iTunes movies come to Japan, US TV networks blocking Google TV - Page 2

Same here. I've learned quite a bit from subtitles (I especially like the way Japanese news doesn't dub over a foreign speaker like they do in the US and instead subtitle it so you can actually hear the real person's voice).

The DVDs usually come with at least two languages and subtitle sets; I've even rented a few that had eight or so different languages. As the data actually therefore exists, would it be so hard for them to provide?

I am puzzled, too. I have bought Blue Rays and DVDs of US movies in numerous countries in Asia and Europe (including Japan and Switzerland) and all of them have the original sound track plus subtitles in the local language. Why would that model not work for AppleTV? Is it the licensing fee lower on dubbed movies?

Do you live on this planet?

This is very informative post

Can't google get around that by identifying itself to the website as a computer? Seems like the website shouldn't really be able to tell unless the box is telling the site what kind of box it is, and that could be worked around.


But aren't the networks the ones making those shows available online for free (with ads). Not to mention that all those shows can be seen on a TV for free using something called "broadcast TV".


I don't understand how google would be able to strip out the ads that the networks insert into their programs - how would that work? Maybe I'm not understanding how GTV works, wouldn't it just take the video that networks are putting on their websites and just play it on a TV (including those commercials)? How is it different from someone hooking up a computer to their TV?



Yeah, 'cause any time a movie has "social commentary" and "agenda" it means the movie has to really suck. Wow.



How is that Google's fault? Aren't the networks voluntarily putting these shows online? For free with commercials? If the networks aren't making enough money by putting shows online, I don't understand why they don't take those shows down instead of trying to block them from some viewers but not others, makes no sense to me.

Well like I said, they better figure out that revenue stream, cause the existing one is drying up !!!

Actually, one of the bigger hits on newspaper ad revenue has probably been craigslist, sucking away all that classifieds revenue.

Before you go too off on the prices you should check what DVDs sell for here. It's expensive! Those prices aren't out of line at all. The movie rental prices indeed look pretty good.

Score 1 for Apple & Apple TV

Yeah, same boat. I bought lots of (Japanese release) Hollywood blu-ray titles. Like you guys mentioned, they are great because they have the original English audio + English subtitles AND Japanese audio + Japanese subtitles. You've also noticed by now that the blu-ray releases here are about 2x the price as well. Well worth it for me though.

If I can get these same movies in at least (true) 720p then I'd be really happy sending video to my Aquos 1080p flat screen. I already watch 720p on my 1080p TV and can't notice the difference between the two resolutions from 6ft away which is where you should be sitting in the first place.

I have a few 2TB disks so I'd really like to start storing the movies in those drives and get rid of my blu-ray discs seeing as they will soon be on their way out in a few years anyway.

You'd think the HD movies in the iTunes Japan store would have the same audio and subtitles as the blu-ray already released here. Hope so.

Just bought Paprika from the US iTunes Store which is what I use, I purchase US gift cards online. From a fairly reputable seller, at least, for over a year, my account hasn't been deactivated yet. I think it is Japanese with English subs... My preferred way to watch good anime (I'm not into Naruto and all that stuff).

The TV and movie studios just need to work out a GLOBAL media store. Geographical restrictions and language restrictions are just sheer INSANITY.

For digital TV and movie downloads or streaming, the consumer wants
-immediate availability
-universal global release
-relevant choices of language and subs
-uncensored
-low pricing
-NO RIDICULOUS HDCP NONSENSE

The only issue I can see is with censorship, but that's only a problem in countries like here in Malaysia (being a majority-Muslim country) where generally everything broadcast and sold is censored down to PG-15 (but porn, torrents, original versions, anti-Muslim-whatever whatever is all available online, at least that's not censored). Who knows what the case is in the Middle East. It's a tough issue, no doubt. Censorship of all kinds exists in various countries.

It is a violation of Apples terms of service, you derserve to have your account disabled.


Not all consumers want that stuff, you can only talk for yourself, no one else.

And, what ridiculouse HDCP nonsense? What issues do you have with HDCP? Some poorly designed devices may have issues, but if the manufacturer have done things properly they will just work.




What about the local distributors, you don't see that they may have an issue with a global distributor killing their business? You don't see the local governments having an issue with a loss of tax income?

Ah, you sound like the media industry, seeking to punish me for actually paying for legal content. On the technicality that I am not in the US. They'd rather me pirate, right? I sure as heck ain't buying it locally since it is not available digitally locally and the original DVDs are sometimes recompressed and censored.


