Now that AppleTV does DD5.1, the folks at VisualHub have been EXTREMELY fast on releasing a great update. With the new version, I can convert my own DVD or .mkv (or any other format) to AppleTV format (.mov) with DD5.1.
So I decided to some testing, nothing formal, just my own opinions. I used a Samsung 40inch 1080p LCD with internal speakers, and a Pioneer Elite 50inch 1080p with a Denon AVR 3806. And for comparison to AppleTV I used DVICO TViX 4800SH and Samsung BDP-1200 Blu Ray Player.
Source was Casino Royal (the new one) Blu Ray and 7.8gb 720p .mkv with DD5.1 track.
The obvious winner in all this is Blu Ray version of Casino Royal in both video and audio. No contest, and not surprising.
I converted the .mkv file using VisualHub at Highest setting (go insane) and DD5.1. The software does what is promises. It converted the .mkv file to a .mov file and retained the DD5.1 track. When played on the AppleTV the audio is passed through to the Denon receiver and DD5.1 light shows up on the receiver. Of note, for some reason, even at the highest setting the .mkv file of 7.8gb got converted to a 4.3gb .mov file. Not sure why.
I streamed from my MacPro to my AppleTV over a "N" network. There were no hiccups/pauses on the video or audio when streaming to my tv. Even at this high bitrate, it was impressive. On my Samsung, using internal speaker, I could not hear any audio. VisualHub only places one audio stream, the DD5.1 stream. Obviously my Samsung internal speaker does not play DD5.1 so this was not a surprise. Speaking of video, the dark scenes had many artifacts and at times blocky. The lighter scenes, were excellent, which occasional blockiness. Overall very watchable and definitely better than DVD. I would have to say it was on par with the HD Movie previews that are on AppleTV.
I then connected the AppleTV to my Pioneer ELITE 1080p and Denon Reciever. As mentioned earlier the audio played in DD5.1. The same dark and light scenes were used and there was a NOTICEABLE difference. There as much less blockiness and minimal artifacts. The picture was excellent, and audio was in sync. On a side note, I have always enjoyed my ELITE but now I can clearly see why it costs $5000 more than the Samsung. The difference is was much more evident when using the AppleTV versus Comcast HD. And I am finally NOT kicking myself in the butt for spending the extra money. There is clear difference between the 2 TV.
To compare the video even further I have a DVICO TViX 4800SH which can natively play these infamous .mkv files. The audio is the same on both AppleTV and TViX - DD5.1. As far as the video, the TViX video was a bit more crisp in the darker scenes but the lighter scenes were not any different. Very comparable, the TViX video being a bit better. Again recall that the file sizes are different. 7.8gb for .mkv and 4.3gb for .mov.
So in the end the VisualHub AppleTV HD video files are very good and very watchable and easily on par with HD Trailers, and the best part is, it now has DD5.1....something I have been waiting for since I bought this AppleTV a year ago. Great job VisualHub
My personal dilemma is "Is it worth converting the .mkv files to AppleTV format, if I already have a box that plays .mkv files". The conversion of the file took over 2hrs using a MacPro. Yes it can stream anywhere in the house, but I only have one AppleTV so........
So I decided to some testing, nothing formal, just my own opinions. I used a Samsung 40inch 1080p LCD with internal speakers, and a Pioneer Elite 50inch 1080p with a Denon AVR 3806. And for comparison to AppleTV I used DVICO TViX 4800SH and Samsung BDP-1200 Blu Ray Player.
Source was Casino Royal (the new one) Blu Ray and 7.8gb 720p .mkv with DD5.1 track.
The obvious winner in all this is Blu Ray version of Casino Royal in both video and audio. No contest, and not surprising.
I converted the .mkv file using VisualHub at Highest setting (go insane) and DD5.1. The software does what is promises. It converted the .mkv file to a .mov file and retained the DD5.1 track. When played on the AppleTV the audio is passed through to the Denon receiver and DD5.1 light shows up on the receiver. Of note, for some reason, even at the highest setting the .mkv file of 7.8gb got converted to a 4.3gb .mov file. Not sure why.
I streamed from my MacPro to my AppleTV over a "N" network. There were no hiccups/pauses on the video or audio when streaming to my tv. Even at this high bitrate, it was impressive. On my Samsung, using internal speaker, I could not hear any audio. VisualHub only places one audio stream, the DD5.1 stream. Obviously my Samsung internal speaker does not play DD5.1 so this was not a surprise. Speaking of video, the dark scenes had many artifacts and at times blocky. The lighter scenes, were excellent, which occasional blockiness. Overall very watchable and definitely better than DVD. I would have to say it was on par with the HD Movie previews that are on AppleTV.
I then connected the AppleTV to my Pioneer ELITE 1080p and Denon Reciever. As mentioned earlier the audio played in DD5.1. The same dark and light scenes were used and there was a NOTICEABLE difference. There as much less blockiness and minimal artifacts. The picture was excellent, and audio was in sync. On a side note, I have always enjoyed my ELITE but now I can clearly see why it costs $5000 more than the Samsung. The difference is was much more evident when using the AppleTV versus Comcast HD. And I am finally NOT kicking myself in the butt for spending the extra money. There is clear difference between the 2 TV.
To compare the video even further I have a DVICO TViX 4800SH which can natively play these infamous .mkv files. The audio is the same on both AppleTV and TViX - DD5.1. As far as the video, the TViX video was a bit more crisp in the darker scenes but the lighter scenes were not any different. Very comparable, the TViX video being a bit better. Again recall that the file sizes are different. 7.8gb for .mkv and 4.3gb for .mov.
So in the end the VisualHub AppleTV HD video files are very good and very watchable and easily on par with HD Trailers, and the best part is, it now has DD5.1....something I have been waiting for since I bought this AppleTV a year ago. Great job VisualHub
My personal dilemma is "Is it worth converting the .mkv files to AppleTV format, if I already have a box that plays .mkv files". The conversion of the file took over 2hrs using a MacPro. Yes it can stream anywhere in the house, but I only have one AppleTV so........
