Apple TV / iTunes external HD wireless

Steve theHerring · 03-19-2011, 08:02 AM

I have my iTunes library (music, movies, TV shows, etc.) on an external HD which my MBP accesses wirelessly via my airport base station. I have recently purchased an Apple TV and would like to access my library without having to go through my computer. Is there a way to do this?

Thx

appleman_design · 03-19-2011, 10:33 AM

apple TV accesses thru the itunes application, so if it is on a ext. drive then you will need to have your macbook on also. One day maybe they will allow a ext disk to mount on the ATV.

Steve theHerring · 03-19-2011, 12:21 PM

Right. I was hoping there was some clever work-around. thx

trevor · 03-19-2011, 02:12 PM

Well...not with a new second generation AppleTV, no. But you could buy an older first generation AppleTV that has a hard drive, and copy your movies onto the first gen AppleTV's internal drive.

If the first gen AppleTV's internal hard drive isn't large enough, you could also replace it with a larger one, using instructions available around the 'net. Warning: it isn't just a hardware swap, there's a lot of software transferring involved. If you choose to do this, check the directions first to be sure that you're up to the job.

Trevor

03-19-2011, 08:02 AM	#1
Steve theHerring Triple-A Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 114	Apple TV / iTunes external HD wireless I have my iTunes library (music, movies, TV shows, etc.) on an external HD which my MBP accesses wirelessly via my airport base station. I have recently purchased an Apple TV and would like to access my library without having to go through my computer. Is there a way to do this? Thx

03-19-2011, 02:12 PM	#4
trevor Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boulder, CO USA Posts: 19,551	Well...not with a new second generation AppleTV, no. But you could buy an older first generation AppleTV that has a hard drive, and copy your movies onto the first gen AppleTV's internal drive. If the first gen AppleTV's internal hard drive isn't large enough, you could also replace it with a larger one, using instructions available around the 'net. Warning: it isn't just a hardware swap, there's a lot of software transferring involved. If you choose to do this, check the directions first to be sure that you're up to the job. Trevor __________________ How to ask questions the smart way

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03-19-2011, 10:33 AM	#2
appleman_design Hall of Famer Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,550	apple TV accesses thru the itunes application, so if it is on a ext. drive then you will need to have your macbook on also. One day maybe they will allow a ext disk to mount on the ATV.

03-19-2011, 12:21 PM	#3
Steve theHerring Triple-A Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 114	Right. I was hoping there was some clever work-around. thx