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Tuesday, January 27, 2009, 09:00 am
Apple slowly bringing HD shows to iTunes UK
Folks in the United Kingdom are finally finding some HD content in their iTunes store, but so far the selection is very limited.They've been waiting since September when Apple chief executive Steve Jobs announced that HD TV shows were coming, only to find out later that the Brits would have to wait a bit longer.
As of press time, only ABC's hit series Lost is available in high definition, for £2.49 an episode (or £41.99 for the season pass), which is 17% premium compared to the standard $2.99 rates charged for HD downloads on the US version of the Apple digital download service.
On the series page for 24, which is still in standard definition, one reviewer rated the series one star and wrote, "iTunes UK are seriously misguided if they think the price here represents good value for money. It's considerably cheaper in the US and moreover they get it in HD."
Another wrote, "So our standard version is almost as much as the US HD version of the show (where is our HD version btw?)"
Meanwhile, popular BBC shows like Top Gear and are also still waiting for the HD treatment.
If readers from across the pond spot other shows being added in HD, please let us know in the forums.
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Previous Comments View All
Don't remember where I heard it or what it really meant but I thought someone said that iTunes HD wasn't true HD. Is it true and if so what does it mean?
Thanks
It's fairly unlikely that iTunes will get Dr Who in HD, given that the BBC makes it in SD.
Pushing Daisies? Did they miss that the show was CANCELLED?
Don't remember where I heard it or what it really meant but I thought someone said that iTunes HD wasn't true HD. Is it true and if so what does it mean?
Thanks
I believe it is 720p, which is one of a few HD formats, while there are higher resolution formats, it's still HD. There's no such thing as "true HD", the range of quality can vary quite a bit since there is no standard bit rate.
Folks in the United Kingdom are finally finding some HD content in their iTunes store, but so far the selection is very limited.
Before anybody else craps on Apple or Steve Jobs, it is the networks that make the decisions what gets hosted.
Apple cannot just unilaterally post content and that goes for music as well.
As a representative of "the rest of the world" I would just like to point out that I'm still waiting for any non-music (or iPhone Apps) content to be available on iTunes Store. I don't blame Apple for that, but I nevertheless think it is sad that EU regulators are so swift and interested in music and "Internet Explorer" but couldn't care less if their supposedly "unified EU market" doesn't work AT ALL as far as movies and video content in general are concerned.
Maybe in the next 10 years? Who knows...
/rant
I nevertheless think it is sad that EU regulators are so swift and interested in music and "Internet Explorer" but couldn't care less if their supposedly "unified EU market" doesn't work AT ALL as far as movies and video content in general are concerned.
Maybe in the next 10 years? Who knows...
/rant
Agreed. The only video content I can find on iTunes Belgium are video podcasts and Pixar shorts.
17% isn't what I'd call considerably more expensive and certaiy not a deal breaker if you were already willing to pay the equivelant of $1.99 USD.
I wish Tennant was staying on as The Doctor.
Top Gear is my favourite show on either side of the Pond. The US version starts this year with Adam Corolla taking the lead role as brash Jeremey Clarkson-type host.
Apple is probably just passing on the extra cost of doing business in the UK. It's not necessarily discrimination.
Nice to see it Finally arriving, not really supprised that it costs more, or that we don't have nearly as much content, Apple likes to charge non Americans a premium for less content.
It's just Apple's way.
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Didn't Mr. Jobs promised rental of movies by end of calender 2008? Goodbye promise... Im still waiting for it, till then I wont buy an Apple TV.