Some time ago I wrote about encoding video files to suit both the AppleTV and Sony’s Playstation 3. It was a bit of a painful task back then, but now, it’s pretty simple.
First, install Handbrake (if you haven’t already)
Open your video file or DVD, open the presets in Handbrake, and choose “Regular -> High Profile”.
This preset will encode an MP4 to suit both the AppleTV and the PS3. Note that you will need to ensure you set the exported file name to .MP4 (will possibly be .m4v by default)
No other changes are required to the settings! The exported file will suit playback on AppleTV and on PS3.
One thing I noticed is, that when playing back using XMBC on the AppleTV, I can get the Dolby Digital audio track to work. But I cannot get the PS3 to find the same audio track, therefore playback on PS3 is stereo only. (does someone have some tips for getting this working on PS3?)
Well Apple have officially released their latest update to the AppleTV dubbed “Take 2″. This update brings a heap of new features and an updated user interface. Of the new features we can expect movie rentals, and… my favourite, the ability to now use the AppleTV as an airtunes device from your Mac using iTunes (cool).
Of course, if your in Australia, you won’t get movie rentals, infact the AU Apple website doesn’t really show anything new at all. We don’t even have the guided tour:
http://www.apple.com/appletv/guidedtour/
Compare the AU and US ATV sites:
http://www.apple.com/appletv/
http://www.apple.com/au/appletv/
WHEN Apple, WHEN will we get Movies and TV shows from iTunes, and rentals? sheesh!
The AppleTV hacker community is already buzzing with the new software update, with enthusiasts already cracking the update open to have a look inside at the new changes. Some of the questions floating around include “will my plugins still work?, what about my external hard disk?” etc.
I strongly advise that you do not update if you have “enhanced” your ATV with plugins and hacks until further notice, please keep your eyes peeled to www.awkwardtv.org
more on this subject soon!
Wow this is cool. I just found this with a but of Apple TV searching. You can use your iPhone or iPod touch (or any web browser device) as an Apple TV remote control! Why you would want to I do not know, but here’s the link anyway:
http://www.picpoc.ro/static.php?page=staticATViPhoneRemote
No this isn’t a post about Apple releasing updates to the Apple TV. It’s me asking you guys what you’ve been doing with your ATV lately!?
A lot of you have emailed me or posted questions and comments on the site regarding ATV.
Did you get your unit patched/hacked? Did you get that application running? Can you plug in a USB hard disk, or stream content from your other machines?
Drop me a comment and let me know how your going!
I’ve been getting comments/emails from people asking for help on hacking their AppleTV. I’m not going to advertise ‘hack services’ on my site as I’m not sure of the legality of such activities!
Maybe we should change the term from ‘hack’ to ‘enable’. Thats just nice.
I will offer advice, consultation if you please, on how to ‘enable’ your AppleTV. This will be particularly useful for those that do not have an Intel Mac which is required to carry out ‘enabling’ of your AppleTV.
I’m happy to assist where I can, and answer questions, and ‘point you in the right direction’. You will need to email me directly with your issues or requirements. Perhaps my services would be worthy of a donation via paypal.
