I know this has been addressed in similar threads, but of course I can't seem to find what I'm looking for now. I want to rip my dvd collection to an external HD, still be able to see the album artwork or list of my collection in ITunes and be able to stream to my ATV. I'm guessing I can just export my collection that is currently on my IMac in ITunes and there's some setting I have to change in Preferences in Itunes but I don't want to export everything before I know for sure and screw something up. Can somebody help me w/ the steps? Thanks in advance!
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How do I stream from an external HD to ATV?
- Thread starter katlove
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I'm in the same situation, apparently you either need a dedicated iTunes server on your network or you can try to hack around it with Boxee. 
It's simple
Your question is more of an iTunes question.
Under the advanced tab in iTunes preferences just uncheck the box "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library.
That will add your files to itunes without moving the file. Your files can exist anywhere that your mac/pc can see.
Furthermore if you would like to move your library to an external drive or any other location. "Change " the location of you music library in the same tab, then go to the File menu and under Library choose "Consolidate Library " and all your file will move to the new location.
Your question is more of an iTunes question.
Under the advanced tab in iTunes preferences just uncheck the box "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library.
That will add your files to itunes without moving the file. Your files can exist anywhere that your mac/pc can see.
Furthermore if you would like to move your library to an external drive or any other location. "Change " the location of you music library in the same tab, then go to the File menu and under Library choose "Consolidate Library " and all your file will move to the new location.
Unfortunately, it becomes a little more difficult when we are talking about the Apple TV. It's a whole different ballgame.
I am running an Apple TV over wireless with ripped dvd's on a network drive and it works very nicely. I am at work right now and cannot leave a detailed set of instructions but am more than happy to help. PM me and I will try and write something up for you tonight about how I run my set up.
No, It is that simple
Actually that is it With your ATV set to stream (Custom Sync) in iTunes it will see anything that is in Itunes.
All my movies and music exist on an external 4TB RAID connected to my iMac with a FW800 cable and can all be played on my ATV over wi-fi.
Actually that is it With your ATV set to stream (Custom Sync) in iTunes it will see anything that is in Itunes.
All my movies and music exist on an external 4TB RAID connected to my iMac with a FW800 cable and can all be played on my ATV over wi-fi.
This is exactly what I do. Keep in mind you need to have itunes up and running for it to work on the ATV.
Simply move all of your itunes library to your external drive (keep in on your mac in the meantime, just in case there's a problem with the transfer)
Then in preferences, under advanced, point your itunes to the new itunes music folder you just copied to your external harddrive.
In Itunes, select all, and delete everything. do NOT choose to trash, you just want to remove from itunes, not your computer.
Then under File in Itunes, choose add folder, point itunes to the folder you just created on your external drive. Itunes will then repopulate all your songs, movies, tvshows...etc...
...then, and only then, delete your itunes off your mac if everything is working ok (and you need the space on your mac).
Assuming one wants to stream from an external drive, is it the preferred method to move the entire library to an external drive?
I ask because I manage my library a little differently from the above examples. I keep my main library on the iMac drive, but store my movies on an external. To add a new movie to iTunes, I hold down the option key and drag the movie file to iTunes. That way, iTunes stores the link in my library, but not the file.
My question is, is there a downside to my approach?
Thanks.
I ask because I manage my library a little differently from the above examples. I keep my main library on the iMac drive, but store my movies on an external. To add a new movie to iTunes, I hold down the option key and drag the movie file to iTunes. That way, iTunes stores the link in my library, but not the file.
My question is, is there a downside to my approach?
Thanks.
I have my entire movie collection sitting on a 750 GB external hdd. I brought all the movies into iTunes without directly copying them (this can be done by holding the Option key when you drag files into iTunes, or changing a setting in Preferences).
Then, when you open AppleTV, all your movies will be visible, as long as they're in your iTunes library. Same goes for music.
Then, when you open AppleTV, all your movies will be visible, as long as they're in your iTunes library. Same goes for music.
gregorybret, I owe you an apology, you were absolutely correct. I now have my 
TV streaming movies wirelessly from an external HD in my office.
Thanks everybody for your input!
katlove, you may find my thread helpful as well...
Apple home network media questions?
TV streaming movies wirelessly from an external HD in my office.Thanks everybody for your input!
katlove, you may find my thread helpful as well...
Apple home network media questions?
I have a MacPro and have iTunes on it's own 1TB drive. I also have another 1TB that holds movies which appears in iTunes via the 'option' move so the file remains on it's own drive but iTunes has a path in which to stream the movie. I also have another 1TB drive with TV shows which I also 'option' move into iTunes so it doesn't take up space in my iTunes drive. Only music, podcast and Music videos are actually on my iTunes drive. This way I have 3TB of space dedicated to iTunes that can stream into my ATV.