New Apple TV user, opinions wanted please

Can't answer all your questions, but I'm the kind of guy who likes consistancy, which is why the Apple TV really suits me. I convert all my files to an Apple TV compatible format using HandBrake, and I really recommend the same for you. Just load the file into handbrake, select the Apple TV preset and then press go. You can also set up a que, so that it will do a whole set of files at once, and then leave it running over night like I do for DVD's (I convert them to ISO and then have them do a batch run through handbrake at night to save time).

If you are willing to convert all your stuff to a compatible format, leave the Apple TV as it is, unless of course you want to put in a larger drive.

I know this didn't really answer many questions, but it's my opinion.

alehel said:

Can't answer all your questions, but I'm the kind of guy who likes consistancy, which is why the Apple TV really suits me. I convert all my files to an Apple TV compatible format using HandBrake, and I really recommend the same for you. Just load the file into handbrake, select the Apple TV preset and then press go. You can also set up a que, so that it will do a whole set of files at once, and then leave it running over night like I do for DVD's (I convert them to ISO and then have them do a batch run through handbrake at night to save time).

If you are willing to convert all your stuff to a compatible format, leave the Apple TV as it is, unless of course you want to put in a larger drive.

I know this didn't really answer many questions, but it's my opinion.

Click to expand...

thanks for posting this, also looking to convert my library.

You want to convert to H.264.

Handbrake will do this, but it might only work with DVD/VoB files.

I converted my stuff to Handbrake's universal format so it will play on the ATV or on an iPod.

My files have a .m4v extension.

How long it takes depends on your machine. You won't know until you try. It might take some fiddling around until your satisfied with an encoding program and settings etc. I also have VisualHub which is no longer being made. It will pretty much encode from any format to any other. I think Popcorn will encode stuff from a few different formats. There's a few other solutions out there as well.

trip1ex said:

You want to convert to H.264.

Handbrake will do this, but it might only work with DVD/VoB files.

Click to expand...

I prefer Pavtube's Blu Ray Ripper over handbrake, mainly because i am ripping blu ray content and it is pretty much an all in one tool, does everything except edit the metadata.

without Blu ray ripper to rip blu rays you need atleast

Anydvd HD or equivelant software.
txmuxer
handbrake
subler or metax or equivelant software

plust takes almost twice as long to rip/encode.

From what I've heard, HandBrake will take just about anything you can chuck at it as input. So give it a try and see. If you only have an Apple TV and not an iphone or anything like that, use the Apple TV preset.

I don't spend much time on metadata. I find that a lot of the programs that edit movies to look like an iTunes purchase often risks messing up the file and also takes quite a while, so I only edit the metadata that iTunes gives me access to. For movies I use name, year, genre and description. I use year because I sometimes have remakes of old films, and so it makes it easier to browse, and I copy a short movie description from imdb.com and put it into the description field so that friends can more easily browse my movies when they visit.

Even though I don't do much metataging, I do want my movies looking nice, so I also go onto the website http://www.getvideoartwork.com. Here you can download the original iTunes poster for several movies which makes them look great on the Apple TV. If you can't find the one you want, you can put out a request for it and someone might upload it. They also have tv show covers.