Hi! - I cannot seem to convert files to play well with the apple TV device

[BigLewDog]

Hi, (Sorry! correct forum?)

My first post here after a lot of reading. Thanks to all who help out with so much info!
I work in It but have almost no knowledge of AV conversion. I have a 55" LCD Samsung with an Onkyo surround that has 6 HDMI direct passthrough, on a 7.1 system. I just got an apple tv 2 (jb with xbmc) and have a core i7 920 based PC all on an airport extreme network. I have Total Video Converter, and am comfortable learning any of the many other programs I 've heard mentioned here.

Thanks to anyone who can direct me to some reading for any of the following! )

I know Apple TV supports 720. I have several files that play in 1080, or at least fools me and the TV. (I have a box that flashes the def when it changes). I get brillinat sound and picture on some files that I already had in the correct format. I cannot seem to convert files to play well with the apple TV device. I have managed to get the video converted, and into itunes, but my guess is that due to size (1080p 8gb mp4 file) that the small volt Apple tv cannot manage the playback, and it is a choppy mess. Works fine on my PC, and has great sound.

I have been able to get h264 (mp4 will not, choppy or low quality no matter what settings I use) files with brilliant video to play on the device, but the audio sounds like canned crap. I have tried different bitrates and even just used "original" but still get bad audio. The original is beautiful. any ideas on the best way to get files ripped for apple tv? I am working almost exclusively with .mkt and .m2t files.

I would like to understand authoring and HD content a little better. Any reading or software recommendations are appreciated. Thanks everyone!

[Baldrick]

No this forum section works but I changed thread title.

[BigLewDog]

Thanks Baldrick!

[jman98]

Handbrake has an Apple TV setting. Maybe it can do what you want.

I know you don't want to hear this, but Apple TV is a piece of crap. I wouldn't take one if you gave it to me for free. Any of the current media playing devices like the Western Digital and others can run rings around it and play 1080i/p video without painful and time consuming conversions. If you value your time at all (some people do not) you might consider whether it's worth it to you to just give up on Apple TV and buy a media player.

[BigLewDog]

Doesn't bother me in the slightest. The apple tv was a gift.
I think everyone is missing the point because the thread was renamed for me.

I want to know how to author my files correctly for the best sound and video quality. I have a media center PC, and a iphone adn a tablet android. All use differnt players and technologies. I want to have a NAS filled with the higest quality files for use around the various devices in my network. I'm not here to argue brand and device wars.