I ripped a DVD (that I own) with Handbrake to MPEG 4. I imported it within iTunes and it plays back well in iTunes. However....... The movie does not show up on my Apple TV when I choose the streaming option and it does not export to the Apple TV HD when I choose the syncing option. Suggestions?
Try ripping the DVD with h.264 main profile. My ripped h.264 (main profile) content works great syncing and streaming.
The BitRate could be too high. I had a movie with the bitrate above 2500kbps and it would not show up in frontrow on my MB when streaming, however it would play just fine from the HD. I dont have my AppleTV yet but i guess this may be the problem you are having?
In addition to bitrate limit, other things (resolution, framerate, audio) have limits too. From: http://www.apple.com/appletv/specs.html, the Apple TV supports: H.264 and protected H.264 (from iTunes Store): Up to 5 Mbps, Progressive Main Profile (CAVLC) with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps (maximum resolution: 1280 by 720 pixels at 24 fps, 960 by 540 pixels at 30 fps) iTunes Store purchased video: 320 by 240 pixels or 640 by 480 pixels MPEG-4: Up to 3 Mbps, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps (maximum resolution: 720 by 432 pixels at 30 fps)
I think you have to make a "reference movie" don't you? QT Pro will save as a reference movie, but I think this should do the same (download dmg). See: SomethingAwful's thread on this...