Apple TV and an iTunes server (sort of)

POSTED IN blog | TAGS : apple tv, client configuration, itunes folder watch, itunes server, mac os x, media server, windows xp, wireless networking
11.04.2009

This is just a quick rundown of my iTunes media server at home and how it interacts with client based iTunes and Apple TV.

I turned 30 recently, which was a great excuse to splurge some cash (thanks Mrs Me and Mum) on an Apple TV and hook it up to our recently built home network (wired: cat6, 1GBps switch and wireless: N+ router) and media server.

As soon as we moved into our current house (August 2006) I was determined to get away from physical media and have everything accessible at the touch of a button. Music was pretty easy, I already had a whack of albums mp3′d up and moved into iTunes and streaming from a central server to a netgear mp101 (which is really a not very good device, at all).

Movies on the other hand have had to wait for several reasons, money, time and infrastructure (see above network). All the bits and bobs I needed are now in place and here is how I have built my home media network with iTunes at the centre.

Current Kit

Mac (Pro G5 running Mac OSX 10.5)
Media Server (old optiplex gx270 running xp pro)
Apple TV (version 2.0)
iPods/iPhones (a few different models)

‘Must have’ Requirements

The following requirements are based on my families needs, having trawled the web there are umpteen ways of  configuring iTunes on a media server, some with scripts, some with syncing software (such as Tune Ranger). I did try these methods but none were compatible with the way we work at home.

• iTunes updates must be the same as before. Mrs Me or Little Me should be able to come along, pop in a CD , rip it to iTunes and it should then be available for them to play on the computer, apple tv or sync with an iPod.
• Movies and Music must always be available on Apple TV without having to remember to turn on the desktop Mac.
• Music should be backed up offsite.

The Desktop

The iTunes library and files are stored on the media server.

iTunes on the desktop Mac point to this library via a network share.

Music and iTunes store movies are added as normal.

Our DVD’s (purchased legally) are ripped using Handbrake (apple tv preset with 2 pass encoding, AAC+AC3 audio and deblock option selected) and then dropped into iTunes.

I create a separate rip especially for iPod on movies that Little Me wants to watch (Monsters Inc etc…), more storage is required but it means a better quality image for home use on the Apple TV. If space is an issue, the iPod high-res preset in Handbrake is still great quality and is comparable with standard-def downloads from the iTunes store and creates a file that will work on Apple TV and iPod/iPhone that is about 1.2GB in size, it’s your choice.

The Media Server

The media server runs it’s own version of iTunes.

The media server runs the paid for version of the itunes folder watch application. The paid for version allows for automatic updates.

The iTunes folder watch monitors the movie and TV shows folder only. If a movie is dropped into iTunes on the desktop Mac, the folder watch spots it and adds it to the media servers library as well. It does not duplicate the file as it uses the same folder for movies and TV shows.

I have shared out the media servers iTunes Library as ‘iTunes Movie Server’.

Offsite backup is carried out by Elephant Drive after midnight.

Apple TV

All music files (not movies or TV Shows) are synced to the Apple TV, this allows them to be available even if the desktop system is powered off.

The Apple TV is also connected to the ‘iTunes Movie Server’ shared library. As this is on a server the movies are always accessible but they don’t take up any room on the Apple TV.

Conclusion

An easy to use system that from a users point of view just works and is meets the needs of my family.

The system can be easily expanded as well.

• AirPort express will allow the same music to be spread throughout the house.
• TwonkyVision on the server will allow the iTunes library (if I add music to it) to be streamed to other non Apple devices.

There are downsides to the above solution, it will not work if we introduced a laptop that can also update the central library and take the files offsite. The following scripting article may help in that scenario:

http://guides.macrumors.com/Keeping_2_iTunes_Libraries_in_Sync