Apple TV

Slogan said:
My stuff is all encoded in Apple Universal. Basically works on iPod, iPhone and Apple TV.

I didn't do all of my collection because I knew I could have been changing things, but I tested it out on my 2707wfp in full screen (1920 x 1200) and it wasn't too bad at all.

The same stuff synced or streamed with my Apple TV is pixel-y/blocky and it's skipping frames. And that's only on a 720p set (Sony Bravia 32").

I can only think that there's some sort of odd compression going on because the quality of the video [on file], is as good as DVD quality. Either that or the Apple TV hasn't got the grunt to deliver at the quality it's at.

I'm hoping a Mac Mini will solve my problems. It's a bit more than I'd want to spend [about £300+ more...] but I'm very particular about getting this HTPC stuff right if it's to be done at all, so far I've failed in that task.

I'm sure I could sit and spend ages optimizing for Apple TV but I'm really liking the quality that I have at the moment and it looks good on TV (via Mac Pro), on my iPhone and in a small window on the computer.

Cheers for the advice on the XBMC but given how Apple operate, I'd rather not get involved.

Will probably go to the Apple Store tomorrow and get a Mini - hopefully they'll have one with 2 or 4gb of RAM.
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I read some of the specs on the ATV and unfortunately it doesn't do particularly high bit rates, which is the reason I held off... And probably why it was blocky for you.
 
Nothing blocky on my 700-1.5gb movies over wireless. I do think I will move it into the bedroom and get something else as a proper media centre one day. But until then apple tv does a great job!!!
 
My Mac Mini is on the way, I believe it's somewhere in Asia at the moment because I've got an estimated delivery date of the 28th. :(
 
I was thinking.. perhaps using a homeplug system will reap bigger benefits than a Wi-Fi solution.

They go up to 200MBps now, and the reviews are very good. I've never used them, but it's making me reconsider a Mini as a HTPC :)

As for tracking, I'm using Delivery Status Touch on the iPhone and syncing it up with www.Junecloud.com/ds
 
Has anyone had any exp with home plug networks?? Do they affect latency at all? (gaming - xbox 360, ps3 and apple tv all on wireless but under the tv....)
 
Brando said:
Has anyone had any exp with home plug networks?? Do they affect latency at all? (gaming - xbox 360, ps3 and apple tv all on wireless but under the tv....)
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http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17975075
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17980866
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17971401
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17959960

All related to gaming except the 2nd link, which is on about media sharing and the 3rd link, which discusses 85Mbps Vs. 200Mbps
 
I'd be interested in one, but I gather you can't get it to access a library on a NAS. I don't want to have to have Itunes running all the time somewhere, needing a computer to be on.
 
vonhelmet said:
I'd be interested in one, but I gather you can't get it to access a library on a NAS. I don't want to have to have Itunes running all the time somewhere, needing a computer to be on.
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I know of 1 such way, but it's expensive..

Drobo + Droboshare + iTunes server app.

I'm sure there are other ways, but I wouldn't be too bothered about leaving a Mini with no monitor on standby in a cupboard.
 
vonhelmet said:
I'd be interested in one, but I gather you can't get it to access a library on a NAS. I don't want to have to have Itunes running all the time somewhere, needing a computer to be on.
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I dont know if I can discuss this here so apologies to mods if I am out of line - but use a patchstick and load up XBMC and you can access pretty much anything.
I have a G4 and a separate NAS with an SMB share and it sees it all fine.
My ATV is running Boxee and XBMS at the moment
 
EVH said:
I know of 1 such way, but it's expensive..

Drobo + Droboshare + iTunes server app.

I'm sure there are other ways, but I wouldn't be too bothered about leaving a Mini with no monitor on standby in a cupboard.
Click to expand...

Haha, I think the electricity costs would be minute compared to the Drobo gear!
 
Does the ATV allow you to connect to a plasma with non square pixels? ideally i'd like OSX or an app for OSX to resize everything (desktop, media centre, videos, etc), rather than just changing the aspect ratio in vlc only for example.
 
Well I know my 42" Panny Plasma has non-square pixels (as do nearly all 42" Plasmas) and Apple TV is fine. Just tell it to connect 1080 and it is fine.
 
JAMAL said:
How did you get one for £130, they seem to be fetching MUCH higher? :)
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A major office consumables company had overstock of 6 units that they were selling on a well known auction site and were taking offers on them.
 
Hey guys,

Im considering getting myself an ATV but was wondering whether it was possible to make it more compatible with different codecs (Loads of my tv and films wouldn't load into i-tunes.
 
You can patch it to use Boxee or XBMC which I believe gives you extra codec support.

If you can get xbmc working you can probably get Plex working but it's not officially supported by Plex themselves.

There are loads of sites online that talk you through the process.

It might be worth considering a second hand Mac Mini with Plex installed on it rather than an ATV.

Panzer
 
I run XBMC and Boxee on miine - takes 5 minutes to patch it. BBC iPlayer is nice as is Hulu (when it works).
 
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