a similar subscription-based movie service, but is still not available for Mac users.

 

[mlrproducts]

I don't like subscriptions for songs - but movies come and go - most are not that hot nowadays - I would GLADLY pay half of what I do for Netflix as long as it is QUALITY.

I don't tend to watch most movies more than once by choice - but even with this you could download it again. I wouldn't mind DRM at all as long as there comes some device to watch it in AT LEAST 480p on a TV.

 

[kwajo.com]

sounds great! sign me up!

 

[Blackheart]

I would do that in a heart beat.

 

[G5Unit]

Please let in be in at least DVD quality or NO!

 

[runninmac]

I would mind getting it, just hand me a touch screen iPod and ill be all set

 

[Demon Hunter]

Hear, hear!

No subscriptions!

Tiered movie prices!

 

[stoid]

It would go very nicely with the new Mac Mini, that's for sure. It would be a thrill if I could also get an AirVideo Express, and get surround sound audio and at least a good looking SD video feed. I would sign up in a heartbeat under those circumstances.

 

[narco]

Well, it is the next logical step. My only question is if it's going to be all integrated with the Music store. If so, what will it be called? iTunes Music Store? Doesn't really make a lot of sense.

I also hope this doesn't mean the quality of the movies will go down to the same resolution as the current TV shows.

Fishes,
narco.

 

[stoid]

Hear, hear!

No subscriptions!

Tiered movie prices!

I think that a subscription makes sense for movies. People like renting movies nearly as much or maybe more than buying them. Provided the quality is comparable, I'd be up for it.

A friend of mine just got an HD-DVD player, and it does a phenomenal job of upscaling DVDs on his HDTV. Would Apple be likely to include a similar chip-set in a wireless box to stream the video in standard def h.264 and have it decompressed and upscaled in the box for the tv?

 

[laidbackliam]

could be good

i second the notion of paying half of what i do for netflix.

but if i have the right to purchase it, i want to be able to go to iDVD, and burn a dvd of it. i can back up my dvds through fair use doctrines, so i would love to be able to but stuff i download on a dvd (not as data)

 

[yoda13]

I won't do if it isn't a purchase model similar to ones they have now. I don't like subscriptions. I wonder what prices would be if they did do the buying of the movies and not subscriptions?

 

[stoid]

but if i have the right to purchase it, i want to be able to go to iDVD, and burn a dvd of it. i can back up my dvds through fair use doctrines, so i would love to be able to but stuff i download on a dvd (not as data)

And there is the selling feature for all of iLife '07! Just like iPhoto has been the big cash cow for '05 and '06 (yeah, yeah iWeb this, iWeb that... )

 

[Cooknn]

Subscription works for me - but only if the movies are in Hi-Def

 

[miketcool]

Mixed

I would love the idea of having movies instantly, I am ever so sick of Blockbuster and Netflix mostly because I decide on a whim and dont want to wait/go out. Quality I am sure is a factor as well is price. Jobs has repeatedly stated over and over about how many times you watch a movie vs. your favorite song. That is the hardest decision, subscribe, rent or watch. Tough call, good luck with the survey!!

 

[kwajo.com]

EDIT: mlrproducts and kwajo.com hate to break it to you but there was already a small thread going on about this...

shhh, don't ruin my fun

 

[kalisphoenix]

I would do that in a heart beat.

That Stephen Friedman you quote -- is he a friend of yours or a celebrity or ?

One of my good friends goes by that name (though his real name is "Klaar") and is presently impersonating a human in that area.

 

[Bubbasteve]

Hi-Def

Yeah... right. Then again it's Apple and anything could happen but I doubt that they would release the movies in HD... more like DVD Quality (hopefully )

 

[lord patton]

The information appears to be based on a survey distributed by a research firm asking questions...

distributed to whom, and at whose request?

The original article guesses that no one but Apple would contract such a survey. Maybe, but does anyone need a survey to figure out people will subscribe to a movie service for 10-20 bucks a month?

Apple does music and tv. They'll do movies soon, and I imagine Disney/Pixar will be first.

 

[dombi]

This would be awsome

I would definitely pay 10USD a month for such a service. I hope that the video size would be at least twice of what iTunes offers now. That would be good enough for most TVs. DVD quality would be even better.

This would be an amazing service. I can see people buying Mac minis with Front Row just to use this service. I know I would.

 

[Oblivious]

Well, it is the next logical step. My only question is if it's going to be all integrated with the Music store. If so, what will it be called? iTunes Music Store? Doesn't really make a lot of sense.

I also hope this doesn't mean the quality of the movies will go down to the same resolution as the current TV shows.

Fishes,
narco.

How 'bout iTunes Media Store?

 

[~Shard~]

The devil is in the details.

- How much would the subscription be per month? Would it be unlimited?
- Will there also be an individual purchase option? How much per movie? Tiered pricing for older versus newer movies, or flat rate?
- What is the resolution? Widesrceen? If so, how would one watch them on their iPod (unless a new one is coming out! )

Lots and lots of questions, and as a result, lots of variables. I say it's too hard to say whether or not this service will be a success or not until we get more details on it.

At least one thing we know for sure is what Apple's using that new Data Center for.

 

[javabear90]

I know my family and I would DEFIANTLY do this service... if it was subscription based and the quality was good. I will defiantly not except anything less than 640 x 480. However, I have a bad feeling that it will be the same iPod format. HOWEVER, if this new video iPod has a nice(er) screen, it could mean that the movies will be released in higher resolution.

 

[MrSmith]

I see Vongo is US only. Someone can explain that. Surely Universal own their movies throughout the world. Oh, well. Another year of "What about [enter country of domicile here]?" threads.

Regarding subscription service, I've no idea the usual terms, but can't you just subscribe when there are movies you want, then unsubscribe the next month, then subscribe again when necessary, etc?

 

[Keebler]

sign me up!

i think this is coming and will be awesome.

a few notes:
1. i doubt every movie would be high def. just think of the bandwidth issues for regular movies...think of the file sizes for high def. i'm no expert, but i know the HD trailers from quicktime are pretty hefty files compared to regular.

2. would be nice if we can burn the DVDs to play in a home theatre set up, but I realize there will be piracy issues

3. pricing - it will be interesting to see if the movie execs learn from the music industry execs, who are biatching to get a bigger piece of the pie. Apple won the first round of Itunes b/c i'm sure the music execs didn't think it would do as well as it did so they maybe gave up more in the beginning. i don't think the movie folks will be so forgiving. would be cool to have a subscription with an offer to buy a discounted movie that you've rented. Or, maybe Apple won't do this so avoid PO'ing the movie companies from making their gabillions of DVD sales.

4. internationally. - please let Canada and the other countries in on the fun too. i know it's not apple's fault, but pls expediate it