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1TB + ATV is iTunes Server possible

M

MacRitz

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 4, 2008
19
0
Somewhere between Chicago and Sao Paulo
Hello everybody,

I'm kind of lost here.
I'm not an expert like you but I've bought an:
Airport Extreme
1TB USB attached to it
Macbook Air
Macbook Pro
and I'm buying ATV now(I was expecting something new at Macworld...)

In my naive dream I would like to digitalize my DVD collection (~350DVDs) to hard disk and access them via ATV and FrontRows.
1) Is possible to create a iTunes server? Or I need to have a MAC running and store files on HD? Or ATV does this?
2) Can I add a powered USB Hub on my Airport and Add new volumes when I need them? How ATV / FrontRow will behave with files from different sources?
3) I will digitalize DVD with Handbreak and what software should I use to index them? (most popular)

Too many question, sorry, but you know how I feel with so many toys... like a kid!
 
I was rethinking about this and:
Of course I do need a computer to be the iTunes server.
Does the AppleTV do the job?
I mean, can I store all my video files into an external hard drive attached to my Airport Express and configure ATP to read from it?

Thanks much.
 
MacRitz said:
I can't believe that! So, my home-theater will depend on my notebook running?
AppleTV can't handle my DVD collection stored in and external HD attached to my airport without another computer???
Does it make any sense?
wow!
Click to expand...

Clearly you had no idea what you were buying when you bought it.

I use an old upgraded PowerMac (all internal drives) running 24/7 to serve my two AppleTVs. It also means I always have an internet terminal ready in my den. I just turn the monitor on. The most economical solution, though is probably a used PC running some form of Windows since iTunes can also run in Windows. It doesn't have to be a terribly fast PC either to just serve music and movies, although if you connect a decent set of speakers to your computer you can use that as a 3rd listening location (I use Klipsch THX sat/sub speakers with that PowerMac in my den to play music/video locally). I also use an iPod Touch to control all the rooms and music/video/movie selections with the "Remote" app for it.

Of course, it would be nice if Apple supported an NAS device to run iTunes (Squeeze Center for the competing "Squeezebox" line of products can be run on a few models that can be made to run Linux, but my experience with SqueezeCenter was less than satisfactory...SLOW would be the word I'd use. Plus neither it or Sonus can ALSO serve movies, music videos and show my photo albums on my 93" HD projector/screen. Plus AppleTV can also RENT HD movies. Now if only it could RENT HD TV shows instead of trying to make me buy something I'll only watch once or twice in a lifetime.)

The latest ATV software DOES allow you to control other AppleTV and Airport Express units via Airtunes around your house from the AppleTV. So if you put a large enough hard drive in one, you could control other rooms in your house for playing music (don't think it'd work for videos and definitely not for videos, though). Your best bet to do what you are thinking of is a used PC as a server, I think if you don't want to put wear and tear on your laptops.
 
If you don't mind a little bit of hacking, then you should consider installing ATV-Files and/or Boxee. Both allows you to store media on the ATV and play them without an iTunes server. Boxee allows browsing of content off an SMB share. So the content can be on a NAS, for instance.
 
I have a hifi system (B&Ws pushed by Classe amps, processors, etc).
I though I could do something more clean and straightforward.
I don't wanted to keep a Mac running 24/7, you can imagine what I think about an old beige PC running Windows...

That said, I was sincerely hoping Apple would come up with a merge of MacMini and ATV in some form yesterday.

You're right, I had the wrong impression on a Apple store, they demoed a TV + ATV with movies, pics, and all the stuff...

Back to the drawing board...
tsc, tsc, tsc ... little disappointed.

Thanks anyway.
 
MacRitz said:
I have a hifi system (B&Ws pushed by Classe amps, processors, etc).
I though I could do something more clean and straightforward.
I don't wanted to keep a Mac running 24/7, you can imagine what I think about an old beige PC running Windows...

That said, I was sincerely hoping Apple would come up with a merge of MacMini and ATV in some form yesterday.

You're right, I had the wrong impression on a Apple store, they demoed a TV + ATV with movies, pics, and all the stuff...

Back to the drawing board...
tsc, tsc, tsc ... little disappointed.


Thanks anyway.
Click to expand...

take a look at the WD media player i pointed you too, it's what you are looking for...lol i sound like a best buy employee...
 
yes you can add ypur pictures to teh hd, have them synced to your iphoto library and it will work, since it streams your pictures from the iPhoto library, and unless you hack the atv you wont be able to plug in your external to the usb on the atv
 
MacRitz said:
Another question:
Can I add my Pics, Movies and Music on ATV internal HD?
And, Can I extend its storage space adding a hard drive via USB?
Click to expand...

Please read SuperWoman's post, there is the solution for your existing hardware. Also, google for NitoTV and AwkwardTV.
 
superwoman said:
If you don't mind a little bit of hacking, then you should consider installing ATV-Files and/or Boxee. Both allows you to store media on the ATV and play them without an iTunes server. Boxee allows browsing of content off an SMB share. So the content can be on a NAS, for instance.
Click to expand...

Good point superwoman. NitoTV and AwkwardTV are the two current favorite plugins which have a minimal footprint on the AppleTV.
 
You should be able to install Itunes directly on your ATV, enable USB storage and then play your files without having to connect any computer.
PM me for details
 
You don't want a traditional 1TB external drive attached to the AEBS. You want a gigabit NAS with an iTunes server. Something like a QNAP or Synology or even the HP MediaSmart Server. All three options draw less power than a full computer, but more than the external drive. They run without a computer. They actually act like quasi-servers, but with less overhead.
 
Trip.Tucker said:
Good point superwoman. NitoTV and AwkwardTV are the two current favorite plugins which have a minimal footprint on the AppleTV.
Click to expand...

I second with what Trip.Tucker and superwoman stated. I installed NitoTV and ATVFiles after running the patchstick on my Apple TV. I have a full 500 GB Hard Drive plugged in running all of my content. Nothing is synced with iTunes at all. Only thing I do not like is the fact that my downloaded TV shows get stretched to fit my TV. Doesn't keep the same ratio it does on my MacBook.
 
Re

That's right. AppleTV needs to access your multimedia files off another computer running iTunes. A NAS device with iTunes server built-in won't help either still needs a computer (Mac or Windows) to grab the files for either sync or stream option.
 
haze said:
You don't want a traditional 1TB external drive attached to the AEBS. You want a gigabit NAS with an iTunes server. Something like a QNAP or Synology or even the HP MediaSmart Server. All three options draw less power than a full computer, but more than the external drive. They run without a computer. They actually act like quasi-servers, but with less overhead.
Click to expand...

I do something like that but, you may not be able to play any DRM music easily.

I use QNAP and store all my music there. In fact, I have lossless directory and another for "mobile" music (for iphone etc.) Sad I have to have two copies but that's how Apple missed on this.

The catch with NAS is that it can get "detached" or spun down. This means initializing time is required. Once this is done, it works great. In my case, I also opt to at each computer via itunes do "add libraries" with no copy/move to local drive. I depend on playlists rather than the generic "Music" etc found at the top of itunes.

As well, my PS3 can see the files as the QNAP has "twonky" and i can play music that way though its not what i would refer to as a hi fidelity experience.

- Phrehdd
 
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