DVR movies at home then take on the road

[KYAirstream]

I just tried playing downloaded Amazon Instant Videos and could not get the AirPlay to work with Apple TV. I duplicated the situation at home and got the same result, UNLESS I am connected to WiFi.

Oddly, I could mirror everything on my iPhone in terms of web pages, etc, but when it came to the downloaded movies from Amazon, no luck.

Has anyone successfully airplayed downloaded Amazon videos without a WIFI connection?

[Xicaque]

Originally Posted by ghaynes755

If you are an Apple Mac user I'd suggest Handbrake (free) or MacX DVD Ripper Pro. They will convert to an viewable file in one pass. Watch on your Mac laptop or iPad if you move them to the movie area on your iPad. iPad can be connected to the TV in your AS via an HDMI adapter. Works like a champ.

I use this application on all my MACs and it's awesome. It can decode Disney encrypted DVDs.

I also use this when we travel with the kids. It has it's own wifi and can connect up to 5 people with 5 different movies being watched at the same time. I really like it.

http://www.seagate.com/goflexsatellite/

I also use Plex on my home network with two servers. Works quite well.

[AStreamNerds]

Originally Posted by KYAirstream

I just tried playing downloaded Amazon Instant Videos and could not get the AirPlay to work with Apple TV. I duplicated the situation at home and got the same result, UNLESS I am connected to WiFi.

Oddly, I could mirror everything on my iPhone in terms of web pages, etc, but when it came to the downloaded movies from Amazon, no luck.

Has anyone successfully airplayed downloaded Amazon videos without a WIFI connection?

From the news release on Sept 1 - The feature will let Prime users download video content for later viewing when not in direct proximity of a trustworthy Wi-Fi connection, but won't be available for every single show and film currently offered on Amazon Prime Video. The company still claims to have "thousands" of videos ready to support the new service.

http://www.macrumors.com/2015/09/01/...ffline-iphone/

[AStreamNerds]

Originally Posted by Xicaque

I use this application on all my MACs and it's awesome. It can decode Disney encrypted DVDs.

I also use this when we travel with the kids. It has it's own wifi and can connect up to 5 people with 5 different movies being watched at the same time. I really like it.

GoFlex Satellite Wireless

I also use Plex on my home network with two servers. Works quite well.

I have a Mac Mini loaded with videos - mostly TV shows. I have Kodi running to watch in the main room and also run Plex at the same time. The Plex app is installed on my ipad and I use Plex and Airplay to watch videos in all of my other TV locations. Works perfectly and does not have buffering problems like lots of the other video apps do when trying to stream from the server on WIFI. Took me a while and tons of different hardware and setups until I found one that works flawlessly. The Plex server and Kodi are both free programs but the Plex player on the ipad costs a few bucks - but well worth it.

[KYAirstream]

Originally Posted by AStreamNerds

From the news release on Sept 1 - The feature will let Prime users download video content for later viewing when not in direct proximity of a trustworthy Wi-Fi connection, but won't be available for every single show and film currently offered on Amazon Prime Video. The company still claims to have "thousands" of videos ready to support the new service.

http://www.macrumors.com/2015/09/01/...ffline-iphone/

The downloads of prime videos work great. The problem is air playing them to the Apple TV when in a spot without wifi.

[KYAirstream]

Does that GoFlex utilize a wifi connection, or does it create a wifi network where one doesn't exist?

[KJRitchie]

I don't want to pay for Amazon Prime. For me, trenched in the Apple ecosystem, the best solution for my Airstream is to buy an Apple TV 3 and connect it to the AS TV. Use my Macbook Air or maybe a future Macbook Pro 15" to rip DVDs via external DVD device and store them on a small external hard drive and import to iTunes on my MacBook Air. I can then sync movies to the iPad or from the MacBook Air just Airplay peer to peer to the Apple TV to place back on the AS TV. I use Meta Z when connected to my network or to a WIFI hotspot to import meta data and album art for each movie. Plan to pickup an Gen3 Apple TV this week.

Kelvin

[martin300662]

I use the media on my iPad when mobile or travelling away from home (with a HDMI cable for when I am staying in the hotel), but our MH is a extension of home and in the same way I couldn't be bothered with extra cables and plug-ins at home, why do it in your Airstream?

