iTunes to Offer Video and Movie Titles in HD

In a recent press release, Apple announced that it will now sell and rent video and DVD titles in HD format. The move seemed likely, following Apple’s launch of the iTunes Replay and the loosening of DRM restrictions. But, nevertheless, the announcement is a welcome one.



iTunes customers can pre-order titles and, upon their release, have them instantly downloaded to their computers upon release date. Titles will become available for rental within 30 days after their initial release date (an incentive to purchase, perhaps?). Over 1200 titles are currently available for purchase and rental and more are likely to follow as Apple continues to add to its library and evolve the service.

The prices for rentals and purchases are as follows:

• Rental prices for HD new releases will be marked at a dollar above the price for rental of non-HD titles at $4.99.


• HD titles will be available for purchase at $19.99.

The highly-anticipated bestseller and blockbuster, Twilight, and latest Bond film, Quantum of Solace, are already available for pre-order and will be downloaded instantly upon the date of their release. This could help fans of either films avoid the midnight mayhem, or, more likely, the lines, limited supplies and initial price mark-ups that will probably embroil both films’ DVD releases.

For more information, see the movie review site. For more tech and entertainment news, try some more blog posts:

Twilight DVD Available Friday at Midnight

iTunes Puts Final Nail in DRM Coffin

iTunes Replay to Take Aim at Netflix, Alter Video Streaming Reality