iPlayer downloader and Apple TV

Question

Level 1

4 points

iPlayer downloader and Apple TV

I've been using ipdl for some time now to download, permanently, BBC iPlayer content. Recently, however, content downloaded and moved into my iTunes movies will not play on my Apple TV. The files are mpeg-4. It's bizarre - I've tested other mpeg-4 iPlayer content in the same environment and all are working perfectly. Has anyone got any thoughts or shared experiences? Thanks,

Apple TV, iPhone OS 3.1.2

Posted on Jan 26, 2010 2:12 AM

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Answer 1

Chenks

Level 5

7,435 points

Jan 26, 2010 2:35 AM in response to Froggeja

the format will not be compatible with appletv.
"mpeg-4" doesn't give enough information either, and doesn't mean it is appletv compatible.

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Answer 2

Froggeja Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 26, 2010 3:05 AM in response to Chenks

That's weird. I've got other mp4 files playing in the Apple TV environment. I'm downloading some more content now and will check again - but thanks for your answer. My Apple TV has been very tempremental since buying 2 weeks ago. I absolutely love it but it's not without its quirks and annoyances.

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Answer 3

Chenks

Level 5

7,435 points

Jan 26, 2010 3:08 AM in response to Froggeja

Froggeja wrote:
I've got other mp4 files playing in the Apple TV environment.

again, that means nothing really.
just because the file is "mp4" does not automatically mean it is appletv compatible. it could have a too high bitrate, the profile might be out of spec, the framerate might be too high for the resolution.

if you want help in ascertaining why the files don't play then you will need to supply the full spec of the file(s) in question.

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Answer 4

Froggeja Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 26, 2010 4:23 AM in response to Chenks

Thanks so much for the help so far. The file details of one of the files in question are:
FORMAT: H.264, 483x272,AAC, Stereo, 48.000KHz
MOVIE FPS: 25.00
PLAYING FPS: 25.00
DATA SIZE: 115.57MB
DATA RATE: 517.76kbits/sec
DURATION: 00:31:13.12
NORMAL SIZE: 484x272 pixels
CURRENT SIZE: 484x272 pixels

I hope this helps. Thanks again.

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Answer 5

Chenks

Level 5

7,435 points

Jan 26, 2010 4:27 AM in response to Froggeja

still some crucial info missing.
right click on the file in itunes and choose "get info", then select the "summary" tab.
post that info.

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Answer 6

Froggeja Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 26, 2010 4:41 AM in response to Chenks

Here you go:
Kind: MPEG-4 video file
Size: 116.7 MB
Bite Rate: 115 kbps
Profile: Low Complexity
Channels: Stereo
Total Bit Rate: 517 kbps
Video dimensions: 480x272
Video codec: H.264

Thanks man.
J

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Answer 7

Chenks

Level 5

7,435 points

Jan 26, 2010 4:45 AM in response to Froggeja

there's nothing sticking out there that would suggest why they would not play on appletv.
what is the error message you get when trying to play the content?
have you tried restarting both itunes and appletv ?

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Answer 8

Froggeja Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 26, 2010 4:58 AM in response to Chenks

The message is currently reading "An error occurred loading this content. Check the source or try again later." I have restored Apple TV to its factory settings, I've quit iTunes and restarted including rebuilding the library.

However, prior to the restore the error message was different "The selected video could not be played. The format was not recognized." I thought this could also be affecting movie trailers as I was having the same issue there - although I have subsequently discovered that this is a problem orginating at Apple and no move trailers can be played.

I'm flummoxed...

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Answer 9

uk03878

Level 1

0 points

Jan 29, 2010 8:38 AM in response to Froggeja

I am getting exactly the same problem
The content plays on itunes but not on appleTV
It started just before xmas - and affects all new content for me previous content is fine

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Answer 10

Chenks

Level 5

7,435 points

Jan 29, 2010 8:39 AM in response to uk03878

uk03878 wrote:
I am getting exactly the same problem
The content plays on itunes but not on appleTV
It started just before xmas - and affects all new content for me previous content is fine

are you talking about content you stripped from bbc iplayer? or are you talking about different content?

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Answer 11

uk03878

Level 1

0 points

Jan 29, 2010 11:55 AM in response to Chenks

Only the iplayer icontent downloaded using the mac iplayer downloader

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Answer 12

Chenks

Level 5

7,435 points

Jan 29, 2010 12:04 PM in response to uk03878

uk03878 wrote:
Only the iplayer icontent downloaded using the mac iplayer downloader

officially download? or download via an unofficial third party tool that strips the DRM from the file?
i'm not aware of BBC providing an app that lets you download their content to import into itunes.

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Answer 13

uk03878

Level 1

0 points

Jan 29, 2010 1:06 PM in response to Chenks

Unofficial but it doesn't strip the DRM, it only works on non DRM files- it just redirects the output by pretending to be an iphone
http://www.jonathansblog.net/bbc-iplayer-downloader-mac-os-x-linux-windows

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Answer 14

macsync

Level 1

0 points

Jan 30, 2010 5:46 AM in response to Froggeja

Same problem here to, works fine on iMac either in iTunes or quicktime. syncs with appleTv but will not play, wrong format message shown if you right click on file in iTunes to convert to AppleTv format it says it is already formatted correctly.

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Answer 15

Apr 11, 2010 7:11 PM in response to Froggeja

One thing to try is to change the extension from .mp4 to .mov. For some reason this allows the content to be played on the Apple TV.

I've been doing this for the past few months and all have worked fine. However, in the past week or so, I've noticed that all downloads will now not even play in iTunes - whether it has an .mp4 extension or .mov extension. All play in quicktime perfectly.

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