MGM movies arrive at iTunes Store

Stephen Withers
Thursday, 12 April 2007 02:41

Your IT - Home IT

The inventory of movies at Apple's iTunes Store gets a shot in the arm with the announcement that MGM is beginning to release movies for download.

"It's exciting to be bringing so many amazing films from our catalog to iTunes," said Douglas Lee, executive vice president of worldwide digital media at MGM. "We have an unrivaled movie library and are looking forward to adding even more films in the future so users can take their favorite movies with them wherever they go."

Even more? Although MGM alone has a library of some 4000 modern movies, iTunes Store now offers a mere 500 titles from all sources.

The initial batch from MGM features well-known films including Dances With Wolves, Mad Max, Rocky, Ronin, and The Thomas Crown Affair. iTunes movies are priced between $US9.99 and $US14.99 - those mentioned here are all $US9.99.

Despite the arrival of the 720p-capable Apple TV, iTunes movies are still delivered in "near-DVD quality" 640 pixels wide by no more than 480 high. That's fine for watching on a iPod connected to a TV, but not so good for viewing on a computer or via Apple TV.

"More than two million movies have now been downloaded from the iTunes Store making it the world’s most popular online movie store," said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes. We can't help thinking they would have sold a lot more if movies were available from iTunes Stores outside the US.