New Apple TV Push/Pull

[mkaiser1]

Hey guys,

So I know that the MAc on which my iTunes library resides will have to be turned on in order to play it's contents on a new ATV, but answer me this: Do I have to control the playback via that MAc too or can I control it via the ATV? IE, I can 'push' itunes files to the ATV from my Mac (streaming), but can I pull them from the Mac using the ATV?

My reason for asking is I'm considering an old Mac Mini to sit under the ATV and always be on with the iTunes library always open, but I wouldn't connect it to a monitor/TV, I'd just use the ATV connected to the TV for playback (I realise this is an expensive method, but the one I think is the going to be the most fluid for me and the one I'm going to opt for).

Hope you can help.

 

[abev]

I have a Mini and also thinking about the new ATV. I do not think you need a ATV at all if you just buy the Mini. I want the ATV to stream content from my mini to my kids room.

 

[mkaiser1]

I have a Mini and also thinking about the new ATV. I do not think you need a ATV at all if you just buy the Mini. I want the ATV to stream content from my mini to my kids room.

True (re the no need for atv if you have a mini), but the mini doesn't have optical sound and if this was going to be my main movie viewing mechanism then I want my 5.1 surround. Also, I'm pretty sure you can only get HD movies from iTunes if you have an ATV or an iPad.

 

[ReggaeFire]

Yes, you're able to access an iTunes library of a computer via the aTV. This is the main way of using it. Your method makes sense to me since you must have the original G4 Mini (the only one without optical audio), which probably isn't powerful enough to even play a lot of movies by itself.

 

[mkaiser1]

No, I don't have a mini at all yet. But looking at the new one it doesn't have an optical sound output. The atv seems the only way of getting hdmi and optical sound. I was thinking of getting an older model mini to go with it.

 

[UnseenLlama]

True (re the no need for atv if you have a mini), but the mini doesn't have optical sound and if this was going to be my main movie viewing mechanism then I want my 5.1 surround. Also, I'm pretty sure you can only get HD movies from iTunes if you have an ATV or an iPad.

The Mac Mini is able to output optical sound. You just need the $5 adapter.

http://www.amazon.com/Toslink-To-Optical-Mini-Adapter/dp/B0002MQGRM

This has been available for quite a number of Mini generations.

 

[mkaiser1]

Well, I have to admit to never knowing that!

That just leaves HD films from itunes then. Am i right in saying only atv and ipads can get these?

 

[tbayrgs]

Well, I have to admit to never knowing that!

That just leaves HD films from itunes then. Am i right in saying only atv and ipads can get these?

You can get HD content from iTunes on your Mac (see attached screenshot--taken straight from my Macbook) though there do appear to be some titles that are only available in HD via iPad or TV. You can also rip/encode any blu-ray disks you may have to 720p and stream those to an TV. Even better, if you go the Mac Mini route, you can rip the blu-rays and enjoy them in their full 1080p glory--something you won't be able to do with an TV.

 

[Richdmoore]

I think both hd rentals and HD purchases have been available on the pc/mac iTunes for quite some time.

I am not sure about netflix HD, I know for awhile only consoles/roku had HD netflix, but that could have easily changed by now.

http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/03/itunes-hd-movie-rentals-finally-come-to-the-macpc.ars

EDIT: Answered my own question HD nexflix on pc/mac went live in May.

 

[newagemac]

You can now get HD content in iTunes from a Mac or PC but there are still HD titles that are only available on an Apple TV.