Katie MarsalOnce only available through the Apple TV, HD movies can now be purchased or rented directly through iTunes on Macs and PCs.
As with TV shows, each HD copy also comes with a standard-definition version of the movie that can be transferred to an iPhone or iPod, neither of which yet supports HD. The initial lineup of HD rentals includes pre-orders for the Bond movie Quantum of Solace as well as Twilight and is focusing on new releases.
An HD Movies page is currently highlighting those titles that are already available at the increased resolution. Using the feature requires iTunes 8.1 or higher and a Mac or Windows PC capable of smoothly playing HD movies.
The shift signals a reduced dependence on the Apple TV as a driver for Apple's HD efforts. When given its well-known Take 2 firmware upgrade in early 2008, the device was at the time the only location for any non-podcast HD content from Apple until TV shows were made available in September.
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84 Comments
Finally! I've been wanting to buy HD movies since they were first available to rent. I didn't think, with their push on Blu-Ray, that the studios would ever allow it.
It's also nice to be able to get HD movies for my MacBook Pro!
Now the big question if we already own the standard definition of a movie purchased from iTunes will we get a option to upgrade to the HD version at a reduced price?
No 1080p?
Yawn.
No 1080p?
Yawn.
Seriously, keep dreaming.
And... you're not gonna see (legal) downloadable 1080p on a wide-scale anytime soon.
w00master
Seriously, keep dreaming.
And... you're not gonna see (legal) downloadable 1080p on a wide-scale anytime soon.
w00master
That was my point.