Apple has just started making high-definition (often called HD, or hi-def) movies available for rent or purchase on the iTunes Store, starting this Thursday. According to Apple, future movies would be made available in the crisp and eye-popping format as early as 30-days after they are released.
Coinciding with this launch, Apple launched an HD page within iTunes, and featured about a dozen films which are available immediately. Blockbusters like Quantum of Solace, Twilight, The Spirit, Bangkok Dangerous, The Punisher: War Zone and Transporter 3 are featured. The latest James Bond film, Quantum of Solace and last years teenage vampire film, Twilight are currently available as pre-orders. Some of the films featured are only available for purchase minus the renting option.
Apple is selling the HD films for $19.99. Renting cost is $4.99 for newly released titles and $3.99 for older archives. The current offerings are quite limited, but the company said that it would be adding more HD movies soon.
Movies and TV shows purchased (or rented) from iTunes can be played on a number of devices like Apple’s Macintosh, Windows PCs, the iPhone, some iPod models as well as the Apple TV. Also, every HD film comes with an additional standard-definition version to make it easier for users to watch on an iPhone or iPod.
Prime-time television shows from all four major networks in the USA has been an offering on iTunes in HD format since the fall of 2008. Apple isn’t the first to offer HD content, and will definitely not be the last. As comparison, both Netflix and Blockbuster also offer HD content online.
iTunes 8.1 or later is required in order to purchase and download HD movies. Get iTunes from Apple’s web site, then head on to the iTunes Store and check out the HD movie offerings.
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