Apple iTunes to Offer MGM Movies

The iTunes store Wednesday began selling online movie titles from MGM, the Hollywood studio boasting the biggest catalog of modern movie titles.

As per the deal announced yesterday, MGM will intially offer classics such as 'Dances with Wolves,' 'Mad Max,' and 'Rocky,' with other titles to follow suit in the coming weeks.

Beginning with movies from Walt Disney Studios, Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate Entertainment, and now MGM, iTunes sports a catalog of well over 500 titles.

Marked by their absence on iTunes are Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, and Warner Bros, which have already started offering movie downloads through rivals, Amazon.com and Wal Mart Stores.

Titles from MGM's collection of blockbusters and classics that will be available on iTunes will include "The Thomas Crown Affair", "Ronin", and the acclaimed musical "Lilies of the Field."

Movies downloaded from the iTunes Store are downloaded in near-DVD quality at a resolution of 640x480 (up to 480, depending on the aspect ratio) and can be viewed on a computer, fifth generation iPod or widescreen TV with Apple TV.