Is this apple TV set up possible?

[Itogator]

Hello and thanks in advance to all that reply.

Here is the set up I want to do. Does anyone know how to do it?

I have one external hard drive where all my media is stored. That drive is shared via Airport Extreme usb port and I can see it from my macbook and my pc. My macbook is the computer where I stream to apple tv from. The problem is I travel alot and take my macbook with me. When I leave, the wife and kids don't have access to apple tv if my macbook is not home. Can I set up apple tv to stream my library from my pc? This way, when I travel and take my macbook, the wife and kids can still see the media on apple tv.

BTW, on the macbook I am running latest versions of Snow Leopard, iTunes and apple tv. On the pc I am running windows XP home edition.

Thanks.

 

[TheCheapGeek]

Yes you can, as long as itunes on the PC can see the hard drive, add the files to itunes, and then just set up the apple tv to sync with the PC.

 

[jdl8422]

What if you get the media server from Western Digital. From what I understand I think you just plug an external HD into it and it streams the content. The media player is only $100 or so. Just a thought.

 

[CPD_1]

What if you get the media server from Western Digital. From what I understand I think you just plug an external HD into it and it streams the content. The media player is only $100 or so. Just a thought.

I don't think the WD can use iTunes purchased movies, can it? Which is not to say the OP has any iTunes movies, but just a thought if he does.

 

[Itogator]

Yes you can, as long as itunes on the PC can see the hard drive, add the files to itunes, and then just set up the apple tv to sync with the PC.

Thanks for the replies.

I know the pc can see the external but how do I get apple tv to sync with the pc AND the macbook?

 

[mahood]

Thanks for the replies.

I know the pc can see the external but how do I get apple tv to sync with the pc AND the macbook?

It can't sync with both, as far as I can remember - you can choose one machine to sync with, and any number (or up to 5, maybe) to stream from.

I'd advise syncing with the PC since it doesn't move, and streaming from the MacBook... Now you can use Home Sharing to move stuff between the machines, it's easier to have your own stuff on the PC and 'share' it over before you go away...

 

[TheCheapGeek]

You can only sync content from one machine, but you can add more than one machine to stream content to the apple tv. But my question is why would you wont to stream from your macbook when the pc is already set up?

 

[Itogator]

You can only sync content from one machine, but you can add more than one machine to stream content to the apple tv. But my question is why would you wont to stream from your macbook when the pc is already set up?

I just figured that the macbook, being a mac, would be better. That's the only reason. So is everyone saying that I should make the desktop pc the "main" computer that syncs with apple tv? If so, I may have another problem. The apple tv shows up on the device list on the mac but not on the pc. Anyone know why?

 

[srexy]

I just figured that the macbook, being a mac, would be better. That's the only reason. So is everyone saying that I should make the desktop pc the "main" computer that syncs with apple tv? If so, I may have another problem. The apple tv shows up on the device list on the mac but not on the pc. Anyone know why?

You can only associate the Apple TV with one instance of iTunes. Delete it from your Mac and then try again.

I used to have a PC as my media server and it worked out pretty well. I didn't like the noise or energy consumption of the PC so finally ditched it in favour of a Mac Mini. The mini's advantage is that it can be an HTPC in its own right and has now freed up the tv for bedroom duty.