iTunes HD movies: cost-effective blu ray alternative?

[MajorFubar]

I don't have a BD player, and chances are I probably won't get one, because I have no intention of starting yet another library of physical media.

To indulge myself in a little HD viewing, I've been looking at iTunes again with renewed interest, and I've found that compared to their overpriced albums, their films look a little more competitive.

For example, I quite fancy Nick Park's excellent Pirates! in HD for the kids (honest), and the iTunes price of £13.99 compares favourably with the blu-ray price in Amazon and Play.com, both of which are £15+.

I also see they're doing MIB 3 in HD for £13.99, again reasonably competitive compared to the blu-ray's £15+ pre-order price elsewhere. What's more it appears I could download it now in advance of the 'physical versions' being released on 05 November.

But compared to BD, what kind of picture quality can I expect from iTunes HD films? We all know that high resolution means diddly-squat if the video has been over-compressed, and unlike audio, purchase-quality previews seem conspicuous by their absence (unless I'm looking right past a really obvious big button).

 

[daveh75]

This maybe of interest (though technically flawed, imo)

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2012/03/the-ars-itunes-1080p-vs-blu-ray-shootout/

Though personally I think the omission of HD audio and extra features with iTunes d/loads makes them poor vfm compared to BD.

 

[MajorFubar]

Very useful comparison...thanks for the link!

 

[JamesOK]

I regularly use the Apple TV for HD movies, and in my opinion theyre really good quality. I have watched Casino Royale on Blu Ray probably about 10 times, but since moving house have not been able to find the disk! So in preperation for SkyFall I decided to watch on Apple TV. I dont think its quite as crisp as the Blu Ray, but its not different enough to worry about.

I'd certainly give the iTunes store a chance.

 

[Juzzie Wuzzie]

Apple TV (3) takes the cake in my household. Have some BR discs, but they are in the minority as ATV convenience rules.