No New HD Movie Downloads

[kjp]

I own an Apple TV and a brand new Panasonic TC-P42S1 plasma tv. I am not interested in ripping blu-rays to get HD content on my Apple TV, and was pleasantly surprised when Apple announced that you could purchase HD movies. However, the selection is poor (the Midnight Meat Train, Saw V, Stargate: Continuum...COME ON) and they haven't released any new HD movies since March. I was hoping Apple would release the Wrestler and Slumdog Millionaire in HD, but they haven't - not even to rent in HD.

This brings me to my question. Does anyone know why Apple hasn't released any new HD movies? Is it because they are only allowing HD downloads to test the market on a temporary basis? I would love some insight into this.

 

[mohanman]

I own an Apple TV and a brand new Panasonic TC-P42S1 plasma tv. I am not interested in ripping blu-rays to get HD content on my Apple TV, and was pleasantly surprised when Apple announced that you could purchase HD movies. However, the selection is poor (the Midnight Meat Train, Saw V, Stargate: Continuum...COME ON) and they haven't released any new HD movies since March. I was hoping Apple would release the Wrestler and Slumdog Millionaire in HD, but they haven't - not even to rent in HD.

This brings me to my question. Does anyone know why Apple hasn't released any new HD movies? Is it because they are only allowing HD downloads to test the market on a temporary basis? I would love some insight into this.

Who knows.. I am hoping, and this is a probably the longest shot, that apple realizes there is a market for HD movies, and have held releasing more so that they can make a new appletv with 1080p support.

I HOPE!!!!!!!! COME ON APPLE!

Mo

 

[Kardashian]

Apple don't make the movies, the studios do.

More movies = more money for Apple.

They'd have no reason not to do it, its the studio's holding back. Maybe they find BR more profitable or want to wait until it takes off in more locations before spreading into Digital downloads.

 

[NightStorm]

I'm pretty sure the problem is that Apple has an agreement to sell HD from a few of the studios... once they other agreements in place, I'm sure they will come quicker, as they already have them encoded for the rental store.

 

[Kardashian]

I'm pretty sure the problem is that Apple has an agreement to sell HD from a few of the studios... once they other agreements in place, I'm sure they will come quicker, as they already have them encoded for the rental store.

So the ball is in the studios' court, like I said.

 

[Undecided]

I own an Apple TV and a brand new Panasonic TC-P42S1 plasma tv. I am not interested in ripping blu-rays to get HD content on my Apple TV, and was pleasantly surprised when Apple announced that you could purchase HD movies. However, the selection is poor (the Midnight Meat Train, Saw V, Stargate: Continuum...COME ON) and they haven't released any new HD movies since March. I was hoping Apple would release the Wrestler and Slumdog Millionaire in HD, but they haven't - not even to rent in HD.

This brings me to my question. Does anyone know why Apple hasn't released any new HD movies? Is it because they are only allowing HD downloads to test the market on a temporary basis? I would love some insight into this.

Wait a sec....I just looked and Slumdog is available for rent (on the ATV). In fact, so is the Wrestler. Both in HD. Am I missing something?

 

[BG-Mac]

Add me to the list of wanting more HD Movie Downloads. What would really get me excited is an announcement for "HD Upgrades." Much like upgrading to iTunes Plus but for TV Shows & Movies...

 

[BG-Mac]

Wait a sec....I just looked and Slumdog is available for rent (on the ATV). In fact, so is the Wrestler. Both in HD. Am I missing something?

We're talking about HD Movies FOR SALE not FOR RENT.

 

[kjp]

Wait a sec....I just looked and Slumdog is available for rent (on the ATV). In fact, so is the Wrestler. Both in HD. Am I missing something?

You are correct. They can be rented in HD. When I looked yesterday, I looked on my computer, and didn't notice the line at the bottom that reads "Also available in HD on Apple TV."

Regardless, if they can be rented in HD, they should be sold in HD. I don't buy the bit that the movie companies are responsible for this. Vudu has 50 movies for sale in HD, while iTunes only has 25, and they are different movies. Ergo, I don't believe that it is the movie companies that are holding back HD downloads. They already allow them to be rented in HD, anyway.

 

[Cave Man]

I don't buy the bit that the movie companies are responsible for this. Vudu has 50 movies for sale in HD, while iTunes only has 25, and they are different movies. Ergo, I don't believe that it is the movie companies that are holding back HD downloads. They already allow them to be rented in HD, anyway.

But Vudu doesn't have the studios by the cajones like Apple does.

 

[BG-Mac]

Ughh...

Each morning I check the iTunes store hoping to see some more HD movies added. But day after day I'm disappointed. Come on Apple/Studios/whoever else is holding this process up! I need my HD fix!

 

[hexonxonx]

All they ever do is rearrange them so they appear to have changed. They did remove a few movies about a month or two ago. The Lucky Ones was one that was gone after just a few weeks.

 

[GottaLoveApple4]

It has to be the studios...

