Syncing a ripped DVD across devices in the Apple TV app?

[optimaXF]

I have a number of long out of print/hard to find movies on DVD. So they are not available in digital versions (or any type of version for that matter) or else I would just purchase them.

I'd like to be able to sync them using the Apple TV app on my Mac with all my devices, so I could watch them like I do with the rest of my Apple TV content. I imported a test file into the Apple TV app, but I can't see any way to sync it with the cloud.

Is there a way to do this, or does apple not allow for this like the have with music?

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

I really recommend that you simply keep the ripped DVDs in iTunes / TV App on your Mac and then sync them over to your iPhone / iPad etc. Here you can AirPlay them to your Apple TV OR use Apple HomeSharing from your Mac. The beauty of keeping everything ripped on your Mac is hat is becomes a central media hub with everything in one place PLUS of course, it allows a back up copy to TimeMachine weekly back ups etc.

In terms of iCloud, currently Apple doesn't allow you to back up ripped media to the iCloud. I believe even iCloud Apple Photos only allows a maximum of 15 minutes duration.

I have one or two rips that I prey Apple will finally ad to the iTunes Store but in the meantime, I'll either AirPlay them from my iPhone which works flawlessly or direct from my Mac using HomeSharing.

All of these suggestions keeps your rips in the Apple ecosystem and for DVD rips, it will work very well - easy and stress free in al fairness!

 

[26139]

I wanted to do this, but ended up using Plex and Mac mini.

It doesn't sync my movies to the cloud, but it does make available all my ripped movies via any Apple device I'm using as long as I have internet access.

 

[optimaXF]

Thanks for the suggestions! I have homesharing turned on, but I can't seem to get it to work. Maybe because I'm sharing with myself?

Is there something special I need to do to use homesharing with a ripped DVD?

I really recommend that you simply keep the ripped DVDs in iTunes / TV App on your Mac and then sync them over to your iPhone / iPad etc. Here you can AirPlay them to your Apple TV OR use Apple HomeSharing from your Mac. The beauty of keeping everything ripped on your Mac is hat is becomes a central media hub with everything in one place PLUS of course, it allows a back up copy to TimeMachine weekly back ups etc.

In terms of iCloud, currently Apple doesn't allow you to back up ripped media to the iCloud. I believe even iCloud Apple Photos only allows a maximum of 15 minutes duration.

I have one or two rips that I prey Apple will finally ad to the iTunes Store but in the meantime, I'll either AirPlay them from my iPhone which works flawlessly or direct from my Mac using HomeSharing.

All of these suggestions keeps your rips in the Apple ecosystem and for DVD rips, it will work very well - easy and stress free in al fairness!

 

[Rigby]

You can't upload your own movies to the Apple cloud movie library. You have essentially two choices:

1) Homesharing: this means you keep the file on a computer acting as Homesharing server, and other devices can stream from that server (which means you have to keep it running while you're streaming). To set up Homesharing see here. Note that if you use a Mac with a MacOS version prior to Catalina, Homesharing is set up in iTunes rather than the system preferences. Also note that Homesharing only works if your ripped files are in MP4 format.

2) You can use a 3rd party media player to stream the movie from a media server or file server. The most popular players on iOS/tvOS are Infuse and Plex. Infuse can also stream from some cloud services like Dropbox and Google Drive.

 

[26139]

Thanks for the suggestions! I have homesharing turned on, but I can't seem to get it to work. Maybe because I'm sharing with myself?

Is there something special I need to do to use homesharing with a ripped DVD?

HomeSharing means sharing with your home network, I believe, not sharing with yourself.

Are all the movies in an iTunes-compatible format (mp4), playable on your main device, and is that device running?

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

Thanks for the suggestions! I have homesharing turned on, but I can't seem to get it to work. Maybe because I'm sharing with myself?

Is there something special I need to do to use homesharing with a ripped DVD?

