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Icaras

macrumors 603
Original poster
Mar 18, 2008
6,348
3,396
Straight from the Apple TV page:

With Apple TV, you get instant access to buy or rent the hottest HD movies — many in 1080p and often available the same day they come out on DVD

http://www.apple.com/appletv/whats-on/#itunes

Can anyone else confirm this?

Edit: I checked the page for Hugo and it reads 720p" (HD). I don't remember seeing them actually specifying resolution? Is this a new change in the iTunes store? I'm trying to scour the Movies section to see if any movie lists for 1080p.
 
1080p NOW available for movies and TV shows!

Just wanted to give a heads up. iTunes 10.6 now available adds 1080p support and you can now redownload all your existing content at 1080p from iCloud. But before you do, you have to go into the Store settings in the iTunes preferences and select 1080p. :D:D:D
 
Just wanted to give a heads up. iTunes 10.6 now available adds 1080p support and you can now redownload all your existing content at 1080p from iCloud. But before you do, you have to go into the Store settings in the iTunes preferences and select 1080p. :D:D:D

Be sure to let us know if the aTV (2nd gen) can handle a 1080p iTunes movie/show.

I wonder if you'd have the option to download all three versions of a purchased movie (480p/720p/1080p). In the future (near???), I'll be getting an aTV (3rd gen) and moving the 2nd gen to another room. If the 2nd gen units can't play 1080p content from iTunes, then I'd need the option of downloading all resolutions onto my iTunes server.
 
Be sure to let us know if the aTV (2nd gen) can handle a 1080p iTunes movie/show.

I wonder if you'd have the option to download all three versions of a purchased movie (480p/720p/1080p). In the future (near???), I'll be getting an aTV (3rd gen) and moving the 2nd gen to another room. If the 2nd gen units can't play 1080p content from iTunes, then I'd need the option of downloading all resolutions onto my iTunes server.

Yes, you can download the movie in all three flavors right now from iCloud with iTunes 10.6. Apple updated the movies section to include a "purchased" link for your previous purchases.

I'll check the 1080p playback on ATV2 when I get a chance.
 
Yes, you can download the movie in all three flavors right now from iCloud with iTunes 10.6. Apple updated the movies section to include a "purchased" link for your previous purchases.

I'll check the 1080p playback on ATV2 when I get a chance.

Thanks for the update.
 
Yes, you can download the movie in all three flavors right now from iCloud with iTunes 10.6. Apple updated the movies section to include a "purchased" link for your previous purchases.

I'll check the 1080p playback on ATV2 when I get a chance.

ATV2 can't do 1080p
 
ATV2 can't do 1080p

OK, I'm not talking about semantics on this one. The aTV2 can definately playback 1080p files. I've done it hundreds of times, although if the bitrates are high, the playback can be choppy.

My concern is/was this. If I go to iTunes right now and purchase an HD movie, will I get the 480, 720, and 1080 versions of the movie? If so, then it's no problem. If I only get the 480 and 1080 versions, will my aTV2 be able to playback the 1080p version, or would it play the 480p one?

So, the OP has already confirmed that for previously purchased movies, you get the option to download (re-download) all 3 versions. What's not been confirmed or addressed is whether new purchases will include 720p.

If 720p is not included AND the aTV2 cannot playback the iTunes1080p files, then we got a problem.

ft
 
This is strange..

I looked at a movie (Jack and Jill) Its 3.01GB at 720p and 3.5GB at 1080p

Looks like there is a lot of compression happening on the 1080p movie as it should be much more then 500mb bigger. I checked a few movies and the 1080p files are only marginally larger then their 720p counterparts. In theory a 1080p file has twice as much pixel content then a 720p file so should be significantly larger.

Kinda disappointing but will have to wait to see on the new AppleTV.

Mike
 
This is strange..

I looked at a movie (Jack and Jill) Its 3.01GB at 720p and 3.5GB at 1080p

Looks like there is a lot of compression happening on the 1080p movie as it should be much more then 500mb bigger. I checked a few movies and the 1080p files are only marginally larger then their 720p counterparts. In theory a 1080p file has twice as much pixel content then a 720p file so should be significantly larger.

Kinda disappointing but will have to wait to see on the new AppleTV.

Mike

Yes I just noticed this too. Really small file sizes for 1080p...
 
