Apple TV question

gar1234

Thinking of getting Apple TV but can u only watch videos from my mac book that are in my iTunes folder ?. I have a lot of movies and tv shows downloaded that are not in my iTunes folder or is there another way to watch them on the tv

kjl

If you get an apple tv 2, not the current model, you can install xbmc on it which will allow you to play anything.

WayneEnterprise

gar1234 wrote: »

Thinking of getting Apple TV but can u only watch videos from my mac book that are in my iTunes folder ?. I have a lot of movies and tv shows downloaded that are not in my iTunes folder or is there another way to watch them on the tv

If the files are in M4V format and in your iTunes Movies folder, then you can play them on an Apple TV out of the box.

If they are in AVI or DIVX format, you'll have to jailbreak and install XBMC.

stantheman8

WayneEnterprise wrote: »

If the files are in M4V format and in your iTunes Movies folder, then you can play them on an Apple TV out of the box.

If they are in AVI or DIVX format, you'll have to jailbreak and install XBMC.

Another option if you can't get your hands on an ATV2 is to use a file converter to convert your files into an ATV supported format. Freemake is one that I know of - other boardies may have other recommendations.

jesus_thats_gre

Or watch the movies on your Mac using MPlayerX and enable AirPlay Mirroring to your Apple TV

kjl

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

Or watch the movies on your Mac using MPlayerX and enable AirPlay Mirroring to your Apple TV

or just buy and android tv box, apple tv is pretty crap anyway

adox

kjl wrote: »

or just buy and android tv box, apple tv is pretty crap anyway

No when its jailbroken its not.

ado100

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

Or watch the movies on your Mac using MPlayerX and enable AirPlay Mirroring to your Apple TV

As above, if they play on your Mac, then they'll play on your TV with AirPlay Mirroring.

Simples!

fox007

Get air parrot on your Mac that will display the sound and video to your atv simple no converting nothing else needed

kjl

adox wrote: »

No when its jailbroken its not.

yeah actually it is. No USB port, no 1080p XBMC for android works very well and the android systems can now run Pivos which has a very stable version of XBMC working on it. You can also use alternate remote controls, not be limited to the crappy apple tv control.

There was a time I would have agreed with you, I have 2 Apple TV 2's I have one unopened that I have up for sale on Adverts. With out the ability to play 1080p I can't play 3d movies or anything decent really.

Although the plug in that must not be named runs well on it, especially with the latest frodo build.

jarvis

Hi Kjl,
What android box are you using. I find my android terrible and xbmc really crap on android, even with an external player. I know android xbmc is still early days but progress seems really slow.
I reckon you might be one of the lucky ones to have it working but with so many deferent android boxes I think there's more disappointed than happy android box users. You're probably using a more premium box than me but I seen android xbmc as an opportunity to get some family and friend set up really cheaply. I don't think we are at that stage yet though.

I'm using xbmc on a dedicated htpc at the moment and I can't see me going away from that setup at the moment

Creamy Goodness

3d movies as an advantage over the Apple TV?

I don't want to live on this planet anymore.

120_Minutes

kjl wrote: »

yeah actually it is. No USB port, no 1080p XBMC for android works very well and the android systems can now run Pivos which has a very stable version of XBMC working on it. You can also use alternate remote controls, not be limited to the crappy apple tv control.

There was a time I would have agreed with you, I have 2 Apple TV 2's I have one unopened that I have up for sale on Adverts. With out the ability to play 1080p I can't play 3d movies or anything decent really.

Although the plug in that must not be named runs well on it, especially with the latest frodo build.

The ATV 3 handles 1080p. You can also use the iOS remote app if you don't like the ATV remote.

Op if you want to convert your videos I recommend handbrake, that's what I use.

kjl

jarvis wrote: »

Hi Kjl,
What android box are you using. I find my android terrible and xbmc really crap on android, even with an external player. I know android xbmc is still early days but progress seems really slow.
I reckon you might be one of the lucky ones to have it working but with so many deferent android boxes I think there's more disappointed than happy android box users. You're probably using a more premium box than me but I seen android xbmc as an opportunity to get some family and friend set up really cheaply. I don't think we are at that stage yet though.

