What's the appeal of XBMC on AppleTV2?

[James Bond]

I've got a ATV2 set up and I'm loving it. So far I've used it for streaming Youtube and Netflix pretty much non-stop.

What functionality does XBMC add? Is there any way to stream Hulu? That would be amazing.

 

[zylander]

It lets you stream media directly from a server or another computer on the network without having to go through weak ass itunes. It basically turns the ATV into an HTPC.

 

[James Bond]

It lets you stream media directly from a server or another computer on the network without having to go through weak ass itunes. It basically turns the ATV into an HTPC.

What application do you use to stream? Or do you just point it at a directory on the network?

 

[TheStu]

What application do you use to stream? Or do you just point it at a directory on the network?

Just point it at a directory. It can be a chore to set up initially, especially since you have to use the remote, but once it is done it isn't too bad.

 

[James Bond]

Just point it at a directory. It can be a chore to set up initially, especially since you have to use the remote, but once it is done it isn't too bad.

I think that is the biggest thing holding me back... The remote app on iPhone is so nice. There isn't a XBMC remote app, is there?

 

[Aikouka]

I think that is the biggest thing holding me back... The remote app on iPhone is so nice. There isn't a XBMC remote app, is there?

Yes. There are XBMC specific remote apps that use the HTTP-based remote capabilities built into XBMC.

Although, I use an app called HippoRemote (free / 4.99), and it works with a hacked ATV2, because when you hack it, it installs VNC. HR works by connecting to VNC servers and sending commands.

I believe the free version would work, but I don't think it includes the built-in XBMC mode. Although, I'm not sure the built-in mode's extra functions even fully work with XBMC on the ATV2 (things like turning off subs, etc).

 

[amdhunter]

Yes. There are XBMC specific remote apps that use the HTTP-based remote capabilities built into XBMC.

Although, I use an app called HippoRemote (free / 4.99), and it works with a hacked ATV2, because when you hack it, it installs VNC. HR works by connecting to VNC servers and sending commands.

I believe the free version would work, but I don't think it includes the built-in XBMC mode. Although, I'm not sure the built-in mode's extra functions even fully work with XBMC on the ATV2 (things like turning off subs, etc).

I LOVE HippoRemote.

 

[HaukSwe]

Got XBMC on ATV2 pointed to a external HDD connected to my airport extreme and 2 more ATV2's on the other screens... for 300 USD I have XBMC and my entire media library all synced and running close to perfect in 3 rooms without consuming space, power or making noise.

That's the appeal. The remote is fine, not sure why you need a different one?

 

[suklee]

It lets you stream media directly from a server or another computer on the network without having to go through weak ass itunes. It basically turns the ATV into an HTPC.

Bypassing iTunes means XBMC supports more video formats right? Like AVI, MKV, etc.?

 

[Aikouka]

The remote is fine, not sure why you need a different one?

Ugh, entering the SMB network locations was practically torture on the remote . With HippoRemote, you can use it as a keyboard and just type everything in.

 

[Ka0t1x]

If you enable the web interface on XBMC and also install the AWX web add-on, it will make the XBMC interface actually useable. (Just an FYI). I can play stuff on XBMC from the office.

 

[zylander]

Bypassing iTunes means XBMC supports more video formats right? Like AVI, MKV, etc.?

Correct, havent had a problem playing any format in my library yet.

 

[Homerboy]

I'm still tempted to get a ATV2 to run XBMC. Very tempted in fact.
I run XBMC now on PCs but they are expensive comparatively speaking.

just 720p support though right?

 

[Tyranicus]

XBMC on the ATV2 is capable of playing back 1080p files, but it is hardware limited by the ATV2 itself to playing it back at 720p. Also, if your ATV2 is running iOS 4.3 or higher (shows up as 4.2 in the ATV), hardware accelerated playback in XBMC is currently broken, so h.264 mkv files do not work. They are working on fixing this.

 

[Homerboy]

XBMC on the ATV2 is capable of playing back 1080p files, but it is hardware limited by the ATV2 itself to playing it back at 720p. Also, if your ATV2 is running iOS 4.3 or higher (shows up as 4.2 in the ATV), hardware accelerated playback in XBMC is currently broken, so h.264 mkv files do not work. They are working on fixing this.

Right I realize its not software that is holding back the 1080p, but rather the hardware itself. It's tempting to get one, but I have a fair amount of movies in 1080 already.... meh. What's the ATV2 go for? $100?

Anyone have one for sale?

 

[Tyranicus]

Right I realize its not software that is holding back the 1080p, but rather the hardware itself. It's tempting to get one, but I have a fair amount of movies in 1080 already.... meh. What's the ATV2 go for? $100?

Anyone have one for sale?

My point was that you can play those files back on the ATV2, albeit not at 1080p. XBMC will downscale them to 720p.

 

[Homerboy]

My point was that you can play those files back on the ATV2, albeit not at 1080p. XBMC will downscale them to 720p.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Brilliant.

Ok! Now who has one for sale?!!?

 

[Aikouka]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Brilliant.

Ok! Now who has one for sale?!!?

Best Buy .

 

[Homerboy]

Best Buy .

pfft I'd have to go out in the real world and deal with people.
Amazon prime!

Sadly, wife just called and I just had to sink $1000 into our car today. So no ATV2 ordering for me until that's paid off

 

[Emulex]

atv3 will be out shortly with A5 for 1080p. so you can upgrade your $99 investment into $99 *2 lol.

 

[suklee]

shortly = when?

 

[Aikouka]

shortly = when?

If they follow anything close to the usual yearly release schedule, the ATV2 came out on 9/1. So you've still got about 5 months.

For $99 and no contract... it's not even a big deal in my opinion. If you buy the newer one, just give your older one to parents, sibling or whomever. Although, just because it may come out in September doesn't mean it will be hacked soon. The iPad 2 has been out for almost a month now and the jailbreaks don't work on it.

 

[HaukSwe]

Ugh, entering the SMB network locations was practically torture on the remote . With HippoRemote, you can use it as a keyboard and just type everything in.

I do agree with that but it's something you do so seldom so.. whatever For very large libraries where you want to use the search function I can see how the remote would be insufficient.

Or if you have an itouch or iphone might as well use that, but don't really see it necessary to buy a new one, a harmony or anything like that?

 

[Ns1]

Bypassing iTunes means XBMC supports more video formats right? Like AVI, MKV, etc.?

...and that's why I installed it.

 

[Aikouka]

Has anyone else had any problems with XBMC crashing on the ATV2? I tried a couple 720p h264 videos and it crashed anywhere between 30 seconds to a few minutes in. I've heard that XBMC can crash from running out of memory (ATV2 only has.. 256mb I believe) and some apps (like VNC) can really hurt its available memory.

Anyone else with Exposed installed have any problems or could my ATV2 just need a "hard reset" to clear up any possible memory leakage?