Stream/AirPlay to Apple TV

Kemik · 10 Jun 2012 at 16:53

Hi all,

I'm thinking of making a HTPC. My choice is between a stock build with XBMC (via Ubuntu) or use Plex/XBMC on a Mac mini. Edit: The HTPC is attached to the TV in the living room. An Apple TV is then in a bedroom.

My question is, can a stock Apple TV receive an AirPlay stream from XBMC or Plex? If not can it receive a stream via an ordinary Media Server setup? I would prefer for the Apple TV to be able to view the full library on the HTPC and then they can select what to stream from the box. The idea being two people could be streaming different things form the unit.

Thanks

Irish_Tom · 10 Jun 2012 at 17:03

If you're getting a Mac Mini, just add all of your content to iTunes on the Mini and hook the ATV up to iTunes.

You could cut out the middle-man and just connect the Mini directly to your TV via HDMI and use Plex/XBMC as a UI.

Alternatively, you could jailbreak the ATV and install XBMC/Plex on it, then direct it to your stored media on the Mini...

There are all sorts of options but if you're getting a Mac Mini anyway, it sort of makes the ATV redundant, unless you want multiple ATVs running off a single Mac Mini or you prefer the UX of the ATV...

Kemik · 10 Jun 2012 at 17:08

Panzerbjorn said:
If you're getting a Mac Mini, just add all of your content to iTunes on the Mini and hook the ATV up to iTunes.

You could cut out the middle-man and just connect the Mini directly to your TV via HDMI and use Plex/XBMC as a UI.

Alternatively, you could jailbreak the ATV and install XBMC/Plex on it, then direct it to your stored media on the Mini...

There are all sorts of options but if you're getting a Mac Mini anyway, it sort of makes the ATV redundant, unless you want multiple ATVs running off a single Mac Mini or you prefer the UX of the ATV...

Sorry, I should have been a bit clearer. The HTPC will be attached to the TV in the living room. The library will be displayed on the TV directly. The Apple TV is in the bedroom.

Irish_Tom · 11 Jun 2012 at 09:00

Ah right.

In that case, you will either need to do it all through iTunes (home sharing) or jailbreak the ATV and use XBMC/Plex to access the directory on the HTPC where all your media is stored.

It's a real pain that the ATV requires another computer with iTunes running to access media without jailbreaking.

uvarvu · 11 Jun 2012 at 12:00

Do you have an iOS device? You can install the Air Video app and then stream anything you like over to your Apple TV regardless of the format.

ChocolateStarfishRammer · 11 Jun 2012 at 12:21

http://airparrot.com/

Your Welcome

EDIT: Depending on if I read that right lol

Kemik · 11 Jun 2012 at 12:36

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

It seems there is no flexible solution for this. The issues that keep appearing are:

Video must be on iTunes on the Mac mini to be picked up by the Apple TV. This means manually converting the video for use on iTunes and then manually adding it to the library. Part of the point of the HTPC project was for automatic downloads when available and all I'd need to do is switch on whatever I want to watch the videos on and away I go.
The alternative is jailbreaking the Apple TV 2 and then setting up a 2nd installation of XBMC. I'll then need both installations (one on mini, one on Apple TV) to access the central library located on the mini.
Use AirParrot or the likes to VNC/mirror the screen from the mini to the Apple TV. This would remove the ability for someone to use the mini in the living room at the same time as using the Apple TV in the bedroom (shared house).

My current debate between a mini and a part-build running Linux with XBMC seems pointless until I can overcome the restriction with the Apple TV. Maybe the Apple TV will have to do without...

uvarvu · 11 Jun 2012 at 12:45

My suggestion is a proper airplay solution and does not use mirroring!

Kemik · 11 Jun 2012 at 13:03

uvarvu said:
My suggestion is a proper airplay solution and does not use mirroring!

But unfortunately requires me to have to use my hone every time I want to watch anything.

I'll probably end up jailbreaking the Apple TV and installing XBMC on a cheaper part-build than the Mac mini.

uvarvu · 11 Jun 2012 at 13:47

Kemik said:
But unfortunately requires me to have to use my hone every time I want to watch anything.

I'll probably end up jailbreaking the Apple TV and installing XBMC on a cheaper part-build than the Mac mini.

Yep that's the downside. Once the video is playing the phone can be placed to one side however. On the Air Video forums there is an active debate running to remove the iOS device from the equation, not sure if they'll listen though!

ChocolateStarfishRammer · 11 Jun 2012 at 15:57

Without doubt, having it jailbroken is better.

I know because I have a few.

SimonR · 13 Jun 2012 at 12:48

I honestly doubt that even if using a part-built you will ever get what you are looking for. A self maintaining library that you do not have to do any maintenance on at all is a bit of a Holy Grail. Mac minis do make beautiful media centres but I would still prefer to have a separate NAS or file server just to look after my files. Personally I use an old G4 Quicksilver with a Sata card and a couple of 1Tb HDs as a file server. I also run Twonky Server on it for DLNA so I can stream to any iOS device or DLNA device. I use a couple of airport expresses for music in different rooms and it all runs very nicely.

Skyboat · 13 Jun 2012 at 14:21

I would say use the Mac mini and run Plex (with PMS in the background), and JB the ATV2 to run the Plex client accessing the same server as the Mac mini.

Morfik · 13 Jun 2012 at 19:09

You could try an alternative media streamer to the Apple TV such as the WD Live products.

SimonR · 13 Jun 2012 at 20:01

The problem isn't so much the media streamer but the OPs expectations of the media centre. If you want turn key with seamless operation you buy appliances. If you buy a media centre it is a world of tinkering maintenance and updates.

Irish_Tom · 14 Jun 2012 at 09:01

SimonR said:
The problem isn't so much the media streamer but the OPs expectations of the media centre. If you want turn key with seamless operation you buy appliances. If you buy a media centre it is a world of tinkering maintenance and updates.

Yep, it's always going to be a compromise. Especially if you want to use Apple products.

It will work flawlessly, as long as you use iTunes.

Any other setup requires jailbreaking, hacking around with things and generally a lot of tinkering.

PaulyD · 14 Jun 2012 at 09:58

Would just get aTV2, jailbreak it and put on XBMC and point it to your HTPC for your files.

megakid · 14 Jun 2012 at 12:05

My setup is a Synology DiskStation with a few Tb, AFP and SMB shares setup. This is connected via my switch to an ATV2, jailbroken with aTV Black - it streams all my moves seamlessly as well as presenting them nicely in the Apple TV interface.

I can do AirPlay mirroring from my iPhone so everything works brilliantly.

PaulyD · 15 Jun 2012 at 09:27

megakid said:
My setup is a Synology DiskStation with a few Tb, AFP and SMB shares setup. This is connected via my switch to an ATV2, jailbroken with aTV Black - it streams all my moves seamlessly as well as presenting them nicely in the Apple TV interface.

I can do AirPlay mirroring from my iPhone so everything works brilliantly.

Was pretty much my setup. Got a Zyxel NSA-220 (2 bay NAS) going into a switch with my jailbroken aTV2 in to stream everything. Homeplug in there to to give internet connectivity. Works flawlessly