digg

Join DiggAbout

Discover the best of the web!
Learn more about Digg by taking the tour.

See the original image at engadget.com

iTunes to compete "day-and-date" with DVD releases

engadget.com — Apple is expected to announce today an across-the-board deal to sell new release films at its iTunes Store. The deal is said to allow Apple to offer a "broad slate of top-shelf films" day-and-date with home video releases -- a long time sticking point with brick-and-mortar interests who want to keep their early edge on digital downloads.

Bury
show profanity settings
expand all
  • jatin747, on 05/01/2008, -10/+8finally, there is point in buying movies from the itunes store
    • Testiculese, on 05/01/2008, -6/+17You like ***** quality, DRM, and full price? No wonder iTunes does so well. Markets to the weak.
      • mrsteveman1, on 05/01/2008, -1/+5Show me where you can buy or rent non drm'd movies.

        CSS being cracked doesn't count but its a plus for DVDs of course.
        • Testiculese, on 05/02/2008, -1/+1Netflix/Blockbuster? Otherwise, I can't. Doesn't mean everyone should flock to this like it's a godsend. Bad ideas should be ignored, not embraced because "there's nothing else". There's nothing else because these idiots accept stuff like this.
    • MattBlackCat, on 05/01/2008, -2/+6And what would that be ?
  • Trax91, on 05/01/2008, -10/+9In the other news, Wal-Mart weeps.
    • Shivetya, on 05/01/2008, -1/+4Wal Mart probably won't even notice.

    • JudgeMonkey, on 05/01/2008, -3/+6Let's see, I just took a look in itunes. 15 bucks for cloverfield. Ok, not a bad price. However, new releases at walmart are around the same price, you have a physical copy loaded with whatever extras they include, and you can easily rip it to a drm free format.
      • MakinBacon, on 05/02/2008, -0/+2Really? Around the same price? I was just at WalMart this afternoon and Cloverfield was $22.99. That's $8 more.

        So on iTunes I can buy Cloverfield, There Will Be Blood and No Country For Old Men for $45 or I can go to WalMart and just buy Cloverfield and No Country for $46.
  • MurphyMac, on 05/01/2008, -9/+4the big story- cagey studios are moving forward with apple.
  • pyroben92, on 05/01/2008, -14/+7Once again Mac is going to take over the market.
    • FredFredrickson, on 05/01/2008, -3/+6No, just... no.
      • pyroben92, on 05/01/2008, -3/+5Just like they did with computers... uh oh here come the comment war..
    • Testiculese, on 05/01/2008, -6/+1Only going to take over the stupid consumer market. People with brains will never go for this glaring *****.
      • mrsteveman1, on 05/01/2008, -1/+1Yea that damn consumer market......i mean hell it's only the largest segment of the overall tech market. Worthless man, totally.
    • prosayik, on 05/01/2008, -2/+6iTunes is available for Windows.
      • pyroben92, on 05/01/2008, -4/+1No really???? (sarcasm)

        Well guess were all the money you give to iTunes goes? A: Mac
    • tiuk, on 05/01/2008, -0/+5I hate to be anal about this kind of stuff, but does it bother anyone else when people use "Mac" and "Apple" interchangeably (and often incorrectly)?
      • sudowrestler, on 05/02/2008, -0/+1It's even better when they spell it MAC.
    • zunipus, on 05/01/2008, -1/+2Non sequitur. Much as i know the superiority of Macs over PCs all these years, it is plain dopey to make a Computer Warz move in the context of iTunes. You deserve being flamed.
      :-P
  • NeoCortex, on 05/01/2008, -5/+58Seems over-priced to me. $15 for no physical media, DRM restrictions, and no extra features? I can usually get a retail DVD for only a couple bucks more than that on release day.

    And $10 for catalog titles is probably more than I can get the DVD for on older titles.

