New Apple TV USB - TC iTunes Library

[mkaiser1]

Hi,

I have searched but couldn't find this specific query mentioned but apols if is.

I have my iTunes library stored on a TC which sits in our lounge. New ATV has a mini-USB socket. Could I connect ATV to TC and use it to stream media without turning Mac on and using iTunes. IE would ATV treat TC as an external HD and allow me to stream media as if it were stored on the ATV itself?

Hope you can help.

 

[cwaddell2002]

Hi,

I have searched but couldn't find this specific query mentioned but apols if is.

I have my iTunes library stored on a TC which sits in our lounge. New ATV has a mini-USB socket. Could I connect ATV to TC and use it to stream media without turning Mac on and using iTunes. IE would ATV treat TC as an external HD and allow me to stream media as if it were stored on the ATV itself?

Hope you can help.

Its hard to say...but my guess is no.

The new ATV is not out yet, so no one has tried it. This is certainly not a listed feature and I would say there is a good chance that this will not work. Apple's historical streaming architecture implies that you will need to have a computer running itunes to stream content that you own. The new airplay feature allows you to stream from other iOS devices as well, but there is no mention of any other way to get content you own to the ATV.

I'm sure I will get flamed for this and told that people shouldn't have to do this, and its ridiculous, and expensive, etc....

That said - I have a Mac Mini which serves itunes content to my whole house, including my ATVs. If I purchase any content on other devices, I copy it back to the mac mini with home sharing. The mini has no monitor, i use remote desktop if i need to administrate. I have an external RAID array (for speed not redundancy) and then back that up to regular hard drive. All my content is available whenever i need it, and the mini uses a minimal amount of power. I tried for several years to not need a media server - I realized I did, and I am far happier now that I have it.

Good luck to you in finding a solution that balances price/features/needs

 

[vladzaharia]

No.

Two reasons for this:
1. The Apple TV Micro-USB is only for service and diagnostics.
2. The Time Capsule USB port is only for expansion. It doesn't offer its own data over that interface, it only takes in data (Yes, there is a more technical version of this reason, but I CBA to write it all out).

 

[mkaiser1]

Well that's pooh-poohed my big idea

Thanks for the help anyway guys.