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Level 7

20,548 points

Unable to download SD versions when purchasing HD shows

Previously buying an HD TV show gave you the SD download too, so you could playback on older devices not HD compatible, or perhaps more importantly sync smaller files to iPhones/iPads if you wanted to get more content on sacrificing the resolution.

Last few TV shows I've bought only the HD downloads, and no matter how much I fiddle with Prefs and the 'prefer HD when available' checkbox in iTunes Store 'Purchased' I cannot seem to get the SD to download.

Is it just me?

Posted on Jul 4, 2012 8:27 AM

Best reply

Jim VanLeeuwen

Level 6

18,884 points

Posted on Jul 4, 2012 10:20 AM

There have been some recent changes.

"When you purchase an HD video on a supported device or computer, only HD video will be downloaded. To download the SD version, you need to download the video again from your Purchased page. Conversely, if you purchase an HD video on an unsupported device, the SD version will be downloaded. Then, you will need to download the HD version from your Purchased page. Learn more about downloading previous purchases.

Note: Some previously purchased movies may not be available in iTunes in the Cloud. At the time of purchase, these titles will continue to download both HD and SD version to your Mac or PC. These movies will indicate that they are not available in iTunes in the Cloud on their product details page in the iTunes Store.

For all the details, see Purchasing and viewing HD videos, http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3209

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20 replies

JarodM

Level 1

24 points

Oct 2, 2013 8:21 PM in response to Jim VanLeeuwen

I can't figure out how to download the SD version of a movie onto my iPad in iOS7. Any help would be great.

Oct 3, 2013 5:00 AM in response to JarodM

Go to the iTunes Store and look up the show or movie you already purchased in HD as if you are going to buy it again instead of finding it in your list of Purchases. There will be a button that says HD|SD. Click the SD button (if you purchased an entire tv season the "PURCHASED" that is normally display in place of the price will change to the SD price of the show, but you will still see the iCloud icon to download the episode. Click to start the download as if you are intending to redownload the HD version. This will start an SD download for you.

Mar 28, 2014 10:28 PM in response to Jedesache

Can someone help me...

I downloaded HD version of Tarzan.

Then I did as above (purchased history, uncheck HD only) and downloaded the SD version to put on phone.

Now I have three movie covers (an HD one, SD one and itunes extra one)....

Am I suppose to have three movie covers?

For those who have done this... do you have multiple movie covers or just one?

See below.

Thoughts? Thanks very much.

Mar 28, 2014 11:12 PM in response to Tigervision

I take that back... after all was downloaded... I have two covers:

But why???

May 22, 2014 9:02 PM in response to Alley_Cat

I've been having this problem with the Digital copies of Blu-ray/dvd's I've purchased. It'll download the HD version, but I want the SD version instead. Even with the HD box unchecked, it keeps downloading in HD. Going to the movie's page in the store doesn't help - I think since I bought the physical copy it doesn't recognize that I've paid for the movie, so it wants me to buy the SD version all over again. Am I doomed to HD only?

Unable to download SD versions when purchasing HD shows