iTunes Digital Copy

I suspect this will likely apply to all digital copies in the near future, but the digital copy on Family Guy Blue Harvest, at least, is basically in the same format as any other movie that is downloaded from the iTunes Store.... In this case 640x480 H.264 at 1.5 mbps with standard audio (not 5.1).

Basically, only the transfer process differs slightly, where the digital copy is "downloaded" from your DVD rather than the iTunes Store. Once in your library, it works in the same way as any purchased movie would, including the standard DRM restrictions -- five authorized computers and unlimited iPod and iPhone devices.

Unlike the new iTunes Movie Rentals, it's highly likely this will even work with the older 5G iPod models as well, although I haven't had a chance to specifically test it yet.

See http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/instant-expert-secrets-features-of-itunes-76/ for some screenshots of how this all works.

I want to have my cake and eat it two ways if possible. Haha.

So what if you want to use this special version of the film on AppleTV?

Anyone know what the sound encoding format is. Is it limited to stereo for iPod/iPhone, or does it also include a 5.1 track for AppleTV?

Yes I want my cake and I want to eat it in two ways if possible - iPod when I'm away from home, and Apple TV when at home (Sure I could use a DVD player at home, but why should I have to?)

Personally, I am more excited about this (DVD+iTunes) than I am about the 24-hour movie rentals. When I want to buy a movie, I am often torn between getting the iTunes version (very convenient to watch when I want -- always ready) or the DVD version (which includes commentaries and other DVD extras).

Yes, I know it's possible to rip my DVDs to iTunes, but that's not really my thing.

Now, I can happily buy the DVD, and still get an iTunes version that I can add to my iPhone at the drop of a hat. (I do a lot of traveling.) I'll be picking up the Family Guy Blue Harvest DVD this week to test it out.

I also have a NetFlix subscription, and will probably keep it for a while to catch up on DVDs of past television seasons. But for renting feature-length movies, I think the new iTunes model suits my lifestyle a little better, assuming they have the titles I want. Based on how many movies I rent a month, the cost will be pretty close.

I'll probably reassess my NetFlix subscription over the summer. I may just drop it to a lower-cost option (fewer DVDs at a time).

Is anyone else having issues with the iTunes Digital Copy of Blue Harvest? I keep getting an unknown error (11556) when I try to use it. Yes, I'm running 7.6, and connected to the internet. It just doesn't want to play.

My only concern with this: does the iTunes copy live on the disk, or does it download to your computer from the ITMS?

AFAIK, it's only one device, and it works on PlaysForSure devices as well. Will this be available on Blu-ray Discs as well?

I can actually live with that part. I'm just wondering if I can import on a computer, then later remove it and import to another. Cause if it's a one-time deal, that would be very annoying.

"...but the digital copy can only be imported into one iTunes library."

Could someone clarify this? The content I buy from iTunes is accessible from up to 5 authorized machines. Does the same apply for this?

Did you honestly expect the Digital Copy to work on another device? And what motivation would Apple or the studios have to allow it to be played on other devices?