Does the Apple TV play ripped DVDs?

[DaveF]

I want to create a simple AppleTV media center. I need a bit help, to make sure this will work.

I want to rip DVDs completely -- no re-encoding via Handbrake. I want a straightforward and complete copy of all material, menus and special features.

I want to put the materials on an AirDisk -- a 500GB external hard drive connected to my Airport Extreme Base Station.

Will the Apple TV see the various VIDEO_TS directories and play them as normal DVDs, with their menus, special features, etc? And with no loss of quality? The Apple TV will be connected by 100 Mbps ethernet to the AEBS.

My goal here is simple, fast and effective. I've got about 30 seasons of TV on DVD, and I realized -- after a few months with a Tivo -- it will get watched more easily if it's all "on demand" via something like an AppleTV. Ripping, with no recompression, will be much faster and easier. I'll spend more money on hard drives, but it's worth it to not fight with Handbrake and its settings, or to have my computer tied up with transcoding for the next three months.

Thanks for any info on this!

 

[tarz4n]

Sorry, no.. Only stuff that can be stored in iTunes works.
Im ripping all my DVD's with handbrake, and transcode stuff with Visualhub. Works OK for me, but i was very skeptic in the beginning!

Get a Mac Mini, and use Frontrow. It can browse your network just fine.

 

[CWallace]

As noted, the stock tv software will not do this.

If you feel comfortable hacking your tv, AwkwardTV/Nito TV will do this.

 

[DaveF]

I guess I got confused since FrontRow does it and I thought the AppleTV is running FrontRow.

Bummer.

Thanks for the info.