iTunes Movies to be sold for $9.99?

[Foxglove9]

$9.99 is way too expensive for my tastes, I'd rather just buy the DVD for a few dollars more, order on Movie OnDemand for $3.95 or rent it at blockbuster for $4.99.

$1.99 seemed pretty fair to me considering the low quality of the download. I don't know if I'll be able to convince my bitorrent friends though.

 

[Ace25]

$10 for a low resolution movie that I probably watch once, no extras, and I need hard disk space to store? I am not in Apple's target audience I guess. I'd rather go with the subscription model: $10-20 per month, depending on the size of their library. If Jobs is really insisting on buy-to-own model for movies, he is not getting my money. That works perfectly for music, but not movies. If I'm spending $10, I'll go see it at a movie theater.

Agreed. I already don't like that I have a few TV episodes still on my hard drive taking up space, let alone any movies I would purchase. I know, I know, I could erase them, but I own them and would feel bad about throwing them in the trash. For some reason though, I feel great about a subscription or rental model ($1 per show to rent - expires in 1 week, or $5 per movie - expires as well).

 

[CubaTBird]

*ahem*

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...f=pd_bbs_2/103-6182262-5458203?_encoding=UTF8

amazon zshops rule...

 

[Cinch]

Apple is just testing the water at this point. This is a test strategy that many companies impliment to see constomer's reactions. Apple will change their model according to market forces. However, if they are to succeed, they must make this easier for customers to consume movies. It has to be simpler than going to the local Blockbuster and picking up a movie.

They should consider making this separate from iTunes. Use iMovies to download and keep video/movie. Keeping things simple perhaps, however, I do think that it is hard to move away from iTunes. iTunes has increasingly becomes complex for users to navigate. Housing movies in a separate application will keep things simple for customers.

A possible scenario it that, Apple will follow the NetFlix's model, and charge ~$35 per month for 3 movies in one's library at any given time. Some viewers will recycle through movies alot faster than NetFlix users. Recycle through movies at on-demand pace is the essential advantage here. It beats out NetFlix, because there is no need to wait. The monthly subscription model is dependent on movie studios willingness to negotiate with Apple. However, if apple is to succeed, they will have to make movies easier to access on the TV.

And iPod dock with the right connection to the TV is the critical hardware here. However, it doesn't have to be an iPod dock. It can be a device that links directly to one's computer. The cost of this device is dependent upon capability e.g. Wi-Fi, nevertheless, the cost should be comparable to a DVD player (~$50 to $200). This is an apportunity for Apple to sell new hardware in addition to the much talk about video iPod.

Apple and any wants that wants to play the video dilivery game in the future, will have to deal with the film studios. Apple is perhaps in the best position to leverage the studios. Be that as it may, Apple is a large and "legitimate" company that still have to play by the market and political rules. Here, I think the porn industry will again take the lead.

Cinch

 

[maestro55]

For loving Apple you sure do complain a lot.

It always bothers me when people say "you use it, don't complain" much like when there are those that tell those who don't like government policies that we should leave the country. The fact is, criticism is the key to good development.

 

[Viewtiful Rich]

I haven't seen that movie, but man it appears to be popular.

Anyways I'd never pay $10 for a single movie download, probably not $5 either. Netflix just works too well for me. I see why TV shows work though, ya miss an episode, easy fix.

 

[BugSitter]

DVD Quality Available NOW from Competitors

Anyone who promises that he would purchase this film if it were HD quality should admit to subsequently hoping for a lesser resolution once the download clock creeps past 2 hours...

Obviously HD is a pipe dream at this point. However, since Apple copped to marketing the Mac Mini as a device to integrate with the living room television, there has to be an upgrade on the horizon. I wouldn't even expect DVD quality, but I think 640x480 would be a marked improvement.

Is it a pipedream? Check out Apple's competitor, CinemaNow that has been offering online rentals for some time now...

http://www.cinemanow.com/How-It-Works.aspx#howitworks

Note the following:

* Movies are encoded in 700k (standard quality) or 1500k (DVD quality)

* Standard Quality movies are about 800mb, so DVD quality are about 2gb

* Standard Quality movies require 30-40 min to d/l, DVD quality about 1.5 hours to d/l

* You can watch movies WHILE they are downloading, sometimes in as little as 30 seconds.

* This is a pay per view service, costing $3 - $4 per 24 hours


This service only works with Windows of course, but it proves that high Quality video downloads are feasible - there is not an unsurmountable bandwidth / download time problem.

I think the issue of resolution centers around what device the content is for.

If it is designed first and foremost for the Video iPod, anything higher than 320*240 would be a waste of storage space AND may need to be downsized (long conversion) before it would even play on the video iPod.

I too long for the day 1) High Resolution content is available 2) it is rented not bought, but right now this is about content for the iPod, not for the living room... yet.

