Slowly switching to all Mac Software questions.

[AppleDApp]

I am currently contemplating replacing all my machines to Apple. I have a few questions.

I currently use my windows machine to hold my media library. If i switch to Apple I would have all my media in iTunes. I'm not sure how to create multiple librairies, add file support for other media files (movies, music)

I am switching to iTunes because I will get the Apple TV.

When you use the ATV to view content does your computer need to be on?

I'm not completely new to Apple products.

 

[paulsalter]

I am currently contemplating replacing all my machines to Apple. I have a few questions.

I currently use my windows machine to hold my media library. If i switch to Apple I would have all my media in iTunes. I'm not sure how to create multiple librairies, add file support for other media files (movies, music)

I am switching to iTunes because I will get the Apple TV.

When you use the ATV to view content does your computer need to be on?

For Apple TV, yes your Mac needs to be on if you are streaming your iTunes content to it

 

[Peteman100]

An NAS should work though, right?

 

[Airforcekid]

An NAS should work though, right?

It will if you jailbreak using something like atv flash.

 

[SandynJosh]

I am currently contemplating replacing all my machines to Apple. I have a few questions.

I suggest running one of your Macs in Windows & OSX mode so you can control how the various media are transferred over in a way that you want.

Generally speaking iTunes throws everything into one big library from which you can pick from to make playlists, which are virtual collections. This allows one song, for example, to reside in more then one collection.

 

[AppleDApp]

An NAS should work though, right?

It will if you jailbreak using something like atv flash.

Could I not just connect a NAS to my router and ATV will see it?

I suggest running one of your Macs in Windows & OSX mode so you can control how the various media are transferred over in a way that you want.

like in bootcamp?

Any way I could add support for FLAC files? Seems like iTunes only supports wma,mp3 and AAC

 

[Phil Lee]

Could I not just connect a NAS to my router and ATV will see it?

The Apple TV 2 streams music from iTunes using Home Sharing. There must be a computer running iTunes active on the network for the Apple TV to be able to stream music and video.

 

[Kasalic]

As stated you need a machine on the network running iTunes in order to stream to the Apple TV.

I'm not a great fan of jailbreaking devices, keep it simple and stay within the limits Apple set and things tend to just work. Not to say that I don't understand why people do it and there are some great guides on here and other sites should you choose that route.

One option is to look at picking up a cheap G4 machines from eBay or similar to run the iTunes library. I use a Mac Mini Server at work and an old G4 PowerBook at home for streaming my stuff to ATV and AirPlay speakers.

 

[AppleDApp]

there has to be a way to bypass having a mac turned on. how about a nas with an itunes server or a linux box? that would be connected to my router.

 

[colinwil]

there has to be a way to bypass having a mac turned on. how about a nas with an itunes server or a linux box? that would be connected to my router.

No - unfortunately there's not. Even if you've got a NAS box that supports iTunes - like the iomega ones.

It's not enough for the NAS box to support iTunes - its got to do 'iTunes Home Sharing'. Currently no NAS box does that - licensing I guess. Before the updated Time Capsule came out last month there were rumors that it might do it. But it doesn't.

One thing you could consider if you want an iTunes server thats always on and talks to ATV2 is to get a Mac Mini attached to a jumbo hard disk - either network attached or USB attached.

 

[AppleDApp]

that would mac my setup even more expensive. If I do go that route. I could get a mac mini in my living room eliminating the need to buy an ATV for the living room.

The mac mini could be used as a backup server and HTPC Would that work?

it also means this extra computer I have cannot be converted to a linux box

Can I have a computer with a normal OS (not server type) that will backup all the data on my network and act as a torrent box aswell?