How do I play DVDs through Apple TV on my HD TV?

Question

How do I play DVDs through Apple TV on my HD TV?

I need some basic help please.

I own a large collection of movie DVDs. These are conventional pre-recorded DVDs that I purchased in retail stores. I would like to play them on my flat screen HD TV.

If I purchase Apple TV (don't currently own), what additional equipment will I need to be able to play my DVDs through Apple TV? And, what are my options for physically or wirelessly connecting?

I have been researching this question, but the answers I find are not clear. Are there some writeups that would explain my options, configurations?

Thank you,

Dale

Posted on May 15, 2012 6:31 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Alley_Cat

Level 7

20,548 points

May 15, 2012 11:23 PM in response to Dale H. Eckerman Jr

There is currently no official way to do this.

iTunes cannot rip DVDs as it can CDs to play across your local network.

While there is software out there that can potentially rip DVD and convert to an AppleTV compatible format, this would potentially require circumventing encryption on DVDs on commercial DVDs - as such this could be technically illegal in your country and Apple's T&Cs for the forum therefore prevent discussions of methods of circumventing copy protection, even if for 'fair use' with DVDs you have purchased.

The next Mac OS X version supposedly has Airplay to send computer video to AppleTV but whether it will work on all machines or just new ones (in a similar way to features not always working on older iPhones etc) we do not know. Also we do not know if things like the DVD player app or certain website content will be precluded from Airplay if the copyright holder disables Airplay functionality in the website markup.

AC

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Answer 2

celliott147

Level 6

11,877 points

May 16, 2012 9:56 AM in response to Dale H. Eckerman Jr

you're best off buying a cheap DVD player. There is software out there (AirParrot) that allows AirPlay mirroring and using the TV/Apple TV as a second monitor, but doing full mirroring with sound has a major lag... Once Mountain Lion is released, AirPlay mirroring will be available at the OS level, but that doesn't guarantee that DVD Player will be able to mirror...

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Answer 3

Ziatron

Level 5

4,186 points

May 16, 2012 4:44 PM in response to celliott147

you're best off buying a cheap DVD player.

Never buy a DVD player that is not multi-region.

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Answer 4

May 16, 2012 5:23 PM in response to Dale H. Eckerman Jr

Thanks to Alley_Cat and celliott147. The answers you gave were not what I was hoping- although they were certainly clear and helpful. I'll just continue to connect my HD TV to my iMac and play my DVDs using its internal DVD player. I was hoping that the Apple TV - after a number of versions/updates - would offer a more integrated approach. Again, thanks. Dale

Although I have marked this thread "closed," if anyone else has further input, it would be most appreciated.

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Answer 5

celliott147

Level 6

11,877 points

May 16, 2012 9:06 PM in response to Dale H. Eckerman Jr

If that is the case, your TV should have either a DVI or VGA input on the back. Buy the appropriate adapter (MiniDisplayPort to VGA or DVI) and the corresponding cable, as well as a stereo cable (and possibly a 1/8" to RCA adapter) and you should be good to go...

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Answer 6

dbarron3

Level 1

0 points

Jun 5, 2012 12:19 PM in response to Alley_Cat

"...as such this could be technically illegal in your country..."

In the U.S., Fair Use doctrine allows an owner to make copies of DVDs for personal use and/or backup. It does require "ripping" the DVD - i.e. making an electronic copy of the contents -- then loading that copy into iTunes. (Telling iTunes where it is located on your hard drive.) There are both commercial and freeware programs that enable this.

Then you should be able to play the video (now in iTunes) via your Apple TV.

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Answer 7

Jun 5, 2012 12:41 PM in response to dbarron3

Regardless of what you think is legal or not (personally I believe you are incorrect), you agreed to the Apple Terms of Use before using this site. You and everyone here agreed not discuss ways of circumventing copy protection.

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Answer 8

Jun 5, 2012 2:09 PM in response to Dale H. Eckerman Jr

Just to reply to the most recent 2 posts, I have hooked my TV directly to my DVD player to play my physical DVDs - in the most conventional manner. I have no intention of "ripping" DVDs or putting any content on iTunes - whether there are legal issues or not. While I would like to be able to play my DVDs conveniently through the Apple TV, it is apprarently not possible or easy at this time. Thanks for everyone's information.

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Answer 9

Jun 5, 2012 2:22 PM in response to Dale H. Eckerman Jr

FWIW, I'm not commenting in anyway on an individual's choice to rip DVD's for use on the Apple TV, lots of users do and I have no intention in passing judgement on them. I am however pointing out to the previous poster that whatever our opinions are about the practice, we have all agreed not to discuss the process in doing so.

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