Apple TV my best bet?

[abjonesiii]

I just ordered an Apple TV this morning. First thing I plan to do and you should too is buy and install this:

http://www.atvflash.com/index.php

You'll need a memory stick and about 30 minutes but this little flash will unlock all the power apple should have let you have from the factory. You can play almost any format, surf the web, and unlock the USB port to allow more storage through an external hard drive.

This mod most likely voids the warranty but even if it breaks they are not that expensive.

ATV + aTv Flash = hands down winner

OBTW - in response to a previous post alluding to the ATV being hard to navigate is outlandish. ATV is based around OS 10 making it highly reliable and the menus work just like Front Row, Its dummy proof. IMHO Windows Media Center blows

 

[Duffinator]

I was researching ATVFlash yesterday. Report back after you get it installed. If I buy ATVF it will be mostly for surfing the internet occasionally. Seems expensive but I value my time highly so I don't want to spend hours going the free route. Macrumors has lots of info on both options.

 

[jinjuku]

I just ordered an Apple TV this morning. First thing I plan to do and you should too is buy and install this:

http://www.atvflash.com/index.php

You'll need a memory stick and about 30 minutes but this little flash will unlock all the power apple should have let you have from the factory. You can play almost any format, surf the web, and unlock the USB port to allow more storage through an external hard drive.

This mod most likely voids the warranty but even if it breaks they are not that expensive.

ATV + aTv Flash = hands down winner

OBTW - in response to a previous post alluding to the ATV being hard to navigate is outlandish. ATV is based around OS 10 making it highly reliable and the menus work just like Front Row, Its dummy proof. IMHO Windows Media Center blows

So no Netflix, No Over the Air tuners, No cable card, No thanks. Windows MCE for the win.

Personally I love MCE. MS has done a great job with it. Does the Apple TV bit stream DTS-HD and Dolby-HD?

 

[timmay8612]

Not to hijack, but as a long time computer junkie I've been interested in a project like this, but strictly for a music server and netflix player that I can browse from my TV. I'm ordinarily a fiercely loyal Mac user and would rather have a Mac system. Anybody have a suggestion for the cheapest solution that won't make me pull my hair out?

 

[Duffinator]

Not to hijack, but as a long time computer junkie I've been interested in a project like this, but strictly for a music server and netflix player that I can browse from my TV. I'm ordinarily a fiercely loyal Mac user and would rather have a Mac system. Anybody have a suggestion for the cheapest solution that won't make me pull my hair out?

As far as a music server goes the ATV is one of the best out there. But streaming Netflix is going to be a challenge. You'll need to add a web browser and other software to allow you to do it. MacRumors has a lot of info on how to do it but the lack of a keyboard is a problem. Good luck.

 

[chris357]

i use my apple TV only as a music server.. its amazing and easy!! I have the 160gb so all my music is stored on the drive itself as I add it automaitcally updates an dnever misses a beat. also with the digital out I get to use the DAC in my pre/pro.