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iTunes Movie Rentals at $2.99 for 30 days?
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The Netflix business model works because the time delay for mailing out and returning movies puts a practical limitation on how many you can get in a month. That doesn't seem to translate to downloads.
How would you have four downloads "out" at a time? If you can "return" a movie as soon as you finish it and immediately download another one, you don't have any certain number of movies "out" at a time.
Interesting. While 2.99 is a good price I spend about $19 for all you can eat at BBuster. However about 3 weeks ago I was in a training class down in TX. After the class we returned to our hotel for the evening. Kinda stuck there since none of us had a rental car. So iTTVS was a godsend. If they had $2.99 movies I would have prob picked out a couple at that time as well.
So...*shrugs* Options are always good. I would like to see an all you can eat option from Apple though. As long as content is solid.
So...*shrugs* Options are always good. I would like to see an all you can eat option from Apple though. As long as content is solid.
I have the Apple TV & I would welcome the $2.99 rentals as a step in the right direction, but this does not even compare to a Netflix subscription or Redbox for a person like me who has no cable and watches lots of movies. I sure hope there is a subscription plan or a $1/night option would also be great. I love the idea of rent-to-own and Apple would really be set up to be the first company to successfully pull something like that off.
now we are talking!
Yes, this idea will make AppleTV way more interesting. Plus I would consider it more than my pay-per-view or blockbuster service.
We only hope other studios will join iTunes. So a much bigger selection.
Bring it on.
Yes, this idea will make AppleTV way more interesting. Plus I would consider it more than my pay-per-view or blockbuster service.
We only hope other studios will join iTunes. So a much bigger selection.
Bring it on.
Finally
I have never ever bought a movie in my life, and I personally do not know anyone who does. I realize many people must, but what I'm saying is there is a HUGE market of people who grew up renting movies. And $3.00 is definitely the price. I'd be fine with one week.
I think this is so key. I don't think twice about buying a $2.00 one hour tv show. And then I toss it, because it is not worth the storage space. If I can rent a movie for $3.00 that is awesome. And if apple wants to toss it for me, that is fine. Saves me a trip to the trash can.
Now, when you can rent this directly from the apple tv...
Then they will have everyone like me not only in the iTunes movie market, but I will buy an apple tv. I will not buy an apple tv until I can rent movies for it.
I have never ever bought a movie in my life, and I personally do not know anyone who does. I realize many people must, but what I'm saying is there is a HUGE market of people who grew up renting movies. And $3.00 is definitely the price. I'd be fine with one week.
I think this is so key. I don't think twice about buying a $2.00 one hour tv show. And then I toss it, because it is not worth the storage space. If I can rent a movie for $3.00 that is awesome. And if apple wants to toss it for me, that is fine. Saves me a trip to the trash can.
Now, when you can rent this directly from the apple tv...
Then they will have everyone like me not only in the iTunes movie market, but I will buy an apple tv. I will not buy an apple tv until I can rent movies for it.
Compare itunes selection to netflix selection. unless you want the biggest blockbusters only, itunes would have a longggg way to go to catch up.
I understand this sentiment, but I feel that if you can't resell something as a pre-owned item, do you really own it? I think it's about time we admit that with digital music and video, you really don't own anything. Not really. You know?
The second time I rented from Redbox I had the exact same problem. 4 months later and close to a hundred movies later I haven't had the problem again. I think they worked out whatever kinks they were having with their machines.Also, the machine is jammed half the time. I loved
The second time I was unable to return a video I just gave up on Redbox altogether.
I suspect there's probably a way for Apple to cache the first 5-6 minutes of the top 40 or 50 new releases and market them as immediately available.
Throw in a TV subscription, and Apple TV has a huge future.
A Comcast digital box does the same thing. My biggest holdup about getting Apple TV is paying $300 for something I already have. Even if Apple develops a rental program that would be very competitive with Comcast PPV, the price of the box is still a barrier for Apple.
I understand this sentiment, but I feel that if you can't resell something as a pre-owned item, do you really own it? I think it's about time we admit that with digital music and video, you really don't own anything. Not really. You know?
you are buying a lifetime right to view the content. With the 30-day thing, you are buying a 30-day right to view the content. Format is irrelevant. If it's allowed in the contract (it won't be) you could theoretically sell the remainder of your rental contract (like subletting an apt.)
Not really. Blockbuster has a nice option where you can take the movie that BBuster has sent you and trade it in at a store for a new movie. Granted its still only a extra movie but it pretty much saturates the number of movies I can get in a week. However there is no account for times when I'm on the road.
You know the old saying "There's a sucker born every minute"? I was reminded of that when someone mentioned netflicks. Do you have to pay that 20 bucks ever month regardless of whether can find the time to watch movies in that month? What happens when you want to go on holidays for 3 weeks or more? Do you have to go through some trouble of suspending the account? Can you even suspend it?
I thought of that saying because people are paying for subscriptions already whether they use it or not. Examples of this would be: Cable, internet, Satellite, newspapers, magazines and gym memberships.
I like the idea of movie rentals but I hate the idea of subscriptions.
I thought of that saying because people are paying for subscriptions already whether they use it or not. Examples of this would be: Cable, internet, Satellite, newspapers, magazines and gym memberships.
I like the idea of movie rentals but I hate the idea of subscriptions.
Judging by the paltry amount of people buying Blu-ray/HD DVD movies: most of the world is fine with SD.
HD resolution + $3 rental = I'm getting an Apple TV.
And I'd settle for $3 for a week's worth of time, not a whole month.
And I'd settle for $3 for a week's worth of time, not a whole month.