OK, I'm not talking about semantics on this one. The aTV2 can definately playback 1080p files. I've done it hundreds of times, although if the bitrates are high, the playback can be choppy.

ft

You had never played 1080P on the ATV2, it can't, if you have a 1080p source and you played on your ATV it was transcoded down to 720.
 
This is strange..

I looked at a movie (Jack and Jill) Its 3.01GB at 720p and 3.5GB at 1080p

Looks like there is a lot of compression happening on the 1080p movie as it should be much more then 500mb bigger. I checked a few movies and the 1080p files are only marginally larger then their 720p counterparts. In theory a 1080p file has twice as much pixel content then a 720p file so should be significantly larger.

Kinda disappointing but will have to wait to see on the new AppleTV.

Mike

I noticed this as well, but then I realized that the 720p versions have to support the 1st gen Apple TV. The 1080p content requires the 3rd gen, which should allow more advanced settings when encoding, so maybe it will retain quality at lower bit rates?
 
I am downloading 1080p right now! Awesome stuff! Was so happy they are giving it to us as a free upgrade!!
 
You had never played 1080P on the ATV2, it can't, if you have a 1080p source and you played on your ATV it was transcoded down to 720.
Look man, go back and read what I posted. I know the aTV2 can't output 1080p. But it can definately playback a 1080p file. I've done it hundreds of times.

I'm talking about 1080p FILES!!!!!!!

OK, I'm calm again. I'm just looking to see if the aTV2 can playback a 1080p movie file bought from iTunes. Because if movie purchases (from today on) only include the 480 and 1080 files, and the aTV2 can't play the 1080p files, then there'll be a lot of pissed off people.
 
Look man, go back and read what I posted. I know the aTV2 can't output 1080p. But it can definately playback a 1080p file. I've done it hundreds of times.

I'm talking about 1080p FILES!!!!!!!

OK, I'm calm again. I'm just looking to see if the aTV2 can playback a 1080p movie file bought from iTunes. Because if movie purchases (from today on) only include the 480 and 1080 files, and the aTV2 can't play the 1080p files, then there'll be a lot of pissed off people.

I'm a bit confused. I don't have any 1080p content, but I do have ATV 2. So if my files from iTunes is 1080p, my ATV2 should be able to play it at 720p on the fly without the need for me to use Handbrake or similar software to transcode it to 720p?
 
Look man, go back and read what I posted. I know the aTV2 can't output 1080p. But it can definately playback a 1080p file. I've done it hundreds of times.

I'm talking about 1080p FILES!!!!!!!

OK, I'm calm again. I'm just looking to see if the aTV2 can playback a 1080p movie file bought from iTunes. Because if movie purchases (from today on) only include the 480 and 1080 files, and the aTV2 can't play the 1080p files, then there'll be a lot of pissed off people.

Look man!...LOL i like it

that's the thing...PLAY =/ Transcode... the ATV2 CANNOT play 1080p ....

Chill do..i wasn't trying to sound like a D... I did a quick reply because i was watching another video!
 
I'm a bit confused. I don't have any 1080p content, but I do have ATV 2. So if my files from iTunes is 1080p, my ATV2 should be able to play it at 720p on the fly without the need for me to use Handbrake or similar software to transcode it to 720p?
That's the $64,000 question.

Here are the facts about aTV2 and 1080p.

1. The aTV2 can playback 1080p files without the need for converting. It will output at 720p.

2. If the 1080p file's bitrate is too high, around 7Mbps or so, the playback gets choppy.

So if you have some 1080p files that have specs that are otherwise compatible with iTunes/Apple TV, then it'll playback without the need to convert it.
 
That's the $64,000 question.

Here are the facts about aTV2 and 1080p.

1. The aTV2 can playback 1080p files without the need for converting. It will output at 720p.

2. If the 1080p file's bitrate is too high, around 7Mbps or so, the playback gets choppy.

So if you have some 1080p files that have specs that are otherwise compatible with iTunes/Apple TV, then it'll playback without the need to convert it.

Thats good news. I didn't want to have to re-download iTunes movies at 1080p and keep the 720p files. I know drives are cheap but its seems like a waste of space and would add confusion to family members.

I still plan on upgrading to the New ATV in the near future.

