Apple quietly enables movie purchases from Apple TV

We can't say we're too terribly fond of purchasing movies on a proprietary set-top-box (à la VUDU), but for those with no real attachment to physical media, Apple's looking to hook you up. Aside from announcing that day-and-date DVD releases were coming to iTunes, Cupertino has also enabled its Apple TV to purchase full-length films; prior to today, users could only rent them for a window of time. Details are pretty scant at the moment, and we're not even sure if HD films can be purchased (or if a premium is added on), but feel free to fire up your box and let us know how it goes in comments below.

[(Unverified) Posted May 1st 2008 9:08PM]

My body and brain would physically not be able to purchase a movie for $15 unless I was getting some physical media.

Well, if my net worth was over $10mm, I would consider it for convenience.

For the BD haters - do you want a future of only being able to get movies digitally and encrypted and you never own them, but are privileged to watch them until the DRM servers get shut down?

I like the idea of having a disc in my hand, maybe I am just old fashioned.

[(Unverified) Posted May 1st 2008 9:08PM]

Now we're talking. I have zero interest in renting. Purchase for permanent availability on demand from my own library is just the ticket. Now as long as I can back the darned things up so they don't get lost...

[(Unverified) Posted May 2nd 2008 8:49AM]

I'm pretty sure you can back them up just like iTunes purchases.

But the "near DVD" picture quality of iTunes SD content would make spending 15 bucks awfully hard when a better quality SD DVD can usually be had for about the same price at Best Buy the week of release.

Not to mention the DRM issue. What happens when iTunes is not longer at the top? Google Video and MSN music were warning signs that "buying" doesn't really mean "buying" when DRM is involved.

Personally I think its a bad idea to build any kind of library around a proprietary box. If Phillips or Panansonic goes out of business I can always buy another DVD player.

[(Unverified) Posted May 2nd 2008 2:19PM]

I read this on Engadget HD, I guess I was just assuming the movies in question were HD. If not, then I'm not interested. At 204", standard DVD just doesn't hold up.

[(Unverified) Posted May 2nd 2008 9:50AM]

I'm confused, we've been able to buy movie before we were able to rent them, The only movies we haven't been able to buy are the ones in HD, unless that's changed then nothing has changed.

[(Unverified) Posted May 2nd 2008 1:26PM]

Devon mentioned being able to buy movies before. Well, you couldn't buy movies on apple TV only on Itunes then sync to apple tv.

As an actual apple tv user, I've been pretty happy with the overall experience. The quality is good, I have uploaded my SD movies via handbrake and they look great. Viewed HD movies on my apple TV via Sony HD TV and they are very good. Are they as good as Blueray? no, -but better than Comcast's continuous dropouts.
Itunes ACC and MP3 music is not as good as AIFF but people have embraced the lessor formats.

[(Unverified) Posted May 2nd 2008 1:28PM]

Only interested in buying HD content.