itunes 8 now supports downloading HD versions of TV shows for your computer, AppleTV, and whatnot. And when you buy an episode you get a downrezzed iPod-compatible version at the same time.

NBC, USA, etc are back and offering at least one episode in the last season free. Monk in HD? Huh.

Well I'm a seriously happy camper. To me HD TV episodes was always the Grail of the iTunes store. You can buy episodes for shows EyeTV f&@$ed up on, or shows from channels you don't get, or you can ditch cable altogether if you don't watch much.

The only possible downside is the extra $1, but that was predictable.
NBC back with tail between legs -- there's a stunner -- not.

Now, Apple, please start releasing Apple Lossless albums, from indies if the majors won't play ball. That would be HUGE.

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Posted from my iPhone.

I downloaded the free episode of Monk in HD. I noticed that it had both stereo and surround tracks in it. Since Steve Jobs proudly announced that these HD TV shows are playable on both AppleTV and the Mac, I thought the surround will work from within iTunes. No luck!! I have my iMac hooked up using optical cable and know that surround from DVDs work. However, the iTunes HD TV show does not. When I choose the surround track - I get silence. When I choose stereo, I get 2 channel audio to my receiver. Sucks!!

I downloaded the free episode of Monk in HD. I noticed that it had both stereo and surround tracks in it. Since Steve Jobs proudly announced that these HD TV shows are playable on both AppleTV and the Mac, I thought the surround will work from within iTunes. No luck!! I have my iMac hooked up using optical cable and know that surround from DVDs work. However, the iTunes HD TV show does not. When I choose the surround track - I get silence. When I choose stereo, I get 2 channel audio to my receiver. Sucks!!

Others posting the same problem:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1702054&tstart=105

although, I wouldn't be surprised if surround is still only available via ATV (I agree it shouldn't be this way - but...);

Also, a word of warning: iTunes 8 seemingly eliminates the option for naming music files without track names while in auto-maintenance mode. Not sure why they removed this feature, but it's irritating for me I know... love the Genius list feature though...

ken