Apple Upgrading iTunes Disney Movie Purchases to 4K HDR

[MacRumors]

Apple today began sending out emails to iTunes and Apple TV customers who have purchased a Disney movie in the past, letting them know that their titles have been upgraded to 4K HDR at no cost.

Several MacRumors readers have received the emails, which come a week after Disney titles in the iTunes Store began showing up as 4K in the United States and Canada.

Many Disney titles are now showing up in the iTunes Store as 4K HDR, including Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars movies. 4K support for Disney movies has been a long awaited feature and it has been notably absent for years following the debut of 4K iTunes content in 2017.

Until recently, Disney movies purchased from the iTunes Store were only available in HD.

Article Link: Apple Upgrading iTunes Disney Movie Purchases to 4K HDR

 

[GermanSuplex]

Seems to only apply to movies originally purchased in HD. SD copies have been upgraded to HD, but not 4K HDR. Hardly a complaint, though. 1080p looks better than the 480p versions I originally had.

 

[cmChimera]

Sucks that some of my marvel movies came from Disney instead of iTunes. They’re not upgraded.

 

[julesme]

Normally the strategy has been to sell you a DVD, then a Blu-ray, then a 4K version, and on and on. If they are giving away free upgrades, I wonder if Vudu, Amazon, Google Play, etc. will offer a similar deal for Disney movies.

 

[Macaholic868]

I got the e-mail a few minutes ago. Nice work Disney!!!!

 

[ryanmcv]

Wait, what? Normally the strategy has been to sell you a DVD, then a Blu-ray, then a 4K version, and on and on. Now they are giving away free upgrades? I wonder if Vudu, Amazon, Google Play, etc. will offer a similar deal for Disney movies? And what about other studios?

If you purchase a movie in HD at iTunes, and the studio later upgrades that movie to 4K on iTunes, you are automatically given the upgraded 4K version for free -- regardless of studio. The only outlier up until now was Disney. Vudu and Google Play have done some free 4K upgrades, but not nearly as comprehensive as iTunes.

 

[RayK]

Sucks that some of my marvel movies came from Disney instead of iTunes. They’re not upgraded.

Same here. Some did and some didn’t. Some of the older titles that were previously showing as HD are no longer HD for me as well. Captain Marvel. Bambi to name a couple.

 

[profets]

Didn't get the email, but the few Disney & Pixar movies I have show as 4K HDR w/DV now. Awesome.

Interestingly in the sidebar when clicking on the 4K HDR filter those movies don't show up there.

 

[Unity451]

And this is why I don't buy disks anymore unless there's a digital download.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

My blu ray digital copies of Star Wars 7 and Rogue One have not been upgraded. HD only. Too bad. Must only apply to digital purchases.

 

[steve62388]

I assume these emails are only being sent out to US and Canadian customers?

 

[supertomtom]

Finally, such great news. Was waiting for it to roll out to Australia since news broke last week. Just checked and looks like some movies are currently in the process of being upgraded.

 

[armandxp]

Most of my purchases were digital codes redeemed in iTunes or movies anywhere when I purchased a Blu-ray or DVD. So far none of them are showing up as 4K but the audio has been upgraded on almost all of them.

 

[ritmomundo]

My blu ray digital copies of Star Wars 7 and Rogue One have not been upgraded. HD only. Too bad. Must only apply to digital purchases.

If you redeemed them directly in iTunes, they will get upgraded. Mine did. If you redeemed them in MoviesAnywhere or DMA (Disney Movies Anywhere/Rewards), they will not.

 

[827538]

Hoping the same thing happens with the Lord of the Rings 4K remaster.

 

[Stackde]

Apple today began sending out emails to iTunes and Apple TV customers who have purchased a Disney movie in the past, letting them know that their titles have been upgraded to 4K HDR at no cost.

Several MacRumors readers have received the emails, which come a week after Disney titles in the iTunes Store began showing up as 4K in the United States and Canada.

Many Disney titles are now showing up in the iTunes Store as 4K HDR, including Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars movies. 4K support for Disney movies has been a long awaited feature and it has been notably absent for years following the debut of 4K iTunes content in 2017.

Until recently, Disney movies purchased from the iTunes Store were only available in HD.

Article Link: Apple Upgrading iTunes Disney Movie Purchases to 4K HDR

And it looks and sounds gorgeous!!!
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[jetjaguar]

Hoping the same thing happens with the Lord of the Rings 4K remaster.

I’m sure it will in the beginning of December

 

[augustrushrox]

Hopefully this will apply to my Lord of the Rings Extended Edition trilogy!

 

[21CenturyDigitalBoy]

Nice gesture. Anybody wish they would apply your rental fee to the subsequent purchase if you should choose to purchase after renting??

 

[Apple_Robert]

Nice surprise. I will gladly take the upgrade.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Hopefully this will apply to my Lord of the Rings Extended Edition trilogy!

I just checked my individual release of each extended and mine wasn’t upgraded. I bought from iTunes originally. Maybe I bought the SD version and didn’t realize it.

 

[xplora]

Normally the strategy has been to sell you a DVD, then a Blu-ray, then a 4K version, and on and on. If they are giving away free upgrades, I wonder if Vudu, Amazon, Google Play, etc. will offer a similar deal for Disney movies.

Important note to remember: iTunes 4K is streaming only. While HD can be downloaded to a computer with the iTunes app.

Not that I care, I'm glad that my iTunes Disney range is now available (to stream) in 4K.

 

[Daws001]

I check email. No 4K HDR email. I check junk mail. There is 4K HDR email! Huzzah!

 

[BF1M]

Anyone seeing Doctor Strange in 4K?

 

[LV426]

If you purchase a movie in HD at iTunes, and the studio later upgrades that movie to 4K on iTunes, you are automatically given the upgraded 4K version for free -- regardless of studio. The only outlier up until now was Disney. Vudu and Google Play have done some free 4K upgrades, but not nearly as comprehensive as iTunes.

i bought The Fifth Element and Heat on iTunes (HD). Neither were upgraded to 4K, yet you can buy the 4K versions on iTunes.