I'm using xbmc on a dedicated htpc at the moment and I can't see me going away from that setup at the moment

I am using the Gbox Midnight with a barebones XBMC version of android.

I remember you were looking at some crap box on XBMCHub, if thats the one you got then I am not surprised it's not working for you. You need a min of tegra 3 to run xbmc smoothly. Works fine on s3 too

kjl

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

3d movies as an advantage over the Apple TV?

I don't want to live on this planet anymore.

Tell you what then, why don't you play a 1080p mkv on your apple tv and let me know how it works out for you.

Gumbo

kjl wrote: »

yeah actually it is. No USB port, no 1080p XBMC for android works very well and the android systems can now run Pivos which has a very stable version of XBMC working on it. You can also use alternate remote controls, not be limited to the crappy apple tv control.

There was a time I would have agreed with you, I have 2 Apple TV 2's I have one unopened that I have up for sale on Adverts. With out the ability to play 1080p I can't play 3d movies or anything decent really.

Although the plug in that must not be named runs well on it, especially with the latest frodo build.

kjl wrote: »

Tell you what then, why don't you play a 1080p mkv on your apple tv and let me know how it works out for you.

Aren't 3d movies on ant of them irrelevant unless you've also invested in a 3d TV and glasses?

kjl

kceire wrote: »

Aren't 3d movies on ant of them irrelevant unless you've also invested in a 3d TV and glasses?

Perhaps, but 1080p MKV is a very popular codec which no Apple TV can play without converting it.

kjl

Guys, I have no problem with the Apple TV, but lets face it, it's pretty crap unless you can jailbreak it. This is the reason that ATV2 sells on Ebay and Adverts for €80 more than a new ATV3

I am just saying if the OP wants a decent apple tv like box, he should look into android tv boxes as in my opinion they are much better than ATV.

I think the ability to connect usb based storage as well as using smb and upnp compatible with the ability to play any format as well as plug in's

I am sure some people will talk about transcoding apps for ATV. but personally I want to be able to use a stand alone box with out the dependence on a PC / Laptop for it to work.

Blazer

kjl wrote: »

yeah actually it is. No USB port, no 1080p XBMC for android works very well and the android systems can now run Pivos which has a very stable version of XBMC working on it. You can also use alternate remote controls, not be limited to the crappy apple tv control.

There was a time I would have agreed with you, I have 2 Apple TV 2's I have one unopened that I have up for sale on Adverts. With out the ability to play 1080p I can't play 3d movies or anything decent really.

Although the plug in that must not be named runs well on it, especially with the latest frodo build.

completely agree with you..I had the ATV2 and the jailbreak was good for it..XBMC had just been launched and a bit flaky for it etc and crashed and could only play 720p...
eventually flogged it off as I used a laptop instead.
Then got the ATV3..completely useless to me..
I have a synology NAS with over 4TB of shows and movies with a smart TV and I used the ATV3 only once...flogged that off again.
I love my ipad/iphone and want to get a mac air etc but for me the ATV is the worst of them all..the android devices beats it hands down.
I mean look at this one for nearly half the price..the bloody thing is tiny and it's dual core etc..

http://www.amazon.co.uk/JUSTOP-Android-Dual-Core-Internet-Watching/dp/B00A8FWITI/ref=pd_cp_ce_0

Gumbo

kjl wrote: »

Perhaps, but 1080p MKV is a very popular codec which no Apple TV can play without converting it.

