http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2010 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 2:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/
1. Number ONE reason why it's bad - iTunes still has DRM in a vast majority of music, despite Jobs' "frustrations" about Fairplay! Do you want to buy music that has handcuffs to the iPod/iPhone all your life?
2. Hard Copy music stores are much more scarce, meaning there is a lack of a personal touch. Even places like Borders or Wal-Mart, the selection is lower that it used to be.
3. Digital music may take up less clutter, but then you run into potential problems as well - accidental deletion, need to back up on additional discs, and a lossy quality (CD's have the best quality)
4. (Personally), it feels more real to buy something you can see, feel, and touch.
5. Digital music is a cause and effect of a bad economy just within the lack of availability of music stores.

Because of this, I'm hoping music stores would get back into business. I don't want the CD to die out!]]>May 1st 2008 2:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/
Also, indie internet outlets can still vend music in MP3 format and it will be compatible with iTunes sans DRM.]]>May 1st 2008 2:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/
Yes there are ways to circumvent the locks placed on these files or convert to your preferred format and player.

The future points to all digital media for consumers.

What I'm trying to expound is that iTunes with its vast library is clearly the choice to purchase your content legally.]]>May 1st 2008 2:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 3:01AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/
Speak for yourself, not me. Why would I want this, when I can buy a disk that I can play on many devices and not be restricted with Apple DRM? Why would I want to watch it on the go with a 2.5" iPod when I have a 7" portable DVD player? Why would I want to watch a low bit rate, low resolution video when I have a Blu-Ray/HD DVD player which plays in 1080P on my 52" 1080p LCD? And if it is not available in Blu/HD, I can upscale the DVD with a much better picture. If I want to watch it on a small device, I can rip the disk and use the video on my choice of player - I can use it on my Zune, or I can use it on my iPhone.

For example, I can get No Country For Old Men on DVD (480p), Blu-Ray (1080p and is the version I have), and XBOX (420p or 720p). If get it on iTunes, it is only available at 480p - with a low bit rate. And I can rip the disk versions to any player I wish.

This is not exactly a win for everybody, I know that I will not dump my Blu-Ray/HD/DVD players because you can download a lower resolution version of something on iTunes. From your other posts (like your recent, laughable one about the Zune), I know you love everything Apple and will only use their offerings even if there is something better, but they have a long way to go before it is comparable to other formats. And they need to do a lot to convince me to switch to a vastly inferior format.]]>May 1st 2008 3:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/
Basically what I'm gathering is that you have an obscene amount of money to waste on consumer electronics, yet scoff at the prospect of paying a single penny to buy a movie for your iPod. Got it.

Next!]]>May 1st 2008 3:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/$229.00 for an Apple TV (required to buy the HD version)
$1099.00 for the cheapest Mac - with a 13 inch screen (required to watch the movie)
-------------
$1342.99

$21.95 for a HD version of No Country from Amazon
$1299 for a Philips 47" 1080p LCD from Costco
$379.99 for a Sony Blu-Ray player at Costco
--------------
$1700.90

A difference of $357.95. Yes, that is a bit more. However, for somebody that is part of a group that continously professes that you should pay more for the "quality" of Apple products, I find it a bit disingenuous of you saying that you would not want to pay $357.95 more for the higher quality (480 vs 1080p, at a higher bit rate) on a much larger display.

But then, you just proved the dirty little "secret" that everybody knows. When Apple fans say that you should spend a little more for the better "quality" provided by Apple products (not my assertion, but just repeating their party line), that is not true. It is all about owning the Apple logo, and nothing more. Why not spend a little more for a vastly improved video experience? But you will not, because it does not have an Apple logo on it, and so you would rather have a poorer experience.]]>May 1st 2008 5:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/
If it's locked down, they'd better be charging WAY less than brick & mortar. Can't take it to a friend's place, can't watch it on the go (well, except on their iPlatform), can't pop it into your home theater setup, and no backup means a lower price or fail. ]]>May 1st 2008 5:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/
iTunes is not perfect for everyone, I agree, but your arguments are not very persuasive.]]>May 19th 2008 6:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/"...which plays in 1080P on my 52" 1080p LCD?"
"$1299 for a Philips 47" 1080p LCD from Costco"

BUSTED.]]>May 1st 2008 8:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 8:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/
Option 3: Take the first configuration, remove the iMac (I assume you already have a computer, the one you're typing on), and add the 47" HD TV. Cost: $1542 + iTunes HD markup, a savings of around $150 off the Blu-ray setup.]]>May 1st 2008 8:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/(emusic doesn't have enough choice for my liking..)

In terms of films though, I agree that it's worth getting Blu-Ray instead of itunes. I can't really tell the difference at all between 'lossy' low bit-rate tracks and lossless formats (I've tried, and I want to be able to tell the difference but I can't) but I can tell the massive improvement offered by bluray.

