Hey thanks for the update pmeguy. nice (if that is the correct word) to know i am not the only one.
so i emailed apple the problem below:
ATV2 has suddenly started to request authorisation to play movies that i have bought through itunes. when i authorise the computer, it has no affect...i have carried out all the actions through the online community support site with apple, but to know avail. very frustrating that it has suddenly just started to happen.
and the answer from our esteemed technical geniuses from Apple technical was this:
My name is Brittany, I understand that you have an inquiry about a pre authorization on your account "xxx". I know you want this resolved quickly. I'm here to help.
On 09/13/2011, the iTunes Store submitted an authorization request to your credit card company in the amount of xxx . After your credit card was verified, the iTunes Store charged xxx to your credit card for your purchase.
Please note that like many stores, the iTunes Store submits these authorization requests to credit card companies to verify that an account has sufficient credit to cover the amount of the sale. This is a temporary authorization hold, not an actual charge, and the credit card company should remove it in 24 to 48 hours.
If the amount that you see on your credit card statement differs from the amount on your iTunes Store receipt, you may want to ask your credit card company if it assesses a fee for purchases made over the Internet.
Additionally, if you have any questions about whether an amount on your online statement is an authorization request or a charge, or when the authorization hold will be removed from your account, please contact your credit card company.
Thank you for understanding, Jon. Have a great day!
Perhaps i should have advised them that i can play the movies on my lap top, so the credit card authorisation is not the issue. if it wasn't frustrating it would be funny.
any way, back to the drawing board as they say.