HTPC vs Apple TV

techead

techead

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I know a lot of okes on here are big fans HTPC's, the HP Proliant Microserver running XBMC for example

I do :)

Though I have recently found Apple TV and wondering if this offers a more simple streamline solution?

It looks quite simple, easy to setup, and simply add your new content to a folder ad iTunes does everything else.

what are your thoughts on this?
 
I recently bought an Apple TV 2, jailbroken with XBMC. It ROCKS! Small, easy to setup, flexible - and cheap. Great way to incorporate Airplay, Remote and your iOS devices into your setup. There is also a massive support base for XBMC to help you sort out issues.

You can of course go without XBMC and use something like Airvideo to stream non-apple format videos - it encodes on the fly and works fairly well. But I would really suggest jailbreaking and adding XBMC, it is brilliant.

I also have a HP Proliant MS, but it serves as a media server and NAS storage.
 
I am waiting and HOPING for Apple to release an ATV3 tomorrow or shortly thereafter....

I want one that does 1080p output.. then I can run XBMC on it and go wild...
 
SiriS said:
I recently bought an Apple TV 2, jailbroken with XBMC. It ROCKS! Small, easy to setup, flexible - and cheap. Great way to incorporate Airplay, Remote and your iOS devices into your setup. There is also a massive support base for XBMC to help you sort out issues.

You can of course go without XBMC and use something like Airvideo to stream non-apple format videos - it encodes on the fly and works fairly well. But I would really suggest jailbreaking and adding XBMC, it is brilliant.

I also have a HP Proliant MS, but it serves as a media server and NAS storage.
Click to expand...

you bought it jailbroken? Or you did it yourself?

Im familiar with the JB process, as I do the same on my iPhone.

question I have is, it worth running XBMC over the standard software? What do you use for a remote?
 
B.O.F.H. said:
I am waiting and HOPING for Apple to release an ATV3 tomorrow or shortly thereafter....

I want one that does 1080p output.. then I can run XBMC on it and go wild...
Click to expand...

True that. Nice thing about the ATVs is that they are fairly inexpensive, so you can switch them around in the house as you upgrade. I can already see the ATV2 going to the bedroom if an ATV3 is released...

Not that I need 1080P, 720P is still sufficient for me setup.
 
techead said:
you bought it jailbroken? Or you did it yourself?

Im familiar with the JB process, as I do the same on my iPhone.

question I have is, it worth running XBMC over the standard software? What do you use for a remote?
Click to expand...


Yes, bought jailbroken on Gumtree. :)

XBMC runs separate (I don't boot into it) so have full "normal" functionality as well.

The Apple remote works great for me (very simple). I also tried an XBMC iphone app remote, but don't use it really - although it works good. There are other apps, but as I say I just prefer the one that comes with the box.

And all music is played via Airplay from Remote app on phone.
 
techead said:
care to elaborate on this please, if u dont mind

same as this ?
Click to expand...

Looks like this after you install XBMC -

xbmc-atv201md.jpg


It just runs as another menu item on the ATV interface. Everything besides the XBMC menu you see there is normal ATV.
 
I jailbroke my apple TVs, really wasn't difficult to do. Installing XBMC was marginally tougher since I had to ssh in to install the downloaded app, but really not impossible at all. I never use the standard apple TV interface, one of them even automatically loads XBMC on startup so you don't see the screen shown above. My only criticism would be the lack of 1080p, which doesn't bother me much, and the slightly slower menu transitions, tho this too really isn't that big a deal. Add some sickbeard and SabNZBd to the mix and it is awesome

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
 
daveza said:
Air Video - streams to ATV2 as well as iPhone and iPad ?
Click to expand...

Atm you have to stream via your iphone or ipad. Afaik they're working on changing that.

You install app on your iphone/ipad and select video from your pc library from within the app. You then simply tap the airplay button and select Apple TV on your iphone/ipad and voila. You can lock your idevice, go to home screen or whatever - the streaming continues.

Still, XBMC is a much better solution IMO.
 
SukkaFoo said:
I jailbroke my apple TVs, really wasn't difficult to do. Installing XBMC was marginally tougher since I had to ssh in to install the downloaded app, but really not impossible at all.
Click to expand...

I didn't jailbreak it myself, but have been playing around with XBMC - learnt new stuff like ssh, sftp, using Putty, FileZilla etc. in the process. Trust me, I new nothing about these things, but it is really not difficult. There are superb support for XBMC and any issues you may encounter.
 
Most of the time my ATV2 is a dream - the only real issue I have is that iFlix is not available for Windows.

Oh, and being able to manipulate subtitle syncing.....
 
hmmm... Im really considering seeting up my server as data purely

then using the atv2 as my media device.

tell me, all the media simply streams though the atv2 into the tv, correct? so it need a wireless link or cat5 cable or something
 
Yup.. you just need your ATV2 on the network and it can stream the content from a server...

If you don't Jailbreak it and run XBMC or something, you will need to get your content into Itunes somehow.

After digging around quite a bit, it very def does seem like Apple will be releasing an "ATV3" tomorrow... if they do I will be a happy little camper and be purchasing 2 on the spot :D
 
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