Apple TV Upgrades: Xvid (And More) Support, 120GB HD

[mikeinternet]

In the last 2 hours my AVT now has a dozen movies on and several thousand songs and a few photo albums. My computer in my office can be switched off and they are still there. As you say that's probably the main reason. If not there would loads of moaners (you know the ones that have to find fault with everything ) saying how useless ATV is since it still needs a computer on to stream all the time. I am blown away by it!

Plus $299! It's a steal!

seems to be the only plus to storing on the TV . but i never really turn my computer off anyways.

 

[Morris]

You do know that AVI Containers are one of the few formats that supports AC3 i.e. true surround sound: mp4s don't have that which is why nobody uses it! So this is a huge breakthrough and I will eventually actually buy one!!!!!!

Edit: I'm sure I read somewhere that someone had verified that 5.1 surround works with AVI files which use AAC surround sound...

Considering AAC supports up to 48 channels (think 47.1 surround ) it can't be a codec limitation, if it is a problem the reason would be the container (AVI/MP4).

 

[macinfojunkie]

I wonder how long it will take before there's a way to install additional apps and maybe run eyetV via the USB port? Seems doable if the OS is on a writable HD.

 

[Digitalclips]

I'm just waiting for a hack to make the TV work on 4:3 televisions. It works fine on mine, but it really should have a TV ratio setting. I can connect via components, I can display 480p. But the ratio is 4:3, not 16:9.

When you think that a simple firmware update would make the TV available to a lot more people, you have to wonder why Apple hasn't done it in the first place.

Oh, just go and treat yourself to a nice HD TV that's what credit cards are for

 

[IlluminatedSage]

what about connecting a external USB hard drive. will that allow extra room? ie not clone and replace. but put in a mac mini usb hd. ??

then get extra room on the apple tv?

i just got mine, but it is already full.

 

[05elstonc]

I did a little reading of digg this morning and those guys are mostly PC hackers with an emphasis on linux and windblows. These guys are whipping out their credit cards and buying AppleTV's by the dozens!

Someting to do as a hobby. These guys are having some actual fun with this.

Interesting. Apple is appealing to Wozniacs of the year 2007. This is good stuff.

Rocketman

It is so cool reading through that thread on Somethingawful. There are guys leaving work early to hit up their apple store to buy an AppleTV. They are really really excited about it. I hope apple continues to turn a blind eye to it in future software updates. I bet by tonight there will be some major breakthroughs.

 

[Digitalclips]

I wonder how long it will take before there's a way to install additional apps and maybe run eyetV via the USB port? Seems doable if the OS is on a writable HD.

An alarm clock that plays nice music at 7 a.m. and wirelessly makes toast and coffee too, oh yes ... and feeds the cat and let's the dog out and ... it's all coming soon

what about connecting a external USB hard drive. will that allow extra room? ie not clone and replace. but put in a mac mini usb hd. ??

then get extra room on the apple tv?

i just got mine, but it is already full.

I read that doesn't work but anyone tried booting the thing via USB yet?

p.s. Use iTunes to only sync what you select. I have 200 GIGs of stuff in music and movies so i selected a few play lists and a few movies and a couple of Photo Albums. My Aperture Library alone is 500 GIGs lol!

 

[Porchland]

Awesome stuff.

Apple should offer a 120GB version for $399 for those of us with large photo collections / music collections / media collections / don't want the computer to be on all the time desires.

As others have said, the need for more space depends on how effectively tv streams. In theory, the box should be able to cache anything you're watching faster than you watch, i.e., assuming you have enough wireless bandwidth, you'll never need more than a few hours of storage space for content.

That said, I see tv becoming a stand-alone device that will access and purchase content from iTS without talking to your computer. When that happens, you'll be storing what you buy right there on the box like you do now with a DVR. The only reason you would need to involve a computer would be to offload things you want to keep to free up more space, but the casual user -- again, like with the DVR -- will just delete things after watching them.

If it gets a good reputation for easy setup and use -- and it should -- tv could become a huge Trojan Horse for Apple to attract future switchers.

 

[outlyer]

Target disc mode?

I recall that with normal OSX machines, you can boot them into "target disc mode" and mount the hard drive from another machine via firewire. Is such a thing possible with USB? If so, it might save the trouble of having to rip the machine open to make these changes.

