Noob: ATV2 home theatre & Mac Network

[chuckleach]

Ok, So I'm not new to Apple, but I am newly committed to being an exclusive Apple user. I am trying to set my home network to link all of my devices but I want it to assist my Home Theatre set up as well.

I have:

iPhone 4
iPad 2
iMac
MacBook
Airport Extreme
Apple TV 2 - jailbroken running XBMC

Here’s my set up:

I have my Airport Extreme linked to my DSL modem (which has its own wifi router). I have my external HDD plugged in to the USB port on the Extreme which contains all of my movies. I have my ATV2 wired to my Samsung Surround Sound receiver via HDMI, then from receiver to TV via HDMI.

I set the Airport Extreme up and it was pretty damn easy. I can now access my HDD using both of my computers and stream the video...I can also access the HDD movies with my Apple TV 2 using XBMC. I LOVE the Apple TV 2 + XBMC interface. However, I am wondering now if I set it up wrong.

I am having a few issues:

- My download speeds seem to have REALLY slowed since introducing the Airport Extreme

- Netflix works perfectly on ATV2 but video playback through XBMC is jittery which is disappointing because they are 720 hi-def and wired through my surround sound receiver... it should be perfect but alas.......

So now the questions:

- Is there a video tutorial anywhere that will walk me through setting up the perfect Apple Network in my home?

- I am currently running my ATV 2 over WIFI... I have moved my modem/router/airport extreme right beside the ATV 2 hoping that would resolve the jitter and speed it up but it didn't. Can I plug it in via Ethernet to speed things up?


Any other help is greatly appreciated.


ps... I apologize if this is a rambling mess... I've been working on this for 2 days and my brain is fried.

 

[DustinT]

I believe you have the setup essentially correct. And, its obvious you have given it quite a bit of thought. The first thing I'd recommend is using an ethernet cable. If you continue to have problems I'd get the Apple TV back to the stock firmware and see how it behaves. Also, moving a copy of a video file to your Mac computer and using iTunes' home sharing to access a copy on the Apple TV would be an interesting troubleshooting step, if needed. Post back with your results and we'll help further.

 

[blueroom]

Reencode your movies with Handbrake on th ARV2 setting. They'll play fine.