Purchased movies say "watch" instead of "download."

Hello there, aandrewjulie.

The following Knowledge Base article offers up how to choose SD content for sync and download to your iOS device:

iTunes Store: Viewing and downloading HD content on iPad

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4095

If you prefer to sync SD video content to iPad:

1. With iPad connected to your computer, select it on the left side of the iTunes window.
2. Click the Summary Tab.
3. Scroll down to the Options section and select the checkbox for "Prefer standard definition videos."
4. Now when you sync videos to iPad, only SD versions will be synced.

To undo your change, simply repeat the above steps and uncheck the box next to "Prefer standard definition videos."

If you don't sync using your computer then the following article provides the optiosn for doing this directly from your iPad:

iTunes: Sync purchased HD videos to iPod or iOS device

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts4223

Download previously purchased content in a lower resolution

The easiest way to put purchased videos onto your device is to download the videos from iTunes in the Cloud. This should make sure that you get the highest resolution video optimized for your specific device. Learn more about downloading from iTunes in the Cloud.

Syncing video to iPhone 3G or earlier, iPod touch (1st or 2nd generation), iPod classic, iPod 5th generation, or iPod nano (3rd, 4th, or 5th generation)

1. Make sure you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer. You can download the latest version for free here.
2. Open iTunes on your computer.
3. From the Store menu, choose Store > Sign In, and then enter your Apple ID and password.
4. Navigate to your Purchased page. Find it by clicking Movies or TV Shows from the top navigation bar in the iTunes Store, and then click Purchasedfrom "QUICK LINKS" in the iTunes Store.
5. Choose the appropriate video type: Movies or TV Shows.
6. In the lower-right corner of the screen, deselect the box next to "Download HD When Available."
7. Search for the desired video and click the download button.
8. This should download the standard definition version to your computer so you can sync to your device.

Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.

Cheers,

Pedro.

I have stumbled on a way around this "watch" dilemma as I had the same problem.

Got to settings-itunes and app store- turn the videos switch to show all purchases. Then go to the video app from there you can download your movies, this worked for me. After I downloaded the movies I just turned that switch back to show only downloaded videos.

Hope this helps.

aandrewjulie, I am experiencing the same problem. I went into an Apple store and spoke with the Genius Bar. After resetting my iPad, replacing my iPad, etc., I am still running into the same issues. I am currently on with Apple's phone support, but it is difficult to articulate without them being able to see what is happening. The store's Genius Bar feared something was going wrong with my account.

aandrewjulie, I finally had success. I called the Apple Support line again. They re-released all of my movies to me. I now see all of my movies in the Not on This iPad or Not on This iPhone area of my device. Also, when I search in the iTunes store, I no longer see the Watch option; therefore, I am able to select HD vs SD.

Hope this helps!

aandrewjulie, they didn't really have a reasoning for what happened. Honestly, they seem to have been just as confused as we are. It was a problem with the account and not the device.

Having same problem here to has been going on for a while now and apple still haven't fixed it, not all my stuff says WATCH just certain stuff it's annoying hurry up apple