Apple preparing to offer 1080p movies on iTunes?

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Apple preparing to offer 1080p movies on iTunes?

Apple may begin offering 1080p video sales and streaming as soon as this fall, according to a new report. Citing people familiar with the matter, AppleInsider reports that a handful of feature films being submitted to the iTunes Store for release in the September/October timeframe include documentation for an optional 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution. The reports states that the new format is being listed as “HD+” and that the average bitrate on these higher-quality copies is 10,000 kbps. As noted in the report, such high-quality files would require an Internet connection with a stable download link of approximately 10 megabits per second, which is higher than the national average in most countries, and might force Apple to offer the files strictly as downloads.

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Comments

1

There better be a download option, or most people will be left out in the cold.

Also, it’s a fantastic piece of marketing spin to short-change users by charging full price for low-quality HD material (720p), then reveal “HD+”, which has been the standard all along.

Posted by Clint on July 11, 2011 at 11:16 AM (PST)

2

This IS Apple after all, are you surprised?

Posted by ahMEmon on July 11, 2011 at 12:31 PM (PST)

3

I’m still surprised that after so long, you are unable to download current HD titles as anything other than rentals…surely there’s a market for 720p “HD” purchasers? I’d be one. What’s the point in having an iPad capable of outputting HD content to my HD TV if I can’t purchase the said content?

Posted by Handsomedan on July 12, 2011 at 2:25 PM (PST)

4

And yet Steve Jobs says the DVD is dead. The pundits say “Who needs optical media? The DVD format is dead.

No, it’s not dead, and here’s what you are missing in all downloadable movies: true 1080p (or higher), uncompressed DVD, multiple audio selections, multiple languages, director’s commentary, deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes documentaries….

And no, iTunes+ versions of DVD movies do not include half of these additional features.

Oh, look, Netflix just raised their prices!

Posted by JimmyBobSmith on July 12, 2011 at 4:29 PM (PST)

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