Where's my SD version?

Question

Level 1

6 points

Where's my SD version?

I've downloaded Top Gear Series 18 in HD, and the movie The Hunger Games in HD. When I go to 'Sync' my iTouch Gen 4 and my 2nd Gen U2 iPod, an error box pops-up that states these "can't be played on these devices" (assuming because they are in HD). Yet when I look up the issue on iTunes Help, there are many pages that say an SD version is automatically downloaded for those devices that can't play true HD, from anything that is purchased in the iTunes Store.

My question is - where are my SD versions of the above? Nothing additional seems to be downloaded other than the HD versions and I cannot play on a couple of my devices. The error box continues to pop-up, and no new "downloads" are available.

Thanks in advance,

Signed, Frustrated

Windows 7, Core i7, Windows 7 64-bit, 8GB RAM

Posted on Dec 25, 2012 1:29 PM

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Answer 1

Alley_Cat

Level 7

20,548 points

Dec 25, 2012 2:34 PM in response to SK8TRBOI

They used to get downloaded automatically, so you'd see HD-SD next to a movie.

Lately iTunes seems to only get teh HD by default.

Not sure which OS~ version is on Touch but you may be able to download free direct from the store under a Purchased section.

If not (and you may prefer to) go to iTunes store home page in iTunes.

On the right under Quicklinks, choose Purchased.

Under the Films or TV Shows categories there should be a checkbox at the botto to 'Download HD when available' - untick that and list undownloaded SD content and download them.

It's a tad annoying as I prefer to have both for older devices as well.

In fact I prefer all 3 of SD, 720p and 1080p HD - SD for portable devices - 720p for AppleTV1/2 - 1080p for AppleTV2 or 3.

AC

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Answer 2

SK8TRBOI Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 25, 2012 2:54 PM in response to Alley_Cat

Thanks Alley Cat, I will try the things you recommend and get back to you with the results. I also remember automatically gettin both versions in the past but something appears to have changed. I also very much agree that I should have all 3 versions (SD, 720p and 1080p) when I pay for the HD version - one should at least have the option to download those.

Thanks for responding so quickly...and wish me luck! More to follow...

SB

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Answer 3

Alley_Cat

Level 7

20,548 points

Dec 25, 2012 3:03 PM in response to SK8TRBOI

You can get all versions, just it sometimes seems to require a bit of ucking around when a simple option/options should suffice.

As is all too frequent with Apple they assume you want to do things in a particular way - some people used to moan about having the SD versions downloading when they just wanted HD.

I also like to have them all to keep backups - no guarantee they'll always be in iTunes store if a particular studio pulls a movie or changes status from purchasable to rental only.

AC

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Answer 4

Alley_Cat

Level 7

20,548 points

Dec 25, 2012 3:16 PM in response to SK8TRBOI

Even more stupid....prompted by this post I have just set itunes to download half a dozen SD versions overnight. It's also downloading the iTunes extras files again!!!!! They were in SD anyway!!!

AC

I do seem to have some instances wher the HD extras are actually much larger so maybe some movies do have HD extras (I never watch the extras anyway).

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Answer 5

SK8TRBOI Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 25, 2012 3:28 PM in response to Alley_Cat

Alley Cat,

OK, now that's exactly what I want to do...but when I go to download the SD verion(s) it pops up "Already Purchased" and then doesn't add anything to my Available Downloads. I have also un-checked all the HD-preferred boxes anywhere and everywhere I can find them...which is in a number of places.

So, how exactly did you get iTunes to allow you to download SD versions of previously downloaded HD content? I've done the things in your first reply, but the solution still escapes me. Any ideas on what I might be missing/not doing correctly?

Thx

SB

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Answer 6

Alley_Cat

Level 7

20,548 points

Dec 25, 2012 3:40 PM in response to SK8TRBOI

Assuming this is in iTunes on a computer:

1 - Go to iTunes Store Home Page (click house icon if needed)

2 - See Quicklinks on the right > Purchased

3 - Select Films or TV Shows

4 - At the very bottom, uncheck Download HD when available.

For HD movies I either see downloaded or a cloud icon to download the SD version.

For example:

Note the files sizes are SD too (HD will be 3-6GB).

If you don't see a cloud download option, find the film/TV Show in their respective sections in the iTunes library, right click and Show In Finder or similar in Windows to show the folder with the files in - if you have 2 copies of each film/episode, one listed with HD, the other the same in SD they are already there and iTunes may be having a bad day and not indicating this!

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Answer 7

SK8TRBOI Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 25, 2012 4:34 PM in response to Alley_Cat

Yes! Awesome - the 'Clouds' have appeared!

Thank you, Alley_Cat

Cheers,

SB

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Answer 8

Alley_Cat

Level 7

20,548 points

Dec 25, 2012 4:35 PM in response to SK8TRBOI

Glad you got it working.

Cheers.

AC

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Answer 9

eltahur

Level 1

0 points

Dec 25, 2012 4:55 PM in response to Alley_Cat

awesome! this solved the problem. Why did apple move this silly button from one location to the other is beyond me. thanks again.

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Answer 10

ARWilson

Level 1

0 points

Jan 6, 2013 11:41 AM in response to SK8TRBOI

I don't know if it's because I have the new version of iTunes or because it's a Mac version, but those optsions do not appear. I thought I would do the right thing and buy a season pass instead of using bit torrent. Now I can't watch my purchases on my TV. Lesson learned.

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Answer 11

FrankMtl

Level 3

652 points

Aug 20, 2013 12:32 PM in response to Alley_Cat

Another Thank you to Alley Cat. The procedure is still the same with iTunes (Mac) 11.05.

Where I got tripped up is clicking Purchased in my Account or the Purchased link in the Library; none of which give the button req'd.

As indicated by AC, you have to click on the Purchased link under Quick Links which is located to the right of the iTunes Store window.

I purchased the new Star Trek and had selected HD thinking the hybrid file would be downloaded. nope. Am now d/ling the SD file so i can play it on my trusted 20-in Aluminum Cinema Display 😀

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