Apple TV and iTunes movie rentalusing US account?

su_dios

I'm picking up an Apple TV and hacking it using Boxee [ http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iwpuTDsjVTE ] which will allow me to play more than just the itunes restricted files inc. web streams. I would really like to use the itunes store to rent movies. I know we don't have this in Ireland yet and don't know when we will! But for now.. how do I go about using an american account? I don't have an american address or CC. Can I fake an address and buy US itunes cards from online?

sedohre

I believe you have to have a US itunes acc, and a US itunes cards.

However the other day, itunes amended their term&cond to say something about needing to be in the US to download from US itunes. They say that they are able to track where you have downloaded from, something like that.

I have a US itunes acc and it was when I was downloading the weekly free song that I got the message!

They're obviously copping on

J-blk

sedohre wrote: »

However the other day, itunes amended their term&cond to say something about needing to be in the us to download from us itunes. They say that they are able to track where you have downloaded from, something like that.

I noticed that too when installing iTunes 8 - I don't think they are doing much to stop it yet other than the amended T&Cs but the fact that it is there does not bode well.

OP, yes, you can set up a fake US account (only the ZIP code needs to be real and match the city/state) - to set one up without a CC you need a code to sample free tracks and then you can select the "None" option when it comes to billing to get it up and running. Once set up, you can top it up with US gift cards. Google is your friend as usual...

Given the new T&Cs though, I'm not sure I'd risk any "to own" content (other than iTunes Plus tracks) since you might get your account disabled in the future and be unable to re-sync any purchased content.

Shame though, it's as if they are trying anything possible to send people to "dodgier" sources to acquire their video content...

su_dios

Ok cool, well as long as they don't change anything immediately I'm happy enough. I will only be renting movies from there as they don't let us do that here yet! So I won't own any of the content as its time restricted.

to set one up without a CC you need a code to sample free tracks

So I have to find a free sample code first? Anyone here have one?

Thanks

su_dios

I can't seem to find any redemption codes, and also account set up seems to insist on asking for a credit card now. Does it matter if I use an american billing address with my CC and then use itunes gift cards to actually pay?

sedohre

This forum should help:-

http://forums.mactalk.com.au/20/45826-how-get-us-itunes-account-free.html

You can't use your Irish cc

su_dios

That was the link I was using. I went and downloaded a free iphone app and eventually got the 'none' payment options. It won't let me passed this page though as even though I select none and the CC form disappears. It keeps coming back with the message saying credit card details are not valid. Any ideas? I see on ebay you can buy a 200$ card for 60eur. Just want to make sure this works fine before I buy a card.

sedohre

Sorry I can't help, that was the info I used a few months back and it worked for me. I didn't have any problems

Be careful about buying US Itunes cards on-line , if you read the thread in MacTalk forums there seems to be a lot of fake cards on ebay

su_dios

I'll give it a shot. Picked up a 50$ card for 15eur first just waiting for the codes. I have also found ZML.com which looks great although not very 'legal'? 2.99$ per movie to own.

bluemachaveli

www.tunecard.biz is pretty handy for getting topup cards, ive used them a good few times, they will also set up ur account if u don't have one.

J-blk

su_dios wrote: »

I have also found ZML.com which looks great although not very 'legal'? 2.99$ per movie to own.

Most definitely not legal - they are simply selling the same files that are readily available via the various P2P networks. Their "legal" section mentions:

"6.1 All materials presented on this site are available for the distribution over the Internet in accordance with the license of the Russian Organization for multimedia and Digital Systems (ROMS) and intended for personal use only. Further distribution, resale or broadcasting is strictly prohibited."

And they're in Cyprus, so what the hell does the "Russian Organization for multimedia and Digital Systems" have to do with anything? FYI, this is the same BS organization that allofMP3.com was using - it's still not technically legal... and since you've been asking about iTunes, I'm guessing you're looking for a fully legal solution. Like Sedohre and I mentioned though, even using the US iTunes store is now a "grey" area... there simply are no good legal options available in the EU yet....

su_dios

Thats what I thought. The itunes method would be handy as I could rent them to my apple tv and basically paying the same amount as I would in xtravision.
They really need to get a move on with introducing the service here.

J-blk

su_dios wrote: »

They really need to get a move on with introducing the service here.

+1 - unfortunately the situation in most of Europe is still pretty dire when compared to the US (look at things like iTunes itself, Amazon MP3, Hulu, etc) and doesn't seem to be changing any time soon. Which is idiotic really, as it is very easy for people to acquire the content from "other" sources anyway - I'm not saying that having the legal options would steer everyone away from piracy (no chance of that) but it would benefit the content holders, by providing people what they really want. Who the hell wants to go to Xtravision these days to rent a movie, with a good possibility of a f****d up disc too?

The best we've got in Ireland so far is the Xbox Live Marketplace HD video rentals IMO, but the selection is still paltry...

johnk123

su_dios wrote: »

They really need to get a move on with introducing the service here.

I've said it before, and i'll say it again. I really want movies on the irish itunes store!!

Dman001

I really wouldnt recommend buying iTunes vouchers from Ebay. 99.9% of the codes are bought with stolen credit cards and I have read many cases where Apple shut down your account. I really would love a rental service too but only if the price is right. The Xbox Live service isnt great to say the least. The whole Xbox points thing doesnt work for me and they are really expensive to buy which kinda takes away the purpose of online rentals.

eamon234

johnk123 wrote: »

I've said it before, and i'll say it again. I really want movies on the irish itunes store!!

Me too - get off yer hairy holes and make it happen Apple!!

Dman001

Youd think we'd be one of the first countries to get it with their EU HQ in Cork.

su_dios

Stolen cards? That would explain why they're so cheap. I only picked up a $20 card for 15eur so think that was fine. I needed it to open the account. I got it all working btw. Just for anyone wanting to do the same heres what I did.

1. Change itunes store to US
2. Click to download a free iphone app
3. Click to sign up for a new account
4. Put in a zip code for Cali(no sales tax)
5. Select 'None' in the payment option and put in your ebay gift card code or free redemption code in the provided space. If you don't see none try a different free app.
6. Click activation link in your email.

Job done!