Granted, some of us have found ways to convert our own DVDs into files that we could then upload to our iPods, but Apple is now making the process much easier.
In addition to upgrades and improvements to iPod, Nano and Shuffle, Apple announced Tuesday that the iTunes Movie Store is now open for business:
With more than 70 movies available today, and many more to come, you should not have any problem filling up all that hard drive space. Movies are going to run you $14.99 for new releases, $12.99 for pre-orders, and $9.99 if you can wait a week after it’s released to download it. The iTunes movies can only be viewed on your iPod or in iTunes. You will not be able to burn them to DVD or share them. Also, they will be in 640×480 resolution, which is near DVD quality but not quite. I think Apple is headed in the right direction here but only being able to get 640×480 resolution when HD-DVD is on the horizon and only being able to watch them in iTunes and your iPod are both drawbacks.
Apple also announced that iTV will be launched Q1 2007:
…the concept here is that you can connect your current TV, be it traditional or HDTV, to this box and you will then be able to access everything in your iPod or in iTunes wirelessly. With component video, HDMI, optical audio and RCA-style stereo audio ports, you should be able to connect this to any TV. The iTV also has an Ethernet port, 802.11 wireless connectivity, and a power cable.
Some other highlights:
iPod generation 5.5: $50 price drop, longer-lasting battery, brighter screen, game integration, text-based search, gapless playback, 80GB model available
Nano 2G: text-based search, gapless playback, smaller size, better battery, more color options, 2 GB, 4 GB and 8 GB models
Shuffle 2G: smaller (1.6 inches long and weighs about half an ounce), built-in clip, 1 GB for only $79
iTunes 7.0: different layout, 3 new views (including the sweet “Cover Flow”), gapless playback, replaces missing cover art
For complete analysis of these changes, click here.
While I like the idea, it doesn’t seem like a very good deal to buy a movie for $13-$15 that you can only view in iTunes or on your iPod. It is great for travelers who don’t want to go through the process of converting DVDs to iPod compatible video, but I’d rather buy the DVD and actually have something tangible. For the same reason, I think $0.99 per song is too much to pay when you can get most CDs for under $10 and there’s no way to resell digital media.
I’m excited about the 80 GB iPod with a price drop. My iPod Photo is acting up in a bad, bad way.
If you wait a week after release date, you can get the movie for $9.99. I’d wait a week to save five bucks. And with iTV, I guess you can watch it on your TV.
Still, you’re right, it’s not ideal, but that won’t stop a lot of people from buying movies for their iPods.
Yeah, I’m sure there’s a market there.
The iTV angle is interesting, but like you said, they’ve got to get that resolution up to HD levels (or at least to DVD levels) to go along with everyone’s movement towards HDTV.
I still think Netflix is the best deal out there for avid moviewatchers.
I work in the video/dvd field selling to stores all over the country and the one thing this announcement does is give everyone another option of where and how to view your entertainment.
It started with the DVD’s for sale,which cut the video store’s throats. Then came Video on demand,PSPs, Netflix & other subscription services, DVD vending machines and now this.
I’m sure this is only the beginning for Apple and within 2 years they will have downloadable content, larger players, and High-Def reso.
As the Wayans boys used to say “more money, more money, more money”
The only issue I have with watching video on an iPod is the size of the screen. I’m used to watching movies on my laptop when I travel, and while it’s a pain to lug around, I have to bring it anyway for work and it’s nice to have that 13″ screen with DVD quality.
I’m guesing at some point, they have an iPod with a fold out screen, but that would be a design nightmare.
Blah…I just recently bought a 60 gig iPod and now this. Terrific. Ah well, it’s to be expected. I’m more than happy with my 60 gigger. As far as watching video on it goes, I don’t mind the small screen a bit. The resolution is really sharp, and it’s fun to have video on the fly like that. Makes much more sense to me than that crap TV service you can get on your mobile phone.