Streaming XMBC from a Mac to ATV2 via SMB protocol Issues

I JB my ATV2 via PwnageTool 4.3 with the latest firmware (Appletv4.2.1) and installed XMBC via nitoTV. I downloaded XMBC for my mac and installed, and set up the windows sharing which I read seems to be the best file transfer protocol, is this correct? I have also read SMB vs. NFS and that NFS is superior..which is best?

My trouble however is finding the folders from my computer on my appleTV2 within XMBC that would allow me to stream all file content from the mac computer to the AppleTV2? I could not find a useful Sticky outing the setup on the XMBC forum, can anyone by chance point me in the right direction?

I have itunes working no problem streaming to the ATV2, however once again, I cannot find the drop box if you will, to drop movies into on my mac, to then see in XMBC on my ATV2. I have setup the connection between the 2, and see the Var/root, etc, and some folders, like applications, settings, etc, but not sure how I get to them on the Mac to dump them in the folder to see them and watch movies via XMBC.

Sorry if this explanation was drawn out, just trying to make sure my issue is explained properly...

Cheers for any help I am new to XMBC on ATV2 (On my ATV1 it was on the internal HD), or a link to a sticky regarding this as I could not find one...

I find the best way is to use UPNP streaming. Enable it in settings, then go to Movies, right-click the desired movie and select Add To Library. On the apple tv, launch xbmc, add your computer as a source and find your movie. Hit play and watch! :)

Element,

Thanks for the tips....


In settings on the Apple TV, in XMBC network settings, one enables 1. Share video and music libraries through UPnP, 2. Also enable control of XMBC via UPnP as well, so both have the blue light....leave allow control of XMBC via HTTP off, and under web interface, should any of the 3 setting be activated as well? currently I have 1. allow programs on this system to control XBMC enabled, 2. allow programs on other systems to control XMBC is not enabled, and finally 3. announce these services to other systems via zeroconf is also enabled.... please let me know if these are the correct setting if you would be so kind...

Under XMBC network settings / internet access, I have "use an HTTP proxy server to access the internet" enabled, is this correct?

As far as "then go to Movies, right-click the desired movie and select Add To Library" This part still is going right over my head, please expand on this.....where am I going to movies? If I have movies in any old folder on my internal HD of my Mac, where do I go to transfer it from this folder, to where XMBC will see it?

"Add new Music or Video source", it states to enter the paths or browse for the media locations, and if I pick browse, I see the /var/mobile root directory on the TV screen through XMBC, but not sure what I am doing here, or where I see this on my mac? Do I choose this, or the add function, and then how do I set this up?

I am a fast learner, and have hacked ATV1 in the past with perfect results but this is kickin my ass! Cheers for the lesson!

The settings are correct, the only important setting is the enable UPNP streaming, which must be enabled on your computer. (don't worry, you did it right)
When I say go to Movies, I mean in your computer, in XBMC, select Video, add source, select the folder where your movies are and add as a source. You will then be able to select that folder (inside XBMC) and browse thru your movies. Select the one you want to watch (the actual movie file), right-click and select Add To Library. This is all on the computer.
When this is done, go to your apple tv, select Movies, add source, browse, upnp devices, you should find your computer, select it. You will then be able to select your computer and find your movie, and finally watch it!

Let me know how it goes,
Rafael

Hi Rafael,

Cheers for the answers....

I am now in system preferences on my mac, under sharing, and I had Share files with SMB enabled, I now disable this, and turn on the UPNP file sharing as opposed to the SMB correct? If so where do I find that option? The only other 2 options are Share files using AFP, or share files via FTP. Am I to use on of these instead, or is UPNP found somewhere else in system preferences on my mac to enable it?

Sorry for all the questions, I think I am close...thanks for your patience!

The UPNP option you're supposed to enable is on XBMC settings, not your mac's. XBMC > Settings > Network > Share videos and music libraries through UPNP.

I am ready to pull my hair out.....this is driving me nuts.....


I have enabled UPNP on both the appleTV XMBC, and the Mac computer XMBC.

On the ATV2 in XMBC, under video subsection, when I select it, I am prompted with VIDEO - FILES: Sharename$, sharename$2, both I created when trying to SMB connection which did not work (and I cannot figure out how to delete them now) , I also have UPnP Media Servers (Auto-discover), video add-ons, and add a source. These are all the options...if I pick the autodetect, I get 2 little dots on the screen, and that is it.. My issue at this point is still to get the information from the Mac computer, through its installed XMBC over to the ATV2 XMBC, but am dumbfounded why I cannot get it accomplished....

If you give up I understand, but even the wiki from the XMBC forum does not have a clear cut explanation on this setup exactly, a Mac computer, and AppleTV2, and how to share files to stream from the computer to the TV....I cannot believe there is not a guide or a sticky, or maybe I am looking in the wrong area.....


Nevertheless, thanks for your help,

On the ATV2 in XBMC, under video subsection, select add source, then browse, then upnp devices, can you see your computer?

I guess this is my problem, I followed your directions and I cannot see my computer.....I have XMBC on the Mac turned on, with UPNP enabled, but no go on seeing it on my ATV2 in XBMC, under video subsection, select add source, then browse, then upnp devices


There must be some other setting on the computer as far as sharing that is not active...I have now created a second "UPnP Media Servers (Auto-discover)" like the 2 sharenames I made for SMB when I tried that route that is above add source tab.

Okay, I made some inroads, I managed to see my computer, and have added the 2 folders, music and video to my sources. They show up as XMBC: Media Server (10.0.1.11)

Is this what I should be seeing?


Where on my computer do I find this XMBC Video and Music folder to be able to dump my media in them so I can view?

Is there a way to delete the other sources that now show that are not valid as I mentioned above?


MANY THANKS AGAIN for explaining......