]]>May 1st 2008 8:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/
Just keep repeating that to yourself dude, if it makes you sleep better at night. For some of us, its also about using the best products, and the products we enjoy to use.

But if it makes you feel better to lump everyone into your narrow worldview, go for it. :p]]>May 1st 2008 9:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/
"If it's locked down, they'd better be charging WAY less than brick & mortar. Can't take it to a friend's place, can't watch it on the go (well, except on their iPlatform), can't pop it into your home theater setup, and no backup means a lower price or fail."

I agree the price needs to be less than Brick and Mortar, and while right now it is just slightly, it could come down. I'd like to see $5.99 catalog purchases, but we'll see.

As far as taking it to a friend's house, i picked up a $2 cable (from partsexpress) that plugs my ipod into a TV (via RCA; no HD but decent quality) and can watch any of my rentals/purchases on any TV that has RCA inputs (read: all TVs worth using)

When my iPod is my mobile phone (waiting for 2nd gen) then it'd actually be MORE convenient for me to load up the movie on my iPhone and plug that into a TV than it would to carry around a DVD.

The fact that there's DRM does suck, and i wont argue with that, but for the most part, it doesn't impact the convenience (at least hasn't for me)

Also, about backups: you can make as many backups as you want: it's a file in your iTunes library. ...using time machine, i already have a backup of all of my purchases (and everything else) - and i can burn them to a data DVD etc.

...if by "backup" you mean "second or third copy i can give to friends" then yeah.. there's no "backups" but using the literal definition of the word, you certainly can back it up.

Don't get me wrong, i'd love to be able to burn the movies out to DVD and lend them to friends (not really caring if they're ever returned) - but there's not really much incentive for Apple to code that. (Also, CSS is a pretty CPU intensive thing, it's really not yet reasonable to expect home computers to do it. - it's not like burning a CD, or even a non-protected DVD for that matter.)]]>May 1st 2008 11:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/
I'd call you an idiot, but you are obviously just trolling. let me just remove the trolliness out of your post.

$14.99 for the SD version of No Country off iTunes (it will be more, but iTunes does not display the purchase price of the HD version)
$229.00 for an Apple TV (required to buy the HD version)
$0 for the fact you obviously already have a (most likely Windows) PC.
-------------
$243.99

$21.95 for a HD version of No Country from Amazon
$0 (guessing here, but you probably have a HDTV.)
$379.99 for a Sony Blu-Ray player at Costco
--------------
$401.94

A difference of $157.95. In Apple's favor.. Even if you assume the HD version from iTunes will be the same price as a HD Disc, $21.95; it still comes out cheaper. $251.95 v $401.94; a saving of $149.99

You don't need to drive to the store, consuming gas / taking up time. You don't need to order it online, and then have amazon ship it to you / ups consume gas delivering it.

You fire up the AppleTV, find the movie, start the download, go make popcorn then watch it.]]>May 1st 2008 1:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/
And good job debunking. I would have, but I was at a programming competition at UCF today. Won 2nd place!

Seriously, ignore the fact that it's a mac, and your problems with the product go away. It's reverse reverse discrimination.

At one point people started to like macs, and think Windows sucked, then the tables are turned. It's a cycle. (But that's not the point)

But the idea for instantaneous entertainment that is not only more convenient, but better for your budget and the environment, is really a good idea.

Sure DRM sucks, but then again, as long as there are hackers, there will always be people who want to get around blocks that "the man" has instilled. Also, don't worry. If people are able to crack physical locks, Bluray codes, and hack into infrastructures, then decoding DRM iTunes video can't be far behind.]]>May 1st 2008 8:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 2nd 2008 1:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 2:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 2:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 2:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 2:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 2:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 2:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 2:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/
Maybe you should explain why you hate iTunes, so people may have a reason to agree or disagree with you.

For me, I like using it to manage my music, but only so long as I choose to keep the iPod. My observations on the problems with it (the store dominating all other stores) you can see in my response to the first post on this page.

Peace]]>May 1st 2008 3:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 3:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 8:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 2:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 3:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 8:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 9:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 9:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 9:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/
Competition is great. I don't think it will be long though. ]]>May 1st 2008 2:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/
]]>May 1st 2008 2:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/
Depends on what compression technology you're using people!]]>May 1st 2008 2:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/
Blu-Ray, hehehehehehe]]>May 1st 2008 2:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 9:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 3:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 2:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 3:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 19th 2008 6:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/
If so, just 720p?

Hmm....

I think they need to start subsidizing the apply tv..

Sell it for $50 with prepaid movies]]>May 1st 2008 2:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 3:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/
Both DVD and Blu-ray have DRM, however it has been cracked by the likes of Slysoft and their AnyDVD program.]]>May 1st 2008 9:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 3:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 9:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/apple-itunes-to-compete-day-and-date-with-dvd-releases-wal/May 1st 2008 3:11AM