EBay Apple tv 2 question

[bobbykasthuri]

hi all
very interested in purchasing a ATV2. I noticed on Ebay that there are many jailbroken versions being sold that include xbms, icefilms, and some hulu (or is it hulu +) and some not. There is a price premium (they run about $200 with shipping) http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=apple+tv+2

Few questions:
1) is there claim of unlimited movies and TV shows with these apps true?
2) legal?
3) worth the money or could a reasonably savy person achieve this on their own?

sorry if these are really ignorant questions and thanks in advance for any help you could provide

best
BK

 

[roidy]

1. Yes, if it's on the icefilms or hulu site then you'll get it on the ATV2
2. If it's from hulu then yes, if it's from icefilms then it depends on the copyright laws of your country, ie if you're from the US or UK then it's illegal.
3. Absolutely NOT worth the extra money, as it would take you about 30 minutes or less to do it yourself.

Edit:- I just looked at the ebay link you posted and I laughed out loud that people are trying to sell what they call "Adult xxx versions of the ATV", good god now I've seen it all.

 

[bobbykasthuri]

Thanks for the quick reply...if true than (other than legality which might be the answer to my question....) why can you not just live with JB atv and never use cable (or why does everyone not do this....)

best
BK

PS is it obvious (i.e. google) to find out how to do these JBs?

 

[roidy]

Because not everybody wants to break the law and obtain there media illegally. If you've got no problem using icefilms to steal your media then you could just live with a Jailbroken ATV. However if you want to stay within the law then there is nothing stopping you from just using the legal sources like Hulu or Netflix. It's a decision only you can make for yourself.

As for how to do it yourself, its easy.

1. Jailbrake your ATV2 using Seas0npass . Cost:- free
2. Install XBMC. Cost:- free
3. From within XBMC install all the plugins you want. Cost:- free

So all it costs you is the price of an ATV2. Don't pay ridiculously high eBay prices for something thats easy to do yourself.

 

[hafr]

Thanks for the quick reply...if true than (other than legality which might be the answer to my question....) why can you not just live with JB atv and never use cable (or why does everyone not do this....)

best
BK

PS is it obvious (i.e. google) to find out how to do these JBs?

Before getting the ATV2, I felt I should cut my cable. Then I started analyzing how I use the TV...

I like being able to turn on a news channel and have it playing in the background when I'm working from home. I like being able to turn on Baby TV, Disney Channel or what not to keep the kids occupied whilst preparing dinner for instance. I also like just flipping through channels and see what's on - that way I sometimes watch programs that I'd never think of downloading.

For movies and series, the ATV2 has no competition what so ever from the cable companies (especially not if you're okay with obtaining your media without paying for it). But since I'm not only using my TV to watch series and movies, I'm keeping my cable.

But in all fairness, cutting cable would probably drastically increase my reading which could be considered better than watching TV

 

[Steppy]

As for how to do it yourself, its easy.

1. Jailbrake your ATV2 using Seas0npass . Cost:- free
2. Install XBMC. Cost:- free
3. From within XBMC install all the plugins you want. Cost:- free

So all it costs you is the price of an ATV2. Don't pay ridiculously high eBay prices for something thats easy to do yourself.

I am getting my ATV for Christmas mainly to steam films from my iTunes on my MAC, but I am toying with the idea of JB.

As I am in the UK would the same instructions apply or do I need a different set of instructions. I believe we cannot get Netflix in the UK.

My ATV has come from the US, so will it have different software installed than one from the UK?

 

[DefBref]

Instructions are the same, there is no difference in software between UK or US ATV2's, they are the exact same unit, it just hides the netflix option when it detects its on a UK account.

 

[Steppy]

Instructions are the same, there is no difference in software between UK or US ATV2's, they are the exact same unit, it just hides the netflix option when it detects its on a UK account.

Great, thanks for the speedy reply.

 

[roidy]

I am getting my ATV for Christmas mainly to steam films from my iTunes on my MAC, but I am toying with the idea of JB.

As I am in the UK would the same instructions apply or do I need a different set of instructions. I believe we cannot get Netflix in the UK.

My ATV has come from the US, so will it have different software installed than one from the UK?

All AppleTV 2's are the same regardless of which country they come from the only thing different will be the power lead, if it's from the US then it should come with a US lead so you'll need a UK power lead, it's a standard figure 8 cable like this one:- Power lead

The software and how you jailbrake it is exactly the same, but like you said you can't get Netflix in the UK, so when you set the ATV store option to UK the Netflix menu will disappear.

 

[Steppy]

All AppleTV 2's are the same regardless of which country they come from the only thing different will be the power lead, if it's from the US then it should come with a US lead so you'll need a UK power lead, it's a standard figure 8 cable like this one:- Power lead

The software and how you jailbrake it is exactly the same, but like you said you can't get Netflix in the UK, so when you set the ATV store option to UK the Netflix menu will disappear.

Thank you. Fortunately the seller of the ATV included a UK lead

 

[Spencie]

Hi, question here. If you buy a new apple tv from apple, would it still be able to be jailbroken? I think apple updated the firmware that prevents jailbreaking. I would buy it for somebody else but I wouldn't want the hassle of downgrading the firmware or waiting for a new jailbreak. Thanks!

 

[takeshi74]

if true than (other than legality which might be the answer to my question....) why can you not just live with JB atv and never use cable (or why does everyone not do this....)

Because not all the media I watch is available from the legal sources.

 

[cooa99]

Hi, question here. If you buy a new apple tv from apple, would it still be able to be jailbroken? I think apple updated the firmware that prevents jailbreaking. I would buy it for somebody else but I wouldn't want the hassle of downgrading the firmware or waiting for a new jailbreak. Thanks!

can i get an answer to this as well. I am thinking of walking into the apple store in next couple of hours to get one myself!

ps what is the latest firmware for the ATV2?

cooa99

 

[roidy]

As of a couple of days ago I had no problems Jailbraking from 4.4.4 to 4.3 using seas0npass, plus any ATV you buy will probably be old stock without the latest update.

 

[Spencie]

As of a couple of days ago I had no problems Jailbraking from 4.4.4 to 4.3 using seas0npass, plus any ATV you buy will probably be old stock without the latest update.

Thanks! I will probably get one now.

 

[cooa99]

what have i done now!

As of a couple of days ago I had no problems Jailbraking from 4.4.4 to 4.3 using seas0npass, plus any ATV you buy will probably be old stock without the latest update.

erm,
i am not sure but i think i might have messed things up.

I picked up the ATV2 from apple store and it had 4.4.4 on it.

I found some instructions on redmondpie to jailbreak 4.4.4.

I did it and found that my ATV was downgraded to 4.3 !

strange thing is the instructions included nothing about making changes in the host file ....... is this guide correct?.

what do i need to do to get to a jailbreak version that used airplay mirroring?

cheers

cooa99

 

[roidy]

strange thing is the instructions included nothing about making changes in the host file ....... is this guide correct?.

what do i need to do to get to a jailbreak version that used airplay mirroring?

The guide is correct, you don't need to make any changes to host file.

As for Airplay mirroring, I've never used it so I'm not sure, I think it's only available in firmware versions 4.4.3 and 4.4.4. In which case you would need to use a teathered JB. However, you'd be best to wait a couple of weeks for a 4.4.4 unteathered JB to come out.