No perhaps about it, it is useless without a 3D TV and glasses

MKV is the most popular at the moment I agree but I download in mp4 format all the time, maybe I'm just institutionalised by apple as that's what I've been doing for years

prettyboy81

kceire wrote: »

No perhaps about it, it is useless without a 3D TV and glasses

MKV is the most popular at the moment I agree but I download in mp4 format all the time, maybe I'm just institutionalised by apple as that's what I've been doing for years

MKV files can be played on my MacBook with a free app (MPlayerX) & just airplay them to my Apple TV no problem.

kjl

kceire wrote: »

No perhaps about it, it is useless without a 3D TV and glasses

MKV is the most popular at the moment I agree but I download in mp4 format all the time, maybe I'm just institutionalised by apple as that's what I've been doing for years

You do realise that MKV is just a codec, it has nothing to do with 3d at all except that 3d sbs movies tend to be in mkv format. MP4 it on the rise I will admit, but not for 1080p

kjl

prettyboy81 wrote: »

MKV files can be played on my MacBook with a free app (MPlayerX) & just airplay them to my Apple TV no problem.

So as I have said before you can't have a stand alone player, you need your €2000 macbook to play 1080p. So yes it is a problem.

Guys I know what I am talking about so stop trying to defend the ATV, while it may have been ok when it was release it's still a closed system with no developer API. So maybe you guys can get off your apple fanboy high horses already.

It's not just the ATV that is becoming obsolete , sales of the iPhone 5 have almost completely slowed down because Android OS and devices are now proving to be better.

Blazer

kjl wrote: »

It's not just the ATV that is becoming obsolete , sales of the iPhone 5 have almost completely slowed down because Android OS and devices are now proving to be better.

now that's complete rubbish..every year it's the same old headlines..Apple are cutting demand for screens etc..
It's called the winding down process towards the new release of a new one..this happens every year without fail for the iphone/ipad and yet the android fanboys herald the end of the Apple :P
I wouldn't claim the Android OS is better...that' a matter of opinion.
If you look at Google they are moving more and more towards a closed system..hell Android isn't even open source any more..a fact the android fans conveniently forget.

kjl

Blazer wrote: »

now that's complete rubbish..every year it's the same old headlines..Apple are cutting demand for screens etc..
It's called the winding down process towards the new release of a new one..this happens every year without fail for the iphone/ipad and yet the android fanboys herald the end of the Apple :P
I wouldn't claim the Android OS is better...that' a matter of opinion.
If you look at Google they are moving more and more towards a closed system..hell Android isn't even open source any more..a fact the android fans conveniently forget.

Actually all android devices can be rooted, hence not a closed system

prettyboy81

kjl wrote: »

So as I have said before you can't have a stand alone player, you need your €2000 macbook to play 1080p. So yes it is a problem.

Guys I know what I am talking about so stop trying to defend the ATV, while it may have been ok when it was release it's still a closed system with no developer API. So maybe you guys can get off your apple fanboy high horses already.

It's not just the ATV that is becoming obsolete , sales of the iPhone 5 have almost completely slowed down because Android OS and devices are now proving to be better.

My point was highlighting the simplicity of playing an MKV file through ATV through another Apple device. I am not banging on about it being a closed device blah blah.

Of course it's not perfect but for €109 it's a simple little gadget that I'd imagine most homes that have hit use it & are not worried that you can't plug a USB or add in third party apps.

jarvis

Never realised you were so anti apple Coady. I can understand you might have different preferences but you're just slating the whole company. Everything you said before your 'fan boy' remarks, sounded considered and believable. But you just sound annoyed now.

That box I got was the Dyno and it's fairly **** alright. Makes it worse that I've four of them lying around now!!!

kjl

prettyboy81 wrote: »

My point was highlighting the simplicity of playing an MKV file through ATV through another Apple device. I am not banging on about it being a closed device blah blah.

Of course it's not perfect but for €109 it's a simple little gadget that I'd imagine most homes that have hit use it & are not worried that you can't plug a USB or add in third party apps.

You know the gbox midnight is only €120, it has netflix, xbmc, skyplayer. 4 usb ports, AV and RGB out. Doesn't require any transcoding and plays 1080p flawlessly.

kjl

jarvis wrote: »

Never realised you were so anti apple Coady. I can understand you might have different preferences but you're just slating the whole company. Everything you said before your 'fan boy' remarks, sounded considered and believable. But you just sound annoyed now.

