Can't get movies to stream

[jctivo]

I just bought an Apple TV 2 over the weekend and I can get music to stream from my desktop computer which is on wifi and my Apple TV which is on wifi (in different rooms-Apple TV is next to router).

I cannot get movies to stream.

I generally rip to mp4 format for dvds that I have.

What am I doing wrong?

I just get a little spinny icon.

My wife is going to be really upset if I can't get Apple TV 2 to work when the sole purpose was to stream music and movies.
Please help.
jctivo

 

[lsvtecjohn3]

Is your Apple TV connect to your wifi network? Your iTunes library should show up under computer on the main dashboard of the Apple TV.

 

[tbayrgs]

I just bought an Apple TV 2 over the weekend and I can get music to stream from my desktop computer which is on wifi and my Apple TV which is on wifi (in different rooms-Apple TV is next to router).

I cannot get movies to stream.

I generally rip to mp4 format for dvds that I have.

What am I doing wrong?

I just get a little spinny icon.

My wife is going to be really upset if I can't get Apple TV 2 to work when the sole purpose was to stream music and movies.
Please help.
jctivo

Sorry but you really need to give more info--could be almost anything based on your description.

You say you only get the spinning icon--is this when you try to select your library? Is Home Sharing turned on? Can you see your home shared library but get the spinning icon when you try to select the movie category or when you actually select a specific movie? See what I mean?

You also say you 'generally rip' into mp4 format--again, other variables come into play other than just the container. I can easily encode a dvd rip in Handbrake into an mp4 that won't play on an Apple TV. How do you rip your DVDs and what do you use to encode those rips?

Try ripping one of your DVDs and then encoding it using the Apple TV preset in Handbrake, add it to your home shared library and try to watch in on your Apple TV. If this works, it'll show that your existing rips are not Apple TV compatible. And don't say that they play fine in iTunes--doesn't mean they play on the Apple TV.

 

[jctivo]

more details

Sorry for the lack of details.

I tried to re-rip the movie using apple tv output and it worked. Thanks for the tips.

I mistakenly thought if it worked in itunes it would work on apple tv.
I also thought if it it played one type of mp4 file it would play all.

Now I just have to figure out an easy solution to get my flip videos to play without spending a lot of effort or money. I have a hundred or so of them of my children.

thanks again for all of the help.
jctivo

 

[vrDrew]

Now I just have to figure out an easy solution to get my flip videos to play without spending a lot of effort or money. I have a hundred or so of them of my children.

You need to convert Flip videos from *.avi format to *.mp4

The best way to do this is to use Handbrake. Use the included AppleTV presets. Save them to your desktop or to some other easily accessible directory.

Then, while in iTunes, use the "Add File to Library" command to import the clips of your adorable offspring to iTunes. They will then be viewable over your AppleTV.

 

[jctivo]

Thanks

I tried Handbreak and it worked.

I appreciate all of the help.

Apple tv 2 is working much better (actually working) for what I needed it to.

Thanks!
jctivo

 

[vrDrew]

I tried Handbreak and it worked.

You're welcome.

In general, I've found folks here in the technical dungeons of MR to be extremely knowledgeable, resourceful, and helpful. As cool as AppleTV and a lot of the related technology is, it can sometimes be a little bewildering for the newcomer. Which is why I've found forums like this be an invaluable resource.

Best of luck with your AppleTV.

 

[jctivo]

Lots of jittering and loss of video

Does that make sense? I converted a couple flip videos using Handbreak and when I put them in itunes, they stink.

Audio keeps playing but video freezes.

 

[jctivo]

everything ok

seems like the problem was with my old monitor.

when I ran the flip videos on apple tv 2, everything looked fine. So I just guess my old desktop monitor can't handle it.