Can't buy HD version of movie if I already own SD version?

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Level 1

9 points

Can't buy HD version of movie if I already own SD version?

I own about six movies on iTunes in SD format. Not my choice -- they were acquired via Blu-ray pack-in codes and there was no way to tell if they were HD or SD versions until they were redeemed.

Fast forward 10 odd years and now I would prefer to own HD versions of these movies. I've spoken to Apple support and got the usual lecture about not being able to upgrade from SD to HD. Yes, we know that. We're not looking for a freebie upgrade, we just want to buy the HD version.

Once I explained that, his "solution" was to hide the movie in iTunes, which would give you the option to buy it again in the store. Only problem is, this method no longer works. I know it used to work before, which is how I bought HD versions of Inception and Shaun of the Dead after getting SD versions via the Blu-rays. But apparently Apple have now hobbled this method because attempting to buy the HD version now gives you a pop-up saying you already own the movie.

Contacting Apple support again the next day to report this solution as invalid, the support person pretty much agreed with my suggestion that the only way to acquire an HD version of a movie if you already own the SD version is to buy it from another retailer. They refused to remove the SD versions from my account to allow me to buy the HD versions.

Just want to see if this is the same experience everyone else has had with Apple support lately or if someone else has managed to find a workaround?

iPhone 13

Posted on Aug 2, 2023 05:32 PM

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Answer 1

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I-want-to-understand

Level 1

13 points

Aug 15, 2023 02:13 AM in response to Retroblique

After four hours struggling with exactly that same issue and not getting any help from Apple I finally figured out a way to do it ... On an IOS device (iPhone or iPad) use the "iTunes Store" app (pink icon with a giant star in the middle). Now use the search function available at the bottom of that app to find your movie and select it. Once you do that you'll finally see an option to purchase that movie in HD quality. And if you scroll to the bottom of your movie listing there you should see the words "Also Available in SD" and if you click that you'll find that yes, you do own that version as it won't show you the purchase price but the download icon instead. So pick your HD version to buy and purchase it and you'll get a quick pop-up saying do you want to purchase this movie again and answer yes because as you and I know there is no auto-upgrade of SD movies to HD. Crazy no one at Apple support knows this and that their default "Apple TV" apps won't let you see or purchase the HD version when you previously purchased the SD version. Hope they don't make the mistake of retiring this app before they fix that problem with the Apple TV app.

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Answer 2

Jan 4, 2024 07:10 PM in response to I-want-to-understand

This worked for me. Thank you!!!

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Answer 3

muguy

Level 10

89,990 points

Aug 2, 2023 06:13 PM in response to Retroblique

I just looked at an old purchase from 2007. It was SD. If I scroll down under the How to Watch section I find "resume," "buy," and "rent." Not sure if that is true for all purchases.

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Can't buy HD version of movie if I already own SD version?

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