Anyone notice that all the movies available to buy are from lionsgate and mgm (yea summit too...ehh) only?? That makes me believe that they are the only studios allowing this... I'm sure if they were goin to have all the HD movies available for rent, for purchase as well, it would have been immediately because we know apple likes to roll things out all at once (mostly on the iTunes store at least). I just think the studios better get their asses together and allow more for purchase!! They are the ones losing money!

I want more HD!!

 

[Hot Snowboarder]

...We still don't have HD movies or TV shows to download from the store in Australia.

Kinda sucks.

 

[refulgentis]

Anyone notice that all the movies available to buy are from lionsgate and mgm (yea summit too...ehh) only?? That makes me believe that they are the only studios allowing this... I'm sure if they were goin to have all the HD movies available for rent, for purchase as well, it would have been immediately because we know apple likes to roll things out all at once (mostly on the iTunes store at least). I just think the studios better get their asses together and allow more for purchase!! They are the ones losing money!

I want more HD!!

Of course it is.
kjp doesn't know what he's talking about.

There's clearly *no* incentive or reason for Apple to be hanging back, and the trade press clearly indicates the movie companies aren't too interested in playing ball with Apple, because Apple has the music companies in a bind and they bitch and moan about it. There has credible article upon credible article about this since the *video iPod* came out.

It's absolutely insane to claim Apple is intentionally holding back more content from being on the store.

 

[mohanman]

Of course it is.
kjp doesn't know what he's talking about.

There's clearly *no* incentive or reason for Apple to be hanging back, and the trade press clearly indicates the movie companies aren't too interested in playing ball with Apple, because Apple has the music companies in a bind and they bitch and moan about it. There has credible article upon credible article about this since the *video iPod* came out.

It's absolutely insane to claim Apple is intentionally holding back more content from being on the store.

I'm just hoping that all this holding back is becase of appletv 2!!!
please!

Mo

 

[iOrlando]

it all has to do with the movie companies.

They have the weirdest time-lines.

For example, a movie use to do:
1) theater then,
2) pay per view + rental at a blockbuster (or 1990s circa movie rental store) then,
3) available to purchase
wait a few months then:
4) HBO and other premium channels
wait a few years then:
5) TV

Whole cycle would take years to complete, although steps 1 - 3 usually will occur pretty quick.

Apple use to be included in the very beginning of Step 2.


Currently, steps 2 and 3 are all mixed up and apple tv sits on different spots of those steps depending on which movie company you are dealing with. Some movies (Transformers) apple doesn't even have. But i have found that movie companies have been quicker to get movies available for purchase and pay per view but not on available on apple tv.

many movies now will become available for rent and purchase at the same time, but they wont show up on apple tv for weeks afterwards. The reasoning is complicated and is documented in many spots online. Ultimately, just has to do with money.


but i have to admit...dont you miss going to your local movie store...going to the just released section and getting disappointed that there are no more VHS tapes behind the movie box you really wanted to see (which meant they were all sold out for the time being). So you drove to other movie places to get it. Are movie stores still in existence? Haven't been to one in about 7 years.

 

[BG-Mac]

I'm just hoping that all this holding back is becase of appletv 2!!!
please!

Mo

+1 I'm ready for an ATV update!

 

[Tilpots]

It's absolutely insane to claim Apple is intentionally holding back more content from being on the store.

Right. Apple never holds anything back.


I just hope it's for the AppleTV update, too...

 

[kjp]

Of course it is.
kjp doesn't know what he's talking about.

There's clearly *no* incentive or reason for Apple to be hanging back, and the trade press clearly indicates the movie companies aren't too interested in playing ball with Apple, because Apple has the music companies in a bind and they bitch and moan about it. There has credible article upon credible article about this since the *video iPod* came out.

It's absolutely insane to claim Apple is intentionally holding back more content from being on the store.

First off, I am merely speculating. For you to claim that my statement is "absurd" is equally absurd because, unless you work at Apple in the iTunes department as a high level employee, it is unlikely that you know what you are talking about. The media is as unreliable as ever - they constantly create news, especially when it comes to Apple because Apple keeps their lips shut. Ergo, your statements are a shot in the dark, just like mine.

Yes, Apple doesn't hold things back, per se. However, Apple has repeatedly stated that Apple TV is a "hobby," and the majority of people that use iTunes don't have large enough hard drives to store multiple seasons of TV shows, let alone HD movies. There is a reason why Vudu has 50 HD movies and iTunes only had 25. I just don't know what it is. It would be illogical for movie companies to favor Vudu, when the iTunes market is infinitely larger, and it's hard to imagine that they want to get on Apple's bad side. It is my belief that there are only 25 movies in HD because the demand isn't that large. It's as simple as that.

 

[refulgentis]

First off, I am merely speculating. For you to claim that my statement is "absurd" is equally absurd because, unless you work at Apple in the iTunes department as a high level employee, it is unlikely that you know what you are talking about. The media is as unreliable as ever - they constantly create news, especially when it comes to Apple because Apple keeps their lips shut. Ergo, your statements are a shot in the dark, just like mine.

