Where to buy movies or TV shows other than itunes (legally)?

[Madam Mina]

I would really like to download some movies or TV shows for watching on while I am travelling but I am one of the very few people in this world who does not own anything apple makes (yes not even an ipod). I don't really want to download itunes just for this but I can't find anyone else who sells them. Bigpond and a few others will rent them to me but not sell? Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[samh004]

In the US there are a few services, but I’m not sure about Australia.

Bandit.fm might sell movies or TV shows, though I’ve only ever used them for music.

At the end of the day, iTunes isn’t too bad a movie download service, though I’m not sure if movies and/or TV shows are still copy-protected or not, if they are, then it’s harder to watch on whatever device you end up buying, but if they aren’t, then you couldn’t really go wrong. They’re not leading the market because of bad value

The other alternative of course is buying a DVD and ripping it yourself, though this requires a little more know how than just downloading something. Useful for backups though.

 

[munitalP]

Just for your information,

Don't google rapidshare search engine and don't buy a premium rapidshare account for a few $$ per month, it would give you access to thousands of movies, music etc, and you would be breaking copyright laws. Don't believe them when they say it bounces through many servers and is secure, I am sure some people I know who have been using this method for years to get their music will get caught soon, don't do it!

 

[samh004]

Just for your information,

Don't google rapidshare search engine and don't buy a premium rapidshare account for a few $$ per month, it would give you access to thousands of movies, music etc, and you would be breaking copyright laws. Don't believe them when they say it bounces through many servers and is secure, I am sure some people I know who have been using this method for years to get their music will get caught soon, don't do it!

You used Rapidshare, I always go straight to BitTorrent, but as this thread is about legal movie downloads, I’ll leave it there.

Just thought about it a bit more, you can watch most Australian (and some international TV shows) on the Australian networks websites, and I think you can download too, but never bothered trying.

Examples would be Underbelly on 9 and Lie To Me on 10.

 

[zig]

Just thought about it a bit more, you can watch most Australian (and some international TV shows) on the Australian networks websites, and I think you can download too, but never bothered trying.

Examples would be Underbelly on 9 and Lie To Me on 10.

I don't think you can download them to view at a later date (apart from Foxtel), but would be interested to be corrected if anyone knows how it can be done.

 

[samh004]

I don't think you can download them to view at a later date (apart from Foxtel), but would be interested to be corrected if anyone knows how it can be done.

Hmm, that might be the case. I have seen and heard of TV shows coming from those websites, but I’m sure it’s some backhanded way of saving the stream, and not technically kosher.

Google searches for me have turned up nothing, so if iTunes no longer copy protects movies and TV shows, I’d recommend them as they’re good value and good quality, and if not copy protected, should be able to be played on most devices. If they are, I have nothing

 

[simongr]

Movies - illegal so don't do it.

TV shows.... now there's the rub. I can watch a TV show on my TV and using my foxtel IQ box I record it and watch it later. I could even watch it much later on a different TV in a different house in a different state. When travelling I can watch TV shows much in advance of when they air in Oz as well.

But I can't obtain the same TV shows in a more convenient transportable format.

Yeah copyright laws are really protecting TV producers...

Anyway back on topic.

What you could do is rent the DVD from your local rental place and rip a copy to your hard drive for future viewing. You have paid for the content and just shifted when you wanted to watch it.

Remember when you buy a DVD you don't own the movie just the physical media - you are always only borrowing it.

 

[samh004]

I think the only answer is iTunes.

Remember when you buy a DVD you don't own the movie just the physical media - you are always only borrowing it.

Don’t you just love the world we live in?

 

[kamchatsky]

If necessary, buy an iPod Touch 8Gb (will most likely phase out soon) for about $229 from Harvey Norman (I bought one last week with a Logitech portable iPod dock for extra $10), and your problem will never happen again!

 

[medhead]

Remember when you buy a DVD you don't own the movie just the physical media - you are always only borrowing it.

