Since
the Apple TV was announced and included the so called requirement for an HDTV, we've been waiting for Apple to add HD content to the iTunes store. But here we are ten months later and the only HD available via iTunes is in the form of HD Podcasts. Apple got our hopes up a few weeks ago when they sent us this Podcast Spotlight, which highlighted HD. The latest rumor is now proclaiming that we can expect to see HD from Apple soon, and as much as we want to believe it, we're not so sure. The sticking point for us, is the iPods. You see, none of them support HD, so if Apple made shows and movies available in HD, they'd only play on your computer or the
Apple TV. The biggest advantage that Apple has over other download services is portability and HD would limit that. What would really be lame, is if Apple started selling HD movies, but required you to pay twice if you wanted to play it both in HD on your Apple TV and on your iPod. What they'll do is anyone's guess, but
we'd still like to see some HD from Apple -- even though it wouldn't include discrete surround sound.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sean @ Oct 5th 2007 1:51PM
This would be nice to see. But would they be 720P and 1080P seperate files? Thats kinda important. For one, 1080p files would be much larger then 720P files, also it would give apple some freedom to charge a small premium for 1080p movies. They could also use apple lossless audio encoding for movies if they could get there technology to work with 5.1 Channels. Very interesting to see what happens.
-dad
Bob @ Oct 5th 2007 2:44PM
They would have to be 720p...that's the highest encoded resolution currently supported by AppleTV (this is different from the output: it will output up to 1080i to your HDTV).
Marshall @ Oct 5th 2007 2:47PM
With Microsoft already on board with HD downloads and rentals, and M$ recent push to reinvigorate the Media Center Platform with Extenders, HD Downloads, or at least movie downloads with discrete surround and 480p resolution, is just the return volley that Apple needs.
I'm looking forward to competition that drive Apple to a rental market and M$ to drop it's extender prices to $249. Then, let the consumer decide.
Marshall
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The Real HT Info Podcast
David @ Oct 5th 2007 2:58PM
Didn't Apple file for some sort of hybrid mpeg-4 format a while back? It would make sense that you buy "one" file, but the appropriate format goes to the right device.
Jake @ Oct 5th 2007 3:02PM
They could easily implement the need for an ipod compatible file the way that Amazon has sone so with Unbox. You select a primary PC or Tivo platform to download the file to, and then from that platform you can elect to download a smaller version for a PMP. There's no reason that Apple couldn't do the same thing with iTunes. If you buy the HD file, they include the lower-res ipod file for free if you elect to download it. Particularly since you can't order content for the AppleTV directly from the ATV interface; you have to go to iTunes first anyway -- just throw a checkbox up in iTunes that says "download file for iPod?"
Jeff @ Oct 5th 2007 4:04PM
Do you really need HD content on an Ipod? Seems like a waste of resolution to me. Makes much more sense to have HD content for Apple TV where you would watch on a screen size where resolution actually matters.
Nate the Prophet @ Oct 5th 2007 4:13PM
HD HD HD!! The reason the AppleTV sucks is that the quality of media availble is so poor. Once iTunes starts offering HD content, the AppleTV might look nice
I for one am hoping HD content comes soon. If it's good enough, I might not have to buy an HD-DVD/BR player yet!
Bob Mc @ Oct 6th 2007 12:22PM
Please, Apple. Please. But I'll just steal it if you raise the price.
Fredster @ Oct 6th 2007 12:42PM
Oh, i've been waiting for this for so long! Wasn't it a few years ago that Jobs announced the year of HD? Ok, so not for Apple or? I hope the iPod gets a firmware upgrade to support higher resolution, or then atleast like mentioned above, two separate files for DL, one low res and one HD, that'd be brilliant!
JeffDM @ Oct 7th 2007 2:09AM
It does seem like Apple doesn't care. There is so much HD that I can grab with my OTA tuner stick, and it would make sense that it's easy to put onto iTunes as their AppleTV-compatible format. Supposedly the lack of HDCP is a problem on AppleTV and computers, but XBox360 can play HD downloads through component, can't it?