billwoodard11

Q: Why won't iTunes allow me to download 1080p versions of the movies I purchase? I don't watch them on my system which will not accept 1080p, I watch them on my LED TVs with Apple TV.  My preferences are set to 1080p for downloads.

For downloading movies purchased thru iTunes.  Why can't I download 1080p (HD) versions of movies I purchase and save them in my library on a desktop that will not view 1080p? I watch them from my library on LED Tvs from Apple TV.  My preferences in iTunes is set to download 1080p but it won;t let me do that?/? Help!

PowerMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.1)

Posted on Jan 24, 2015 6:11 PM

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Q: Why won't iTunes allow me to download 1080p versions of the movies I purchase? I don't watch them on my system which will not acce ... more

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  • by Matt_M.,

    Matt_M. Matt_M. Jan 26, 2015 10:44 AM in response to billwoodard11
    Community Operations
    Jan 26, 2015 10:44 AM in response to billwoodard11

    Hello billwoodard11,

     

     

    Thanks for the question. If your computer is not compatible with HD 1080p content, you should receive a prompt stating so - but should still be able to download the content for use on other devices. For more information, check out this resource:

     

    Purchasing and viewing HD videos in iTunes - Apple Support

    http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201850

     

    How to purchase, download, or view HD 1080p content

    iTunes 10.6 by default is set to purchase, download, and playback HD content in 720p. You must change your local preference setting if you prefer to download, purchase, and playback HD content in 1080p. Depending on your computer's hardware configurations, you may be unable to purchase, rent, or playback content in 1080p. iTunes may display the following dialog:

     

     

    On Mac or PC

      1. Download the latest version of iTunes. You can download iTunes for free.
      2. From the iTunes menu, choose iTunes > Preferences > Store (for PC, choose Edit > Preferences > Store).
      3. Next to "When downloading High Definition videos, prefer:" set your preference to 1080p1.
      4. Click OK. Now, when you purchase or download HD content, your computer will always download in 1080p, when available.

     

    Depending on your computer's hardware limitations, you may be unable to purchase, rent, or view HD content from the iTunes Store. If you are trying to view HD video on an external display, the display must have a digital connection (DVI, DisplayPort, or HDMI) and support HDCP.

     

     

    Check out the following resource for information on downloading past purchases, including information on playing purchases on Apple TV:

     

    Download past purchases - Apple Support

    http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT2519

     

     

    Thanks,

     

    Matt M.

  • by IHunterMusic,

    IHunterMusic IHunterMusic Dec 8, 2015 12:35 PM in response to billwoodard11
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 8, 2015 12:35 PM in response to billwoodard11

    I have been in touch with iTunes technical support this evening for a long while about this.  My settings are correct.  In preferences I have selected to view in 1080p where possible and also to download in 1080p.  However, when I look at the file size for what I download, it is always less than the file size listed for the film on the iTunes store.  This led me to believe I was getting 720p not 1080p.

     

    However, when I changed my preferences to 720p and tried the download again, the file size was even less (but still above SD quality).  Therefore, this confirmed that the 1080p download was working, but at a lower file size than that shown in store.  The iTunes technician also confirmed this.  Unfortunately there is no simple way to confirm which HD version you have downloaded (1080p or 720p).  You can base it on the settings you have applied but if you ever change your settings, there will be no way to tell.  I have deleted all my HD downloads and am now in the process of downloading them with the 1080p settings.  I have to trust that it is correct because the 720p file size is smaller.

     

    I have fed back via the apple website that their listed file sizes are incorrect and it would be useful to see which HD version has been downloaded.  It would be good if others could also feed this back - we might get it to happen!

     

    Sorry if this wasn't your issue.  In that case - hope this was of use anyway!

     

    Ian.