Macworld rumor: iTunes-compatible DVDs

We've now got less than one week and counting until MacWorld 2008's "Stevenote," so let's try not to slouch on this rumor front, okay? So far, we've got an ultraportable MacBook Pro, new Cinema Displays and a 3G iPhone on the docket but that's not all, friends. If you keep your ear low to the ground, you might have already heard rumors of movie rentals via iTunes. While pricing details, participating studios and rental terms remain unclear, rumor has it that a 24-hour rentals from Disney, Fox and possibly other studios will go on sale next week for $3.99. It's hard to say whether the service would be a success at that price point, though it would certainly give Apple TV owners something else to do with their little white set-top-box.

Additionally, certain studios are said to be announcing a plan to provide iTunes/iPod compatible versions of films gratis with a DVD purchase. A Mac enthusiast who received a pre-release "Family Guy" DVD, scheduled for release on the 15th, found that the DVD included both both WMV and iPod-friendly H.264 versions of the film for download. However, the feature apparently requires version 7.6 of iTunes, which is said to be arriving--when else?--on the 15th.

For more on the iTunes video rumors:
- see this MacRumors article
- and this BusinessWeek piece on iTunes rentals