Converting MP4 to M4V for Apple TV

There's a specific reason for your problem which you may not be aware of and is not listed in the devices technical specifications: the AppleTV is a complete pain.

<Edited by Host>

There is a program called Handbrake, that is designed for converting files to the mp4/m4v format. It's free... http://handbrake.fr/

Also, M4v is a version of mp4 that has volumes in it, meaning 'movie chapters'. MP4 is one solid video with no chapters M4v has the chapters. If you try to convert mp4 to mv4 incorrectly what you described it usually the result. But Handbrake might help you out. You can try it out and good luck. Of course, if the files you are converting are protected it may not work. YOu can use Handbrake to rip DVDs too.

I am having a similar issue, except I have tried using handbrake. Sometimes it works, mostly with SD content, but when I try to convert HD content using either the Apple tv, Apple tv legacy, apple universal, Normal or high profile the audio ends up sounding like when you play a record backwards, and the time on the track is over 3x or 4x the original files length. Also sometimes when HB works on the "appletv settings its supposed to be able to be viewed on a 3gs which is not the case. This appletv is becoming a bigger pain in the behind than I was anticipating. When trying to convert the HD files in itunes it takes about 5 minutes and all there is a white screen. QT will start to convert then either "time out" or an OSS38 failure. Seriously considering a used intel mini and running plex off it.

i thought apptv will accept mp4, then why not?