New Movie Options from the iTunes Store

There are about to be many more movies – and options for watching movies – available from the iTunes Store. First, more studios have signed up to offer movies via the iTunes store. Movies are now available from Touchstone, Mirimax, MGM, Lionsgate, Newline, Fox, WB, Disney, Paramount, Universal & Sony.

Apple will now offering movie rentals. Over 1000 titles will be offered. However, the studios will only release these titles to Apple 30 days after the title is released on DVD. Rentals can be watched on Macs, PCs, iPods and the iPhone.

You have up to 30 days from the initial rental to begin watching the movie; the rental will then expire 24 hours later.

Apple has demonstrated that you can begin watching movies 30 seconds after the download begins (on a broadband connection.)

Older movies will cost $2.99, while new releases will cost $3.99. HD rentals (about 100 titles available today) will cost $4.99.

Rentals are available in the US today in an updated version of iTunes, which can be downloaded here:

http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

The service should roll out around the world later this year.

The expanded movie service coincides with the release of the updated Apple TV.

I wouldn’t say this is really a Netflix or Blockbuster killer, but it will be useful for those cold, snowy nights when waiting for Netflix or driving to the video store is out of the question. The pricing scheme is in line with renting a DVD. With the addition of new movie titles, I’m sure I’ll put the service to the test soon enough.