iTunes downloading both SD and HD versions of same movie?

I just downloaded the HD version of Adventureland from the iTunes Store, and both the high-definition and standard-definition movies are downloading as I type this. Why is it wasting time and hard drive space downloading both, and did it charge me twice?

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.2), Black, 160 GB, 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

Posted on Dec 13, 2009 1:19 PM

Reply
12 replies

Dec 14, 2009 1:12 AM in response to Masoni

From http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3209 (iTunes: Purchasing and viewing HD Videos):
Summary
+Video purchases from the iTunes Store are delivered in Standard Definition (SD), which can be played on your computer, iPod, iPhone, or Apple TV. Some videos are also offered in High Definition (HD). HD videos feature a higher-quality picture, but are designed to be played only on your computer or Apple TV. _Whenever you purchase an HD video from the iTunes Store, you will also receive the SD version._+

Don't worry - it's free.

Regards,
Colin R.

Mar 6, 2010 7:41 AM in response to Greg Robinson1

i've realised I only need the SD version now as i use my ipod connected to my tv to watch movies etc, I guess I start using my laptop instead, and hook it up direct to the tv to view the HD version.
My concern is just the storage space for TV series, since there might be 10 to 20 episodes each, each being 1.5Gb for HD and 600mb for SD about 2GB each then!

Is there a way of archiving TV series etc once they've been watched through, or is the only solution more storage for iTunes library?

Mar 6, 2010 8:14 AM in response to maxicool

Is there a way of archiving TV series etc once they've been watched through, or is the only solution more storage for iTunes library?

You'll need more storage one way or another.
You can burn the movies to a data DVD using iTunes or copy them to an external drive then delete them from iTunes and add them back to iTunes when you want to view them again.
Or you an use an external drive for iTunes and simply leave them in iTunes.

Mar 6, 2010 8:25 AM in response to Chris CA

Chris CA wrote:
You'll need more storage one way or another.


good point, realised I was being a bit dumb just after I posted. I already use an external, so I guess I'll just keep upgrading it as I need. Its 500GB at the moment with my library being about 100GB and another 250GB of DVD ts files for Frontrow. I guess I'd be renting or streaming movies these days but the iTunes TV series passes are quite cool to keep... The fun is endless!!!

Jan 20, 2012 6:10 PM in response to maxicool

Simply Browse to the Movie in iTunes (via (user) > Music > iTunes > iTunes Music > Movies There you will see both versions (SD and HD) and you can delete the SD version there.


(Question was: Why is there only one icon for two version of movies in iTunes or How do I delete one version when SD and HD movies are downloaded but only appear as one version.)

Mar 20, 2012 8:46 AM in response to Writer Guy in RI

Writer Guy in RI wrote:


When you connect your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch to your computer, you also have the option to choose "Prefer standard definition videos" at the bottom of the Summary screen. This will ensure that just the smaller files go on your portable device while the HD version is available for streaming to your HDTV.

But that does not answer the original, 2.5 year old questions you responded to of "why is it downloading both" and "is he being charged twice".

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iTunes downloading both SD and HD versions of same movie?

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