Millions of torrent users suggest it's not just my problem. Not saying all of them will go legit if what I mention was available, but some will. Heck, just read this thread again, I'm not the only one wanting this stuff. Can you imagine what would happen if the App Store had the arbitrary geography restrictions of the media industry? And if they had tried to distribute phone apps through local distributors? (which they tried by going through local carriers, and that's why app availability and app quality was very, very poor prior to the App Store).


I see the brainwashing of "HDCP enhances your viewing experience" is working well.

Let there be no doubt, HDCP primarily punishes those who bought legitimate copies.

Purchase or rent a "HD" show or movie on iTunes. Now, connect your Mac to a VGA or DVI screen or HDTV. Hmm, can't play it. Ah, HD on my iPad, sweet. Connect via iPad to VGA cable to screen or TV... Oh, guess what, you also can't play it. How does refusing someone the ability to connect via standard digital output such as VGA and DVI help anything? Especially after I've shelled out the cash for HD digital downloads. It is, ridiculous and nonsensical. Don't tell me to get a HDMI convertor for my Mac, then I have to buy a new computer screen because it doesn't have HDMI in. Plus Apple doesn't make HDMI convertors so the quality out there is variable.

Next. Read up on the analog "sunset". Soon even component video will not display HD signals. Not HDCP or whatever exactly, but again, all punishing someone purchasing legal digital or physical media.

The local distributors are already dying, here hardly anyone buys CDs and original DVDs asides from enthusiasts. There are no viable big rental chains for DVD and BluRay like Netflix.

As for the government, the tax income is minuscule compared to things like taxes on alcohol and cigarettes, Goods and Services Tax, etc. Plus different governments may have different taxes or no taxes for certain items, it varies a lot.

With purchasing online being so widely available now, local retailers of course have to adapt. Are you going to ask Amazon, or Steam, Beatport or whatever to "hey, stop and think about the poor local distributors of stuff"? The only reason why local retail still works is because people can see, touch and trust the source of what they are buying, plus they have a place to air their grievances, warranty claims, etc.

Now with the iOS App Store, Apple Online Store and Mac App Store, that's a whole bunch of further threats to the local distribution model. For the better, IMO. It will be painful, but it will make more sense for end users and developers.

No, I have a few iTunes accounts around the world, but Apple has its rules, based on conditions that their suppliers make. Their suppliers are the ones that don't want to sell you the stuff. Are you saying that you cannot purchase movies or music in your country, if not, is it due to your overly protective government?


No you're not, but you can't speak for all consumers, you can only speak for yourself.



Personally, I don't know what you are saying. I plug my PS3 into my TV, I get 1080P content from my blu-ray movies, I get HD audio to my receiver, how are I being punished by HDCP?


So the issue isn't with HDCP, it is with Apple. If Apple won't implement something correctly then the blame clearly lies with Apple. Talk to them, be sure to mention you live in Mayalsia and are downloading HD movies from the US when you make your complaint. Then again, why don't you just buy an Apple TV?


We are on an Apple site, where people (including myself) purchase expensive Apple equipment, if you own an old HD TV that doesn't support HDMI with HDCP (and it must be an old one if it doesn't) then just buy a new one, it is that easy.

You're being punished by paying more for all of those than you need to.

Everyone else is being punished by not being able to do what they're legally allowed to do with their purchased media.


That's funny. Because I was under the impression that screw you. I bought a TV. I paid for my content. I get to choose when and where I watch it and on what devices I watch it. Pretty darn simple.

Hardly anyone? I think you are getting a little overly emotional now. Sure they have dropped, but trying to say that "hardly anyone" purchases them is pure fiction.


Well where I live sales tax is consistant on all items (sure alcohol has an additional tax) but everything here is 15% And with the way things are these days they will want all the tax income they can get.


No, why would I. I can import NZ$400 of stuff before I need to pay tax, and the number of people importing internationally for personal use isn't as high as you may make it out to be. Otherwise that limit would be dramitically lowered.

How do you know how much I paid for my devices? And how much should I have paid?


Can you please post the corresponding law, and please remember, that both the person I was responding to, and myself don't live in the US so providing a US law is no good.


But when you "purchased" that content you did so under certain conditions. And things change, all devices get too old for modern technologies, if you were an early adopter then you should expect to have issues. Otherwise, if you stand by your statement then you won't be purchasing any media from Apple, or on physical media.

But... Based on what you said your iTunes accounts around the world should be deactivated. The government is not really the issue, I think the global media industry is not bothered to find avenues of legal, GLOBAL digital downloads.


Well, there's at least one other person on this thread, see above. I can't speak for everyone in the world, but at the same time any rational person can see I'm not totally alone in my views.


