Will My HD Movie Purchases be Future Proof (4k and on?)

As to your current purchases, they will of course not play at 4K resolution, any more than a DVD plays at Blu-Ray resolution, though I would expect a 4K TV to be able to play lower-resolution content. A player or TV may attempt upscaling, that that's just generating extra pixels based on interpolation (essentially guessing). There's no way to actually add data that's not present in the original image.

All of your purchases are stored on Apple's servers and could absolutely be upgraded to 4k.

All of your purchases are stored on Apple's servers and could absolutely be upgraded to 4k.

They are stored there if the film studio/rights-holder doesn't remove them from the store (and if you don't move countries), which they could do at any time. Whether they could be upgraded will depend upon whether iTunes starts to offer 4k, and if the film-studio/rights-holder upgrades a particular film - if/when 4K is offered they are likely to be separate purchases

Yes, I would be shocked if they upgraded them for free. I was pointing out that they absolutely could be, not that they will be.

Also pointing out that movies that are removed can't be upgraded is kind of a non point because obviously we're talking about the stuff that gets 4k, and anything removed wouldn't. Have you ever actually lost access to any of your purchases tho? Or heard of anyone who has due to the film being removed?

iTunes does remove films from time to time from the STORE, but yes, if you have purchased a film, even if it leaves the store you will still have access to the film.

i have several Disney films on ITunes that are no longer available for others to purchase. They come back occasionally. The Patriot had a director's cut that disappeared from ITunes. Yet surprisingly 13 Days is still being offered in only Pan and Scan....***?

Nobody here knows if Apple will ever offer content in a higher resolution, nor will any of the customer service reps at the iTunes Store. Only the product planners for the iTunes Store would know and they won't discuss it until such time as Apple is ready to make an announcement. I would not expect it until 4K TVs are much more affordable, but we'll have to wait and see.

As to your current purchases, they will of course not play at 4K resolution, any more than a DVD plays at Blu-Ray resolution, though I would expect a 4K TV to be able to play lower-resolution content. A player or TV may attempt upscaling, that that's just generating extra pixels based on interpolation (essentially guessing). There's no way to actually add data that's not present in the original image.

Regards.

With the MacPro's capabilities to edit 4k video as well as run with 4k screens one would hope Apple will rather sooner than later start to offer 4k movie content in the iTunes store.

Sony did already start, claiming they are the first and only....so far. Come on Apple!

One key component to me would be the Apple TV supporting 4k with the next release though. This will probably reach a broader user base who can then enjoy 4k moveis from the iTunes store on a 4k TV screen.

For now I will stop purchasing HD video content to avoid having to purchase the same movies again when 4k is available.

I've had a TV programme and a film be removed from the store