Apple TV Question

[morganpugh84]

I am tempted at an Apple TV however I can't find any solid evidence for if it supports playback of DivX/XviD/MKV (X264/H264) video?

I am assuming the information is out there just not that easy to find.

Also how does the media sharing work. Does it share via iTunes or do it use MTP?

Cheers in advance all.

M

[User6060]

i'm pretty sure it plays only formats playable in itunes, aka mp4 m4v h264 etc

[Damian]

I am tempted at an Apple TV however I can't find any solid evidence for if it supports playback of DivX/XviD/MKV (X264/H264) video?

I am assuming the information is out there just not that easy to find.

Video formats supported:

* 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) in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats

* iTunes Store purchased video: 320 by 240 pixels, 640 by 480 pixels, 720 by 480 pixels (anamorphic), or high-definition 720p

* 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) in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats

Also how does the media sharing work. Does it share via iTunes or do it use MTP?

Same as the iPod.

When connected to iTunes you can select what you want to sync.

[morganpugh84]

:( That is a shame. Looks like a PS3 is the best way to go then!

The PS3 can do the DivX/XviD stuff out of the box I know and with mkv2vob I can mux mkv files in a few minutes so they are playable on the PS3. Shame though as I was hoping for something a little smaller than the PS3.

[morganpugh84]

Thanks for the post Damian, I did not see it when I posted my reply. You have listed a lot of supported formats but not the containers (such as avi and mkv). As iTunes does not see the avi and mkv files I am assuming the Apple TV won't also and so I would need to transcode to the avi files to mp4 and demux the mkv files to mp4 (like I have to for the PS3). Correct?

[ThehAWKs]

there are hacks you could do to AppleTV to fix that but the PS3 is your best option as you pointed out.

[Volatile]

I'd say PS3. I own an Apple TV and its nothing special. I'd love it if they actually did Netflix, but I guess that would cut into their movie sales.....

[nihal]

i myself am looking to stream stuff to my tv from my laptop...the WDTV Live player got my eye...you should look into it