    Sorry Apple, I'm not biting.
    • djphatjive, on 05/01/2008, -2/+7Digital downloads should be like 5 dollars for a movie, 10 for movie with extras. I mean you can get a hour TV show for 1.99 why not a movie for 5?
      • fliped, on 05/01/2008, -2/+2well the difference with a tv show and movie is that a movie has a greater replay value.
        once your done with an episode of a show chances are you won't watch it more than twice.
        • superkendall, on 05/01/2008, -0/+6That makes no sense, many TV series are just as rewatchable as a good movie - in either case it boils down to great writing and great acting.
        • gbarger, on 05/01/2008, -0/+3nope...I stopped buying DVDs because I realized that I very rarely will watch a movie or even a TV show more than once. The second time just is never as good...and there's always new content. That's why I rent from netflix now, except for the rare movies that I will watch again. So, on the opposite side of superkendall, for me movies are no better or worse than TV shows.
        • roebeet, on 05/01/2008, -0/+1I agree with superkendall on this one. I don't see a difference between either TV or movies, in terms of re-watchability. If it's well written and acted, either one stands the same chance of being watched again. If it didn't, there would be no such things as reruns and syndication....
        • fliped, on 05/02/2008, -0/+1Okay but I am saying as a single episode you will most likely not watch that particular episode again because it is just a piece of a series. "TV SERIES are rewatchable" as you say and I agree.. but the arguement here is comparing a single episode to a movie and the price variance.
      • iofthestorm, on 05/01/2008, -1/+2Oops, I buried you but I meant to digg you up.
    • winnch, on 05/01/2008, -6/+5I actually consider no physical media a bonus.
      DRM means nothing to me.
      I do agree there should be extra features... and I think commercial podcasting will play a role in this in the future. (Although I can't remember the time I said, "Oh, let's go watch the bonus footage of one of our DVDs." In fact, it's possible I have never said that.)
      In the meantime, iTunes is usually cheaper, certainly more convenient, and thankfully finally getting some content. As Michael Scott would say, it's win-win... win.
      • MattBlackCat, on 05/01/2008, -1/+4Great arguement....... movies from itunes for people who hate cinema
      • jer2eydevil88, on 05/01/2008, -0/+2"DRM means nothing to me" famous last words
        • mrsteveman1, on 05/01/2008, -1/+2DVDs are drm'd too, just because you can crack them doesn't change the fact they are in fact DRM'd, and iTunes video drm will get cracked too.
    • astrotrain, on 05/01/2008, -3/+4I agree... why waste $15 per movie that is going to be infected with DRM. I can just go down to my local supermarket, and rent a movie for a $1 from DVDExpress or RedBox. If I like it I go out and purchase the actual DVD... and I officially own it.

      Unlike Apple and there DRM buddies, again you think your buying a video for $15.... but go ahead and quit Apple, and once again you find that you are "renting" your videos, and Apple has yanked all your licenses to play them.

      iTunes where do you want to get hooked, line, and sinked today...?
      • mrsteveman1, on 05/01/2008, -0/+1You don't really own DVDs either, the video is supposed to stay on the disk but for the fact that CSS is cracked. If it weren't cracked, that disk goes bad or scratches and your "owned" DVD is now worthless, you wouldn't even have a way to use a backup because there wouldn't be one.

        At least with DRM'd files you can (and people DO) make backup copies. People don't keep 7gb backups of all of their DVDs.