That said, I can see the advantage of a larger drive, but codec support isn't as important to me. I encode my own media to h264 so it makes no difference to me whether it supports XVID.

It's a wonderful little machine though, no noise, and worked within minutes.

 

[Digitalclips]

I recall that with normal OSX machines, you can boot them into "target disc mode" and mount the hard drive from another machine via firewire. Is such a thing possible with USB? If so, it might save the trouble of having to rip the machine open to make these changes.

That said, I can see the advantage of a larger drive, but codec support isn't as important to me. I encode my own media to h264 so it makes no difference to me whether it supports XVID.

It's a wonderful little machine though, no noise, and worked within minutes.

Try the target trick and let me know ...

DOES anyone know how to make the remote specific to ATV. Every time I use it both of our laptops start running music or videos. It was funny the first time ... but getting old!

 

[psingh01]

i'm sure apple doesn't want people hacking it...but they didn't bother trying to make it hard either i am actually considering a purchase no lol

 

[nodedawg]

The Apple TV is running a stripped down version of 10.4.7 and look it appear to have a future in video capture:

http://www.techrestore.com/2007/03/apple-tv-software.shtml

 

[jsw]

Try the target trick and let me know ...

DOES anyone know how to make the remote specific to ATV. Every time I use it both of our laptops start running music or videos. It was funny the first time ... but getting old!

One of the menu options is to pair the remote with the Apple TV.

Also, you can pair the other remote with the MB.

 

[Digitalclips]

The Apple TV is running a stripped down version of 10.4.7 and look it appear to have a future in video capture:

http://www.techrestore.com/2007/03/apple-tv-software.shtml

Notice in 'Settings' it has 'Software Update' too... Next year maybe stripped down 10.5

 

[Digitalclips]

One of the menu options is to pair the remote with the Apple TV.

Also, you can pair the other remote with the MB.

I did that... That's when it started .. seems the laptops are using the same settings by some weird chance in a zillion or else something else is a foot! I'll try re pairing the other remotes with the Laptops Thanks.

 

[aristobrat]

DOES anyone know how to make the remote specific to ATV. Every time I use it both of our laptops start running music or videos. It was funny the first time ... but getting old!

I think (for the result you're going after), you will need to tell your laptops to either ignore all remotes, or you will have to pair them to a remote that's different from your Apple TV remote.

I think that if you just pair your Apple TV remote to your Apple TV, your Apple TV will only respond to that remote, but it doesn't stop other devices (like your laptop) from responding to it.

Hopefully I got that right...

Edit: I see you already figured this out.

 

[Digitalclips]

The Apple TV is running a stripped down version of 10.4.7 and look it appear to have a future in video capture:

http://www.techrestore.com/2007/03/apple-tv-software.shtml

I want a hack to give it back its Finder ... poor thing!

 

[wallinbl]

Just curious, where are you going to get 1080p material and what HD TV did you decide on for 1080p? Last I looked there was not much around, perhaps more are available now. I'm still left wondering about material though.

I have a 1080p HDTV. It's a Samsung HL-S5088W. No content up to this point, but got a good deal and figured may as well have it (plus, it looked a ton better than the older model that did 720p). It was mostly just brighter and had better color showing the same content at same res.

 

[Krevnik]

DOES anyone know how to make the remote specific to ATV. Every time I use it both of our laptops start running music or videos. It was funny the first time ... but getting old!

Settings > Pair Remote.

 

[giganten]

Nice..
If they will release games to the tv, then I might buy one.

 

[Doctor Q]

Home-grown upgrades will always appeal to hardcore techies, but not to the average consumer. For consumers, Apple will presumably come out with newer and better TV models as time goes on.

Since the TV software can be upgraded without replacing the box, some future features will be available to those of us with the "first generation" product. It's the hardware that would change for the "next generation" product -- faster processor, bigger hard drive, changes in input and output speeds and formats, etc.

 

[Digitalclips]

I have a 1080p HDTV. It's a Samsung HL-S5088W. No content up to this point, but got a good deal and figured may as well have it (plus, it looked a ton better than the older model that did 720p). It was mostly just brighter and had better color showing the same content at same res.

Cool. And WOW they have come down in price! Thanks for info.

But I have to say go blow $299 anyway. I have not had this much fun in ages. I made a bunch of 720p from 1080i material and it rocks on a 52" 1080i Sony. HandBrake is smokin' away making all my Rock Concerts into H.264 (1500 bit-rate and de-interlaced and double pass).

