Convert video for Apple TV (Freeware, Easy)

This guide shows how to convert almost any video file so that it can be played back on an Apple TV box. The process is very easy and should not take long to get going. The software used in this guide is Videora Apple TV Converter, which is freeware.

Introduction & Requirements

Videora Apple TV Converter - Download and install the Videora Apple TV Converter package.

Obviously, you need an Apple TV, some source files and some spare time. This process is very easy and so should not take too long. Videora Apple TV Converter can output H.264 / AVC video, which is supported by the Apple TV.

Videora Apple TV Converter - First Look

This software can seem a little bit confusing at first, but it is actually very easy to use. Across the top, there are six buttons; Home, Convert, Download, Library, Settings and Help. You have top be connected to the web to used this software on it's easiest settings.

So as with any file conversion process, the first thing that needs to be done is opening the file.


To open a file from your HDD, click the Convert button at the top of the application. When you have that done, click the VideoWizard tab.

Videora Apple TV Converter - Open Video

Under the Convert window, you will see two tabs at the bottom of the program, Select File and Set Title. In order to open a file, click the Select File button and then browse for a file and open it.

When it opens, if you are properly connected to the Internet, you will notice that the VideoWizard will now give you some compression options for your files.

Videora Apple TV Converter - Compression Settings

You will now be able to use a few slidebars that will help determine the output quality and file size. Firstly, Video Format has two choices, Old and New. New is H.264 and old is MPEG-4 SP. I'd recommend the H.264 option (New).

Video Size should be at TV for standard definition content. Setting it to HDTV will output 720p video which will take longer and is a bad decision unless you have HD video as your source. Video Quality let's you weigh the output file size and time it takes to encode against the quality of the video. There is a noticeable difference between the settings with "Best" literally being the best.

Enhance Quality is up to you but it shouldn't do any harm to the output so if quality if what you are aiming for, switch it on. Audio quality is the same as video but for the audio.

Your settings will now show you in the progress bars below how long it will take, the overall video quality and an estimated file size of the output. When you are done, click the orange Next button. However, before continuing, you have to setup output paths.

Videora Apple TV Converter - Output Options

Click the Settings button on the software. Now click the Devices tab. Click the Apple TV tab. You have two output path you can possibly choose, output for MPEG-4 SP and H.264. You can leave them at default if you want, or you can set the directory yourself. Please remember to create the folder beforehand.

When you choose an output directory for your files, click "Save Device Settings". When you are done, click the Convert button again and go back to the VideoWizard tab.

Videora Apple TV Converter - Begin Conversion

When you are done with everything else, you can now click the Start Converting button under the VideoWizard tab in the Convert section.

Videora Apple TV Converter - Conversion Process

The amount of time this conversion will take depends on the length of your files, the settings you chose, the speed of your computer and other factors. Usually the speed is pretty good on modern hardware.

Finally

When the conversion process finishes, you should now have an MP4 file in the output folder you specified earlier. If you want to know how to play MP4 files on your PC, then click this link. This file is now ready to be played back through an AppleTV. If you experience any problems, please visit our Discussion Forums for help.

Version History

v1.0 -- First version by Dela (31/08/07)