Was just about to reply when I saw Rigby's FABULOUS explanation! Thanks Mr Rigby

 

[optimaXF]

Thanks for all the replies. I just double checked and the file format was .M4V, which is what Handbrake encoded it into. It imported just fine into the Apple TV app, but maybe I need it to be an MP4 if I want to go the homesharing route?

 

[26139]

Thanks for all the replies. I just double checked and the file format was .M4V, which is what Handbrake encoded it into. It imported just fine into the Apple TV app, but maybe I need it to be an MP4 if I want to go the homesharing route?

Yup. I've also used Handbrake, it works perfectly once you tweak the settings just right.

 

[Rigby]

Thanks for all the replies. I just double checked and the file format was .M4V, which is what Handbrake encoded it into. It imported just fine into the Apple TV app, but maybe I need it to be an MP4 if I want to go the homesharing route?

No worries, .m4v is MP4 format (just a naming convention to make clear that it contains video).

 

[Juicy Box]

I love Plex and have purchased the lifetime pass. It is everything iTunes should have been for personal media.

I used to use iTunes for all of my DVD rips. I also had purchased, so that made it a little more convenient having everything together.

But, the "computer" app sucked on the ATV, and would have a lot of issues with home sharing.

A few years back, I decided to try Plex, while it is free, I paid the monthly fee for the features.

It is so much better than anything Apple offers in almost every possible way.

Way easier to distribute the content to multiple devices, and not just Apple devices. With iTunes, you can only do local streams, but with Plex, I can stream my entire library away from home.

I traveled with my wife last summer for a business trip, brought my ATV4K, and was able to access my entire Plex library from my hotel room.

The only thing I miss about iTunes was that it could handle special features of TV Shows better than Plex, but this only pertains to TV Shows.

I am not sure why Plex hasn't figured that out yet.

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

I love Plex and have purchased the lifetime pass. It is everything iTunes should have been for personal media.

I used to use iTunes for all of my DVD rips. I also had purchased, so that made it a little more convenient having everything together.

But, the "computer" app sucked on the ATV, and would have a lot of issues with home sharing.

A few years back, I decided to try Plex, while it is free, I paid the monthly fee for the features.

It is so much better than anything Apple offers in almost every possible way.

Way easier to distribute the content to multiple devices, and not just Apple devices. With iTunes, you can only do local streams, but with Plex, I can stream my entire library away from home.

I traveled with my wife last summer for a business trip, brought my ATV4K, and was able to access my entire Plex library from my hotel room.

The only thing I miss about iTunes was that it could handle special features of TV Shows better than Plex, but this only pertains to TV Shows.

I am not sure why Plex hasn't figured that out yet.

What problems did you encounter with HomeSharing Mr Vertical Smile?
The only problems i've had are with Apple purchased films that sometimes buffer - could be WiFi issues as my Mac and ATV are using WiFi. Luckily I play iTunes purchased via the iCloud Apple servers and that is flawless.

Plex / Infuse sounds more suited to the AV hobbyists - sounds way too complicated and time consuming to me plus I guess that you are agreeing to their terms / security / privacy or lack of if you upload things to their server?

 

[Juicy Box]

Luckily I play iTunes purchased via the iCloud Apple servers and that is flawless.

I am not doing anymore digital purchases anymore. I went back to physical discs.

I used to, I probably have almost 100 movies and maybe 200 TV show episodes purchased in iTunes.

I just haven't had much luck with Apple when it comes to their cloud services. I won't get into it, but I started having issues back in 2015, and pretty much decided to drop iTunes all together in 2018.

I am worried that some of my purchases might disappear one day. I don't like Apple's TV app.

I am a very long time Apple user, but I don't like a lot of stuff that they are doing now. Apple's software is getting more complex and less intuitive, but at the same time, losing useful feature.

So, I decided to start trying third-party stuff. If I ever decided to leave the Apple ecosystem, it will be much easier.

lex / Infuse sounds more suited to the AV hobbyists - sounds way too complicated and time consuming to me

Maybe the initial set up, and naming convention is complex, but actually using Plex isn't complicated.

