Apple TV ATV - Jailbreak or Transcode?

[Atomicfission92]

Just got a new apple Tv 2 for the holidays and I am trying to figure out if it's worth it to jailbreak the Atv and use FireCore or XBMC to steam the AVI, or MKV's from my iMac or if I should just let iFlicks or iVI transcode the files for me.

One of the added benefits of transcoding for me is the updated MetaData and cover art. Also all the files being nicely organized in iTunes.

The disadvantage it seems is the time and speed to convert the files to a format that AppleTV and iTunes uses. It hasn't been taking that long so far to convert a few files and I could probably easily convert my whole library within a couple weeks.

What have other people done and how has it worked for you?

I do have my ATV2 already jailbroken running firecore, but I can just get a refund because I have 2 weeks I think to see if I like it. I just haven't found really any advantages so far except for the need not to transcode the files. But I have heard people say that it can sometimes be laggy or freeze up while playing larger avi or mkv files.

 

[jmcgeejr]

Just got a new apple Tv 2 for the holidays and I am trying to figure out if it's worth it to jailbreak the Atv and use FireCore or XBMC to steam the AVI, or MKV's from my iMac or if I should just let iFlicks or iVI transcode the files for me.

One of the added benefits of transcoding for me is the updated MetaData and cover art. Also all the files being nicely organized in iTunes.

The disadvantage it seems is the time and speed to convert the files to a format that AppleTV and iTunes uses. It hasn't been taking that long so far to convert a few files and I could probably easily convert my whole library within a couple weeks.

What have other people done and how has it worked for you?

I do have my ATV2 already jailbroken running firecore, but I can just get a refund because I have 2 weeks I think to see if I like it. I just haven't found really any advantages so far except for the need not to transcode the files. But I have heard people say that it can sometimes be laggy or freeze up while playing larger avi or mkv files.

I went with the jailbreak and am using Plex, I like plex because of the centralized playcount plus i have access with it all on my iphone and ipad and atv. Also be warned, the atv2 cant handle high bitrate 1080p videos without chopping.

 

[Sedulous]

I still don't know why anyone still uses .avi as a container.

Anyways, mkv files can be quickly re-muxed into mp4/m4v. As for .avi files, other than transcoding, you could possibly play them through your iOS device using airplay to ATV. I periodically do this using Air Video. It still amazes me that it works as well as it does but having everything in mp4/m4v and tagged in iTunes remains a much more streamlined experience.

 

[MattG]

I'm thinking I'm going to encode to MP4. I like the idea of keeping the original MKV, but it's just too much disk space. I'm toying around with different bitrates now, to see what I can get away with.

 

[andymodem]

I use iFlicks set to the HD 1080P preset. That way I get all of the benefits of being in iTunes with management/metadata and all that good stuff. Then, presuming an Apple TV3 comes out with 1080P support, all my content is good to go and I can enjoy them in their already higher resolution.