System is a fantastic show over at Revision3. Every week they do some DIY geek stuff that well gets me excited, and this week is no exception. On this week’s episode Patrick and Roger start a DIY video jukebox; part 1 shows you how to rip your DVD collection and make it playable on a media extender, and of course our favorite the Apple TV. So get on over and watch or better yet download the HD version right to your Apple TV.
Update: A few months ago I wrote about a program called DVD43. If you are a PC guy like me this is a must have using DVD43 with handbrake makes ripping and encoding a snap.
Waiting for me when I got home was a package from Amazon; inside was my Blu Ray of Wall E. Like every other movie I have with a digital copy I went to upload it to my iTunes, and what do I find? I have no activation code! So a call was made to Disney customer service and at the very start there is an option for the missing Wall E codes. I was informed by a nice recording that the fastest way to get my code was to E-mail Disney with my information so they could send me a proof of purchase form? Now I will admit that I bought the 3 disc edition because it was a gold box deal a few weeks ago. Nevertheless, what about the person who bought it for the digital copy? If Disney and other studios want us to use their overly DRM laden way then at least give us the information I need to use it, or a way to get my code in a manner or minutes, not hours, or days. How about just letting me rip over my DVDs that I pay for and own, like I do with my music(with a note that the MPAA hates it).
Engadget is reporting that the new Xbox 360 dashboard will include Netflix HD content. It was already known that the instant queue would be added, but the addition of HD content is an added bonus. According to the article it is a soft launch with only 300 titles at this time, but I think it’s safe to assume that will grow. With all of this coming what’s left for Blu Ray? The move to digitally distributed content is in full swing, and maybe this is why Apple TV is still a hobby. However boys in Cupertino need to start taking this seriously; if they want to lead the march. First thing let me buy HD movies for less the 20.00, and rent TV for a small fee.
After a bit of an absence, I’m back. The last month has been busy for me, but that’s the past time to move forward and share some Apple TV love.
A quick tip today for all of us evil PC users. As we all know one of the best parts of Apple TV is we can stream content to it. I have a 500gb external drive hooked to my PC, unhacked Apple TV, and a Apple airport extreme base station for wireless goodness. Like most of us I use Handbrake to convert my videos to the proper format, but unlike on the Mac side I can’t just pop in my DVD and let it run. Unfortunately some mojo must be done first to overcome the encryption, and while there are programs that can do it for me most take some time to give me a “clean” file. That was the case before I found DVD43, this little plug-in un-encrypts in real time. A smiley face in the system tray is yellow when not being used, pop in a DVD after about 30sec it turns green and you’re ready to go. Go into Handbrake, select the Video_TS folder, and convert away. This is extra handy when converting a TV show, because I can then select each episode individually, que them, and convert a whole disc at one time. DVD43 has cut my conversion time down by about 25%, and has resulted in less stack dump errors.
As a side note, after the last update I can’t seem to get my Apple TV to go into sleep mode. Anyone else having this issue?
TUAW is reporting a rumor that, Apple, has sent retailers an E-mail telling them to take down all Apple TV displays. With a note saying there will be a webcast kick off on September 30th. There has also been a rumor about the “brick“, a possible new Apple product. Could all of this be a run up to a Apple TV/Mac Mini hybrid? I hope so, stay tuned for more.
Engadget is reporting that neflix has signed a deal that will allow streaming of ABC and CBS proprieties. Shows such as CSI, Disney shows including The Suite Life of Zach and Cody, and some catalogue titles like Star Trek are included in the deal. All of this starting next month; this will also be around the time of the Xbox360 update that allows Netflix steaming to the console. Intresting tid bit; every Netflix capable box on the market now, or upcoming have HD connections. I think its safe to assume that HD will be coming at some point, but when, and how much?
Apple Movie Junkie, formerly Apple TV Junkie, is the official blog of Cinemira. We provide a helpful service for users of the iTunes Movie Store and the Apple TV. AMJ was born out of a surprising shortcoming on the Apple TV after noticing that there was no easy way to find a list of all new HD & SD rental titles released on a daily basis. AMJ fills that niche with a daily list of new movies.
