iTunes rentals?

[DannyNguyener]

Do they stream movie rentals like the Xbox 360/netflix or do you have to download the whole movie before viewing?

If so how does iTunes compete with hulu or netflix on the iPad? What advantages does iTunes bring?

 

[R94N]

Do they stream movie rentals like the Xbox 360/netflix or do you have to download the whole movie before viewing?

I think you rent the film, it downloads the whole thing and then you watch it after.

If so how does iTunes compete with hulu or netflix on the iPad? What advantages does iTunes bring?

Well, iTunes has quite a good selection of films although we don't have either of those services in the UK so I've never used them.

 

[nixiemaiden]

Do they stream movie rentals like the Xbox 360/netflix or do you have to download the whole movie before viewing?

If so how does iTunes compete with hulu or netflix on the iPad? What advantages does iTunes bring?

I think with iTunes it generally downloads the movies before you watch it, although you can watch it while it is downloading (at least on the computer you can. not sure about on the ipad) The movies are a higher quality as well. Also iTunes has more new releases available where on Netflix the only movies you can stream are generally older movies.

I can't speak for hulu but netflix is pretty good. The movies aren't as high quality as the ones from iTunes and every once in a while, it will freeze up since it is just streaming and not really downloading. However, the cheapest netflix plan is only $9 a month.

Personally I subscribe to Netflix because they have a very good selection of movies and tv shows...however if there is a movie that just came out that you really want to see...it is going to be a few months before it goes to Netflix if it does at all...so in that case you might want to rent from iTunes.

Basically to sum it up both Netflix and iTunes are awesome. Netflix is cheaper but has a smaller selection. iTunes is more expensive but has a huge selection. Netflix movies you can stream as many times as you want as long as they are available for streaming. iTunes movies (rentals) can only be watched for 24 hours after you start watching it.

 

[jon86]

I don't know about iTunes USA but iTunes UK gives you 48 hours to watch film rentals.

 

[pelicanflip]

Renting movies on the iPad does not allow you to watch as you download. You must download the entire movie first.

iTunes doesn't have a subscription service like Netflix does; it is on a movie-by-movie basis, you download whatever movie/tv show that you want for rental/purchase.

Netflix on the other hand allows for a wider variety of selection at the same time, albeit at lower quality of movies and newer movies take a while to get to Netflix.


Pick and choose whichever you're more comfortable with. At least Netflix allows you to have a free trial, so you can see if you like it.

 

[andiwm2003]

if you want to watch movies on a plane or while traveling, commuting, in class, at work or such then you have to use iTunes because you need to download first. If you have high speed internet then Netflix is an option. I don't subscribe to netflix because i prefer the flexibility of just renting a movie when I want to over a fixed two movies per week subscription. Also I prefer downloading. iTunes movie selection is rather small. The new successful movies are in there however most of the time you can rent them at Blockbusters as DVD weeks before. Also less mainstream movies are often not in itunes or only for purchase, not for rent.