What Happened To Renting Films In HD On The iTunes Store?

Posted April 6th, 2009 in Editorial, News by Eddie V.

Update 2 – So much for HD rentals, it looks like we’re still waiting.

Update – Apple today released an update to iTunes, 8.1.1, which enables HD movie rentals.

As the original press release says, “Starting today, movie fans can purchase box office blockbusters for download in HD for $19.99 from iTunes, and films will be available as iTunes Movie Rentals in HD for $4.99 within 30 days after release”, but has anyone even noticed that the HD rentals through the iTunes Store are no where to be found? Other then the original press release, I can find no mention of iTunes Store HD rentals anywhere, not even the iTunes feature page on Apple’s website. Any mention of renting in HD is through the Apple TV.

My ultimate questions would be, does anyone even care about HD Rentals through the iTunes Store? I know I don’t. I own an Apple TV, so thats where my HD Rentals happen. I would think users who use MacMini’s or Apple laptops as media centers might. It seems as though most of the attention was paid to HD purchases titles anyway. Looking through various iTunes forums, I see no real discussions happening.

So as Apple media consumers, I want to know, do you even care? Do you want your HD Rentals through the iTunes Store?

http://eric.abando.com eabando

Seems like there would be an issue trying to transfer an HD rental version to an iPod or iPhone. I assume when you purchase an HD movie, like an HD TV Show, you get the SD version as well. But how would that work for a HD rental?
Andrew

I care about HD rentals in the iTunes store. I have a Mac Mini vice Apple TV.
Bill G.

Eddie,

I think this is a useful extension to the iTunes store and I don’t see why it just can’t happen. @Andrew’s example of using a Mac Mini is a good case for it.

BilG
Captain Canuck

I can see why non-Apple TV users would want HD rentals, especially with the ability to video output from Macbooks and Minis. I personally agree with Eddie: I don’t care especially since I have an Apple TV. But I think the reason why nobody really cares is because nobody is interested in HD movies on their… Macbooks/Minis.

@eabando – As it is, you cannot transfer rentals between mediums. So it doesn’t matter if the movies are HD or not; rented movies cannot be transferred anyway.
http://www.digitalconversions.com.au Greg

I watch HD from my MBP. I always bought the HD version of Battlestar instead of the SD version – it does depend on wha tshow I’m watching though. When visiting my parents I always rent the HD version of a movie instead of the SD version.

I would rather rent the HD version of a movie than the SD version. on my MBP.
Dex

Slightly off-topic, but I refuse to buy HD movies on @tv until I can transfer them to my mac. Hopefully adding HD movie purchases to the Itunes store is a step in this direction.
http://www.nlpt.com.au Greg

Dex – until recently you couldn’t buy HD movies at all. Now there seems to be at least 1… but not many… which is the point of this article in part.

For the very few HD movies you can buy, you can transfer it from ATV to your Mac, or buy it directly on iTunes.

So I’m not sure what you’re really saying.
YodaMac

Interesting move. Clearly a change. Perhaps since you can now move (purchased) HD movies off the AppleTV and onto your computer it no longer matters.

Has anyone tried to move an HD rental from their AppleTV to their Mac since the change? I wonder if you can do that now…

anyone?…
http://www.nlpt.com.au Greg Alexander

I would try moving a rental, but the only HD rental available on iTunes was of no interest to me… and I presume the only rentals that will be able to be moved are ones permitted on our computers. I will test that tonight though with a regular HD rental.
Shon

I care a great deal about HD rentals. It’s the only reason that I bought Apple TV, really. I don’t care about paying a dollar more for them,but I sure wish they had the HD equivalent on most all of the movies that they rent. I agree that it would be nice that they set a policy and stick to it so we know. I do appreciate, however, that they do post when it will be available for rent.
http://www.hamiltonislandresort.com.au Greg

You can’t move a regular HD rental from the AppleTV back to iTunes.

Have you noticed that both iTunes and AppleTV now have a big icon for “HD Movies” which links to HD movies for sale? On the AppleTV, many movies have options now to rent or buy in SD or HD – but on iTunes it’s rent or buy in SD, buy in HD (not rent in HD).
JL229

HD Rentals are now available through iTunes to watch on your computer! Very limited selection so far. Probably just starting to roll it out.

Check out the Casino Royale and Twilight pages where a “Rent HD Movie” button has been added.
http://www.appletvjunkie.com Eddie V.

Thanks for the heads up!
Eric Wells

As an experiment I rented Quantum of Solace SD thru iTunes and successfully transferred it to iTouch. Then rented Casino Royale HD last night and can not get it to transfer to the iTouch. During the purchase process it specifically stated that my HD purchase included an SD version for transfer to iPod, but I can not find it.

What Happened To Renting Films In HD On The iTunes Store?

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