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Amazon Prime and Apple TV are easy. Just rent the movie. It’s a few bucks like video rental shops back in the old days. You can also buy, though only Apple real

by api 3y ago

Amazon Prime and Apple TV are easy. Just rent the movie. It’s a few bucks like video rental shops back in the old days. You can also buy, though only Apple really allows downloading of bought content.

upupupandaway 3y ago
But they don’t have the show or movie you want, then you have to sign up somewhere else.
- al_borland 3y ago
  The rental options from places like Apple and Amazon typically have a much bigger library than the streaming options. Unless it is a movie or show specifically made for another streaming service, it is probably available as a rental.
facialwipe 3y ago
It’s a few bucks like video rental shops back in the old days. Of the top 10 in Apple’s current Top Movies Chart in the TV app, 3 cost $5.99 to rent while the other 7 are $19.99 to rent.
- api 3y ago
  Inflation adjusted that’s about right. It was like $4 to rent a new release in 1993.
- al_borland 3y ago
  Generally speaking, the ones that cost $19.99 to rent are still in theaters. The price will drop once they are out of theaters and a more normal home release. This wasn’t an option in the days of video rental shops. If a family, or even just a couple, was going to go to the movies, buying popcorn and drinks, it’s not cheap. $19.99 is still usually cheaper than going out. I remember when they started doing this. I think it was a response to theaters being closed during the pandemic, but could be misremembering slightly. Beyond that, I think the general idea was that people have nice big screens and home and don’t feel the need to go to movie theaters anymore, so this gives people an option to see new releases in the comfort of their home. The extra cost is for the early home access.
s__s 3y ago
I’ve always liked Apple ITunes store model. (So did Steve Jobs that’s why they were so late to music subscriptions) Just give me a giant catalogue of every show, movie, and album known to man and let me buy or rent a-la-carte for a fair price. At the moment I’ve dropped all streaming platforms and am back to Apple. If I want to watch something I just buy it and don’t have to worry about subscribing to yet another service.
slothtrop 3y ago
Partial agree. Plenty of films aren't available for rent on those services either.

by api 3y ago

upupupandaway 3y ago

But they don’t have the show or movie you want, then you have to sign up somewhere else.

al_borland 3y ago
The rental options from places like Apple and Amazon typically have a much bigger library than the streaming options. Unless it is a movie or show specifically made for another streaming service, it is probably available as a rental.

facialwipe 3y ago

It’s a few bucks like video rental shops back in the old days. Of the top 10 in Apple’s current Top Movies Chart in the TV app, 3 cost $5.99 to rent while the other 7 are $19.99 to rent.

api 3y ago
Inflation adjusted that’s about right. It was like $4 to rent a new release in 1993.
al_borland 3y ago
Generally speaking, the ones that cost $19.99 to rent are still in theaters. The price will drop once they are out of theaters and a more normal home release. This wasn’t an option in the days of video rental shops. If a family, or even just a couple, was going to go to the movies, buying popcorn and drinks, it’s not cheap. $19.99 is still usually cheaper than going out. I remember when they started doing this. I think it was a response to theaters being closed during the pandemic, but could be misremembering slightly. Beyond that, I think the general idea was that people have nice big screens and home and don’t feel the need to go to movie theaters anymore, so this gives people an option to see new releases in the comfort of their home. The extra cost is for the early home access.

s__s 3y ago

I’ve always liked Apple ITunes store model. (So did Steve Jobs that’s why they were so late to music subscriptions) Just give me a giant catalogue of every show, movie, and album known to man and let me buy or rent a-la-carte for a fair price. At the moment I’ve dropped all streaming platforms and am back to Apple. If I want to watch something I just buy it and don’t have to worry about subscribing to yet another service.

slothtrop 3y ago

Partial agree. Plenty of films aren't available for rent on those services either.