Ripping DVD's isn't as easy as CD's, but there are choices. I use RipIt because it's the fastest out there that I know of. But it makes the file into DVD files, so then I have to use Toast to convert that to .m4v, which is what can be played on the AppleTV.

Dave,
here is my 1TB external HD with movies:

Click for full size

And here is how they appear in iTunes:
Click for full size

So as they exist now I can use iTV to send my ripped DVDs to a TV. I understand.

I've just been playing with QuickTime and "saving" movies "as" to try and put them on my dotmac Gallery. Also I don't really get HD either. I'll get there one of these days.

The ones I've just done are at the bottom of my Gallery page.


.

It's easy Nana, Use TiVo or a DVR (Dish, Direct TV, etc) and record the movie off TV. Connect the recorder to the input on a DVD burner (I've got an older Panasonic). Play the movie and hit record on the DVD Burner.. VIOLA ! Movie on a DVD.

I use the 4 hr mode because many are B&W older flicks and I can get 2 on a DVD. I've recorded about 1400 movies to date. These DVDs play on any DVD player. Just got In Harms Way and Midway , can't beleive I never recorded them! Course, longer flicks I can only get 1 per DVD like the 2 above.

I've saved a bundle over buying commercial DVDs.

Very nice John, so I assume the answer is yes !
So how do you store them on an external and get iTunes to recognize them on the main HD. Is there any trick to that?

I'm looking to buy a 2 Tb external, for movies both for theatrical and home movie storage.

Thanks !

Bleh, PS3 does all of that already (videos streaming wirelessly off my phone actually are pretty cool), and for only $100 more you also get a game system and blu ray player.

Yeah, except I already have a BluRay player and am not really interested in a gaming system ;-)

You're right though, something like the PS3 is a nice all-in-one solution, although of course you lose all the iTunes content, and I doubt the PS3 would stream all my content from the Mac ;-)

None of which may be an issue, depending on what you've set-up ...

Jobs has always said the Apple TV was just kind of a hobby. I think he's still just experimenting, looking for the niche for everybody's tivo sort of thingy. Everybody is doing DVR, and he hasn't found a way to do it better yet, but he likes it so he's still developing variations.

IMHO of course.

Good. There's one more more important thing to deal with other than some settop box.

They've forgotten the router.

It's gotta at least be multi-band.

What would really be nice is for the router to handle inputs to the television and home theater gear, w/demuxer, HDMI, and Toslink for the audio gear. I wouldn't think that would kill settop sales, but it would sure be nice for people with laptops and iPads ( well, I guess some people would like that with desktop setups, even ).

Settop boxes for cheapskates, and a killer router to rule them all for people who've thrown down good money for Apple computers and tablets.

I've never owned an Airport, but if Apple had a killer modern router fit for the new living room, I'd be all over that.

Ed

Dave,
Once I rip them and put them on my external drive, I then drag/drop them into iTunes.

iTunes automatically puts them into the Movies section. But, then you have to hit the Sync button in the AppleTV section of iTunes. I select "Manually manage" in iTunes instead of automatically syncing.

There is a program (can't recall name right now..am at work) that you can use to add in artwork and information on movie.

I don't get it.
I opened the image up in another window so I could see what the movies are.... but when I click on them nothing happens.

/butters popcorn...