That box I got was the Dyno and it's fairly **** alright. Makes it worse that I've four of them lying around now!!!

I am not anti apple, but I just think their time is coming to an end. I never liked apple laptops or computers. Despise OSX, think all their time machine and airport express are rubbish. I only ever liked my iPhone, but work gave me an S3 and I much prefer it. It took me 5 min to write a working app on android. With iOS you are restricted to using apple computers to write the apps, plus xcode is rubbish.

The only reason I bought the atv2 was because of the jailbreak and XBMC because of my involvement in the scene. I just feel that there are better devices out there. The op specifically asked for a method of watching non itunes items on his tv, is it wrong that I give him the best advice??

who_me

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

3d movies as an advantage over the Apple TV?

I don't want to live on this planet anymore.

Also it's incorrect. You can play 3D movies on the ATV, no problem.

kjl

Mr.S wrote: »

Clearly, you do not :rolleyes:

Right, I am listed as a developer on the XBMCHub forum, I developed a plug in that has had about 10,000 downloads so far. I have also been contributing to this particular forum since it started and have helped 100's people with issues with their iOS devices.

I'm also an IT consultant by profession and have been working with IT for about 26 years now.

How about if you are going to be rude you just keep your opinions about my knowledge to yourself. Its people like you that make me not want to help out on these forums and as a mod you should not really be flaming people for their advice.

vinnycoyne

kjl, lose the attitude please.

Blazer

kjl wrote: »

Actually all android devices can be rooted, hence not a closed system

No..but Google no longer share the source code since 4.0 so Android can no longer be classed as open source...
Root is essential a jailbreak so if I jailbreak my ip4 does that mean that ios is not a closed system?
From a developer point of view obviously Andoid would be a more exciting platform since you have a lot less restrictions etc and a lot more to play with.
It doesn't mean Apple are going away though.

Graham

If you have an iPad or iPhone, try airvideo server on your mac and one of the AirVideo Apps on your iPhone/iPad. From there you can stream directly to the AppleTV.

Works great and transcodes most video on the fly as required.

http://www.inmethod.com/air-video/index.html

Gumbo

kjl wrote: »

Actually all android devices can be rooted, hence not a closed system

And apple devices can be jail broken, hence not a closed system. At least compare like with like in your argument.

Leiva

kjl wrote: »

You know the gbox midnight is only €120, it has netflix, xbmc, skyplayer. 4 usb ports, AV and RGB out. Doesn't require any transcoding and plays 1080p flawlessly.

Kjl

can I get more info from you regarding this device.

I have a jb ATV2 which does fine, but I am looking to roll out similar devices to the 3 bedrooms, and this looks like the ideal solution.

Are they easy enough to config for the novice?

Is there any other devices you would recommend?

We would probably be better off to take it to PM.

kjl

kceire wrote: »

And apple devices can be jail broken, hence not a closed system. At least compare like with like in your argument.

Oh really, so Apple freely allow jailbreaking and are not trying to stop it in any way, they are not closing every possible injection vector in iOS?

This thread is about an apple tv 3, can that be jailbroken? Do please tell, because it's been on the market for over a year now and still not even a budge in the direction of jailbreaking it.

Android is the way forward for all these set top devices. Just look at the OUYA or the NVidia Shield. The mobile processer market is now getting to what PC market is. Microsoft don't release the source code for Windows, but you still have access to every API and system files, so you can do what you like to it.

I give you a great example, I have an iPhone 4s and it's great and all, but I have a jailbreak app that makes it so that when I double click the power button the LED light comes on. Now, lets say I upgrade to 6.0.1 I lose that feature. Why do they do this I hear you ask, to make money from the App that are sold on their market, they take 30% of every sale made just to hosts the application and payment system that's about 29% more than any other software vendor. And while it didn't matter when they were pioneering the mobile technology now it does.

