Fox tries iTunes for new Avatar technique

Fox is trying what it claims is a first for take-home movies with an upcoming iTunes Extras Special Edition version of Avatar ($20 pre-order, iTunes). The James Cameron action movie will let viewers see and control simultaneous views of 17 key scenes the movie that include the completed picture, the rough-computer generated framing, and the live motion capture. Green Screen X-ray will also let viewers selectively see the raw live action side of the content just by dragging the "X-ray" over parts of the scene.

The iTunes version will also have the original script and a very large 1,700-image gallery.

Apple's store will start carrying the updated version of Avatar on December 20 for the typical $20 of the 720p HD version and $15 for a standard-definition treatment.

Simultaneous views aren't new by themselves to special features, but the iTunes version is unique in the level of control afforded by the assumption that the viewer can have full control. The expanded version also gives Apple a truly unique version of a movie instead of simply getting a port or stripped-down edition of a Blu-ray. Other digital movie stores usually can't provide more than the basic movie.

By Electronista Staff