I tunes question.....
 

Hello all
I am so not a techie- I would like to start renting movies on iTunes to watch on longer flights but I cannot figure one thing out-- do I have to download it onto my ipad and then start watching it or can I just hit iTunes when I am on the plane to watch it? I do not want to use gogo and I'm just trying to figure out how to best do this. I would rent DVDs from redbox but my computer is 17 inches and I'd rather not deal with it- thanks in advance for your help... I have (believe it or not) never used iTunes so I'm new at this:)

Open the iTunes app on your iPad and download the movie you want before you leave. I don't think it needs a wifi connection to play a downloaded movie, but I"m sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong...

No wifi connection needed after it's been downloaded.

Ok...so you need to watch it within 24 hours once downloaded- anyone know how long it would take to download? I have excellent wifi at home and my mini ipad is ios7. I really appreciate the advice!!

Over excellent wi-fi at home it will take 5-10 minutes to download a movie.

HELPFUL TRAVEL TIP:

Choose the download in SD (standard definition) not HD as you can't see the difference on an iPad or a Notebook screen anyway, it's cheaper, and it downloads in half the time. It's still in widescreen, just not high definition. Goes for movies, TV shows, anything video via iTunes, choose SD every time.

BJ

Also, IME you've got to start your movie, for just a second, before you're up in the air to set the 24-hour starting point.

Correction: You have 30 days from when you download it to start watching it, once you start watching it you have 24 hours to watch it as much as you want, then it will vanish.

Thanks. So as long as it's downloaded on my ipad I can watch it? I'm excited.... I know this is old news for many, but I have a long flight monday and look forward to having a movie to watch.

If you have a long flight, take a movie, but consider Season 1 of a TV series your friends have told you for years you should watch but you never found the time.

I've watched 3-5 seasons of shows like Mad Men, Californiacation, Breaking Bad, and Boardwalk Empire during two round trips to Hong Kong, makes the time fly by.

BJ

yes I have thought about maybe starting house of cards or scandal ( I LOVED breaking bad)
so as far as tv shows--I tunes or did you watch via DVD?

Good lord, there is no such thing as DVD!

Everything you need is on iTunes, it's easy to download, and its inexpensive.

Remember: Download the SD (standard definition) version of the TV series or movies you want. They are smaller files, they are cheaper, and your eyes can't see the quality difference on a small iPad screen.

If you haven't seen Mad Men, start there.

BJ

thanks. I guess I somehow must have skipped the whole DVD revolution, I still have VHS tapes somewhere.
so i just want to double-check because Im still a teeny bit confused--I purchase the movie on iTunes, download it, and once its downloaded on my ipad I have 30 days to watch it--24 hours once it is actually started.
so I can download it once I rent, but not begin play until I actually start watchng on the plane? yes, I am that unknowledgable about this:)
Thank you!!

First off, happy to help, that's what we're here for.

Next, the answer to all your questions is "correct".

Rent = You have 30 days to watch it. Once you hit the Play button, you have 24 hours to watch it as many times as you want (skip back, skip forward, etc.) but once the 24 hours are up it deletes itself from your iPad.

Buy = You own it, no restrictions on plays per month, day, etc.

Note that these will work on any iOS device or PC that you own. iPhone, iPod, iPad, iTunes (running on a computer), as well as Apple TV (different story, different day).

People don't rent or buy DVD's anymore. They download iTunes TV shows and Movies to their iOS devices.

BJ

Of course, you can always check out Apple's FAQ...