Yes, Apple doesn't hold things back, per se. However, Apple has repeatedly stated that Apple TV is a "hobby," and the majority of people that use iTunes don't have large enough hard drives to store multiple seasons of TV shows, let alone HD movies. There is a reason why Vudu has 50 HD movies and iTunes only had 25. It would be illogical for movie companies to favor Vudu, when the iTunes market is infinitely larger, and it's hard to imagine that they want to get on Apple's bad side. It is my belief that there are only 25 movies in HD because the demand isn't that large. It's as simple as that.

As I said: the trade press clearly indicates the movie companies aren't too interested in playing ball with Apple, because Apple has the music companies in a bind and they bitch and moan about it. There has credible article upon credible article about this since the *video iPod* came out.

Note this is why Amazon's music store was able to get more DRM-free material right away, and has cheaper pricing for some songs. The media companies have a vested interest in propping up competition among the online stores.

Also, Apple's movie terms are fairly liberal for the consumer compared to somewhere like Vudu. This scares movie companies, as they see iTunes as a destroyer of the music industry business model, not as a band-aid to it, like most of us would.

It doesn't matter if there's demand or not for a movie, they use Akamai, it's not like there's incremental cost for hosting a movie but not selling copies of it. They have a vested interest in having the most complete media catalogue available, as it keeps customers in the store.

 

[refulgentis]

Right. Apple never holds anything back.


I just hope it's for the AppleTV update, too...

If you name one instance where Apple held back improvements to available content, let me know. They have no vested interest in maintaining content, that's why iTunes Connect exists.

Spare me the App Store stuff too, that's obviously ancillary to this thread.

 

[Tilpots]

If you name one instance where Apple held back improvements to available content, let me know.

Like 1080P movies, or lossless music? Or like Netflix's HUGE collection of movies compared with iTunes selection. Not sure what you mean?

 

[Kardashian]

I don't buy the bit that the movie companies are responsible for this. Vudu has 50 movies for sale in HD, while iTunes only has 25, and they are different movies. Ergo, I don't believe that it is the movie companies that are holding back HD downloads. They already allow them to be rented in HD, anyway.

Yes, you're absolutely right.

Apple, who have no way of playing Blu-ray discs on their hardware, and the creators of the biggest digital download service, are holding back on the biggest change in media since the MP3 - High Definition.

They're doing this because they purposely want to lose market share, and money.

No.

It *is* the movie companies, in the same way that the movie companies dictate when Apple get the release of a movie, whether its available for rent or purchase only, or purchase for a limited amount of time, or rent and never to be purchased.

It is stupid, yes.

But Apple wouldn't hold back from making money, especially when its more likely that they will push for the iTunes Store to have a succulent HD catalogue over installing Blu-ray drives and software into their hardware.

Also, I don't know what this Vudu is you're harping on about, but it can't be that important/widely known since I've never heard of it until now.

Apple has serious power when it comes to digital downloads - something grappling with the record labels, has until recently, proved.

Maybe the movie companies won't bow to Apple's prices, or cut, and want to go somewhere else for cheaper.

Maybe this Vudu service offers shorter download periods, which they hope leads to more actual downloads. Does this Vudu service allow people to put the content on external devies? Maybe the movie companies don't like that, the idea that the content could be hooked up to someone else's TV and shared.

There's a reason behind everything, and it has nothing to do with Apple digging their heels in. Its to do with money, and how the studio's can get more of it.

 

[Tilpots]

Yes, you're absolutely right.

Apple, who have no way of playing Blu-ray discs on their hardware, and the creators of the biggest digital download service, are holding back on the biggest change in media since the MP3 - High Definition.

Who's fault is it that Apple doesn't support or offer Blu-Ray? The Studios? Don't think so. It's the weak "Bag of Hurt" line from Jobs. Seriously, what kind of argument is "Bag of Hurt" for not putting the latest technology to use?

They're doing this because they purposely want to lose market share, and money.

No.

It *is* the movie companies, in the same way that the movie companies dictate when Apple get the release of a movie, whether its available for rent or purchase only, or purchase for a limited amount of time, or rent and never to be purchased.

It is stupid, yes.

But Apple wouldn't hold back from making money, especially when its more likely that they will push for the iTunes Store to have a succulent HD catalogue over installing Blu-ray drives and software into their hardware.

So you're saying the movie companies want to make money, but they won't offer their products in the most popular online digital download store?

C'mon. That argument is ridiculous.

Also, I don't know what this Vudu is you're harping on about, but it can't be that important/widely known since I've never heard of it until now.

So if you haven't heard of something, it can't be any good. Again, .VUDU

There's a reason behind everything, and it has nothing to do with Apple digging their heels in. Its to do with money, and how the studio's can get more of it.

Apple's more than likely to blame. They're probably pressing the movie companies to "Do it the Apple way" and the Movie Execs aren't having it. Hate to say it, but good for the Studios...