Thanks for clearing that up.
 
that's the thing...PLAY =/ Transcode... the ATV2 CANNOT play 1080p ....

That's why I posted that I wasn't getting into semantics. Who really cares whether the aTV2 can playback a 1080p file natively or it does so by transcoding? It doesn't matter because it's just semantics.

What does matter is whether you need to keep 2 HD versions of a movie on your iTunes library. What does matter is whether Apple will continue to provide 720p files for movies and TV shows.

There, now you've done it. I've gotten my dander up again. And now I have to go into rush hour traffic. Damn! Serenity now. ;)

ft

----------

Thats good news. I didn't want to have to re-download iTunes movies at 1080p and keep the 720p files. I know drives are cheap but its seems like a waste of space and would add confusion to family members.

I still plan on upgrading to the New ATV in the near future.

Thanks for clearing that up.

kagharaht,

I think I confused you further. I apologize. That was not my intention.

Right now, it's unknown whether the aTV2 can playback a 1080p bought from iTunes. The OP said he would check when he got a chance.

What I was referring to is that the aTV2 can playback/transcode a 1080p file (with some dropout). I don't know if Apple put in limitations on their 1080p files.

Just wait a bit for confirmation before you go deleting your 720p files.
 
That's why I posted that I wasn't getting into semantics. Who really cares whether the aTV2 can playback a 1080p file natively or it does so by transcoding? It doesn't matter because it's just semantics.

What does matter is whether you need to keep 2 HD versions of a movie on your iTunes library. What does matter is whether Apple will continue to provide 720p files for movies and TV shows.

There, now you've done it. I've gotten my dander up again. And now I have to go into rush hour traffic. Damn! Serenity now. ;)

ft

----------



kagharaht,

I think I confused you further. I apologize. That was not my intention.

Right now, it's unknown whether the aTV2 can playback a 1080p bought from iTunes. The OP said he would check when he got a chance.

What I was referring to is that the aTV2 can playback/transcode a 1080p file (with some dropout). I don't know if Apple put in limitations on their 1080p files.

Just wait a bit for confirmation before you go deleting your 720p files.

Good point. Thank you again.
 
btw, do you know if we're gonna be able to play iTunes extras and LP on this new Apple TV or even with this new Apple TV 5.0 update on our 2nd gen?
 
That's the $64,000 question.

Here are the facts about aTV2 and 1080p.

1. The aTV2 can playback 1080p files without the need for converting. It will output at 720p.

2. If the 1080p file's bitrate is too high, around 7Mbps or so, the playback gets choppy.

So if you have some 1080p files that have specs that are otherwise compatible with iTunes/Apple TV, then it'll playback without the need to convert it.

I'm guessing that feeding an ATV1 a 1080p file will cause it to melt. Before I acquire a "3" and start transcoding at 1080p, I'm going to have to wait for Subler to add the 3rd resolution option. No biggie - Benjamin stays in my wallet for a little longer.
 
That's why I posted that I wasn't getting into semantics. Who really cares whether the aTV2 can playback a 1080p file natively or it does so by transcoding? It doesn't matter because it's just semantics.

What does matter is whether you need to keep 2 HD versions of a movie on your iTunes library. What does matter is whether Apple will continue to provide 720p files for movies and TV shows.

There, now you've done it. I've gotten my dander up again. And now I have to go into rush hour traffic. Damn! Serenity now. ;)

ft

----------



kagharaht,

I think I confused you further. I apologize. That was not my intention.

Right now, it's unknown whether the aTV2 can playback a 1080p bought from iTunes. The OP said he would check when he got a chance.

What I was referring to is that the aTV2 can playback/transcode a 1080p file (with some dropout). I don't know if Apple put in limitations on their 1080p files.

Just wait a bit for confirmation before you go deleting your 720p files.

Yea, just tried playing the movie UP, which I redownloaded in 1080p, on my ATV2...Its plays just fine.. but still showing at 720p. By the way, I had trashed the 720p copy first before redownloading so its streaming the 1080p file to my ATV2.
 
Yea, just tried playing the movie UP, which I redownloaded in 1080p, on my ATV2...Its plays just fine.. but still showing at 720p. By the way, I had trashed the 720p copy first before redownloading so its streaming the 1080p file to my ATV2.

Interesting news indeed!
 
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