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PeterParker · Jun 24, 2012, 01:23 PM

Hello,

I never used the iTunes Store, so I still don't know how to use it, really. If this has been asked a million times, I'm sorry. If there is quick link to read through all of this, I'm sorry too, I googled, but didn't find anything so quickly...

Questions...
If I download a song, what happens when my HD fails? Can I redownload it (free)? If I can't, what to do? Burn CDs/DVDs? If I buy a new computer, can I redownload everything (free)? I thought it would somehow 'register' the computer itself (which I thought is rather normal these days).
If I want to download a movie with my TV set, where does it save the movie? If the TV has no internal HD (as most TVs, I believe), does it simply use the DVR? Do I need a special USB HD for this? (And same questions for movie downloads and failing HDs here; I wouldn't want to rebuy everything.)
If I buy a movie to watch on my TV set, can I watch it on my Mac, too?
And lastly, if I buy in HD quality, and if I can watch it on a Mac, too, will it work? (as it would have to downscale resolutions, I believe, or is the SD version automatically available as well?)

I thought many people around here would use the iTunes Store, I don't know about so many other very large store for music/movies and I consider using it more, so I hoped I could get some advice...

(I hope this is the right forum, btw...)

Thanks!
Pete

subego · Jun 24, 2012, 01:32 PM

With the music, there are two options.

The first is you make your own backups, and are responsible if something happens to your collection.

The other option is to pay Apple US$25 a year for iTunes Match. Then, you can download copies of all your music to any computer or iDevice you own for as long as your subscription is valid.

Apple - iTunes - Match

Spheric Harlot · Jun 24, 2012, 01:34 PM

The third option is not to worry about it, as all purchases can be re-downloaded at any time.

You can't download a movie from iTunes using your TV, unless it's made by Apple.

You can download to a Mac, to an iOS device, or stream to an Apple TV.

Macs can play HD movies.

subego · Jun 24, 2012, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot

The third option is not to worry about it, as all purchases can be re-downloaded at any time.

Don't you have to search the store for each song though? That could quickly become unworkable.

Spheric Harlot · Jun 24, 2012, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by subego

Don't you have to search the store for each song though? That could quickly become unworkable.

If you click on the Store in iTunes, all your purchased music is right there under "purchased articles" at the right. You can have it show "all" or only those "not on this computer".

subego · Jun 24, 2012, 03:04 PM

Cool!

tightsocks · Jun 24, 2012, 10:28 PM

Oh hi.
I have a question about getting the SD version rather then the HD version.

It seems in certain circumstances (ie. search result) we are not offered an obvious choice between SD and HD.
How would we go about making sure that we only dl the SD version in such a situation?

For this example, lets use the CSI episode "Willows in the Wind" as a test. (It is free)
When browsing the TV Shows-Free Episodes section we are given the choice of HD or SD.
But if we search for "Willows in the Wind" and then filter by TV Shows, we only see andoption for "Free HD"

In the latter case, would we still receive the SD version (and only the SD version) since our iTunes prefs are set to 'Prefer Standard Definition?'

Spheric Harlot · Jun 25, 2012, 01:53 AM

Why would you want the SD version?

PeterParker · Jun 25, 2012, 01:45 PM

Ok... So I don't know very much about all this, but I'm getting further... maybe... So is that right: When I buy a new Mac I can simply redownload all music/movies I bought from the iTunes Store? But apparently that's true...

The other question however: Is that right what you say? To me, any TV I buy these days has an Ethernet port and some sort of internet connection - I thought it would simply have a browser, is that wrong? So the iTunes Store is not accessible through a browser, but still, what do you buy movies for if not for a TV set, I don't get the point maybe. So if I buy an Apple TV, which probably can access the internet by itself, I can access the iTunes Store with my TV set, buy I have to pay 100 Euros before I can even start buying... Why don't they simply have the iTunes Store rely on the web then? Apparently, they think that's impractical... Hmm...

I thought the internet movie download 'revolution' would be over in many enough ways - many broadband connections are simply fast enough, they offer enough movies in the iTunes Store for example and TV sets have internet connections - and no one knows any sort of 'truth' about an Apple TV set...

Puh! Still thinking...
Pete

andi*pandi · Jun 25, 2012, 01:56 PM

I don't have an apple tv, but verizon and amazon and netflix are happy to sell me downloads directly from the TV, receiver, bluray player, wii, etc. So you don't have to shell out for apple tv unless you want to, or the selection is better there.

Spheric Harlot · Jun 25, 2012, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by andi*pandi

I don't have an apple tv, but verizon and amazon and netflix are happy to sell me downloads directly from the TV, receiver, bluray player, wii, etc. So you don't have to shell out for apple tv unless you want to, or the selection is better there.

Not in Germany, it ain't.

Spheric Harlot · Jun 25, 2012, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by PeterParker

Ok... So I don't know very much about all this, but I'm getting further... maybe... So is that right: When I buy a new Mac I can simply redownload all music/movies I bought from the iTunes Store? But apparently that's true...

The other question however: Is that right what you say? To me, any TV I buy these days has an Ethernet port and some sort of internet connection - I thought it would simply have a browser, is that wrong? So the iTunes Store is not accessible through a browser, but still, what do you buy movies for if not for a TV set, I don't get the point maybe. So if I buy an Apple TV, which probably can access the internet by itself, I can access the iTunes Store with my TV set, buy I have to pay 100 Euros before I can even start buying... Why don't they simply have the iTunes Store rely on the web then? Apparently, they think that's impractical... Hmm...

Copy protection schemes imposed by the movie companies.

You've also spent rather a lot on the TV, on a computer, on an internet connection, etc.

100€ isn't much in that light, especially considering the additional functionality the AppleTV offers (not just movie rentals).

Compare pricing for T-Home Entertain.

PeterParker · Jun 25, 2012, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by andi*pandi

I don't have an apple tv, but verizon and amazon and netflix are happy to sell me downloads directly from the TV, receiver, bluray player, wii, etc. So you don't have to shell out for apple tv unless you want to, or the selection is better there.

... and again, same question, don't I need some sort of HD? Does it save the movie on the DVR? Or does it depend, if the TV has an HD, this is where it saves it etc. ... I don't know if most DVRs have own internet connections these days... ?

MacinTommy · Jun 25, 2012, 02:07 PM

On the subject of iTunes match, I think it's better suited for people who don't use iTunes for acquiring their music (however that may be) but want an easy back-up and also want to be able to get 99% of their music on the go. People like myself.

PeterParker · 05:48 AM

Alright, final question, for me really: How 'good' is the iTunes Movie Store, how good is their offering? Do you find it excellent, missing something totally important? To me, the iTunes Music Store today appears to be absolutely extraordinary (even for Classical music, I thought...) ... How about the movies?

Edit: And I just don't understand how the most recent Apple TV really works; are always streamed? Does that work?

Spheric Harlot · Jun 28, 2012, 05:39 AM

Take a look for yourself, no?