The More You Know: Movie Rental Video Formats

Posted December 10th, 2008 in Movies, News by Eddie V.

Show of hands, how many Apple TV users knew that Standard Definition rentals from the Apple TV were a higher resolution then the Standard Definition rentals from iTunes off your computer? Thats right, the resolution of SD rentals on the Apple TV are 720 x up to 480 pixels, where as the resolution of a SD rental from your computer through the iTunes Store is 640 x up to 480.

How many people knew that rentals from Apple TV are not transferable to any other device and that you must watch the movie rental on your Apple TV?

Below are the specs for movie rentals from the Apple TV. This comes directly the Apple Support page on movie rental video formats.

• Widescreen Apple TV format
Resolution: 720 x up to 480 pixels (Movies are encoded anamorphically to increase the quality of the picture)
Audio: Stereo (some include Dolby Pro-Logic II Surround)

• Many movies are available in HD (High Definition)
Resolution: 1280 x up to 720 pixels
Audio: Dolby Digital Surround 5.1 and stereo (some include Dolby Pro-Logic II Surround)

Remember, this is for rentals only, SD Purchase Titles are 640 x up to 480 only. This is to insure that purchase titles are playable on the iPod Classic, Nano, Touch and iPhone.

CalebC

Before you rent a standard def title from your Apple TV it warns you whether it will be playable on your iPod, iPhone, etc…

My experience is that some are and some are not. I have absolutely watched movies I’ve rented on the Apple TV on my iPhone.
Eddie V.

I suppose there are always exceptions to the rule. Apple is adding 5.1 Surround Sound to SD titles now also. Well at least one title.

I guess it makes sense that not all of the SD content was converted over to this higher resolution when all of the iTunes content became available to Apple TV.

I guess the rule of thumb is your mileage may vary, read before you click OK.
Bill G.

I recently rented a movie from iTunes and then transferred to my AppleTV – the quality seemed worse than other SD movies I’ve rented. This was the first time I didn’t rent directly from the Apple TV. It could have just been a bad example.
YodaMac

Actually, you are proving his point. The SD movies you rented on the AppleTV looked better than the SD movie you rented through iTunes and then played on your AppleTV. That’s the way it works.

Apple either needs to improve the resolution of iPod/iPhone screens or provide an automatic (and free) “mobile” copy alongside the SD purchase – just like they provide a SD copy with your HD download. (for TV purchases)
Tom

I don’t own an Apple TV and I’ve definitely rented SD movies that were wider than 720 px. Recently I rented Good Night, and Good Luck in 720×480. Apparently this really depends on the movie.

The More You Know: Movie Rental Video Formats

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