List of file formats working on Apple TV

<Google>WIKI</Google>

This is just a list of various file formats tested playing natively on the Apple TV (i.e. through Frontrow). The codec sources are noted, if needed. Drop the .component bundle in /Library/QuickTime on the Apple TV.

See also: Codec Sources

If you can add to these tables, please do!

Video Codecs

Name	Extension	Works?	Codec	Notes
DivX	.avi, .divx	Yes	Perian, OS X Codec Pack	Free
720p DivX	.avi	??	Perian, OS X Codec Pack	For one user, video stutters every 10-15 seconds, audio never skips. Can I get confirmation either way on this? please link to a file as mine plays everything except 1080p
Flash Video	.flv	Yes	Perian	Free, video file must load completely before playback
H.264	.mp4, .m4v	Yes	Included	Supports Main Profile with some exceptions: "QuickTime WILL NOT support 8x8 dct and intra prediction, b-pyramids, lossless encoding, etc. As well as anything from the High Profile."
MPEG-2	.mpg, .mp2, .vob, .m2v	Yes	QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback	$19.99, does not play transport streams, reports of choppy video
Windows Media	.wmv	Yes	Flip4Mac	Free, Unable to play 720p content encoded using VC1 HD profile
XviD	.avi	Yes	Perian, OS X Codec Pack	Free

Audio Codecs

Name	Extension	Works?	Codec	Notes
AAC	.m4a	Yes	Included	Should play right out of the box
MPEG Layer-3	.mp3	Yes	Included	Should play right out of the box
Dolby AC3	.ac3	Yes	A52codec	Free, read the readme for install instructions (also included with OS X Codec Pack)
DTS	.wav	Yes	Included	Should play right out of the box

Containers

Name	Extension	Works?	Codec	Notes
Matroska	.mkv, .mka	Yes	MatroskaQT, Perian	Reportedly not very usable
Ogg Vorbis, Theora	.ogg, .ogm	Yes	XiphQT	Reportedly working

Request: Could someone please post a link to a compiled copy of the SVN of Perian. I tried grabbing the source, and compiling it but am getting a bunch of errors (this is on a PowerPC OS X 10.4.9 box)

NOTE This build is not supported by the Perian project in any way. If it causes your apple tv to explode, they will not replace your apple tv.

Perian built from trunk has been uploaded here. It has been tested on an Intel MacMini but not on an AppleTV. Two tiny hacks had to be done to compile, but I was able to watch two MKV files with no trouble.

NOTE Perian from trunk (as of 2007-04-20) does not work entirely on the AppleTV. It plays audio and subtitles (if available), but no video on any of a dozen test cases. Very likely that /something else/ needs to be added / modified before Perian will work with Matroska files on the AppleTV.

UPDATE VLC can play Matroska files on the AppleTV, *but* it is evident that the hardware cannot handle high bitrate files. It plays 480p decently (some skips), but 720p is unwatchable and 1080p will never get past the first frame. The VLC console will simply spit out a bunch of warnings:

[00000347] ffmpeg decoder error: more than 5 seconds of late video -> dropping frame (computer too slow ?)

Video Conversion Software

Software that is known to work with converting divx, avi, and other formats to m4v or mp4 which can be used natively out of the box.

Program	Vendor	Supported Source Formats	Cost	Platform	Link	Notes
Video To AppleTV Converter	Wondershare	AVI, DivX, FLV, ASF, MOV, MPEG, RM, WMV	$29.99	Windows	WonderShare	works well, you can test it but will need to purchase for it to be regularly useable
Handbrake		DVD Video	Free (GPL)	Mac OS X, Windows, Linux	HandBrake	For best results, follow a guide like this
VisualHUB	Techspansion	Just about anything	$23.32	OS X	Trial	Very easy, can use trial to convert a sample and use ffmpeg command from log for free
TubeSock	Stinkbot	YouTube, DailyMotion, Porkolt videos	$15	OS X	TubeSock	Simple to use. Automatically adds videos to iTunes for syncing. Free trial can convert videos up to 30 seconds in length.
QuickTime Pro	Apple	Anything QT can open	$29.99	OS X or Windows	Apple.com	Easy, but slow and not many options.
Elgato Turbo.264	Elgato	Anything QT can open	$99.95	OS X	Turbo.264	Easy and really fast. Review

Untested

• avc1Decoder