Please interpret - what's the max resolution Apple TV supports?

[chriskzoo]

I'm thinking of getting one of these bad boys, but I'm a little confused as to the resolutions it supports from the Tech Specs:

Video formats supported: H.264 and protected H.264 (from iTunes Store): 640 by 480, 30 fps, LC version of Baseline Profile; 320 by 240, 30 fps, Baseline profile up to Level 1.3; 1280 by 720, 24 fps, Progressive Main Profile. MPEG-4: 640 by 480, 30 fps, Simple Profile

OK, so I get that it supports h.264 640x480 and 320x240.

What I'm confused about is the 1280x720 (which is what I would want to do, if not 1080). Does this mean it can only output 1280x720 in 24 FPS, and does it ONLY support h.264?

 

[jsw]

What I'm confused about is the 1280x720 (which is what I would want to do, if not 1080). Does this mean it can only output 1280x720 in 24 FPS, and does it ONLY support h.264?

That's the way I read it (only H.264 and only 24fps at that resolution).

 

[chriskzoo]

Thanks - I'm thinking the best way to interpret things is "If it plays in iTunes, it plays on Apple TV."

Another question: Concerning the 40 GB HDD - does that act as only a temporary cache for movies and such (i.e. start streaming the movie and then store the rest of it while you play.).