Is there a way of playing .avi files on Apple TV?

sixam wrote:
I've got the new Apple TV. I want to know if it's possible to watch .avi files on it. All the films and TV Shows I have are in .avi!!

no

Or if someone could recommend a fast and effective converting application, that would be great too!

there are many converting tools that will convert to the appropriate format.

Or if someone could recommend a fast and effective converting application, that would be great too!

Try Handbrake. Free. Also takes full advantage of multiple cores.

Conversion to h264 is processor intensive at the best of times.

I also recommend Handbrake. Use the Universal setting to start so the files will also play on all your portable devices and phone. If you want metadata for your movies after transcoding i recommend Subler.... Free, Automatic (drag and drop), and editable or manual on the rare occasions it's needed. The metadata will display on your ATV2 when perusing your iTunes library of movies

AVI is an outdated container for video and audio, it can contain many differing types of compression some of which may not be possible to convert at all.

While this is unlikely, the point is that you need to determine the type of compression used within your AVI files before it's possible to suggest any conversion software at all. Handbrake may well work, but it's not guaranteed.

To find out what type of compression is being used, See This

I bought the Elgato Turbo.264 HD at the same time as I got my AppleTV. Its not cheep but it'll save hours of encoding. On my old iMac it can convert an average DVD in about half an hour. I also takes the load off your processor so you can do other things with your Mac while it encodes. You can also use it with other apps like iMovie, Quicktime 7 and Final Cut.

So long as you have the correct codecs to play your AVIs in Quicktime it should be able to convert them.

If you haven't already install Perian http://www.perian.org/

http://www.elgato.com/elgato/int/mainmenu/products/Turbo264HD/product1.en.html

if the avi is saved as a reference movie in quicktime then added to itunes, would this stream to atv ?

reyno7771 wrote:
if the avi is saved as a reference movie in quicktime then added to itunes, would this stream to atv ?

no

I payed for the original Visual Hub and moved to Video Monkey now that it's public (and Visual Hub doesn't work on snow leopard)

BTW, if you start converting, it's possible to get jittery video, audio sync issues, etc. Just read the forums for answers. I've found that trying a different bit rate for my final mp4 (in line with the original encoding) usually clears these things up.

tigelane wrote:
(and Visual Hub doesn't work on snow leopard)

yes it does, i still use it on occasion.

Chenks wrote:

tigelane wrote:
(and Visual Hub doesn't work on snow leopard)

yes it does, i still use it on occasion.

Ok, stopped working on all my SL machines and many others. You also can't go buy a copy anymore, so Video Monkey would be an alternative.

tigelane wrote:

Chenks wrote:

tigelane wrote:
(and Visual Hub doesn't work on snow leopard)

yes it does, i still use it on occasion.

Ok, stopped working on all my SL machines and many others

you and the others must be doing something wrong then.
i used it last week to convert an AVI to MP4... worked perfect.

I'm happy it works for you. There is no way to get an official licensed copy of Visual Hub, so Video Monkey would be my next best choice.

I have used Handbrake but you might also look at iFlick. It will convert (using quicktime) but also looks up all the program information, cover art etc.

If you have used handbrake already it can add the details without conversion. Very nice piece of software but it is not free.

Hi,

I have the answer and it works perfectly and is dead easy.

It will only be available in a couple of weeks but since I have a developer account, it already works for me.

The solution is STREAM TO ME !!!

The latest update of STREAM TO ME and the next iOS release (i.e. 4.3) will let you play the .avi files on your iPad or iPhone or iPod Touch and then beam then through AirPlay on your Apple TV 2.

It works like magic.

No more need for my script (done with Automator) to change the .avi files into MPEG files.

The app is only 1.19 Pounds so it is a no brainer.

Enjoy guys !!!!

Are you the author of this app clem or simply saying it works with the unreleased iOS version?

AC