Here is an example of the naming convention for some movies:


It isn't hard, but also, I am not consistent. I have learned over time a better way of naming everything. But even when I made a mistake in the past, Plex can usually find it anyways.

Sometimes dates are not necessary, but I have learned that dates make it easier for Plex to match and tag stuff without input from me.

You can also use your own tags, which I still do for most movies, but might just start using Plex's tagging for everything except special features.

So, this is probably the most difficult and time consuming thing about Plex, but it isn't to complex, and is very forgiving when you screw up.

Here is the official support page for the naming conventions:

Naming and organizing your Movie files

The scanners and metadata agents used by Plex will work best when your major types of content are separated from...

support.plex.tv

I guess that you are agreeing to their terms / security / privacy or lack of if you upload things to their server?

I am sure I do.

There are trade offs with everything in life, and this is just another one. I am using a much better product with Plex for my needs, but it might cost me a little bit of security.

could be WiFi issues as my Mac and ATV are using WiFi.

I had some issues with Plex when it came to loading and buffering. At the time both the media server and the Apple TV was wireless. Having a wired connection for the media server fixed the issues, but I have also since connected the Apple TV with Ethernet.

What problems did you encounter with HomeSharing Mr Vertical Smile?

Random stupid issues. It started a few years back after one of the iTunes updates. I would try to connect to iTunes, but the Apple TV would say that Home Sharing wasn't on. It was, but sometimes it just wouldn't work.
Actually, it sounds a lot like:

I have homesharing turned on, but I can't seem to get it to work.

OP: Make sure you have iTunes open on your computer. If you close iTunes, Home Sharing will not work.

It imported just fine into the Apple TV app, but maybe I need it to be an MP4 if I want to go the homesharing route?

m4v formate WILL work with Home Sharing. No need to change it.

Are you using a particular pre-set on Handbrake?

I have had good luck with the ATV pre-sets in Handbrake.

 

[waw74]

you don't upload stuff to Plex's server

You need a computer awake and running the server app (free download)
Make a folder on your computer called "Movies" or whatever, and point Plex to that folder.
put your movies in that folder
as long as the files are named with the movie name, it should work
I've found a year can help making sure it grabs the right movie... "Godfather (1972).mkv"
But it's easily fixable with the built in web page if it mismatches.

All of the movies now show up in all of your Plex Apps
There are apps for appleTV, iOS, android, Mac, PC, as well as lots of smartTVs and streaming devices.
or you can also play in any web browser

The server will re-encode anything that won't play on the device you're playing on, so no need to work about file formats.

you can play on an appleTV, stop and then grab your phone and pickup right where you left off.

If you've got a decent upload speed at home, you can access that library anywhere with internet. as long as your server is awake
You can also share the library with friends (you each your own watched/unwatched status)

with their subscription, you can sync media to your phone/tablet

Once it's up and running, it's pretty much a "Netflix like experience"
it will pull in cover art, as well as actors and crew, so you can filter by "movies directed by ______"

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

I am not doing anymore digital purchases anymore. I went back to physical discs.

I used to, I probably have almost 100 movies and maybe 200 TV show episodes purchased in iTunes.

I just haven't had much luck with Apple when it comes to their cloud services. I won't get into it, but I started having issues back in 2015, and pretty much decided to drop iTunes all together in 2018.

I am worried that some of my purchases might disappear one day. I don't like Apple's TV app.

I am a very long time Apple user, but I don't like a lot of stuff that they are doing now. Apple's software is getting more complex and less intuitive, but at the same time, losing useful feature.

So, I decided to start trying third-party stuff. If I ever decided to leave the Apple ecosystem, it will be much easier.


Maybe the initial set up, and naming convention is complex, but actually using Plex isn't complicated.

Here is an example of the naming convention for some movies:
View attachment 892282

It isn't hard, but also, I am not consistent. I have learned over time a better way of naming everything. But even when I made a mistake in the past, Plex can usually find it anyways.

