iTunes 8.1.1 adds support for renting HD movies on computers
Apple on Monday afternoon released a small update to iTunes that enables HD movie rentals on a Mac or PC while also delivering improvements for syncing media to its multi-touch devices.
Prior to the iTunes 8.1.1 (66MB download), HD movie rentals were only accessible to owners of the company's Apple TV wireless set-top-box.
The new update also "provides a number of bug fixes, including addressing issues with VoiceOver and syncing with iPhone or iPod touch," according to a brief set of release notes.
A similar release is available for 32-bit versions of Windows XP and Vista (70.86MB) in addition to a distribution for the 64-bit version of Windows Vista (71.35MB).
Meanwhile, ArsTechnica reports on Apple's ongoing expansion of its standard definition movie catalog. According to the tech site, almost 300 titles have been added to the iTunes store for rent over the last week, with more than half of those added this weekend alone.
The majority of the new additions are said to be "library" titles, which fetch$2.99 per rental.
Prior to the iTunes 8.1.1 (66MB download), HD movie rentals were only accessible to owners of the company's Apple TV wireless set-top-box.
The new update also "provides a number of bug fixes, including addressing issues with VoiceOver and syncing with iPhone or iPod touch," according to a brief set of release notes.
A similar release is available for 32-bit versions of Windows XP and Vista (70.86MB) in addition to a distribution for the 64-bit version of Windows Vista (71.35MB).
Meanwhile, ArsTechnica reports on Apple's ongoing expansion of its standard definition movie catalog. According to the tech site, almost 300 titles have been added to the iTunes store for rent over the last week, with more than half of those added this weekend alone.
The majority of the new additions are said to be "library" titles, which fetch$2.99 per rental.
Comments
I will rent from iTunes when it gets down to the $1/night/movie that Redbox offers just 5 minutes from me.
Redbox is not worth it. Every time I go there are 3 or 4 people in line and they each have to browse the entire selection before picking a movie. You're lucky to be out of there within an hour. Then returning the movie takes the same amount of time because the machines aren't smart enough to handle returns while someone is browsing for a movie.
What's the file size and resolution of iTunes' HD movies?
HD movies (3.5 gig 1250x1000) are locked, if you don't have a laptop or iMac. I still can't play HD Quantum of Solace thru my MacPro w/ 23" Cinema Display!!!!! I just tried the update. Many people have complained about this. One would assume Apple would fix this conflict.
(It will play in Windows in my Parallels/W7 iTunes -same MacPro/23"???)
Great, now my iTunes crashes when I surf the store, it's happened twice in 5 minutes, what is the bullsh*t Apple? My iTunes has NEVER crashed ever before, arrghhhh
On the other hand, Canadan, I'm finding the new iTunes both crashless and snappier than the earlier iteration... and my iPod nano phatty, which was fritzed by 8.1, has been resurrected by restoring and syncing with 8.1.1 (oh what joy!... listening to the Triffids "The best part of breakin' up is when you're makin' up" etc. at this very moment ;o).
Cheers
This is good they have fixed this now. Although I am surprised that iTunes does not have more multi-touch support (apart from three finger 'back' gesture in iTS), like pinching to increase the size of cover flow or album art etc.
Also, slightly off topic, I reported a similar bug to above (same kind of control issue) when pinching to zoom pages in Safari 4 Beta. They have noted it, so I expect a fix.
I don't see any movies that I am allowed to rent in HD now that I've updated. Anybody find one? I can buy them in HD, but that's been there for a while.
I can't find any either. There are ones that say "Also available in HD on Apple TV" but there is no "Rent HD" or "Buy HD" button (or anything similar) on the Mac.
I can't find any either. There are ones that say "Also available in HD on Apple TV" but there is no "Rent HD" or "Buy HD" button (or anything similar) on the Mac.
Nope, I can't seem to find it either. This pretty much messed up most of the update, unless they plan to activate HD renting later and this was just to rig iTunes for it.
Considering the iTunes store isn't very intuitive we'll probably never actually be able to find an HD rental.
You can say that again. It feels so un-Apple with so much crap all over the place. I only go there if I know exactly what I'm looking for.
"HD movies from the iTunes Store are designed exclusively for Apple TV and may not be transferred to iTunes"
Does anyone know the specs for watching an HD movie on a computer are? I can't find the information anywhere. I have a feeling that although my iMac G5 plays 720p QT movies perfectly well, Apple will have arteficially only allowed Intel Macs to play HD movies on iTunes.
System requirements are posted, and in the Read Me File:
Hardware:
? Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, G4, or G3 processor
?*Screen resolution of 1024x768 or greater.
?*Playing videos from the iTunes Store requires a Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5 or 1.0GHz PowerPC G4 or faster processor
?*Playing HD-quality videos from the iTunes Store requires a 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo or faster processor
? 512MB of RAM; 1GB is required to play HD-quality videos
? Playing videos also requires at least 16MB of video RAM
?*A broadband Internet connection to use the iTunes Store
? An Apple combo drive or SuperDrive to create audio, MP3, or back-up CDs; some non-Apple CD-RW recorders may also work.
?*An Apple SuperDrive to back up your library to DVDs; some non-Apple DVD-RW drives may also work.
Software:
?*Mac*OS*X version 10.4.10 or later
?*QuickTime 7.5.5 or later is required
?*200MB of available disk space
Did I imagine this?