Again, how does myself having a US iTunes account differ from you having multiple iTunes accounts around the world?

How is Apple to blame if they are fulfilling the requirement of the media industry by implementing HDCP? I don't think they're doing it just for fun to piss off customers or ensure "the clarity of the HD experience".

Next, I think you have missed my point. You being able to connect your PS3 to get 1080P content and HD audio is primarily because of the HDMI standard. As for HDCP (different), buy a HD movie from the iTunes Store on your Mac, iPhone or iPod, then try to play that back on any screen or TV with VGA or DVI input. You can't.

So I'm here with a Samsung 21" monitor which I connect to my Mac via VGA or DVI. I CANNOT PLAY BACK HD video from iTunes Store. It will not let you because of HDCP. Is Apple to blame? Possibly, but they are only implementing HDCP as a requirement for them to carry and sell/rent HD content from the media industry. So I should toss out my monitor of just a few years old? Not whether I can afford it, that's irrelevant. I don't have a Mac because I'm "rich", which is besides the point anyway.

Next. Let me try to take my Mac to connect to the Samsung 46" HDTV downstairs. The TV has a HDMI and VGA input. So I try the VGA input. Nope, HDCP restriction again. I take my iPad to connect to it, nope, can't. The iPad has no HDMI out, so, no go there.

Is this making sense?

No, I didn't say that, you made that up. I said you broke Apples rules, if you read the ToS for yourself you can see it.


I didn't say you were alone in your views, I just said you don't speak for all consumers.


Well, what you replied to had nothing to do with having multiple accounts. If you are having issues with HDCP on Apple products it is Apples fault, they haven't implemented it properly. As I said, when you complain to Apple make sure you tell them you are breaking their ToS when you complain, I'm sure they will rush to help you. But, as I also mentioned last time, just buy an Apple TV, issue fixed.


EDIT: Thanks for added to your message after I had started replying.


HDCP is supported over DVI and DP it isn't restricted to HDMI. I wasn't aware you could copy the HD version to the iPod, has thing changed? And is it a new adapter that enabled the iPod or iPhone to connect via VGA or DVI? As for the Mac, I haven't tried, and don't have the need to try, I have an Apple TV which enables me to display them.


So your monitor doesn't support HDCP, why didn't you say that in in the first place? How old is it?


You're not rich, but you can afford to purchase a heap of Apple equipment and a large TV?

With the VGA connection iTunes should display the SD version, if they aren't doing this then they have implement their HDCP related functionality incorrectly, take this up with Apple.

But for the third time, why don't you purchase an Apple TV, problem solved.

Wha....? If I am having issues with HDCP, it is because Apple *DID* implement it properly. Which part of HDCP are you not getting? Not allowing you to watch HD video on a VGA connection is a "proper" implementation of HDCP. Which is the problem, *with HDCP*. Why would I complain to Apple? What does it have to do with me breaking their ToS? Whether my Mac and VGA/DVI 21" screen is here, China, the US or Timbuktoo, the same problem will occur.

Why would i get an AppleTV? That only has HDMI output, I can't watch it on my 21" screen. Plus, if I purchase/rent iTunes HD content on my Mac, then I have the freedom to watch and sync with my iPhone4 and iPad as and where needed. Stuff on AppleTV stays on the AppleTV, plus you cannot purchase, you can only stream.

Yes, I broke the rules, but so have you, so of what relevance is it?

I didn't say I currently use those account, I said I had them, I have used them in accordance to the Apple terms, I was in those countries when I used them.

ok, I will start typing more slowly, just for you.

If you claim to Apple local to yourself, they will want to know where you downloaded the HD movies from (since you said you can't get them locally), they will then know you have broken their ToS. Have you understood this?

Now, Apple is restricting the playback of the HD version through non HDCP devices. You can still play the SD version.


You can use a HDMI to DVI cable can't you. That is how I sometimes connect my PS3 to my cheap Dell monitor (which supports HDCP over DVI).

Maybe you should look at the Apple webpages about the Apple TV, as you don't seem to understand it very well. You can still stream from your Mac to Apple TV connected to your 46" HDTV downstairs, so you purchase on the Mac and stream to the Apple TV

True, but how many monitors and TVs have DVI and DP inputs? With HDCP support over those inputs?


You can copy it to iPhone4 and iPad, yes.


There is an existing Component adapter for iPod and iPhone output. There is the iPad Dock to VGA connector which works for iPad and iPhone4.


Less than 2 years. Again, miniDP to HDMI may not be appropriate even if I have a brand new monitor with HDMI input because these adapters are known to be of varying quality.


