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daooof

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 24, 2010
103
1
I've seen that there is now a 4.4.4 untethered - but what does it do?
 
Err...allows you to install stuff like XBMC. Like every other ATV2 Jailbreak...

Also coming soon is ability to run iPad/iPhone apps on the ATV2. Which will be fantastic (I'm thinking Lovefilm.com stuff in the UK which gives decent movie rentals).
 
What are the benefits of XMBC over plex?

You don't need to have a server running. I want to be able to access my media on the NAS without having to have the computer running with iTunes, so to me a solution where I have to have the computer running with Plex server isn't really what I'm looking for :)

With XBMC, I can have the computer turned off and still access everything. On the other hand, with Plex you can have your computer running at home, bring the ATV2 on vacation and access your whole media library from the hotel room or wherever you are.
 
You don't need to have a server running. I want to be able to access my media on the NAS without having to have the computer running with iTunes, so to me a solution where I have to have the computer running with Plex server isn't really what I'm looking for :)

With XBMC, I can have the computer turned off and still access everything. On the other hand, with Plex you can have your computer running at home, bring the ATV2 on vacation and access your whole media library from the hotel room or wherever you are.
I'm sorry to revive this relatively old thread, but I wanted to point out that for the main purpose you're using XMBC for, you don't necessarily need XMBC. You can just install FireCore's Media Player (included in aTV Flash) and have the exact same features. That's a big plus in my book, as you can access the Media Player right from the main Apple TV menu. Plus, it uses the Apple TV's native interface. For me, this is a big plus because I really don't like XMBC's interface. Of course, aTV Flash costs $30. But for me, it's totally worth it.
 
I'm sorry to revive this relatively old thread, but I wanted to point out that for the main purpose you're using XMBC for, you don't necessarily need XMBC. You can just install FireCore's Media Player (included in aTV Flash) and have the exact same features. That's a big plus in my book, as you can access the Media Player right from the main Apple TV menu. Plus, it uses the Apple TV's native interface. For me, this is a big plus because I really don't like XMBC's interface. Of course, aTV Flash costs $30. But for me, it's totally worth it.

I actually have ATV Flash (black)...

Only one subtitle file per film in ATV Flash is annoying for someone who usually keeps four, but I could live with renaming the files. Not being able to sync the subtitles during playback is also quite annoying, since it happens from time to time and it's more work than just renaming the file to re-sync them on the computer. Same goes with not being able to sync the audio during playback, should there be a problem in the rip. Skipping back and forth in a film to find a certain scene or what not is so slow in ATV Flash compared to XBMC, where it's instant. I find the library mode in ATV Flash to be quite "meh".

So worse handling of subtitles, worse handling of audio, worse handling of playback and a much simpler (and not in a good way) library mode than the free XBMC are the reasons why ATV Flash (black) was a waste of money for me.
 
So worse handling of subtitles, worse handling of audio, worse handling of playback and a much simpler (and not in a good way) library mode than the free XBMC are the reasons why ATV Flash (black) was a waste of money for me.
Fair enough. My girlfriend and I both use the Apple TV. She's not as savvy as I am with technology, but she understands aTV Flash perfectly well. I really don't know if she'd remember – without me explaining at least a dozen times – how to boot XBMC and navigate that 'alien' software.

The inability to sync the audio and video is an issue indeed, though. But to my knowledge you can select alternative subtitle files when you hold the OK button while playing a movie file. You get a menu where you can select the audio and subtitle tracks. And you get a list of pre-defined time markers to which you can jump nearly instantly. Or is it exactly that which works better in XBMC?

The developers from FireCore have said that a better way to navigate the menu is coming, as they're busy implementing folder play. Then you don't need to delve into the folder that contains the movie and subtitle files anymore; the library will regard that folder as the movie file itself. Plus, the ability to sync audio and video is coming as well. Both features were requested by users a lot, and the developers really listen to what their users have to say. That's one of the really good things about aTV Flash.
 
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Fair enough. My girlfriend and I both use the Apple TV. She's not as savvy as I am with technology, but she understands aTV Flash perfectly well. I really don't know if she'd remember –*without me explaining at least a dozen times –*how to boot XBMC and navigate that 'alien' software.
I gave the remote to my girlfriend and asked her to start that-and-that show and let her figure it out herself. After the second time she stopped with the "can't you do it? I don't know how" comments. Learning by doing ;)

The inability to sync the audio and video is an issue indeed, though. But to my knowledge you can select alternative subtitle files when you hold the OK button while playing a movie file. You get a menu where you can select the audio and subtitle tracks. And you get a list of pre-defined time markers to which you can jump nearly instantly. Or is it exactly that which works better in XBMC?
In ATV Flash (black) the subtitle file has to have the exact same name as the video file, which means you can only have one subtitle file.

Any type of skipping, fast forwarding or other kind of searching on the timeline is just about immediate in XBMC, but often results in buffering in the ATV Flash (black) player. Which can be annoying if looking for a specific scene, because it takes so much longer to find it.

I mean, to each his own, I'm just giving my personal views on it. I'm not saying XBMC is a better choice for everyone.
 
I mean, to each his own, I'm just giving my personal views on it. I'm not saying XBMC is a better choice for everyone.
I might give it another try some day. Maybe if I can find a theme for it that resembles the native Apple TV's interface I could live with it. But so far all the themes that had this goal are nowhere near finished. A shame really. Or are there good themes I don't know of? Any suggestions?
 
Theres lots of themes available for it. The main reason to use xbmc is the plugins. I have access to an unlimited amout of content now. Including live tv, hbo, hbo2, espn, history channel, discovery channel, etc. Its really quite remarkable how much there is available once you dig deeper into xbmc.
 
I might give it another try some day. Maybe if I can find a theme for it that resembles the native Apple TV's interface I could live with it. But so far all the themes that had this goal are nowhere near finished. A shame really. Or are there good themes I don't know of? Any suggestions?

Ingen aning, there might be. Take a look at the XBMC forum and see. People are constantly putting up new stuff.
 
Can't we merge these threads, there are currently at least 3 threads all on the main page with nearly the exact same subject.
 
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