        iTunes DRM will get cracked too, just like everything, at which point it will have significant advantages over physical disks.
    • nycmac247, on 05/01/2008, -0/+1some people work for a living and don't have time to go to the video store?
    • node3, on 05/02/2008, -0/+1Those are the exact same arguments people made against music on iTunes.
  • DLLOZ, on 05/01/2008, -3/+6I just wish they get rid of the geographic restrictions, whether it's music or movies. I want to purchase some of my deserving pirated entertainment.
    • punkcat, on 05/01/2008, -0/+4everyone does, except for the studios
      • MattBlackCat, on 05/01/2008, -0/+1There is actually a valid reason for regions and it is to do with distribution rights for co-financed/reverse pick up funded movies. But the studios never explain this.
        • Smoozle, on 05/01/2008, -0/+6This may be so, but still it shouldn't be my problem that the movie (and music for that matter) industry insist on sticking to a profit model that is becoming increasingly obsolete.
    • roebeet, on 05/01/2008, -0/+1eBay.
  • soulpunisher, on 05/01/2008, -5/+7I will be impressed when they allow download on movies that are also out in Theaters as well. Sometimes I hate going to watch a movie and every retard forgets to turn their cell phone off or talks during a movie or someone's baby is crying. I like watching movies on my big screen HDTV at home with my surround sound so I don't have to deal with all that plus I can pause it and take a ***** or dump if I have too.
    • astrotrain, on 05/01/2008, -1/+1Theaters will be a thing of the past in a few years. A) The crap the MPAA is just pushing out to theaters (re-re-makes, tv and cartoons to full movies, etc). And B) Ticket Prices.... why pay $40 for a family of four when you can go rent the flick when it comes to DVD for a $1.00? And not to mention all the goodies you can get for pennies (popcorn, soda, candy, etc) compared to the massive price markup at theaters....
  • FredFredrickson, on 05/01/2008, -6/+8And why would the entire world suddenly start buying all their movies in a low-resolution DRM'd-to-hell format? Just because they are released on the same day as DVD's themselves?

    You might see a genius promotional tactic here - I see a video store that isn't selling enough and needs a kick-start.
    • Drizzit, on 05/01/2008, -4/+3You do know that iTunes Store is the number 2 music retail site in the US and is probably #1 depending on the week since they're so close to wal-mart.

      Besides Wal-Mart could care less about music sales. It's more profitable for the music industry than them.
      • cawpin, on 05/01/2008, -0/+3They already passed Walmart.
      • FredFredrickson, on 05/01/2008, -0/+4Music does not equal movies, my friend.
    • djphatjive, on 05/01/2008, -1/+6The same people that buy all those Full-Screen movies!
    • MattBlackCat, on 05/01/2008, -1/+2As if the itunes rubes care aboult quality or art
    • cadmiumpaint, on 05/01/2008, -2/+1newsflash. most people in this world who buy things don't know or care what DRM is. This is a huge win for iTunes.
      • FredFredrickson, on 05/01/2008, -1/+2Don't they care that the movies they are buying are the size of a postage stamp on their screen? I thought this was the age of HD!
    • Smoozle, on 05/01/2008, -1/+1People value convenience more than marginal loss in quality or DRM, as proved by the success of the iTunes music store.
      • FredFredrickson, on 05/01/2008, -0/+4Marginal loss in quality? Music is a little harder to tell than video, especially for the average idiot. It's pretty obvious to me that the movies they sell on iTunes aren't DVD quality.
    • astrotrain, on 05/01/2008, -1/+1Because its Apple... and some people know no better and have to be with the "In Crowd" when it comes to MP3 players. Not to mention, there are folks out there who don't care about DRM, etc... just as long as they can have their "Princess Bride 2" on their iPod and say "Wow!... I can watch it whenever I want!"
    • evanemak, on 05/01/2008, -0/+0Because you live in the middle of nowhere where you'll never be able to find the DVDs *cough* alaska *cough*
  • Th3Hamburgler, on 05/01/2008, -4/+1Top-shelf films?
    • jjpertusch, on 05/01/2008, -0/+2triple distilled
    • astrotrain, on 05/01/2008, -0/+1Yeah the ones that have been on that top shelf collecting dust for years because they are horrible.... Lenard Part 6, Plan 9 From Outer Space... just to name a few.
    • mdcarso, on 05/01/2008, -0/+1trade-speak for anything that isn't an Uwe Boll film.
  • dOOBiEx213, on 05/01/2008, -4/+22For now I think most people will stick to their favorite online retailer The Pirate Bay. It appears The Pirate Bay has long had a deal to be able to distribute newly released films months before their home video releases.
    • cadmiumpaint, on 05/01/2008, -1/+6i've always loved the dark blob people that walk in front of the picture , as well as the ***** poor audio quality.....also the oddly distorted rectangle instead of widescreen is a nice touch......sometimes i even love the running code or the words "promotional screener" that come over the picture every 30 seconds.
      • dOOBiEx213, on 05/01/2008, -1/+1Well, if you're really THAT picky, you can always download perfect DVDrips a few weeks before their DVD release. Personally, I think DVD = crap quality, so I use Netflix to get my Blu-Ray.
    • jer2eydevil88, on 05/01/2008, -1/+5Yeah especially since The Pirate Bay has such a long and well documented relationship with many big companies.
      http://thepiratebay.org/legal
  • dOOBiEx213, on 05/01/2008, -7/+2For now I think most people will stick to their favorite online retailer The Pirate Bay. It appears The Pirate Bay has long had a deal to be able to distribute newly released films months before their home video releases.
  • Testiculese, on 05/01/2008, -11/+7Wow, full price for half quality movies, full DRM, and no guarantees that it will work without iTunes?

