Streaming with Apple TV
I have been playing with the Apple TV for a while now. At first I considered hacking the ATV but after experimenting I can see no reason to do this. Yes you have to stream using a computer running iTunes but this can be Apple or Microsoft.
I found Microsoft Vista better than my iMac - that will bother you all !!! I simply use an external Hard Drive (750GB) and change my iTunes Music folder location to the external drive.
As for streaming,with an ethernet cable connection or PowerLink ( I used a Netgear HDX101) it is excellent. Wireless can be problematic and depends on several factors,mainly the wireless router/distance plus obstructions-walls etc. However it can be done. I am now streaming wireless using a D-Link Router about 30 metres away throught two concrete ceilings and several walls. It operates as well as hard wired and a movie (Handbrake - Apple TV-settings with AC3 sound) opens in about 5 secs and streams without any problems.
The Apple TV is an excellent product but is flawed mainly in that it sees itself as a server and can't be put to sleep when not in use. It's only basically a mac-mini .
But my main gripe is encoding material.
I find that DVDFab which rips and encodes material is up to 4 or 5 times faster than HandBrake (for same processor speed) but it is Microsoft only - no Mac version and yes it uses AC3 or AAC. But I rip main movie only from DVD first and then encode it later. (For obvious reasons!!)
I need help in the best settings to use , resolution,bit rates etc. and would appreciate some answers here - I play movies on a HD 42" plasma or HD Projector -720P or 1080i.
As for quality I can see no difference from using an HD DVD Player with same settings.
Again help with the best encoding settings would be appreciated - quality not file size.