Personally, I hope Apple's competitors make their Movie Download Services (some of which are subscription based) available for the mac ASAP. Otherwise, there's another reason to run windows on your new intel macs.

 

[iProd]

It...it's not widescreen...

 

[yg17]

$10 for crap resolution? No thanks...Blockbuster is cheaper.

I think the TV shows are a good idea, but they honestly need to up the resolution on them too before I buy them. I can download TV shows from Bittorrent for free and much, much better quality...I'd pay for convienence if the quality was good, but until then, no thanks. And yeah, maybe BT isn't exactly legal, but it's like taping it with a VCR or Tivoing it. Plus, it was a godsend the other night when the local Fox station decided to interrupt Family Guy to tell us that some hick town outside the viewing area was under a tornado watch.

 

[BugSitter]

Another Competitor...

Is it a pipedream? Check out Apple's competitor, CinemaNow that has been offering online rentals for some time now...

http://www.cinemanow.com/How-It-Works.aspx#howitworks

I forgot to add...

www.movielink.com -- another of apple's competitors for downloading movie's. This one i think gets better review than cinema now.

 

[iMeowbot]

It...it's not widescreen...

Well, it's a TV movie, not one of the Disney visual greats like Son of Flubber or Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo. I think that with this offering, they would rather that the audience concentrate on the gripping story line.

 

[Cinch]

It always bothers me when people say "you use it, don't complain" much like when there are those that tell those who don't like government policies that we should leave the country. The fact is, criticism is the key to good development.

I absolutely agree with your comment. I think self criticism is the cornerstone of any good enterprise whether it is in a company's product (however mundane) or the political system of our country. Everyone should have a forum and opportunity to voice their concerns or opinions. However, keep in mind that not all opinions are equal, and that it takes a capable mind to tell them apart. It is unfortunate that a few of us have the "you're either with us or against us" attitude.

I'm sliding into the deep end. oops wrong forum

Cinch

 

[1984]

It...it's not widescreen...

It really needs to be something like 480x272 widescreen like Sony's PSP in order to be worth it. People are buying UMDs at $15 to $25 (not enough though) so $10 or less could work if the quality is the same. No one in their right mind is going to pay $9.95 for a 320x240 non-widescreen movie though. Isn't the 6G iPod supposed to be widescreen?

 

[1984]

Well, it's a TV movie, not one of the Disney visual greats like Son of Flubber or Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo. I think that with this offering, they would rather that the audience concentrate on the gripping story line.

Yeah but it's also $9.95. If they gave you a choice of $4.99 for 320x240 and $9.95 for 480x272 then it would make more sense.

 

[kadajawi]

wow... thats expensive. They will probably charge 10 € in Europe, and for 10 € you can get most movies on DVD (except the brand new ones maybe), but you may get bonus stuff and at least much better quality. And you can order the movies from the internet, so you don't even have to leave the house.

To be competetive I would expect the movies to be of at least DVD resolution (and quality), or better for HDTV. For DVD quality it could be 1 or 2 CDs, for HDTV DVD size. But I guess if its not HDTV quality I wouldn't consider buying, since I can get the DVD for the same price.

 

[valiar]

$10?
They are got to be kidding me.
$2 for a TV show is an OK price; in fact, I have bought the entire two seasons of Battlestar Galactica, and I do believe I have got a good value.
But for $10, I can go watch a movie in a theater (and I won't have to wait). Or rent two DVDs. And $20 will pay for a month worth of Netflix.
The only way I would be buying movies from the iTMS is if the cost of 5-6 movies (approximately the number I watch monthly) was the same as the cost of my Netflix subscription. Which means, they have to cost between $1.50 and $3.
Otherwise, it is ridiculously overpriced, just like their music is.

 

[iMeowbot]

Yeah but it's also $9.95. If they gave you a choice of $4.99 for 320x240 and $9.95 for 480x272 then it would make more sense.

Okay, maybe I'm being too oblique. Let's check out some iTMS reviews for this video.

OMG i am ssOoO excited to buy this movie
ZAC EFRON is soOoOoOoO HOTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!
he makes this movie grate and so does asley tisdale.
but they are all good

this is my favorite movie of all time! the songs are amazing. Zac Efron is so HOT in this movie as Troy! This is so cool!!

I LOVE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL I CAN NOT BELIVE THEY GOT THW WHOLE THING ON HERE... I AM SOOOOO HAPPY

Is this an audience that give a rat's patootie about resolutions and aspect ratios?

 

[mackeeper]

9.99 is pretty bad. I would much rather buy a DVD and rip it onto my computer. Waste of money and waste of HD space. I'm not going for it.

