I want to play iTunes movies on DVD player. I searched online, someone said that iTunes movies couldn't be burned to disc because of DRM.

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Short answer: for purchased iTunes/Apple TV movies the practical route is not to burn a disc. Most movies and TV shows sold through Apple are protected and iTunes/TV will not create a standard VIDEO_TS DVD that plays in a standalone player; iTunes’ burn feature is limited and Apple explicitly notes purchased movies and TV shows can’t be burned for normal DVD‑player playback. (support.apple.com)

Why that is: Apple’s store files often use the M4V/ FairPlay scheme (the container can be DRM‑protected), so a downloaded movie is licensed to Apple’s apps and authorized devices rather than sold as an open MPEG‑2 DVD image. The technical gap is twofold: (a) DRM prevents copying to a playable disc; and (b) a “data” DVD isn’t the same as a DVD‑Video disc that most players expect. (en.wikipedia.org)

Practical, legal options (workflows):

  • Use an Apple‑approved path to watch on a TV — Apple TV hardware, the Apple TV app on many smart TVs/streaming boxes, or AirPlay from a Mac/iPhone — these are supported ways to play purchases on a TV. ’s Apple TV suggestion is the simplest supported route. (support.apple.com)
  • If the video is a DRM‑free file (home videos or legitimately DRM‑free purchases), author a DVD‑Video with an authoring tool (DVDStyler, DVD Flick, Burn/Roxio etc.): import the DRM‑free clip, choose NTSC/PAL, let the app create the VIDEO_TS structure, then burn to DVD‑R and test in the player. Authoring tools will document the exact steps. (leawo.org)

Caution: removing or bypassing DRM is legally risky under U.S. anti‑circumvention law (DMCA) except for narrow, specific exemptions decided by the Library of Congress; advice that promotes circumvention should be avoided. Threads that push “ripping” tools often fall into that territory, which is why ’s warning about spam/touting appears frequently. (regulations.justia.com)

Summary: for purchased iTunes movies, use the Apple TV app / AirPlay / Apple TV hardware or buy a physical DVD. For personal, DRM‑free files, create a DVD with a proper DVD‑authoring tool and burn as DVD‑Video.

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My brother uses his Apple TV for such. Works great.

I'm betting someone will be along soon to 'answer' all these various movie player questions (member has posted lots across various forums) with spam about some ripping/conversion/player software...

commented: It's a shame that such is almost certainly are shill posts. +15
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