Where are the HD Movie rentals in iTunes?
by Ben Drawbaugh 
posted Apr 2nd 2009 at 4:19PM
Our friends at Apple TV Junkie posed a good question today, just where are the HD Movie rentals in iTunes? Sure you can rent them on the Apple TV, and you can buy them on both the Apple TV and in iTunes, but the press release highlighting the debut of HD Movie purchases specifically said "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." Now we suppose it's possible that the 30 days mentioned starts when the titles are released for sale in the iTunes store, but we really thought it started when the movie was released, period. Either way, we should know for sure in about two weeks.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
blackacex2 @ Apr 2nd 2009 4:51PM
I really don't get why apple hasn't released HD movie rentals a LONG time ago. Who in their right mind wants to pay 15-20 bucks for an SD movie to own only on their hard drive with DRM? WTF is that? I've often wanted to rent a movie on itunes only to find SD only garbage waiting for me. So wise up, Apple.
Scott @ Apr 3rd 2009 9:00PM
It's hard to find rentals of any type in iTunes. They need to redo the store.
Arthur @ Apr 2nd 2009 5:38PM
Not sure why EngadgetHD is doing posts that seem to be completely ignorant of how the Itunes store has run to date.
You've always been able to rent in HD. The window for any rental is usually 30 days from DVD relase (SD or HD).
The big news was HD purchases, which just became available..
Harley3k @ Apr 2nd 2009 5:56PM
Nope, you could rent HD using the AppleTV, but not on iTunes.
Ben @ Apr 2nd 2009 5:54PM
Well if you're so smart Arthur, then head on over to iTunes on your Mac or PC and rent yourself an HD movie. Don't worry we'll be waiting here with the crow for when you get back.
Galley @ Apr 2nd 2009 5:59PM
Could it be an HDCP issue? Apple TV supports it, but AFAIK not all Macs do.
Harley3k @ Apr 2nd 2009 6:48PM
It was not Apple's fault technically.
It was the studios unease of having the HD content on a PC for rental price, that could be potentially hacked.
A theoretically easier proposition than rental content sitting on the AppleTV device (without a keyboard, mouse, ability to load software, without some major hacking).
I'm not sure what changed...Hopefully the 24 hour limit goes next. That is my largest barrier to renting from AppleTV right now.
Harley3k @ Apr 2nd 2009 5:38PM
Same thing on the AppleTV, the "for sale" titles are listed right below the "for rent" titles, staring at you only for you to buy and not rent for 30 days...
Just makes you want to go rent a disc, or god forbid - bittorent the file already.
Lo Toney @ Apr 2nd 2009 7:23PM
Take a look at Punisher - War Zone. It says that the HD version is available for rent on April 7th.
reptile @ Apr 2nd 2009 7:41PM
FAKE HD GET BLU RAY
boosh. @ Apr 3rd 2009 1:32AM
720p is not defined highly enough.
Stin @ Apr 3rd 2009 10:03AM
Hilarious... $15-20 for a compressed 720p movie. No thanks. How do they stay in business with those prices?
mitchelljd @ Apr 3rd 2009 11:57AM
well, I would expect HD rentals shortly. sad to see what Apple has come to these days.
Apple delays offerings of HD rentals on mac/pc's to push purchases that i don't believe most people would buy.
Apple delays blu-ray integration and calls it a "Bag of Hurt" funny because Microsoft, Dell, Samsung, Compaq, HP, Sony and tons of other companies have worked it out just fine.
and yeah, i'd like to see the rental playback period extended to 48 hours from 24, it just sometimes isn't enough time. in a world when many of us have kids and work... it can be hard to get back to finish watching a movie.