    ***** you, Apple. I'm not getting voluntarily raped.
    • mdeppi01, on 05/01/2008, -1/+2*sigh*
      • Testiculese, on 05/02/2008, -0/+1Depressing, isn't it? I keep trying to hold on to the notion that people aren't dumb, and corporations are trying to provide a good service...then I see this. And then I see it's (going to be) popular.
  • RudeTurnip, on 05/01/2008, -3/+2I love everything about iTunes and AppleTV except the movie purchase feature. Rentals, sure, once in a while. But there is no reason to spend $10-15 on a movie when the DVD version offers its own storage medium and more features. There is no movie so compelling that I must *own* a copy exactly right now. If there is a movie worth owning, then it's worth owning it on a physical storage medium that I don't have to pay to maintain, backup and upgrade now and then.
    • djames42, on 05/01/2008, -1/+0I love my AppleTV too, but I'm not spending $15 to buy a digital download when the same price will get me a DVD with better quality. I've rented HD movies for $5, but these purchases should likewise be 720p, not 480p... (Yes I understand the DVD is only 480i, but the bitrate is higher and has full 5.1 sound; these purchases are likely only pro-logic)
  • pruppert, on 05/01/2008, -1/+4They need to do this for movie rentals too.
  • luvtosee, on 05/01/2008, -5/+1Finally Apple understands what there customers want. Hurrayyy!!!
    • Poltras, on 05/01/2008, -0/+0Where have you been when iLife/iWork 08, Leopard, movie rental and iTouch/iPhone were announced?
    • jer2eydevil88, on 05/01/2008, -0/+2You actually want DRM on stuff you pay for? I would pay more for the DVD which may be encrypted but at least it'll play on more than just two computers and I can always resell it on Amazon for nearly full price after enjoying it...
  • blackhole82, on 05/01/2008, -1/+12I think I will stick with Netflix with no additional fees for HD titles.
    • Jibberwalk, on 05/01/2008, -0/+2I thought I heard a rumor that Netflix was considering increasing fees for blu-ray titles?

      Edit: I did: http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=1235
    • Poltras, on 05/01/2008, -0/+0NetFlix is for rental, this is bought. FWIW, movie rental is available on iTunes for something comparable (yet less quality) to NetFlix. If you're talking about copying the DVD NetFlix sends you, that's pirating pure and simple, and if you're pirating you better just download the movie off PirateBay. Easier and faster.
  • drjekelmrhyde, on 05/01/2008, -3/+10Netflix+DVDFabDecrypter FTW
  • MarkBorton, on 05/01/2008, -3/+3Well, once again, unless your in the US the only way to get movies etc to your apple TV or Ipod is to either go through the hassle of ripping the DVD and converting it, or, pirating it.
    Ive just converted to Apple, and i am buying Chuck and Pushing daisies through the UK store, and im so happy with them, ive just bought an Apple TV so i can watch them on my TV, but, my media centre box has 100s of hours of shows downloaded from the interweb because a:) im not paying sky TV Extra for HD content that they should be broadcasting as standard, and b:) i cant get cable on my street so im stuck with sky, or downloaded content, or a bazzilion year wait until shows are broadcast over the air.

