I'm curious if you can use a Time Capsul unit as a storage device for ripped movies to act as a server that the Apple TV can play over a network? Obviously the best way to play everything back would be right off the Apple TV drive, but I'm just trying to think of what to do if you run out of room. Does anybody have experience playing back 720p video over 802.11N? If so, how has the playback been?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Curious about Apple TV - Need convincing
- Thread starter ndriver182
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
720p over 802.11g is fine... N should be even better.
A Time Capsule cannot be used as a server for an Apple TV, as you need iTunes running to have a server.
Right, but in case the original poster doesn't know, you can use any (internal or) external hard drive attached to a mac (or pc) and stream to aTV.
Time Capsule acts as a NAS, right? So all you'd have to do is move your iTunes library to the Time Capsule. You'd still have to have your computer "in between", but otherwise it should work fine.
Thanks for the feedback so far. So, to add another factor into the mix, I've already got a PS3. I've done some video encoding with handbrake and dumped them on to the PS3 (only aac audio apparently though...oops. my receiver doesn't accept aac). I guess I'm just trying to determine which of the two devices would fit my needs best.
I also have most of my audio library on the PS3, but the PS3's audio interface sucks compared to an iTunes interface. I like the idea that an Apple TV can download video podcasts and rent movies to watch on my TV. I suppose I should take this time to mention I have a Samsung 46" 1080p LCD TV and also an Onkyo TX-SR674 A/V receiver. I'm running HDMI out of the PS3 directly to the TV and optical audio from the PS3 to the A/V receiver.
I'll admit up front that I'm starting to become somewhat of an Apple fanatic because I love how everything just works together so well, but I don't want to pick something up just to get it either.
I also have most of my audio library on the PS3, but the PS3's audio interface sucks compared to an iTunes interface. I like the idea that an Apple TV can download video podcasts and rent movies to watch on my TV. I suppose I should take this time to mention I have a Samsung 46" 1080p LCD TV and also an Onkyo TX-SR674 A/V receiver. I'm running HDMI out of the PS3 directly to the TV and optical audio from the PS3 to the A/V receiver.
I'll admit up front that I'm starting to become somewhat of an Apple fanatic because I love how everything just works together so well, but I don't want to pick something up just to get it either.
As a purely opinion piece, I can recommend the ATV easily. My wife and I got ours last week and it's really worked out better than I hoped.
My fear was that it'd be a once-in-a-while convenience, but it turns out we use it a lot more than I had figured we would. It really does make watching any videos you've downloaded easy, pleasurable, even.
Since we much prefer buying the shows we like and watching them through it works well for us. If you enjoy channel surfing, there's still youtube (which probably has about as much engaging content as basic cable
) but it's probably not a good substitute. If you like buying stuff off iTunes, or even obtaining shows or movies other ways it's great.
My fear was that it'd be a once-in-a-while convenience, but it turns out we use it a lot more than I had figured we would. It really does make watching any videos you've downloaded easy, pleasurable, even.
Since we much prefer buying the shows we like and watching them through it works well for us. If you enjoy channel surfing, there's still youtube (which probably has about as much engaging content as basic cable
) but it's probably not a good substitute. If you like buying stuff off iTunes, or even obtaining shows or movies other ways it's great. I agree with the poster above. I thought it would not get much use, or that I would be looking for reasons to make myself use it but the truth is, I use it constantly.
It is especially great now that my dvr is busted and I can pick up shows, covert them and watch them the next day.
It is especially great now that my dvr is busted and I can pick up shows, covert them and watch them the next day.