NAS > Apple TV?

[Lc3]

Hi, I was considering buying an Apple TV to play H.264 on my TV without having to hook my TV up to my desktop or laptop.

My question is, can the Apple TV stream from a NAS (Network Attached Storage) such as this (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-030-FC&groupid=701&catid=14&subcat=707&name=Freecom%20500GB%20USB%202.0/Ethernet%20NAS%20Hard%20Drive%20-%20Retail%20(29013))? I know from reading online that you can do this by adding the videos to your iTunes libray in your desktop/laptop, then serving that to the Apple TV, BUT that's not what I want because it requires that my desktop/laptop be switched on any time I want to stream, and if that's the case I may aswell just plug in the DVI cable and not bother with the Apple TV at all.

I want ot know if there is a way for the Apple TV to stream directly from the NAS (which would be wired to the router) without requiring a computer ot be switch on to serve it. Is there any way to set this up or does the Apple TV require a desktop/laptop serving anything that's not directly stored on the Apple TV itself?

 

[PowerBookG4]

I believe you need a computer to serve it. So if you are looking for a permanent piece of hardware in living room a mac-mini is probably what you would benefit most from. It can work exactly like a Apple-TV only it can serve its self, and is priced pretty close to the apple TV. With a wireless keyboard it can also be more than the apple tv.

Good luck with your home theatre.