Sometimes dates are not necessary, but I have learned that dates make it easier for Plex to match and tag stuff without input from me.

You can also use your own tags, which I still do for most movies, but might just start using Plex's tagging for everything except special features.

So, this is probably the most difficult and time consuming thing about Plex, but it isn't to complex, and is very forgiving when you screw up.

Here is the official support page for the naming conventions:

Naming and organizing your Movie files

The scanners and metadata agents used by Plex will work best when your major types of content are separated from...

support.plex.tv

I am sure I do.

There are trade offs with everything in life, and this is just another one. I am using a much better product with Plex for my needs, but it might cost me a little bit of security.


I had some issues with Plex when it came to loading and buffering. At the time both the media server and the Apple TV was wireless. Having a wired connection for the media server fixed the issues, but I have also since connected the Apple TV with Ethernet.


Random stupid issues. It started a few years back after one of the iTunes updates. I would try to connect to iTunes, but the Apple TV would say that Home Sharing wasn't on. It was, but sometimes it just wouldn't work.
Actually, it sounds a lot like:


OP: Make sure you have iTunes open on your computer. If you close iTunes, Home Sharing will not work.



m4v formate WILL work with Home Sharing. No need to change it.

Are you using a particular pre-set on Handbrake?

I have had good luck with the ATV pre-sets in Handbrake.

WOW! Thank you for all of the information. I shall study it on my travels!!!
Your HomeSharing issue sounds very very much like the HomeSharing issue that I had in iOS 7, 8 and 9 whereby I had to sign out of HomeSharing daily and then sign back in AND every time I quit iTunes, I then had to sign back in on an iOS device to HomeShare to that.
Sadly, I think that people are expecting so much from their device now that the software has got to the point where humans can't keep up. Craig F and his team at Apple are geniuses but it's very clear with Catalina and iOS 13 that they are being pushed further than the human spirit will allow.
I do hope that Apple will replace the old Dolby Digital files with at least DD+ on every film.

Does anyone know why iTunes audio is so low in volume compared to any other service? I was playing iTunes Extras music videos yesterday and the volume was so low compared to the YouTube version which sounded identical in audio quality but much louder. Same with Apple TV+ traitors on their website - so quiet.
[automerge]1580776184[/automerge]

you don't upload stuff to Plex's server

You need a computer awake and running the server app (free download)
Make a folder on your computer called "Movies" or whatever, and point Plex to that folder.
put your movies in that folder
as long as the files are named with the movie name, it should work
I've found a year can help making sure it grabs the right movie... "Godfather (1972).mkv"
But it's easily fixable with the built in web page if it mismatches.

All of the movies now show up in all of your Plex Apps
There are apps for appleTV, iOS, android, Mac, PC, as well as lots of smartTVs and streaming devices.
or you can also play in any web browser

The server will re-encode anything that won't play on the device you're playing on, so no need to work about file formats.

you can play on an appleTV, stop and then grab your phone and pickup right where you left off.

If you've got a decent upload speed at home, you can access that library anywhere with internet. as long as your server is awake
You can also share the library with friends (you each your own watched/unwatched status)

with their subscription, you can sync media to your phone/tablet

Once it's up and running, it's pretty much a "Netflix like experience"
it will pull in cover art, as well as actors and crew, so you can filter by "movies directed by ______"

Thank you WAW for that!!! Sounds pretty incredible!

 

[Juicy Box]

Once it's up and running, it's pretty much a "Netflix like experience"
it will pull in cover art, as well as actors and crew, so you can filter by "movies directed by ______"

This is very much true, like your own personal Netflix.

Another thing that you can do with Plex, but cannot do with Home Sharing is use Siri on tvOS to find things in Plex.

You can use a sentence like: "Find the movie Groundhog Day in Plex" and it will pull it up for you.

"Netflix like experience"

You can also have profiles. I have one for each family member, and a guest profile.

It is very much like Netflix, and looks pretty polished considering it is all your content.

Here are some photos I took of what it looks like on the ATV:

Here is the my movie library sorted by date released.


