Another day, another reason for Apple fanboys to rejoice. Along with other video renters and owners who are looking for alternatives to big-box stores and mega rental houses.

Apple’s bid to become a big player in the video market took a good stride forward today with the company’s announcement that it will be able to deliver new movies to consumers available on iTunes on the day of their DVD release.

Support and content is being provided by a bunch of major movie studios as well as independents, with new titles and catalog titles from: 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Lionsgate, Image Entertainment and First Look Studios.

New releases cost $14.99 and most library titles $9.99 to purchase. Rental costs are $3.99 and $2.99 for new and library titles, respectively, with high-def movies a buck more. There’s no mention of HD movie purchases.

Apple counts more than 1,500 standard-def and 200 high-def movies in its catalog—a mere ripple compared with Netflix, Blockbuster and major retailers, but this seems to be just another step in the full-steam-ahead move Apple is making to bring about an end to physical media.

Arlen Schweiger - Managing editor of Electronic House Magazine

Arlen contributes product news items to electronichouse.com along with his role on the print publication. Got a tip? Send it along!