Apple TV 1 - Hacking and Updating

Sid59

Lifer
Sep 2, 2002
11,879
3
81
Anyone have first hand experience with hacking and updating Apple TV1? I read through the FAQ XBMC and it's generally advised to upgrade the video card to decode more codecs and push 1080 resolution and going dual boot linux with XBMC, while preserving iOS.

Experiences and thoughts? The thought of attaching a USB drive and not needing a computer to stream content is great.

I already have 40gig ATV1 in hand.
 

ViRGE

Elite Member, Moderator Emeritus
Oct 9, 1999
31,516
167
106
I think you may have misread the XBMC FAQ. The Apple TV 1's video card is soldered directly onto the logic board, it can't be upgraded.
 

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
19,688
2,811
126
You're talking about CrystalHD card? You gain 1080p but lose Wifi. I don't have AppleTV1 but it looks like simple swap of the card. If you already have AppleTV1, it looks like fun mod and XBMC Eden works with it.
 

Cr0nJ0b

Golden Member
Apr 13, 2004
1,141
29
91
meettomy.site
I did the ATV 1 hack a few weeks ago. I forget the site i used to get the info, but it was an easy patch stick and boot. too easy. Eden works out of the box but boxee needs to be manually loaded. I didn't bother with it, since XBMC meets my needs.

FWIW, I wouldn't bother with the HD card hack. You would probably be better off spending the cash on an ATV2 from ebay...getting similar results.