ATV 2.0 and Internet Radio?

[spiderhole]

Ok, I've been reading conflicting reports on wether or not TV 2.0 can play streaming internet radio stations from a remote itunes playlist. I'm talking about actual live streams and NOT podcasts, btw. Some people have said all you have to do is add the station to a playlist on your computer's itunes and share that to the TV. Other's have said there is no way to make it work...period. Please advise. Thanks.

 

[kagharaht]

Ok, I've been reading conflicting reports on wether or not TV 2.0 can play streaming internet radio stations from a remote itunes playlist. I'm talking about actual live streams and NOT podcasts, btw. Some people have said all you have to do is add the station to a playlist on your computer's itunes and share that to the TV. Other's have said there is no way to make it work...period. Please advise. Thanks.

Yes it works great. Just do what you just said about adding the stations to a new playlist. I have loaded several already, selecting the 128kbs to higher for better quality.

 

[mwp98223]

Yes it works great. Just do what you just said about adding the stations to a new playlist. I have loaded several already, selecting the 128kbs to higher for better quality.

The other way this should work would be to play the station in iTunes on the computer and designate the AppleTV as your "speakers" ala Airtunes, with this new functionality in AppleTV 2.0

 

[srexy]

I couldn't get this to work.

My source for iTunes is a PC - do you think that would make a difference?

 

[ipedro]

Yes, it works. Unfortunately, not all formats work. I'm still working on figuring it out.

So far, I've only managed to get radios from within iTunes's Radio list to work although I'm sure I can find streams that will work as well.

In the meantime, do this experiment:

1 - Create a Playlist called Radio
2 - Go to the default Radio list available near the top and select a radio stream. Drag it into the new Radio playlist you created.
3 - Sync TV

What's nice is that you can turn off your Mac. TV actually streams the radio station independently.

... now only if I could get my local radio stations to stream in a format that TV can play.

 

[srexy]

Yes, it works. Unfortunately, not all formats work. I'm still working on figuring it out.

So far, I've only managed to get radios from within iTunes's Radio list to work although I'm sure I can find streams that will work as well.

In the meantime, do this experiment:

1 - Create a Playlist called Radio
2 - Go to the default Radio list available near the top and select a radio stream. Drag it into the new Radio playlist you created.
3 - Sync TV

What's nice is that you can turn off your Mac. TV actually streams the radio station independently.

... now only if I could get my local radio stations to stream in a format that TV can play.

So - music has to be sync'd in order for this to work?

I've got 40gb of mp3's in iTunes (and a 40gb tv) - can I pick and choose what music in sync'd?

 

[ipedro]

Hmm.. no, you don't need to sync. If your playlists appear on TV, your new Radio playlist should appear as well.

 

[srexy]

Hmm.. no, you don't need to sync. If your playlists appear on TV, your new Radio playlist should appear as well.

Ok - I'll have to investigate further. I'll try it from my MBP to see if there's a difference from PC to Mac...

 

[jjaenagle]

it should work. I can play my entire iTunes library through my itouch using simplifymedia. Why not with ATv?

 

[Tazy]

Sporadic behaviour?

Hi all,

Thanks for pointing out this hidden gem! I saved a bunch of .pls files from Shoutcast.com and then dragged them into my playlist area (iTunes in OS-X Tiger). When I synchronize with my ATV, I'm able to see these as playlist and they work fine.

BUT... I notice that these new playlist items (ie. streaming channels) disappear from my playlist when I go back to playlist menu in ATV after about 30 minutes!!
What gives? Could it be because my iMac is going into standby mode and that my ATV requires the iMac to be on to list these items in my playlist?

Any pointers would be much appreciated.

 

[spiderhole]

Hi all,

I notice that these new playlist items (ie. streaming channels) disappear from my playlist when I go back to playlist menu in ATV after about 30 minutes!!
What gives? Could it be because my iMac is going into standby mode and that my ATV requires the iMac to be on to list these items in my playlist?

.

I've been experiecing this as well. My computer is a winXP system that is NOT going into standby. A couple of days ago the playlist seemed to work fine, but starting last night any streaming radio stations added will NOT stick. Now, this morning even new ones added don't even show up initally anymore. This is really frustrating and the tv will be going back if I can't get it working. Too bad since I really like it otherwise.

-m

 

[MikieMikie]

I've been experiecing this as well. My computer is a winXP system that is NOT going into standby. A couple of days ago the playlist seemed to work fine, but starting last night any streaming radio stations added will NOT stick. Now, this morning even new ones added don't even show up initally anymore. This is really frustrating and the tv will be going back if I can't get it working. Too bad since I really like it otherwise.

-m

I find it humorous that you're taking back a product that can't do something that it wasn't designed to do, and yet it does do everything it was designed to do so well.

 

[spiderhole]

I find it humorous that you're taking back a product that can't do something that it wasn't designed to do, and yet it does do everything it was designed to do so well.

Well, the reason i never bought one before Take2 update was the lack of this feature. I waited until others on the forum confirmed this feature was working before taking the plunge since the ablity to stream radio from my enterainment system in a user (wife) friendly way is very important. Worst case I can just use the Roku again, but was hoping the ATV would work.

