HELP: Multiple AppleTVs under one iTunes account in multiple locations

[davevirro]

Hi All,

Now that my eyes have been opened to the benefits of an appletv, I have a few questions regarding syncing.

Here is my situation. I am trying to sync multiple apple tvs (not a big issue I know). However, the question that I need help with is as follows.

1) I have a "base" computer which is located at my main house. I also have an apartment, and the appletv's will be under the same user name. If I decide to sync my main appletv with the itunes purchases (which I am going to purchase on my base computer), is there a way that I can set up a drop box, transfer my purchases onto there, then download them remotely at the other location from the drop box and sync again onto my second appletv there (if not will streaming work?).

2) if i purchase a movie at the remote location (not the base computer) and do the same except transfer to the base computer, will that be kosher?

Thanks for the help guys.

I figure as long as it is all one account, the transferability will be fine, however you never know what apple has come up with in regards to copy protection and whatnot. Just to let you all know, these movies will not be used by anyone but me and my family/whoever is in either of the houses.

**Edit - Also, I am wondering what the resolution is for the iTunes store HD movies. I know that Apple recently updated their tv's to support 1080p, but if the movies sold in iTunes are not 1080p, that's kinda redundant...

Thanks again

 

[jaw04005]

1. Yes, you could set up some type of automatic sync to drop box or another provider. However, the sheer amount of data you would be moving (1GB+ per movie per location) would make that setup impractical.

You would be better off with a service like Amazon Unbox that streams purchased content instead of downloading it.

2. iTunes Store HD movies are encoded using MPEG-4 h.264 at 720p (that could be 1280x720, 970x720, etc depending on the film's aspect ratio) in the 3500-5000 kbps range with minor fluctuations on either side.

3. Apple doesn't make TVs, and Apple TV doesn't play back 1080p content.

 

[davevirro]

jaw04005 - I know apple doesn't make tv's just worded that strangely, i meant their appletv's support 1080p output now.

Thanks for the response. Glad to know that I can sync multiple appletv's. as for dropbox or whatever, i will have to figure out a method of transfer.

Thx again.

 

[jaw04005]

jaw04005 - I know apple doesn't make tv's just worded that strangely, i meant their appletv's support 1080p output now.

Thanks for the response. Glad to know that I can sync multiple appletv's. as for dropbox or whatever, i will have to figure out a method of transfer.

Thx again.

Yeah. Apple TV has been able to output (upscale) to 1080p since 2007. It’s just not well publicized or understood. It just can’t play back 1080p files.

For your reference, a 2 hour HD movie with iTunes Extras is roughly 4GB, a 2 hour SD movie with iTunes Extras is 1.8GB, a 44 minute HD TV Show is 1.5GB and a 44 minute SD TV Show is 650MB. So, plan accordingly!

You may want to try out something like PogoPlug so you could eliminate the intermediary Drop Box server.

http://www.pogoplug.com/