I thought there was a recent court case that ruled it was acceptable for the owner of media to convert the contents into a format of their choice for viewing purposes.

 

[Madam Mina]

Thanks all for the replies. I already watch quite a lot of stuff on ABC's iview but I am pretty sure you have to watch it while online and that it can't be downloaded for later although those trickier than me with a computer may know how. I also think you are right the copyright laws were changed a while back to allow format shifting (ie uploading music from a legally bought CD to an mp3 player) but I think this is still pretty difficult to do with a DVD (I have a few I haven't watched yet I must try it again).

Looks like my only option is itunes bummer don't really need another program on my computer although I have been considering buying an ipod touch and downloading Tom toms app instead of getting a proper gps so maybe that would kill two birds with one stone already have a perfectly good sony mp3 player though.

 

[samh004]

Looks like my only option is itunes bummer don't really need another program on my computer although I have been considering buying an ipod touch and downloading Tom toms app instead of getting a proper gps so maybe that would kill two birds with one stone already have a perfectly good sony mp3 player though.

Last I heard the Tom Tom app only works with an iPod touch with the dock that you can buy as an extra to put on the dashboard, as the iPod touch does not come with a GPS chip. This dock is an extra cost to the app, and last I checked was more than the app.

 

[kamchatsky]

Thanks all for the replies. I already watch quite a lot of stuff on ABC's iview but I am pretty sure you have to watch it while online and that it can't be downloaded for later although those trickier than me with a computer may know how. I also think you are right the copyright laws were changed a while back to allow format shifting (ie uploading music from a legally bought CD to an mp3 player) but I think this is still pretty difficult to do with a DVD (I have a few I haven't watched yet I must try it again).

Looks like my only option is itunes bummer don't really need another program on my computer although I have been considering buying an ipod touch and downloading Tom toms app instead of getting a proper gps so maybe that would kill two birds with one stone already have a perfectly good sony mp3 player though.

And now Harvey Norman as special on iPod Touch 8Gb for $198 if you are interested.

 

[Madam Mina]

Hi just an update. I ended up getting a iPod touch and am finding it a very entertaining toy. I also got the cradle and tom-tom app and tested them on the way to work it seems to work very well. I also managed to transfer my lonely planet PDFs into iBooks which should be handy. Thanks for your help

 

[samh004]

I have to say, buying an iPod touch now is a bit risky, I’d see if you can return it by the end of the week, as roughly Thursday morning we’ll hear about the new iPod touch’s rumoured to be released at the Apple media event on 1st September.

You never know what the new model could bring, but at the least it’ll drop prices lower than they are now for the older models probably.

Glad it works well for you though.

 

[Madam Mina]

Hi Sam, I know it was a bit risky because I did know about the event but nothing I have read says for sure its announcing the new touch and even if it is I figure it will be months before it comes to Oz (all the other apple stuff seems to come here on delay) and I am travelling in a week and wanted it set up before I left so bad timing but nothing I can do really. I did get a discount on the touch (wasn't expecting an apple store to negotiate but apparently they do) and the cradle was on sale plus I will get the gst back at the airport so not too bad really. I only be really sad with my purchase if they put 3g sims in them like an ipad.

 

[Flashback]

Info on the new iPod range here: http://www.itnews.com.au/News/230801,apple-makes-play-for-tv-market.aspx

 

[samh004]

I only be really sad with my purchase if they put 3g sims in them like an ipad.

Lucky for you they didn’t, though they do look very nice with all the new features.

 

[Madam Mina]

Not that fussed on the camera as I almost never use skype etc and I am sure the other stuff looks pretty but wouldn't make that much of difference so on the whole not that worried really. The one I have is all set up and ready to go away with me now.

 

[samh004]

Not that fussed on the camera as I almost never use skype etc and I am sure the other stuff looks pretty but wouldn't make that much of difference so on the whole not that worried really. The one I have is all set up and ready to go away with me now.

I doubt I’d use it either. I’m not in any rush to upgrade.

I hope it works well for you on your upcoming trip!