Well behind the American iTunes Store, earlier this month (June 2008) Apple gave iTunes Store customers in the UK the chance to rent (or purchase) movie downloads. Initially I wasn't sure I'd want to watch movies at my computer, even though I have a good screen and sound system. But I had to try it. With a 17Mbps downstream broadband connection getting the movie onto the computer posed no problem (a typical 1GB movie takes a few minutes). Trouble is all I see is a grey box with no audio. Now that I can't do it, of course I'm more inclined to want to.
My iTunes Store account allows me to playback my DRM-protected iTunes music, a free TV episode, and a purchased short film with no problems. I'm running the latest version of OS X (10.5.3) with the latest version of iTunes (7.6.2) and QuickTime (7.5). I've now tried renting two films, hearing nothing and seeing only this during desktop playback:

Hmmm.. if I wanted to look at nothing but dull grey I shouldn't have to pay for it—I can just look out the window at English skies.
Oddly, when I moved the movie onto my iPhone I could watch it (and hear it) as expected. It seems I'm not alone having this issue, according to discussion in the Apple Support Forums. A number of suggestions have been made, most of which I have tried to no avail:
- Re-installed QuickTime 7.5 (on top of the previous: there is no "uninstaller");
- Re-installed iTunes;
- Removed Perian and Flip4Mac WMV;
- Disabled the OS X Firewall;
- Bought music after renting the movie;
- Moved the movie to iPhone and back again.
I explained all this to Apple using the "Report a problem" option in iTunes Accounts. They said:
If you see a grey screen when you try to play or preview a video, you probably need to install the latest QuickTime upgrade.
I replied, politely asking if they perhaps had an alternative suggestion, or whether they would simply recommend I stick to my local video store. They said my "request is flagged for follow-up".
If anyone else has had this issue and have successfully resolved it themselves please do share how (my faith in help/ support desks is rather fragile).
Update 09.07.08: I don't know how, but rental playback in iTunes is now working. The only thing I noticed was that I was signed out of iTMS at the time, having paid a visit to another Store. Beats me!









I guess I must be lucky, but as I type I'm watching "I'm a Leg-end" sorry "I Am Legend" - my first download.
I have Perian and Flip4Mac installed as well?
Hah! That was the first one I rented too: disappointing. Good to know it works for you with Perian and Flip4Mac. I just got my "follow-up" response from Apple; they're refunding the rental fee and have "submitted the movie for investigation". Don't think they'll get far, since the movie itself can't be at fault (you and many others can view it; I viewed it on iPhone). There's a bug in their iTunes rental DRM code somewhere... curious to know if I bought the film now (cf. rental) if it would play normally. But not curious to the tune of £11!
I'm just wondering if it's all optimised for the Dual Core Intel chip?
Apple said:
I have a 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo, so if a G4 is OK I doubt it's my hardware.