    Come on apple, UK needs movie rentals, Movie purchases, and MORE SHOWS to purchase. now, on to find out how to patchstick build..
  • MattBlackCat, on 05/01/2008, -2/+2Yeah movies for everyone who hates cinema.
  • WaltJay, on 05/01/2008, -2/+7Who's going to pay $15 when you can own the DVD for the same cost, or less? Or you can pay for a month of Netflix for the same cost?
  • jordanmerle, on 05/01/2008, -2/+1Purchase movies from the iTunes store if you want or get them from another source. Any additional option provides greater flexibility to consumers and this move will increase competition between digital downloads and physical media. Whether you plan on using the service or not, this move will benefit all.
    • FredFredrickson, on 05/01/2008, -1/+2Giving Apple a further grip on digital media doesn't really benefit anyone but Apple.
      • jordanmerle, on 05/01/2008, -1/+1How is this Apple's fault? They have to negotiate with the movie studios who probably have an active say in both the DRM and the price point. You have the power as a consumer to buy whatever format you desire.
  • cadmiumpaint, on 05/01/2008, -2/+1I think this is pretty big. Its a major step forward for digital downloads and it will give iTunes the edge over other retailers with digital content.
  • Berek, on 05/01/2008, -1/+1While I think it's a good step in the right direction I also hope the studios will continue to include a digital copy for those of us that buy the physical media. Where's the HD too?
  • dulicorp, on 05/01/2008, -5/+0visit http://www.unisofts.com to free download software
  • MrFurious2k, on 05/01/2008, -2/+2Now if they could just get iTunes to not suck on Windows.
  • ibeetle, on 05/01/2008, -2/+2To calm the headline reading digger throwing a hissy fit because they do not want to buy a movie from iTunes. Read the ***** press release.

    What part of "...$2.99 (US) for library title rentals and $3.99 (US) for new release rentals, and high definition rental versions... ...at $3.99 (US) and new release rentals at $4.99 (US)..." Do you not understand?
    The word rental(s) is used 6 times in that press release. You do not have to buy anything, if you do not want to.
  • hiro, on 05/01/2008, -1/+1"Day-and-date" is an odd turn of phrase
  • mweflen, on 05/01/2008, -1/+1Until a digital service allows you to burn full quality movies (whether HD or SD) onto your own backup media and play them on your best TV with full surround sound and extra features, there's no F-ing way in the universe that this will eclipse physical purchase or Netflix-style rental distribution. ESPECIALLY given the ***** bandwidth most locales suffer from.

    Why would I pay the same price (or more, compared to Netflix) to "buy" (with restrictive DRM) or rent (at a higher price than Netflix, or even many B&M stores) lower quality files which take hours to download, and then be forced to watch them on my 26" LCD monitor instead of my 50" 1080p set with 5.1ch surround sound?

    Pass.
  • flishman, on 05/02/2008, -0/+1Hmm. Lets see. Pay 10 bucks for "There will be Blood" that's half the quality. Or rent it for $3 bucks and watch it on my computer V.S. going to the kiosk at the local Harris Teeter and get the DVD for a buck and watch it in the comfort of my living room. Tough choice.
  •  

    Login or register to add a comment

    Create a new account or login to join in the conversation on Digg. You'll also be able to Digg stories to help promote things you like.


© Digg Inc. 2008 — Content posted by Digg users is dedicated to the public domain.
DIGG, DIGG IT, DUGG, DIGG THIS, Digg graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, scripts, and other service names are the trademarks of Digg Inc.