The HDTV is my parents'. The 21" screen is mine. I can afford to purchase a "heap" of Apple equipment because I don't spend it on cars, or what not, again, not relevant I think.


But why would I have bought the HD version in the first place?


How will having to buy an Apple TV help me connect my Mac to my 21" screen and watch HD content?

Why would I be complaining to Apple? They haven't implemented it wrongly.


Again, then what is the purpose of buying or renting the HD version?


So, I have to get from my Mac, a miniDP to HDMI converter, then a HDMI to DVI adaptor to connect to my 21" screen, and then hope everything is HDCP compliant through the chain. Do you see the unnecessary challenges HDCP causes?


OK, fair enough, I can stream from my Mac to the HDTV. I get that part now. But what about just watching HD on my 21" screen?

My Dell monitor has HDCP support over DVI (it is two years old), a number of monitors now do. Older TVs have DVI ports on them, some support HDCP, but all new ones will have an HDMI port on them.


You originally said iPod, did you mean iPad?


I still don't know why in 2010 Apple would put a VGA connector on a device.


You must have been unlucky, I have an older monitor and it supports HDCP over DVI


So since a new montior is cheaper than an iPhone 4, or an iPad, why don't you just get a new monitor and sell your old one?


I don't know, but after purchasing one and finding out it didn't work I would have stopped purchasing any, or just watch the SD version until I got an HDCP monitor.


It wouldn't, you will need to purchase a new monitor for that. But it would help with the 46" one you keep talking about.

You claimed you couldn't watch the videos, that would imply they have implement it incorrectly as you should still be able to watch the SD version.


One reason is to be to ready for when you get an HDCP monitor.


No, you have said that your monitor doesn't support HDCP, so it doesn't matter about all your cables, nothing will change the fact your monitor is old.

And when you get the new one, you will need a single cable from your Mac to the monitor


Buy a new one, sell the old one.

You originally said iPod, did you mean iPad?
---I meant iPad, oops. I think in the past few years you can load HD video onto iPod touch. Not sure on this one. But iPad you can.

I still don't know why in 2010 Apple would put a VGA connector on a device.
---Because in most out-of-home office and presentation room environments VGA is still widely used

You must have been unlucky, I have an older monitor and it supports HDCP over DVI
---Yeah

So since a new montior is cheaper than an iPhone 4, or an iPad, why don't you just get a new monitor and sell your old one?
---*sigh* I'll get peanuts for my old monitor, and I like it. Again, even if I get a HDMI monitor, I have to try and make sure the miniDP to HDMI cables work. There have been quite bad reviews for Capdase and Moshi adaptors. I know the Capdase one is quite bad.

I don't know, but after purchasing one and finding out it didn't work I would have stopped purchasing any, or just watch the SD version until I got an HDCP monitor.
---TV show rentals are 99c for SD or HD. HD is nice on my Macbook Alu 2ghz. But can't watch it when connected to VGA 21" screen. Because for TV show rentals you either rent the SD or HD version. Only purchases give you both versions.

It wouldn't, you will need to purchase a new monitor for that. But it would help with the 46" one you keep talking about.
---See above re: miniDP to HDMI adaptors.

You claimed you couldn't watch the videos, that would imply they have implement it incorrectly as you should still be able to watch the SD version.
---TV show rentals are 99c for SD or HD. HD is nice on my Macbook Alu 2ghz. But can't watch it when connected to VGA 21" screen. Because for TV show rentals you either rent the SD or HD version. Only purchases give you both versions.

One reason is to be to ready for when you get an HDCP monitor.
---I just wish Apple would make it's own miniDP to HDMI cable.

No, you have said that your monitor doesn't support HDCP, so it doesn't matter about all your cables, nothing will change the fact your monitor is old.
---2 years is not that old.

And when you get the new one, you will need a single cable from your Mac to the monitor
---Can you point me to a link of a single miniDP to HDMI cable (not having to go through the small converter box, a simple cable, with miniDP on one side and HDMI the other? Most are miniDP to HDMI dongles, that you then hook up with HDMI-HDMI cable.

Hopefully someone is getting what I'm saying. I get your points, but hopefully other posters get mine too.

If it is a computer monitor then they will continue to have DVI (and some will have DP as well)



ok, I've never rented anything through iTunes.

I know, but all companies move so fast now and drop support even faster, even Apple, their support of GPU accerlation is a good example


No, the mDP to HDMI one I purchased a year ago has a HDMI socket on it. But it did let me watch HD iTunes videos on my tv ok.

Exactly. If we have to suffer through the HDCP restrictions, at least make a cable that would convert mini-DP to HDMI that would include audio while passing the HDCP test.