Reminder: Apple says it's only streaming 4K iTunes movies, not offering downloads

People wanting to upgrade their desktop iTunes movie purchases to 4K are out of luck — Apple is only streaming video in that resolution, not offering downloads, according to an official support document.

"You can download a local copy of an HD movie, and you might be able to download HDR and Dolby Vision versions, but you can't download a 4K version," Apple says. The same webpage recommends at least 25 megabits per second of bandwidth for 4K streaming, and notes that falling below this may automatically switch users to 1080p or lower.

It's possible to stream locally-imported 4K video from one Mac to another via iTunes, AppleInsider can confirm if properly encoded with a tool like Handbrake. So, the Apple TV and iTunes itself is capable of performing the feat.

The situation is likely because of deals negotiated with most major Hollywood studios, which mean that people buying iTunes titles get 4K on the Apple TV at no extra cost. Limiting the extra resolution to streaming could be a way of deterring piracy, and/or keeping Blu-ray disc sales alive.

Additionally, the Apple TV won't stream YouTube videos in 4K, and is currently missing support for Dolby Atmos surround sound, though that is said to be arriving at some point later in a software update.

51 Comments

staticx57 405 comments · 10 Years

About 7 years ago

This is a genius move by Apple. Because Mac sales won’t suffer over not having this all this will do is bolster sales for the new Apple TV.

lkrupp 10521 comments · 19 Years

AppleInsider said:

The situation could be a result of deals negotiated with most major Hollywood studios, which mean that people buying iTunes titles get 4K on the Apple TV at no extra cost. Limiting the extra resolution to streaming could be a way of deterring piracy, and/or keeping Blu-ray disc sales alive.

Use your heads people, think before jumping to conclusions. The above paragraph is the most likely correct scenario.

king editor the grate 662 comments · 15 Years

That kind of sucks. I have a fairly robust tube to teh Interwebs, but it would be much handier to download to my late 2006 iMac (now featuring 2TB drive!), especially since Apple TV's buffering is fairly egregious.

hmurchison 11823 comments · 23 Years

So we "sort of" get an upgrade to 4K. Streaming only sounds nice but I've already exceeded my Comcast Terabyte cap like 4 times. 4K isn't going to make this cap any harder to hit.

Also it's not the most carbon friendly approach. Content Distribution Networks are fueled by datacenters which are often "fueled" by energy sources that aren't so clean. I'm a bit dismayed that a company that prides itself on not using non-recyclable materials is promoting a carbon unfriendly approach to video video disty.

I'm going to pick up a Nvidia Shield TV and see how that works along with a ATV 4K. I'm feeling too constrained with streamers and this "Just stream everything" when my fastest network at home is my LAN.

sflocal 6133 comments · 16 Years

hmurchison said:

So we "sort of" get an upgrade to 4K. Streaming only sounds nice but I've already exceeded my Comcast Terabyte cap like 4 times. 4K isn't going to make this cap any harder to hit.

Also it's not the most carbon friendly approach. Content Distribution Networks are fueled by datacenters which are often "fueled" by energy sources that aren't so clean. I'm a bit dismayed that a company that prides itself on not using non-recyclable materials is promoting a carbon unfriendly approach to video video disty.

I'm going to pick up a Nvidia Shield TV and see how that works along with a ATV 4K. I'm feeling too constrained with streamers and this "Just stream everything" when my fastest network at home is my LAN.

So people buy the movie on DVD, and now that it's out on Blue-Ray, they magically expect the studios to give it to them for free? There is nothing to read here.

I'm not sure I buy the carbon footprint here... it's much less than the old days of stamping-out a billion DVD's on plastic, and VHS videotapes back in the day. You're watching the 4K movie either on your TV, or computer, or both... so you're burning electricity either way, and the datacenter still remain on and running whether people stream movies or not.