I like Apple but I am just sick of paying Apple tax, when there are comparable if not better devices out there for a lot cheaper with an open os.

kjl

Mr.S wrote: »

Thats fabulous, but then with all your wisdom, you should know to back up points with relevant sources rather then try and pass off personal opinion as fact.

Sorry, but not personal option fact as represented in their stock price drop.

http://news.msn.com/science-technology/apple-cuts-orders-for-iphone-5-parts-as-sales-slow

kjl

Leiva wrote: »

Kjl

can I get more info from you regarding this device.

I have a jb ATV2 which does fine, but I am looking to roll out similar devices to the 3 bedrooms, and this looks like the ideal solution.

Are they easy enough to config for the novice?

Is there any other devices you would recommend?

We would probably be better off to take it to PM.

It come pre installed with XBMC, but realistically for best performance you should use the barebones XBMC install. The website has decent enough steps on how to install this.

Its a great little box, the wifi can be a little short range but I found that changing the wireless channel on my router gave a better range. You need to experiment, but it shouldn't be a problem.

I would warn you thought, XBMC for android is still in beta so there are some small issues like 4:3 scalling etc.

Blazer

HD over wireless sucks though
It's just not stable or fast enough for it.
I'm using homeplugs on my NAS and they're really excellent. They've really come along ways in the few years they've been out..yet wireless is still crap even though we get these claimed 300mbps etc which are all bull.
You're lucky to get 8-12mb/s over wireless.. wired I'm hitting over 80mb/s on my NAS through gigabit which basically allows me to stream a 1080p HD movie on about 5-7 devices simultaneously without jitter.
I like that the ATV has ethernet ..I just wished Apple would open it a bit more..

Leiva

kjl wrote: »

It come pre installed with XBMC, but realistically for best performance you should use the barebones XBMC install. The website has decent enough steps on how to install this.

Its a great little box, the wifi can be a little short range but I found that changing the wireless channel on my router gave a better range. You need to experiment, but it shouldn't be a problem.

I would warn you thought, XBMC for android is still in beta so there are some small issues like 4:3 scalling etc.

Thanks for the quick reply Kjl.

I will look more into them but please keep me informed of any device you may think of as I have a pretty reasonable budget for the 3 bedrooms,not thousands but enough to buy decent hardware, and I will also be running cable and doing everything over ethernet.

I maybe should get a consultation and do it properly with Servers etc - but im a bit green in this area so might just stick with my NAS etc

ted1

What advantages does jail breaking offer? Is it just being able to play downloaded film? My tele, amp and blue ray can all play those files.
What advantage would I get by jail breaking.

kjl

ted1 wrote: »

What advantages does jail breaking offer? Is it just being able to play downloaded film? My tele, amp and blue ray can all play those files.
What advantage would I get by jail breaking.

There are certain plug ins that can not be mentioned in this forum.

ted1

kjl wrote: »

There are certain plug ins that can not be mentioned in this forum.

But what's the advantage, I love my ATV I just press the button on the movie plays, does exactly what it says on the tin

kjl

ted1 wrote: »

But what's the advantage, I love my ATV I just press the button on the movie plays, does exactly what it says on the tin

We are not allowed to talk about it. Goto XBMCHub.com for more details.

prettyboy81

1st February could become a good day for AppleTV 3 owners....http://www.appletv3jailbreak.com

kjl

prettyboy81 wrote: »

1st February could become a good day for AppleTV 3 owners....http://www.appletv3jailbreak.com

I am pretty sure nitroTV said this was a fake but time will tell.

prettyboy81

kjl wrote: »

I am pretty sure nitroTV said this was a fake but time will tell.

I'm not holding my breath anyhow. Was having a good read about them GBox devices, impressive piece of kit.

kjl

prettyboy81 wrote: »

I'm not holding my breath anyhow. Was having a good read about them GBox devices, impressive piece of kit.

I have linux installed on mine, it's pretty cool

BArra

so its the 1st

kjl

BArra wrote: »

so its the 1st

yeah, it was fake