Lions Gate Films Tips Off About iTunes Movie Downloads

[Multimedia]

iTunes Videos Aren't Even Encoded From HD Masters To 16x9 Versions For Sale

I hope Apple isn't going to sell these movies at the same quality as their current video downloads.

As of now, the only thing they are good for are iPods; on a computer screen it looks terrible.

Here here. They are even encoding HD 16x9 TV Shows in 4x3 - unbelieveable. For last year being the year of HD, the iTunes Store Video Encode Department apparently didn't get the memo.

I, for one, dont think I'll ever download a movie off iTMS. I was downloading the 1hr + pilot for Psych the other day and that took forever... I'm only excited about the new 'Pods that are bound to be part of such an announcement

Me too. Yeah that Psych Pilot was originally tranmitted in HD 16 x 9. So I was shocked to find when I opened it that it is in 4x3. An excellent looking encode. But the completely and lamely wrong aspect ratio. Really shocked me to find nobody caught that on the way in. Looks like the encoders never watch TV.

 

[1984]

Here here. They are even encoding HD 16x9 TV Shows in 4x3 - unbelieveable. For last year being the year of HD, the iTunes Store Video Encode Department apparently didn't get the memo.

Until they come out with an iPod with a widescreen display I don't see the point. The display on the current iPod is small enough as it is. Unless they address this I can't see downloading any videos.

 

[macenforcer]

Are people as outraged by this leak as I am? I can't believe it. He just stole Steve's thunder at a later secret event. This will end up costing Apple the element of surprise and the impact of a special Steve announcement. We've got to punish Lion's Gate somehow. We need to boycott all of their films and show that they cannot mess with Apple. The mothership is under attack! Who's with me?

Who's with me?

Nobody.

 

[wkhahn]

New Express

1) Open a movie section on itunes with at least 2K movies in content, ready to download and rent for $2.99 - $4.99 (have a fixed price, but no more then $4.99) to be viewed for unlimited times in 1 week. Instead of waiting for it to download completely, have it stream to the TV (through mac mini or new video airport express) with a good enough buffer that doesn't interrupt the movie. While you are watching it or not, continue to download to the HD so you can transfer it to an iPod to watch later or take to a friends house, on a plane, in the car, etc.

So what standard would a computer transmit to a new AE. Bonjour, nor current WiFi have the bandwidth to stream a movie over. And since you would most likely download this movie to a desktop for view within your house vs a laptop/ipod for away from home viewing, it would be plugged into an outlet. And an Airport express plugs dircetly into a wall, would it be possible to use Broadband over power lines within the home, in combo with some WiFi flavor to transmit and reconstruct the signal? Just a thought. Sorry if this has already been discussed elsewhere.

 

[Cygnus311]

Stick a "Burn to DVD" button on it or else it would be utterly useless to me... my desk chair is comfortable but not "watch a movie" comfortable

Exactly. MAYBE I'd do like 2 buck "rental" where they stop working after a couple days. I guess you could always do a DVI to HDMI cable for your TV couldn't though huh?

 

[ezekielrage_99]

This isn't really going to effect anyone outside the US, I'm in Australia and I am happy with ripping DVDs with Handbrake to my iPod.

 

[brepublican]

Love your signature.

Writing this with my 12'' PB on my belly. All good!

Yeah, love this baby in the winter. Saves me a dime or two on heating

 

[Flowbee]

Until they come out with an iPod with a widescreen display I don't see the point.

Because it's really easy to connect an iPod to your TV and watch your videos that way. There are also several peripherals coming out soon that add a larger wide screen to the iPod. And don't forget watching videos on your MacBook or MacBook pro.

 

[BlueRevolution]

iTunes songs bought: 0
iTunes TV shows bought: 0 (none available here anyway)
iTunes movies that I'll buy: 0

Still, good for them.

 

[WhiteShadow]

it may be a nice feature to download movies if the format was a good enough quality to watch on my high res display.

 

[Kingsly]

"In terms of iTunes movie downloads, I think most likely some time before the end of the year. We know when they are planning on launching, but since they have not announced it publicly, I do not think it is our place to say anything more about that. Calendar year."

"..."

"Did I just say what I thought I said?"

"Yes sir"

"Oh sh**"

[intern walks in]

"Sir, you have a call from Steve Jobs. Should I tell him you're available?"

"..."

 

[SiliconAddict]

Are people as outraged by this leak as I am? I can't believe it. He just stole Steve's thunder at a later secret event. This will end up costing Apple the element of surprise and the impact of a special Steve announcement. We've got to punish Lion's Gate somehow. We need to boycott all of their films and show that they cannot mess with Apple. The mothership is under attack! Who's with me?

Wow my sarcasm meter is reading exactly neutral. *smacks it* It can't tell if that post was in jest or not. Unfortunately I left my fanboy meter at home.

it may be a nice feature to download movies if the format was a good enough quality to watch on my high res display.

I think most of the known world would settle for DVD quality other wise what would be the point? It's easier to buy used at Blockbuster or Hollywood Video and just rip it for your own personal use. Most used movies now a days runs in the $14 range for first run movies. $12 for older flicks and $10 for stuff that they had massive overstock on. I just picked up Memoirs of a Geisha for $12 last week. Both disks were also flawless (I ask to see before I buy.) I just don't see a need for such a thing on iTMS other then impulse buys. You are about to take a flight in a couple hours and you want to check out Finding bingo...No that's not it. Finding Nero...No still not right. Nemo. Yah You want to watch Finding Nemo and don't have time to run to the video store. Drop into ITMS and D/L it while you finish you packing. Or then there is the 10PM stay at home evening with the 3' snow drifts. Better to D/L a movie they go out.