Installing a HTPC or a Mac mini connected to the TV is a permanent solution and is self contained. It is easy to add that device (HTPC or Mac mini) to your home network and sync media files from any PC on the network. We park our MH next to the house and the PC automatically connects to the home network as soon as we pull up and has a scheduled sync to get the latest media files/library, the same as or on my PC/iPad....no extra cables, wireless connections, or gimmicks.

[Jim & Susan]

Handbrake is the answer: https://handbrake.fr/

Caveat: Read all the disclaimers. YMMV.

Jim

[martin300662]

Handbrake is just a program (or app as we are now supposed to call them apparently) that converts into a digital format, you still need to play the files.

OK you can copy a few files to a memory stick and plug directly into the TV, or plug in your tablet/laptop (either directly or wirelessly), or you can sync those files to a HTPC/Mac mini which is permanently connected. The last option you don't have to plug in/carry anything extra. If I want to watch a film or TV show in my collection I have it with me and simply turn the TV to the PC input and play.

[Xicaque]

Originally Posted by KYAirstream

Does that GoFlex utilize a wifi connection, or does it create a wifi network where one doesn't exist?

It creates its own wifi network. All you do is look for it on available networks and it will show up as GoFlex. You can also add a password.

[Hoobiedoobie]

I have a little gadget called AirStash, I can put all the movies that I want to download onto a SD card. I have a couple if 36gb and they hold lots. Then I can use airplay to watch them through my Apple TV at home, but it does go through the Internet. So if I can use this without Internet it would be perfect.

[KJRitchie]

Do you have the latest 3rd generation Apple TV?

Kelvin

[AStreamNerds]

Thanks for the Airstash idea...I just did a little research and it looks like a pretty cool device

[KYAirstream]

Originally Posted by Xicaque

It creates its own wifi network. All you do is look for it on available networks and it will show up as GoFlex. You can also add a password.

Have you tried the GoFlex with Amazon instant video downloads? I wonder if it's supported by Amazon where you can download prime videos direct to the GoFlex? If not I wonder if Amazon prime videos could be downloaded to an iPhone, and then airplayed to an Apple TV via the WIFI network on the GoFlex?? I tried creating a hotspot via my phone to do this, but no luck. I was able to connect my Apple TV to my iPhone network, and mirroring worked fine but Amazon prime downloaded videos still wouldn't play.

[Hoobiedoobie]

We took airstash on a long flight and four of us connected and we all watched different movies!!

[Xicaque]

Originally Posted by KYAirstream

Have you tried the GoFlex with Amazon instant video downloads? I wonder if it's supported by Amazon where you can download prime videos direct to the GoFlex? If not I wonder if Amazon prime videos could be downloaded to an iPhone, and then airplayed to an Apple TV via the WIFI network on the GoFlex?? I tried creating a hotspot via my phone to do this, but no luck. I was able to connect my Apple TV to my iPhone network, and mirroring worked fine but Amazon prime downloaded videos still wouldn't play.

No, I've never messed with Amazon video downloads. I do not have such acct. I really do not think it will work the way you are asking above. It is basically a stand alone hard drive with a wifi antenna. Almost like a mini "server" that you can take with you. You can load up documents, movies, pics, songs. Check it out by googling Goflex by seagate and see if it will be for you. I am happy what it does for me at this time but will be a lot happier when I get that Airstream.

[AStreamNerds]

Xicaque is correct. It is just a big thumb drive that you can setup as a local area network via the built in wifi service. It works great (I have a friend who has one and swears by it) and works perfect for airplay from an ipad. There is a definite period of time you are allowed to watch a downloaded video through Amazon Prime - http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...deId=201460850

More info here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...deId=201460820

and here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...deId=201723660

Even though they are downloaded they probably have DRM (Digital Rights Management) functions enabled so every so often you need to have a connection to the Internet to check if you are still allowed to view. So while they are allowing you to download for free to view you do not own them and the viewing period does not last forever.

[Hoobiedoobie]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

Do you have the latest 3rd generation Apple TV?

Kelvin

I'm not sure! I've had it several years now. I'll look tomorrow and see if it says on the unit.

[AStreamNerds]

Originally Posted by Hoobiedoobie

I'm not sure! I've had it several years now. I'll look tomorrow and see if it says on the unit.

They released the Rev A version of the AppleTV3 in January of 2013. Look at the model number on the bottom - it should say A1469 if it is Rev A and A1427 if it is not.

Like I mentioned the biggest difference between the two versions is the Rev A model has the ability to utilize Airplay while not having to have an Internet connection.