What is really humorous is that Apple doesn't support such a simple feature in the first place. It all boils down to the fact they want to sell itunes and movie rentals and cant make money off streaming. Fair enough, but don't scoff at those who might not find the lack of such a feature a "deal breaker". Don't get me wrong...I like how it does what it's "supposed" to do very much. However, at the end of the day I would like to have as few devices as possible to do everything I need.

-m

 

[MikieMikie]

Well, the reason i never bought one before Take2 update was the lack of this feature. I waited until others on the forum confirmed this feature was working before taking the plunge since the ablity to stream radio from my enterainment system in a user (wife) friendly way is very important. Worst case I can just use the Roku again, but was hoping the ATV would work.

The only reliable way to get this feature to work is to use the Apple TV as a set of streaming speakers. I wish they had done this, too.

What is really humorous is that Apple doesn't support such a simple feature in the first place. It all boils down to the fact they want to sell itunes and movie rentals and cant make money off streaming. Fair enough, but don't scoff at those who might not find the lack of such a feature a "deal breaker". Don't get me wrong...I like how it does what it's "supposed" to do very much. However, at the end of the day I would like to have as few devices as possible to do everything I need.

I think you're exactly correct. It has always been my position that Apple provides just enough free stuff to whet the appetite and then provides seamless ways to suck money out of wallets painlessly.

itunes is a file server, and it treats all of these satellite devices as delivery mechanisms for its content.

Don't look for the Apple TV to be more than an iPod. I certainly don't, and I am more than happy with my purchase. (I bought it to get my iTunes music into the living room. That it did my photos and that I could also rip my DVDs... all gravy for me.)

 

[richsw]

Sucking money out of it's customers

I find it funny people complain about Apple charging for their products. Apple is a publicly held corporation. Steve Jobs job is to enhance shareholder value.
Apple does this by developing products to SELL at a profit. If you don't like their products....don't buy them. If you have a suggestion for new functionality please bring it to the table in a constructive manner. I'm sure Apple people keep a close eye on Mac forums.

Enough of my ranting and raving.

I really like version 2.

Thanks

 

[spiderhole]

If you read my post it says "they want to sell itunes and movie rentals and cant make money off streaming. Fair enough". I have nothing against them trying to make a profit and understand their motives. However, this doesn't lessen my desire for it to support features such as internet radio. For all of the advances in technology in the last several years, it's quite sad that we have to deal with even MORE components and complication to get everything working together when it should be the opposite. The trouble is each megacorp wants to own and control everything in the digital media landscape, while the consumer suffers the results. Err...guess im the one ranting and raving now

I find it funny people complain about Apple charging for their products. Apple is a publicly held corporation. Steve Jobs job is to enhance shareholder value.
Apple does this by developing products to SELL at a profit. If you don't like their products....don't buy them. If you have a suggestion for new functionality please bring it to the table in a constructive manner. I'm sure Apple people keep a close eye on Mac forums.

Enough of my ranting and raving.

I really like version 2.

Thanks

 

[Peace]

I find it odd that people are having problems with the radio stations in iTunes playing via Apple TV.

I'm sitting on my couch. My Macbook is in front of me and I'm streaming KPFA radio to the Apple tv connected to my stereo.

 

[pilotError]

I had the same issue with the putting the radio stations into a playlist and sync'ing them. The ATV said there were no songs in the playlist.

I have to try streaming them from iTunes instead of being sync'ed

 

[spiderhole]

I find it odd that people are having problems with the radio stations in iTunes playing via Apple TV.

I'm sitting on my couch. My Macbook is in front of me and I'm streaming KPFA radio to the Apple tv connected to my stereo.

Are you pushing the stations to the TV from itunes, or choosing them on the TV interface? My computer is on the opposite end of the house and I need to control everything from TV.

 

[MikieMikie]

Are you pushing the stations to the TV from itunes, or choosing them on the TV interface? My computer is on the opposite end of the house and I need to control everything from TV.

Ok, so, I added an internet radio station to a playlist, synced it, and the playlist showed the radio station in it. I selected it directly from my Apple TV and it played. Still, see my suggestion below, as this may have some bearing on what's happening.

In your case, if you select Apple TV as your external speakers via the little dropdown at the bottom of iTunes, and if you allowed the Apple TV to remotely control the playlist (preferences->advanced: Allow iTunes control from remote speakers) then you should be able to control the playlists remotely.

i wish there was a definitive "works/doesn't work" answer with the internet radio playlists. Before, v 1.x, it never worked.

 

[spiderhole]

Ok, so, I added an internet radio station to a playlist, synced it, and the playlist showed the radio station in it. I selected it directly from my Apple TV and it played. .

This is what happened for me...at first. Do me a favor and check that same playlist in a few hours, then again tomorrow. I'm curious if the station will still be there.

thanks
m

 

[MikieMikie]

Next day: the playlist is there and empty!

I am going to do a little testing to see if there is reliable way to make it sticky, but I doubt it is.