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Playing downloaded movies on my Mac

I have a lot of downloaded movies that I purchased from Apple. I used to be able to watch them on my Mac, but I suspect that there's been some encoding changes because now I get the dreaded error message that the movies aren't playable on my monitor. I have no idea why my monitor (an LG UHD that I've had for years) should have anything to do with it. I purchased the movies and now I can't watch them unless I stream them. So in effect, I purchased nothing; I'm leasing the movie for viewing online. Movies not purchased from Apple play just fine. I assume there's no fix for this. It's just upsetting that I payed for something that I apparently don't own.

Mac Studio, macOS 15.2

Posted on Jan 18, 2025 2:29 PM

Reply
3 replies

Jan 21, 2025 12:08 AM in response to Jay Ducharme

Unfortunately, Apple (and most digital platforms) only license movies, even after purchase. This means you don’t "own" the file in the traditional sense, as you would with a DVD or Blu-ray. The DRM ensures that playback is tied to Apple-approved devices and configurations, limiting user flexibility.


Apple movies are encoded with DRM, which requires all connected devices (like your monitor) to support HDCP.

Your LG UHD monitor may not fully comply with the latest HDCP versions, or there may be a compatibility glitch.


Verify HDCP Compatibility of Your Monitor:

  1. Check your monitor’s specifications to confirm HDCP support.
  2. Ensure you’re using an HDMI cable that supports HDCP (preferably High-Speed or Ultra High-Speed HDMI).
  3. Try a different HDMI input on your monitor, as some ports may be less compatible.


Play Movies in Apple TV App

Open the Apple TV app on your Mac instead of playing directly from Finder or other apps.

Download the movies for offline playback within the Apple TV app.


Adjust Display Settings

1 Go to System Settings > Displays and check for external monitor configurations.

2 Lower the resolution or refresh rate of your monitor temporarily to see if it bypasses the HDCP issue.


Try a Different Monitor or Cable

If possible, test the playback with another HDCP-compliant monitor or TV.


Use an external USB-C to HDMI adapter that explicitly states HDCP compliance.

Use a certified HDMI or Thunderbolt cable.

Delete the problematic downloads and re-download them via the Apple TV app.

Ensure you're signed in with the same Apple ID used to purchase the movies


Playing downloaded movies on my Mac

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