I do but I prefer not to watch something that is more than 30 minutes long on my computer. Besides when I got to a brick and mortar store to rent a movie, it is on impulse. It takes me 10 minutes to get there and nother 15 to 30 to finds something I want to watch.
A service like Netflix does appeal to me. You only get your money worth out of the service by watching at least 3 of movies a month. I may go a couple of months without renting a movie. So why would I sign a contract to forces me to rent movies when I don't feel like watching them! That's crazy.
In fact over the last 4 years I have rented movies Blockbuster/Hollywood Video that I never watched! Sometime would come up or I wound found something on TV more interesting. Guess what? It is time to take them back to the store.
I'm a movie fan! I go to the theather at least twice a month and recently like 4 times a month due to all the summer blockbusters.
If this iTunes movie rental service is launched, then I will be a even more happier movie fan. Rent a movie at great price and have 30 days to watch it.
And I'm not forced to rent a movie just so I'm not losing money because I signed some them contract.
Make that 2.99$CAD for a week (or longer) with a picture size of 640x360 (or better) and I'd rather rent movies via download than via a DVD.
Renting a DVD:
- go out to the rental store
- see if DVD is available (if movie is not available, pick another movie)
- come back home
- start the DVD
- wait about 5 minutes because you can't skip all the warnings and previews
- watch the movie
Time: 15 to 30 minutes at best, especially in winter.
Renting a movie on the iTunes Store:
- start iTunes and go to the iTunes store
- choose movie
- start downloading
- start watching almost immediately (after, say, 5% is downloaded?)
Time: less than 5 minutes.
I just wish there was similar lower-priced packages for TV shows, and I could drop cable/satellite completely. If the service is ever offered in Canada, that is.
Renting a DVD:
- go out to the rental store
- see if DVD is available (if movie is not available, pick another movie)
- come back home
- start the DVD
- wait about 5 minutes because you can't skip all the warnings and previews
- watch the movie
Time: 15 to 30 minutes at best, especially in winter.
Renting a movie on the iTunes Store:
- start iTunes and go to the iTunes store
- choose movie
- start downloading
- start watching almost immediately (after, say, 5% is downloaded?)
Time: less than 5 minutes.
I just wish there was similar lower-priced packages for TV shows, and I could drop cable/satellite completely. If the service is ever offered in Canada, that is.
im willing to pay 2.99 for Dvd quality and 3.99 for 1080P HD quality
also I dont rent then buy I watch in theatres then buy.
I almost never rent movies.. but i do.. use Video on demand (ppv) occassionally
also I dont rent then buy I watch in theatres then buy.
I almost never rent movies.. but i do.. use Video on demand (ppv) occassionally
What! No Closed Caption from this iTunes movie rentals?
The problem with the movie rental from iTunes is that there is no Closed Caption. I can get a better deal with Netflix where I can rent unlimited movies for $9.99 (one at a time) per month with Closed Caption. You can get 8-10 movies per month through the mail. Hmmm, Which one is a better deal? I don't think that the iTunes movie rental will go very far. Nice Try, Steve.
Hey Steve! Maybe, you can do some GREAT WONDERS by offering Closed Caption for the Hearing Impaired. Wow, Would that be a GREAT IDEA helping out with the Special Need Population or what.
The problem with the movie rental from iTunes is that there is no Closed Caption. I can get a better deal with Netflix where I can rent unlimited movies for $9.99 (one at a time) per month with Closed Caption. You can get 8-10 movies per month through the mail. Hmmm, Which one is a better deal? I don't think that the iTunes movie rental will go very far. Nice Try, Steve.
Hey Steve! Maybe, you can do some GREAT WONDERS by offering Closed Caption for the Hearing Impaired. Wow, Would that be a GREAT IDEA helping out with the Special Need Population or what.
Netflix is a great idea with a very solid expiration date. Even Netflix knows that physically sending discs out is only going to work for so much longer. So yes, right now, Netflix may be the best value. But physical production of discs and physical warehousing and physical distribution will simply cost too much in the face of an all digital distribution model. Just as Netflix undercuts traditional rental store, digital distribution will undercut Netflix.
Netfilix, like DVRs, is a stopgap. A really great stopgap, but a stopgap nonetheless. Purely digital, on demand content distribution is the endgame and Apple, like Microsoft and others, is setting up infrastructure and momentum to try to be #1 when the time is right. Right now the problem is content, as movie studios are pumping out DVDs but very tepid about digital distribution. This will change.
Trust me, it's Netflix and Tivo who are far more worried about Apple than the other way around.
Netfilix, like DVRs, is a stopgap. A really great stopgap, but a stopgap nonetheless. Purely digital, on demand content distribution is the endgame and Apple, like Microsoft and others, is setting up infrastructure and momentum to try to be #1 when the time is right. Right now the problem is content, as movie studios are pumping out DVDs but very tepid about digital distribution. This will change.
Trust me, it's Netflix and Tivo who are far more worried about Apple than the other way around.
You dont understand AppleTV until you own one. I thought it was rather eh, until I got a good deal on a used one recently. It is even easier and better to interact with that I expected from Apple. I ripped a few movies in mediafork, and now they are instantly available to watch. iTunes rentals would be no different, except much more selection.
I dont think we have seen 10% of what AppleTV can do yet. Its a powerful little machine, and Apple definitely has lofty long-term goals with it (as evident by their comparatively small profit margin on it)
I dont think we have seen 10% of what AppleTV can do yet. Its a powerful little machine, and Apple definitely has lofty long-term goals with it (as evident by their comparatively small profit margin on it)