 

[Zoboomafoo]

It really needs to be something like 480x272 widescreen like Sony's PSP in order to be worth it. People are buying UMDs at $15 to $25 (not enough though) so $10 or less could work if the quality is the same. No one in their right mind is going to pay $9.95 for a 320x240 non-widescreen movie though. Isn't the 6G iPod supposed to be widescreen?

so, thanks for bringing umd into this. umd hasn't exactly been a bust, and apple could just be going after the psp-like portable movie market. so worries about resolution might be slightly irrelevant.

that said .... this is not a widescreen movie. this is made for tv. if apple offer FS options for movies that are WS, then you can bitch. but for now, wait and see.

 

[maestro55]

Of course this service would get thumbs up when that new release comes out. If you don't live near blockbuster (or some other movie rental place) or they are all out of the movie you want to see that night, waiting for the movie to come in the mail would not be logical, and so if they offered high res (DVD quality) movies you could download it (lets say it take 2 hours) and watch your movie. Yeah, that is 2 hours, but faster then waiting for the movie to come in the mail, and faster than waiting for the movie to show up again at blockbuster. Maybe even quicker then waiting to buy it (and how many of us want to watch it before we buy it, anyhow).

Except I forgot about ondemand and other pay-per-view services that different satellite and cable providers offer that are like $2.99 or $3.99 a movie.... but if Apple offered pay-per-view movies for $1.99.. umm..

 

[gugy]

$10 is a descent price

If....It came with a box
If....It came with inserts
If....It had special effects
If....It came with on a DVD
If....It had a higher resolution
If....It had 5.1 or better surround sound
If....I could turn CC on when when I want to
If....I could sell it
If....I could freely and legally change the format
If....It was a good movie

This is just one bad apple.

P.S. The last movie (from Universal Studios I believe) I bought had everything above, and I paid $7.50 for it- Brand new at Wal*Mart.

Thank you!
You just said everything I was thinking about.

IMHO, this is not an interesting option at all. If i want to watch a movie i rather rent at Netflix, go to blockbuster, buy a DVD or watch at the movie theater.
Sorry Apple, if the resolution is 320x240 I will not waste my money on it.

I know they will probably sell many movies at the Apple store, but I think the consumers have much better alternatives out there.

 

[SeaFox]

I hope they make the quality of movies at least that of a DVD - but I know they won't. What should I expect for $10?

Go to your local Wal-Mart, there a bin in electronics with lots of 5+ year old and B- flicks for $5.50 apiece. Yeah, lots of the stuff is Films You Love to Hate, but there are a few gems you might have enjoyed when they first came out and never could justify the full new-DVD price for.

Then you can easily move up to the $9.95 rack and find plenty of older but much better films.

Rip them to iPod and you have a much better investment.

Anyone who's willing to pay $10 for a made-for-TV-movie deserves that sort of iTunes ripoff. How long will it take to download the movie verses running out to the store and just getting it? Probably the same amount of time (and ignoring that some people have caps on monthly bandwidth). This is nothing like the deal of being able to buy individual tracks off iTunes.

 

[golfstud]

Well 9.99 is too high..for other reasons

For all the reasons already listed 9.99 is WAY TOO HIGH of price.

Now sometime next year..when BLU-RAY has shipped and disks are out--at $35+dollars a pop for the same content you get for $15 now on DVD...

These big companies will price things where they will sell at...not what they should sell them at.

640x480 in a years time on ITUNES..but the price needs to drop to say 5.99 to 7.99..then it will beat the DVD at $12 to $15 since you have no media or packaging costs.

OK and WHO in there right mind would want to watch KING KONG on a 2" screen??? These are the only types of movies I STILL go to the theater for...

my 2 cents

 

[gugy]

This is nothing like the deal of being able to buy individual tracks off iTunes.

Very true, this is where Itunes store shines.
To buy a album there is not a great deal IMHO. But if you like one or two songs of an album then, the store is really cool.

But regarding the movies, is just a plain bad deal. Unless the resolution is at least DVD quality. If not, then don't even bother Apple.

 

[EricNau]

Go to your local Wal-Mart, there a bin in electronics with lots of 5+ year old and B- flicks for $5.50 apiece. Yeah, lots of the stuff is Films You Love to Hate, but there are a few gems you might have enjoyed when they first came out and never could justify the full new-DVD price for.

Then you can easily move up to the $9.95 rack and find plenty of older but much better films.

Rip them to iPod and you have a much better investment.

Anyone who's willing to pay $10 for a made-for-TV-movie deserves that sort of iTunes ripoff. How long will it take to download the movie verses running out to the store and just getting it? Probably the same amount of time (and ignoring that some people have caps on monthly bandwidth). This is nothing like the deal of being able to buy individual tracks off iTunes.

Sorry, I guess my comment was written poorly.

I was rolling my eyes at Apple. I believe $10 is WAY too much for a poor quality video.