Apple TV finally of use
I’ve always wanted an Apple TV but I couldn’t find a use for it. I had XBMC (xbox media center) running on my old Xbox and it was doing more than fine. I’ve already posted before on how XBMC is the best media center software in the market and Apple TV really stood no chance to compete… until now. Ten days ago a hack was released that would allow the installation of XBMC on the Apple TV. It’s a very simple process, you just install the hack onto a usb memory stick, plug the stick behind the Apple TV and just reboot. It then takes around 30 seconds to install XBMC and thats it.
What are the advantages of XBMC on Apple TV over XBMC on the original Xbox?
1) Apple TV is quieter since it doesn’t contain a loud fan like on the Xbox
2) Connects via HDMI or Component cable while XBMC is only component
3) Can play 720P movies while XBMC can’t
4) The interface is snappier since Apple TV is a faster machine
5) It looks better and takes up much less space
6) Integrates with iTunes on my main server
I am so satisfied with Apple TV now that I’ve already unplugged my old Xbox and placed it in storage. If you don’t have an Apple TV Amazon sells them for KD60. Here is the [Link]
If you’re interested in setting up XBMC on Apple TV here is the guide I used. [Link]
In case you didn’t know already, XBMC is a media center software that will allow you to stream practically any movie format from your main server. Also as a side note, the right arrow key on my MacBook just stopped working awhile ago, I think its a sign I need to get the new MacBook.
Update: If you want to try out XBMC its also available for Windows, Mac’s and Linux. [Download]
Note: XBMC does NOT run on the Xbox 360, it only runs on the original Xbox.
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17 Comments, add your own...
1. zezo | October 16th, 2008 at 1:30 am
any excuse to get that new macbook ha? ;P i dont blame you!
2. roofy | October 16th, 2008 at 2:45 am
get the new macbook mark, u know u want to.
i just ordered it yesterday ; D
3. Patrick | October 16th, 2008 at 3:41 am
looks sweet.
4. Eddy | October 16th, 2008 at 7:02 am
Hmm nice..will be searching for xmbc-like software for the ps3..would u happen to know of any?
5. Komsomol | October 16th, 2008 at 7:53 am
Great news.
Considering my damn Xbox just died and got the Christmas lights.
6. Star dash | October 16th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Just get over it and buy a PS3
7. Mark | October 16th, 2008 at 9:00 am
I have a PS3, and the Xbox 360, that has nothing to do with XBMC. XBMC only works on the original xbox, the big fat black one…
8. K.TheKuwaiti | October 16th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Does it play MKV files?
9. Rayboy | October 16th, 2008 at 10:24 am
im streaming content from my servers directly to the XBOX 360 console and it seems work well. it seems to be all inbuilt into the original XBOX interface. only thing is that on the server or pc .. you need to have the latest Windows Media Player.
10. Mark | October 16th, 2008 at 10:34 am
K: yes it does but if its 720p it depends on the bitrate it will drop frames. the solution for that is to convert high bitrate .mkv files to .mp4 which is less of a stress to the apple tv’s 1ghz processor. It will NOT play 1080p unless you want to watch it like a photo slide show.
Rayboy: If you have a few files you can use the 360 or the PS3. But if you have terabytes worth of shows and movies you NEED something much more advanced. XBMC has a library mode which is what makes it specials. Basically it scans all your content, grabs information about everything from imdb.com and thetvdb.com and then uses that information to create a library for your content. You will have full info about your media files like ratings, who stars in it, synopsis, dvd cover, genre etc.. and it will organize your content. So it will group all the movies together and all the tv shows together and organize the seasons under each. Then it also keeps track of what you watched so if you’re rewatching all of seinfeld you can keep track of what you’ve watched already and what you haven’t.
Its really advanced and I’ve honestly just summarized it very quickly above but it does so much more.
Here download it and try it if you want
http://xbmc.org/download/
11. Adrenaline | October 16th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
I patched my AppleTV when i first got it so i can save and play DIVX movies on it but after using it for a while i decided that my Mini Mac is far more superior, its connected to my HDTV via an HD cable and i can browse the net on and watch my DIVX movies stored on my old G4 using the FrontRow.
I will give this a try and check if i get a better surround sound, since the Apple TV has and optical audio out and the mini only have a normal audio out port.
12. Mark | October 16th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Actually the Mac Mini has a built in optical out, its the headphone jack. Just use a mini-toslink adapter do a search for it on amazon you will recognize it and actually might have it at home since it comes with most fiber optic cables as an attachment.
If you have a macmini install Plex
http://elan.plexapp.com/
its based on XBMC.
As I mentioned above, its not about the ability to play divx movies, there are a ton of devices that do that. The advantage of XBMC is the way it organizes your media files for easy access.
13. Star dash | October 16th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
You must be very rich, I can’t to afford to have any
14. Mark | October 16th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Star Dash you don’t have to be rich to buy a PS3.
15. Gus | October 16th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
For the same price you can get the new incredible Popcorn Hour A110 (USD 215). It supports all codecs known to mankind, and supports SATA and USB slave connectivity, and HDMI 1.3a for Dolby TrueHD…I’m waiting in the queue to get mine
http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/
Cheers,
-Gus
16. Haitham | October 16th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
On a side note, the new macbook line design looks less of a Mac.
17. Adrenaline | October 17th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I have always wondered about that red light coming out from the headphone port…now i need to get an Optical Mini Adapter
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