 

[spicyapple]

I wonder how mad Steve is right now.

Steve is quote unquote, livid.

..thanks to some careless schmuck's comments denting Steve's Reality Distortion Field. It's absolutely outrageous!

 

[oootle]

is this what frontrow 2 is going to include, it explains why is passed over at WWDC. Also with the new ipods coming up in time for the holiday period (and possibly an iphone) film downloads would also link up with that.

 

[question fear]

Because it's really easy to connect an iPod to your TV and watch your videos that way. There are also several peripherals coming out soon that add a larger wide screen to the iPod. And don't forget watching videos on your MacBook or MacBook pro.

Flowbee, that is my thought exactly...I think the next gen of ipod will come with an Ipod-->RCA cable; it makes the most sense and puts apple in a good position to be an on-demand competitor. Don't get cable tv? No problem, dump the show on your ipod via itunes, slap the cables in your tv and go.

Full screen video ipods are nice, but give people the chance to use their ipod like they'd use a dvd player (but be able to bring it with them to anyone's tv) and that's where the $$$ is in an itunes movie store.

 

[jagolden]

God, I can only hope you are alone. He hardly said anything we didn't know. So you go ahead and punish Lion's Gate if you want to, and if your mom will let you, but I am just happy to hear of some progress in this arena.

Sosumi99 may be a little over the top here, but is staggers my mind to think any doesn't believe this was out of line nd wrong for Mr. Beeks to say. Clearly when Steve Jobs has a "big announcement" it generates lots of hype and interest - not only in the iPod but for Apple in general. Mr. Beeks has tried to pre-empt Apples splash by pointing it to Lions Gate insted.

No one here "knows" what will happen this year with iPod/iTunes. If they "do", they must know someone who is violating a NDA. We highty suspect and believe what ill happen before the end of this year.

Maybe your mommy will teach you good business and ethics practice.

 

[MacBoobsPro]

So apparently Mr. Beeks has a new person on his list to avoid at the Christmas party. It'll be interesting to see Apple's response to this, if there is one.

Hmmm... thats strange I had a body bag erroneously delivered to my house this morning. It had the name 'Beeks' on it!

 

[playaj82]

Sosumi99 may be a little over the top here, but is staggers my mind to think any doesn't believe this was out of line nd wrong for Mr. Beeks to say. Clearly when Steve Jobs has a "big announcement" it generates lots of hype and interest - not only in the iPod but for Apple in general. Mr. Beeks has tried to pre-empt Apples splash by pointing it to Lions Gate insted.

No one here "knows" what will happen this year with iPod/iTunes. If they "do", they must know someone who is violating a NDA. We highty suspect and believe what ill happen before the end of this year.

Maybe your mommy will teach you good business and ethics practice.

I don't really think it matters. Lion's Gate does not have the same kinds of "brand recognition" concerns that a company like Apple must address by drawing attention and publicity.

The other thing is that like others have said, this has not been a secret. Everyone knows the movie industry would eventually have to jump on the bandwagon, and this is nothing more than someone finally acknowledging the inevitible.

It isn't like the guy told us the details for the new iPod or something.

 

[Leondunkleyc]

.

 

[lazyrighteye]

Smooth.

The new iTMS: now featuring full-length feature films from all sorts of studios.*

* with the exception of Lions Gate Films.

 

[gauriemma]

Normally, how much are store bought DVDs in the US & Canada these days? I personally don't have any desire to buy DVDs. Like others here, I typically watch a movie just once. However, I've recently been able to justify purchasing some because (a) they are considerably cheaper than 2 movie tickets, and (b) my local video store's new ownership doesn't seem to like purchasing DVDs.

I recently bought Wedding Crashers, Firewall, and Syriana because they were only about 10 dollars each. Not bad. Children's movies-- one type than I can easily justify buying because of the multiple viewings-- are slightly more.

-Squire

Most new releases in the US can be had for between $15-20. But I rarely purchase movies. Probably 80% of my DVDs are live performances or TV show collections, both of which receive multiple, long-term viewings.

 

[AtHomeBoy_2000]

Me too. Yeah that Psych Pilot was originally tranmitted in HD 16 x 9. So I was shocked to find when I opened it that it is in 4x3. An excellent looking encode. But the completely and lamely wrong aspect ratio. Really shocked me to find nobody caught that on the way in. Looks like the encoders never watch TV.

I downloaded the Pilot as well. Very impressive. I blew video up to the size of my screen (almost "full screen" mode) and it still looked great!

 

[mcarnes]

Meh, I'll stick with handbrake.

 

[Keebler]

i don't care

i don't care...i don't care...i don't care.

ok...i will care once they allow tv/movie dloads in canada!!!!



then i'll check out a sample. for a stay-at-home Dad running my own biz, i don't get out much so dloading a movie is very, very appealing! for example, desperately wanted to see clerks 2. didn't get out to the theatres for a few weeks.....finally had a chance...gone from the theatre!!! son of a.....

now, if i could only dload it!!!!!

 

[swarmster]

Rentals

I really hope this is a rental system, but not like Netflix. If they could give me one-day file "rentals" for $1 or $2, this would go from something I'd never even consider using to something I'd use for 95% of my movies...in fact, my movie viewing would probably skyrocket.

I very rarely watch a movie more than once. And at that price, if a movie is so good as to warrant a second viewing (but not good enough to buy the DVD), I wouldn't really mind paying again.