Apple today released iTunes 7.6.1 which includes several bug fixes and improves compatibility with Apple TV software version 2.0.
Rent and download your favorite movies with iTunes on your computer or directly to your living room on Apple TV. Enjoy rented movies in sizes up to 720p HD with surround sound on your Apple TV and sizes up to DVD-quality on your computer. Transfer your rented movies from iTunes to your iPod or iPhone and enjoy them on the go.
Also, purchase and download your favorite TV shows, music, and more directly on your Apple TV. Effortlessly transfer purchases made on Apple TV back to your computer with iTunes.
iTunes 7.6.1 is available via Software Update.
Why can’t we have HD content on our computers? Makes no sense…
Let’s hope this fixes the infamous “skipped/dropped audio” problem and the “audio out-of-sync with video” problem that has been all over the boards for quite a while now.
Fingers and toes crossed…
Logan: So we have a compelling reason to go out and buy an AppleTV.
Does it snap?
My soup making is snappier!
I’ve had no bad rentals or purchases with my Apple TV as of. Only the occasional iTunes not seeing the Apple TV.
Because HD content on your computer invites piracy. Studio heads will have none of that.
Of course once you hack your Apple TV you should be able to access all of its contents…
Can I play the content from my Apple TV on my computer? If so, can I play the HD movies on my computer in another room of the house?
I am contemplating an Apple TV, but the no HD content on the computer might be a deal-breaker for me.
Oh, and why no mention of the $0.99 movie rental special? Seems there’s going to be a deal like this every week from now on.
@Logan…
It seems to me that if you can get the content into iTunes, you can stream it to your AppleTV. That’s not the same as buying content with your AppleTV and then moving it to your computer. The studios don’t want you to do that. But there are plenty of tools that will allow you to back up your existing HD content onto your computer. (Pay attention to how this is stated…) Once it’s on your computer you can then stream it through iTunes.
My Rice Krispies are snappier!
@Darkness
Can you really stream HD content via Airport? I think that is asking a lot. Seems like AppleTV must use a caching technique as my Mac to Mac wireless won’t even carry a divx file without stuttering.
I don’t think you’d want HD on your computer. Two issues: space issues; and (2) very few monitors can display HD content with any noticeable improvement over non-HD resolution (I think the 30 inch HD Cinema Display may be the only one offered from Apple).
Most Apple monitors can display 720p … Apple TV drive is MUCH smaller than every drive I have!!
@poo
I was talking about the Apple TV only. It can create an ad-hoc network via Bonjour to get content from iTunes on a remote computer. Thanks to its internal hard disk cacheing isn’t an issue. And 802.11n is a fat enough pipe to move the data pretty quickly.
@Steve:
Yes I do want HD on my computer. I have my old Dual 2GHz G5 connected to my 42-inch Toshiba HighDef TV via DVI to HDMI cable. I currently have over a terrabyte of storage attached to the machine. I use Front Row to watch everything. But, Apple won’t let me rent HD movies because I don’t have an AppleTV. An AppleTV is a step *down* from what I have. With the Perian QuickTime plug-in, I can play pretty much any video format in existence. I can also keep adding storage. I can rip my personal DVD collection the same way we all ripped our personal CD collections with iTunes. Using a Mac for a media center opens a lot of possibilities that AppleTV doesn’t allow.
I would like to rent HD movies from Apple but they won’t let me. Until they will, I’ll have to find them elsewhere (rhymes with dit-phorrent).
iTunes no longer asks me if I want to let it access t’internet every-bleedin-time-I-turn-it-on (despite already having okayed it in security preferences). Thank Jobs they’ve sorted that out at last.
@Logan and @auctoris, the reason HD is not allowed on your computer is because the studios require an HDCP, Hi Def Content Protection, chip in the loop. There’s a HDCP chip in your AppleTV and also one in your HiDef television. Also, the cable connections, are recognized by the HDCP chips, either the HDMI, or a DVI-HDCP. This guarantees the studios that from delivery to screen, there’s no opportunity for you to rip the movie, or so they believe.
Since the Mac has no HDCP chip, it cannot guarantee that the content will not be ripped, at least not to the Studio’s satisfaction. This has NOTHING to do with Apple, but what the Studio’s require.
I wish people, if they are going to complain, would at least complain to the right people.
@Brother Mugga
That was sure one annoying piece of bug. I hope your right. Downloading it soon.
As Darkness mentioned HD streaming should be possible. The Slingbox HD coming out in Q3, will stream HD content over your LAN, using H.264 compression at about 6 to 7 Mbps. I’ve tested my Slingbox Solo over my LAN, and it can stream up to 8Mpbs, using Wifi-g. I can’t see why AppleTV and an Airport Extreme N, wouldn’t have even better throughput.
The weekly 99-cent movie pick. What a great idea to get people who already have iTunes installed to try the rental service. It’ll be like the free weekly music track.
@ Steve…..
My apple TV is connected to a TV with a 1024×768 res
My power mac is connected to a Monitor with a 1680×1200 res which is higher?
@emax..1080p HD is 1920×1080 pixels. 720p is 1280×720.
So you monitor can do 720p but not 1080p.
@Ken – I’m dling “The Hours” as I type. I gonna see how it plays on the PB and also when hooked up to my HDTV. For 1 dollar I’m not too bothered if it sucks.
I can’t figure it out folks. I downloaded the iTunes 7.6.1 update that was released earlier today and now my AppleTV won’t play any of my stored movies (i.e. purchases of both TV shows and Feature Films) in iTunes. I get a window that reads, in part, “There are no movies on your AppleTV. Set up a connection with iTunes, or purchase moviesfrom the iTunes store….”. When I push the button to select one of my movies, it goes dark and just sits there, unresponsive, for a few moments and then up comes the window I just spoke about. Mind you that I am streaming all of my media to my AppleTV. It’s been working flawlessly up until this “update”. I can still play my rentals, but, thats it. All of my music plays correctly. Photos still work. Screensaver works. It’s just all of my purchases, home movies and any ripped DVD’s that I own. Any one having this problem? Any suggestions? HELP!!!
p.s.
I unplugged the device for about a minute and still have the same problem. Same goes for quitting iTunes and reopening it.
p.s.s.
I’m also getting a window that reads, “The selected video cannot be played. The format was not recognized”. This even pops up on all my purchases through iTunes also. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Who’s got the snappiness report???