You can have custom categories of media too, such as Music, Music Videos, Photos, Home Movies, even porn, if you would want.

Definitely worth checking out for someone that has their own media and would like a way for to view it from multiple devices, for multiple users, at multiple locations.

 

[jljue]

I had for the longest time used iTunes to manage all of my media, but as we started adding Roku TV's in the mix, my family got to where they didn't want to switch to the Apple TV as much just to watch video when the Roku was already built-in. My solution ended up getting a Synology NAS to store the videos and music. Synology does have the ability to setup an iTunes server, if I'm not mistaken, but I ended up using DS video (Apple TV) or Roku Media Player to watch the video repository.

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

Awesome reading guys. For me, having everything in my iTunes library has worked great for the last 10-15 years. As I use only MacBook, iPhone and Apple TV, the Apple eco-system is perfect for me.

I would not like the idea of having Plex access my Mac for a library. I'd never want to be in the situation where I had to leave my Mac switched on all of the time along with WiFi. In my house, our router is switched off when we aren't using the Internet - bedtime through to the day when I'm visiting clients and whilst away travelling. It suits me well - having iTunes film playing from the iCloud to ATV works great and I have iTunes film along with downloaded surf videos all synced to my iPhone for travel and AirPlay.

Very much though, do whatever works well for you and enjoy

 

[26139]

Awesome reading guys. For me, having everything in my iTunes library has worked great for the last 10-15 years. As I use only MacBook, iPhone and Apple TV, the Apple eco-system is perfect for me.

I would not like the idea of having Plex access my Mac for a library. I'd never want to be in the situation where I had to leave my Mac switched on all of the time along with WiFi. In my house, our router is switched off when we aren't using the Internet - bedtime through to the day when I'm visiting clients and whilst away travelling. It suits me well - having iTunes film playing from the iCloud to ATV works great and I have iTunes film along with downloaded surf videos all synced to my iPhone for travel and AirPlay.

Very much though, do whatever works well for you and enjoy

Hold up. If you're playing ripped DVD movies from iTunes to your Apple TV, don't you still need WiFi on and your computer active? iTunes doesn't upload ripped DVDs to iCloud.

And if you're turning off your router, aren't you also turning off internet access which means you wouldn't be able to access purchased movies on your AppleTV?

 

[Juicy Box]

or me, having everything in my iTunes library has worked great for the last 10-15 years.

It sounds like iTunes is a good choice for you, but there was lots of features about Plex that hasn't been discussed yet.

In my house, our router is switched off when we aren't using the Internet - bedtime through to the day when I'm visiting clients and whilst away travelling.

This shouldn't be a problem, you can download your content using the Plex app on your phone and computer when on WiFi, for those occasions that you are without a network or if you want to turn off your media server.

Actually, it is much easier to get personal content on an iDevice using Plex than anything Apple offers.

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

Hold up. If you're playing ripped DVD movies from iTunes to your Apple TV, don't you still need WiFi on and your computer active? iTunes doesn't upload ripped DVDs to iCloud.

And if you're turning off your router, aren't you also turning off internet access which means you wouldn't be able to access purchased movies on your AppleTV?

You're reading it wrong buddy. We were talking about Plex whereby you can access your videos anywhere when you are away from home by leaving your Mac switched on and your router on.
Whether you are happy leaving a Mac plugged in for days or weeks or in my case, months in open to discussion. I'm not in this case as when I leave my house, I like to switch off my interest router etc and I take my Mac with me

 

[26139]

nvm

 

[optimaXF]

Definitely going to be referring to this thread a lot while I figure out the best set up!

Has anyone used dropbox as a media server? I mean, I can see it quickly eating up all the storage space, depending on your plan, so that's a definite downside. But as a quick no nonsense way to have movies available in the cloud it seems to work well. And it looks like plex can pull from dropbox (at least that's what popped up from a quick google search about it).

 

[Juicy Box]

as anyone used dropbox as a media server?

I think Infuse can do this. Not sure about Plex.