Offline viewing of iTunes movie rental?

I did not find anything recent on the boards regarding offline viewing of iTunes movie rentals.

I have only rented a movie once on iTunes and I was connected to the Internet the whole time. Now I am going on an overnight ferry ride and would like to watch a movie.

Should I start the viewing process with an Internet connection to start the 24-hour countdown?
Or, can I start the 24-hour countdown while offline (probably not, but better to ask)?

Thanks

Yes, you need to start the movie while you have net access.

Have read several reports from discontented travelers that did not. You just get a message saying you're not connected to the internet.

bobtomay said:

Yes, you need to start the movie while you have net access.

Have read several reports from discontented travelers that did not. You just get a message saying you're not connected to the internet.

Click to expand...

I never had a problem with this. I actually just did it a few weeks ago on a flight back home from Seattle. As long as you've downloaded the movie to your iPad, you shouldn't need net access.

I had also read many posts that said you had to start the process online, however they were a few years old.

I am leaving on Friday. I'll test it out and let you know if you have to be online. Strange that the support page from Apple does not make this clear.

Yes indeed, it has been quite awhile since I've heard anything pertaining to this. So, it very well may not be a requirement any longer.

It could also be a different requirement for the iPad vs iTunes on a notebook. Just don't know.

Just started playing a rented movie with Airport turned off. No problem at all, so it is possible to start playing a rented movie while offline.