Macworld 2008: iTunes and Apple TV in movie evolution

[HEXUS]

Third on Jobs' to-do list at Macworld 2008; dominate the movie industry by announcing support from all major movie studios for movie rentals via iTunes and launch a new Apple TV for good measure.

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[Nick F]

I very much like this as a complete solution, I just hope that the UK rental costs are a direct comparision to the US charges ($2.99 SD / $3.99 HD)

Might be an idea to pick up a cheap Apple TV unit from ebay I think

[Parm]

Nick, When the movie rentals do reach the UK, I'd expect the rental prices to be slightly higher.

I suggest that as iTunes' current music pricing follows the same pattern. Songs are cheaper to buy on the US iTunes than they are on the UK, I don't think movies would be any different unfortunately.

[DR]

Also I still don't feel they have sorted it so I can have *my* content on it - until that the only real option which supports true open codecs is Vista Media Centre

[spazman]

XBMC > appletv and a 2nd hand xbox is £30!

[dangel]

Honestly this things been stillborn since birth - I really don't think people will flock out in droves to buy one versus popping down to the local blockbuster. I suppose if your desperate for HD content, don't have bandwidth limits, have lots of patience whilst it downloads, can't pay murdoch and can't wait till the HD media war ends then..

Mr Murdoch is not going to be a worried man..

That's probably a bit ranty but BT's vision isn't doing well either (and that's bandwidth cost free). The only way this stuff can really take off is if it's streaming - and as such the infrastructure of yer average ADSL connection means that your film will stop every 3 seconds post 6pm in the UK. Which is prime time. Bugger.

Don't get me wrong - I like the idea in principle - but i'd be happier renting a blu-HD (or whatever) disc with better quality/more content if it's not 'instant' (and yes I know Jobs claims it is but we all know it bloody well won't be).