About to go buy an apple tv question for XBMC users?

[lilchub101]

Hey all I want to go pick up an apple tv to hack and run XBMC. I first want to know whats the best way to install it for free? Is it still possible to install firefox and flash? I would also like to get a 2TB harddrive and fill it with 8gig DVD iso's how well does XBMC handle them? I assume better the the original xbox witch I use now? any help and advice is great thanks.

 

[nippyjun]

I installed it using the patchstick to enable ssh, then ssh into the appletv and download the latest launcher, then download xbmc. Check out the xbmc forums. They have a forum for mac/apple tv xbmc information.

 

[roidy]

First thing what ever you do dont go and pay for one of these patchsticks you see advetised all over the site.

Go to this site and download the atvusb-creator for either Windows or Mac.

http://code.google.com/p/atvusb-creator/

I've tried XBMC on my AppleTV several times but have never been completely happy with it's performance, the user interface just seems too sluggish on the AppleTV and it's hit and miss as to weather videos play smoothly. Coming from an xbox you might think it's an improvement.

If all you want the AppleTV for is XBMC and nothing else then you may be better off with one of the small Atom PC's like the ASRock 330 Ion or the Revo. They run XBMC a lot better and with hardware acceleration right upto 1080p. I've got a ASRock 330 Ion running XBMC and it performs much better that the AppleTV and costs about the same. Althrough it's not as easy to insatll and set up, but if you managed it on a xbox you should have no problems.

 

[srexy]

First thing what ever you do dont go and pay for one of these patchsticks you see advetised all over the site.

Go to this site and download the atvusb-creator for either Windows or Mac.

http://code.google.com/p/atvusb-creator/

I've tried XBMC on my AppleTV several times but have never been completely happy with it's performance, the user interface just seems too sluggish on the AppleTV and it's hit and miss as to weather videos play smoothly. Coming from an xbox you might think it's an improvement.

If all you want the AppleTV for is XBMC and nothing else then you may be better off with one of the small Atom PC's like the ASRock 330 Ion or the Revo. They run XBMC a lot better and with hardware acceleration right upto 1080p. I've got a ASRock 330 Ion running XBMC and it performs much better that the AppleTV and costs about the same. Althrough it's not as easy to insatll and set up, but if you managed it on a xbox you should have no problems.

What he said. You'll see lots of lag and dropped frames in 1080p playback with the tv.

 

[lilchub101]

What about a mac mini

I'm now starting to think of a mac mini or does it make snece to go with one of the little PCs?

 

[srexy]

I'm now starting to think of a mac mini or does it make snece to go with one of the little PCs?

Whatever you're more comfortable with. The Acer Aspire Revo is $200 and supposedly is a great machine for the $$. It looks as if you replace the OS with a lite version of XBMC.

Check out this blog: http://lifehacker.com/5391308/build-a-silent-standalone-xbmc-media-center-on-the-cheap

I have the MIni and love Plex but 300 bones is 300 bones. Ask yourself if all you want is a media player or do you want a media player/server. The Mini will do both - the nettops may struggle with the server aspects of it.

 

[lilchub101]

Thanks a bunch, this really helps you rock SREXY

 

[srexy]

Thanks a bunch, this really helps you rock SREXY

You're welcome.

I've edited the post above because I think you can actually use the Ion based nettops as media servers too - However I don't have any first hand experience of it.

Good luck with it all.

 

[dyoungh]

It is a great product bottom line. I got one a couple of months ago.