What can play iTunes DRM video?

DisgruntledGoat

I occasionally buy TV series from iTunes in the States (cheaper than a Sky subscription for the few things I want to watch) which i've been playing on my TV by connecting my iMac via a VGA cable. That worked fine, but the Mac has moved to my office and I need something else to do the job. Ideally i'd like something capable of playing iTunes HD video via a HDMI port too, the iMac wasn't powerful enough for smooth HD (old G5) and only has VGA out.

I know Apple TV will do what I want, but (being Apple) it's expensive. I also have an XBox 360 under the TV already, but that can't play iTunes DRM video. For a little less than the Apple I could buy something like an Acer Revo and run iTunes on Windows, but that's still quite expensive and i'm wondering about some of the other media players from Sumvision, WD etc. that have appeared. Any idea if these work with DRM protected content?

Or any other thoughts/suggestions welcome.

Marty_J

Apple products are the only things that will play Apple DRM files. Apple don't licence their FairPlay DRM to anyone.

The Apple TV is awesome though. It's incredibly easy to set up and use, and it works brilliantly. If it plays the files you want it to play, it's by far the best media extender you can buy.

There's a refurbished 160 GB Apple TV on the Apple Refurb Store for £189.

Pete*G_4

Apple TV's on ebay...

40GB currently £127 HERE
40GB £87 HERE
Unsure what size... but £40 HERE

There's loads on there, they are just the 1st three I stumbled across.

alternatively, why not pick up a cheap video-compatible ipod and use a Video cable? I paid £40 for my 8GB Nano 3G, and £4 for a video cable.

job done

lfc321

There are a number of tutorials on the web which tell you how to burn iTunes TV shows to DVD which you could then play in your DVD player. I have not tried them and do not know the legal position on this.

DisgruntledGoat

Thanks guys, looks like it's Apple then - just doing my "due diligence" to see if there's anything cheaper. I've had a play with my brother's Apple TV and it's a nice bit of kit.

alternatively, why not pick up a cheap video-compatible ipod and use a Video cable?

I have a 16Gb iPhone 3G, can it cope with decent quality playback on a big TV?

Marty_J

The Apple TV supports higher resolutions than the iPhone does, and it has an HDMI connection. Using your iPhone might be good enough, but the Apple TV is certainly a more elegant solution.