Apple launches iTunes movie downloads in the UK
We’ve been twiddling our fingers for the best part of two years, waiting for the day Apple would bless UK consumers with its movie download service. That day has finally arrived.
You can either buy movies (£6.99 for older titles and £10.99 for newer releases) or rent them (£2.49 for old films, £3.49 for standard definition new releases and £4.49 for high-definition versions).
HD rentals are in 720P and all boast Dolby Digital surround sound. Standard definition downloads are 480P with Dolby Pro Logic soundtracks.
Once you’ve rented a film, you have 30 days to start watching. Once started, you’ve got 48 hours to finish or you can watch the film multiple times until the rental expires.
The good news is that you can transfer the films to all manner of iPods, including the Classic, nano with video, Touch and iPhone. The films contain a special code that knows when your time’s up and it disappears from your library.
If you want to watch HD downloads on your flatscreen TV you’ll need Apple TV.
There are currently 700+ films to choose from, including over 100 HD flicks. You can now download blockbuster titles such as Batman Begins, I Am Legend, and Police Academy 3 at the touch of a button.
However, after having a quick snoop on the iTunes store it seems quite hit and miss with regards availability. Some films are only available to rent, some are only available to buy.
To get started, you’ll need the latest version of iTunes (7.6.2), which you can download at www.apple.com/uk/itunes.
Technorati Tags: Apple, Apple TV, download, iTunes, movie downloads
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I have this afternoon downloaded a rental (Anastasia for my son to watch in car) thinking with the info presented at the time of purchase that it could be viewed for thirty days. Now i finds it only 48 hrs from initial viewing. What a rip off. Very disapointed.
not too bad i think, although ill probably wait for sony to release something similar for the ps3 so i dont have to splurge out on a 270 apple tv.
I don't think this 30 days business will work out either - who isn't going to, you know, try out the file once it's downloaded to make sure it works? at that point, presumably, the clock starts ticking.....
Kaotician, The seconed you start to watch any rental you get 48 hours to complete your viewing not 30 days.
Yeah, I know. That's what I meant. Although you've got 30 days to begin viewing the film, and 48 hours thereafter to complete viewing it, in practice I reckon that effectively it'll just be the 48hrs you get, since I believe at least that most people will be tempted to play the download for a minute or two, just to be sure it's there, once they've finished downloading it..
I'll stick with Lovefilm rentals - i've got as long as I like to watch the discs, and even if I only watch one Blu-ray film a week, that's £2.50 per movie, complete with full 1080p picture and HD Audio.
Hi Clare,
Thanks for the note about it not being a typo.
Looks to me like Apple is experimenting with different viewing time/price points before deciding to roll this out to more countries. US is cheaper but only has a 24 hour viewing window for the film (once you start watching). Surprise surprise, the UK gets the more expensive version of the experiment!
I think the spontaneity of watching a film moments after deciding I want to see it really appeals to me, and I know apple will deliver a very nice "experience" in which to make my viewing decision. I'm just balking a bit at the cost of rentals and the Apple TV unit itself (I don't want to put the iMac into the lounge). I only have a 37-PX70 so the extra resolution of 1080p that blu-ray provides will be wasted on me anyway.
Please Apple, think again about the pricing!
Its not a rip off at all.
With an Apple TV you can watch a show like LOST (a day after its first broadcast) without paying a subsription for Sky.
And now you can rent a movie in HD without paying for a Blu-Ray player.
And its the best way to watch digital photos that I have so far come across.
The only reason its cheaper in the US is because the exchange rate is wrong.
Great idea - wrong pricing! Many of the older films can be bought on DVD in bargain buckets for only a few pounds and you can watch them anywhere, anytime. Downloads is the way to go, but the costs are way out of proportion for what you're getting (HD or not). Virgin on Demand provides movies at £3.50 (SD) and around £4.50 (HD) and you can watch it on your flatscreen. Also, it's the usual UK paying more than the US scenario.
can you download them direct to your ipod touch? as that would be nice... save time transferring them.
Hopefully this is just the tip of the iceberg and the availability will improve quickly in the coming months. If watching HD films through Apple TV (wireless?) does anyone know of any problems with the picture quality on screen?
I for one won't be using this service... If I am paying £11 for a movie, I think I'll get a disc, some extras and be able to keep it forever... well, until the next format comes out!
From what I understand, the quality of the downloads is not comparable to Blu Ray and there is no HD sound.
Add in the file size and me only being able to get up to 4.5 meg connection, time won't be on my side...
Fair play to those who wanted this but I'll stick to I-Tunes plus for my music thank you...
Mat
Not only are the movies more expensive, but the required Apple TV is also more expensive over here.
£269 minus vat converted to dollars (at 1.
is $412. In the US, $329!!
All you gain is the convenience of not having to go to a shop really!
If the prices were more inline with the US, I would cancel the sky movies subscription, but at these prices, I am struggling to justify it.
Actrually, is 48hours to watch it a typo? I'm sure its only a 24 hour download in the US.....
Look at the watch section in the link below to the US apple TV web site.....
www.apple.com/.../rentals.html
Damn! What a rip-off. Hope no one uses the service and Apple and the studios get the message.
AppleTV isn't shifting in the numbers originally anticipated partly because the price is unrealistic (as was the 40gb hard drive). This was a chance to shift units by offering movies at a price that made the hardware tempting. Obviously not.
Dr Mcr - if 48 hours is a typo, it's an Apple typo, not ours: that's clearly what it says on the release they sent us.
Frustratingly, trying to find confirmation on the iTunes Store itself (pre-purchase) is not easy!
We will, of course, be downloading some films and reporting back...
I've just spoken to Apple and they've confirmed that it is 48hours...