Apple iTunes HD+ 1080p Movies Coming In September?

New reports have surfaced that suggest Apple may begin testing a limited selection of 1080p HD movies on iTunes. Up unil now, most Apple products max out at HD 720p (1280 x 720) and the existing Apple TV even downscales 1080p content to 720p. But all this could change come this fall.

AppleInsider has been told by sources familiar with the situation that Apple may offer a new HD+ format. A small number of films have been submitted to the iTunes store for release in the September and October timeframe that sport an optional 1920 x 1080 resolution. One of the films from 20th Century Fox is said to be encoded for 480p SD, 720p HD, and a new 1080p HD+ format.

The sources also suggest that a new Apple TV with an A5 chip may be in the works that will support 1080p streams. There was also evidence found in the iOS 5 code to suggest that 1080p would be supported in the new update. Add to that speculation of an iPad HD for September, and it looks like Apple users will finally be able to enjoy 1080p like everyone else, although no news about Blu-Ray for Macs yet.

[via AppleInsider]