There’s an emerging riot over at the Apple Support forums, where pissed-off 5G iPod owners are expressing their…concern at the fact that movies they rent from the iTunes Store don’t seem to transfer to their iPods. Their big complaint is that there’s no explicit indication of device incompatibility, and thus they were swindled out of $3 or $4.
We did some digging, though, and it turns out the iTunes Movie Rentals FAQ does list exactly what Apple devices support rentals:
If rented on the computer, you can watch your rental on that computer, or transfer it to your iPhone, iPod touch, iPod classic, or iPod nano (3rd generation), or on your TV using your Apple TV.
It’s an inclusive list, and the 5G iPod is excluded. So if you have a 5G iPod and want a movie for the road, you’re kinda out of luck when it comes to renting from iTunes. I mean, you could always carry your iMac around with you. That’ll play rentals just fine.
I was one of those who didn't realize that 5g iPods were excluded.
I contacted iTunes Customer Service and they promptly issued a refund (even though the movie was on my MBP).
No need for a riot. Still, I can't think of any reason why we shouldn't be able to view them on a 5g ipod.
@jtmportland, for the same reason new iPods require new video out cables. It's a copy protection thing. So, has anyone tried to record from the video out cable on a iPhone/iPod touch/classic/3G nano? I'm curious what the result would be.
Anyone pissed about this simply hasn't been paying attention. No explicit indication of incompatibility? What, Apple is supposed to list every device they don't support? "Rentals do not work on 5G iPods, 2G iPod nanos, 4G iPods, 1G iPod nanos, 3G iPods, iPod shuffle, ..., barn houses, hen houses, and out houses."
But, curiously, they WILL play the exact same videos if they are purchased.
Maybe Apple should just 5/5.5G iPod owners $20 for the iPod Classic firmware and be done with it.
Thank goodness I don't rent from Apple. Unlike DVD which just works.
Personally I think Apple should offer firmware update for older 5G model. I don't think the hardware is any different.
@Dave-O: The change in cable has nothing to do with copy protection. It has to do with supporting 480i output, and allowing the iPhone to do video output (since the extra "headphone jack" contact now has to carry mic audio instead of a video signal, video has moved to the Dock connector across the iPod line.) I don't know what this has to do with rental support, though.