But that aside ... having iTunes via HD TV / Sound System in Family room even at 720p is sooo much fun and the photos from Aperture are stunning!

 

[Maccus Aurelius]

I'm just gonna have to run up to the Apple store tomorrow to check this out....sweet.

 

[killmoms]

That said, I see tv becoming a stand-alone device that will access and purchase content from iTS without talking to your computer. When that happens, you'll be storing what you buy right there on the box like you do now with a DVR. The only reason you would need to involve a computer would be to offload things you want to keep to free up more space, but the casual user -- again, like with the DVR -- will just delete things after watching them.

If it gets a good reputation for easy setup and use -- and it should -- tv could become a huge Trojan Horse for Apple to attract future switchers.

Seems to me that'd require the iTunes Store to begin some sort of subscription-like service, something Steve Jobs has said over and over he's loath to do.

 

[Rocketman]

Check this link out!!!!

Check THIS out!

Executive summary:
System Version: Apple TV OS 10.4.7 (8N5107)
Serial Number: CLOWNS666


Raw data:


bash-2.05b# system_profiler
Hardware:

Hardware Overview:

Machine Name: Mac
Machine Model: AppleTV1,1
Processor Speed: 1 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 1
Memory: 256 MB
Bus Speed: 400 MHz
Boot ROM Version: ATV11.00D9.B00
Serial Number: CLOWNS666
L2 Cache: 2 MB

Network:

Built-in Ethernet:

Type: Ethernet
Hardware: Ethernet
BSD Device Name: en0
Has IP Assigned: Yes
IPv4 Addresses: [Removed -- Awkward]
IPv4:
Addresses: [Removed -- Awkward]
Configuration Method: DHCP
Interface Name: en0
Router: [Removed -- Awkward]
Subnet Masks: [Removed -- Awkward]
IPv6:
Configuration Method: Automatic
DNS:
Domain Name: blah blah blah
Server Addresses: [Removed -- Awkward], [Removed -- Awkward]
DHCP Server Responses:
Domain Name: dingle dingle ding
Domain Name Servers: [Removed -- Awkward]
Lease Duration (seconds): 0
DHCP Message Type: 0x05
Routers: [Removed -- Awkward]
Server Identifier: [Removed -- Awkward]
Subnet Mask: [Removed -- Awkward]
Proxies:
FTP Proxy Enabled: No
FTP Passive Mode: Yes
Gopher Proxy Enabled: No
HTTP Proxy Enabled: No
HTTPS Proxy Enabled: No
RTSP Proxy Enabled: No
SOCKS Proxy Enabled: No
Ethernet:
MAC Address: [Removed -- Awkward]
Media Options: Full Duplex
Media Subtype: 100baseTX

Type: AirPort
Hardware: AirPort
BSD Device Name: en1
Has IP Assigned: No
IPv4:
Configuration Method: DHCP
Ethernet:
MAC Address: [Removed -- Awkward]
Media Options:
Media Subtype: autoselect

Software:

System Software Overview:

System Version: Apple TV OS 10.4.7 (8N5107)
Kernel Version: Darwin 8.8.2
Boot Volume: OSBoot
Computer Name: AppleTV
User Name: System Administrator (root)

ATA:

ATA Bus:

FUJITSU MHW2040AT:

Capacity: 37.26 GB
Model: FUJITSU MHW2040AT
Revision: 0081000C
Serial Number: CL0WNT0WN
Removable Media: No
Detachable Drive: No
BSD Name: disk0
Protocol: ATA
Unit Number: 0
Socket Type: Internal
Low Power Polling: No
OS9 Drivers: No
S.M.A.R.T. status: Verified
Volumes:
OSBoot:
Capacity: 900 MB
Available: 422.18 MB
Writable: Yes
File System: Journaled HFS+
BSD Name: disk0s3
Mount Point: /
Media:
Capacity: 35.96 GB
Available: 35.19 GB
Writable: Yes
File System: Journaled HFS+
BSD Name: disk0s4
Mount Point: /mnt
Volumes:
disk0s3:
Capacity: 900 MB
Available: 422.18 MB
Writable: Yes
File System: Journaled HFS+
disk0s4:
Capacity: 35.96 GB
Available: 35.19 GB
Writable: Yes
File System: Journaled HFS+

Audio (Built In):

Intel High Definition Audio:

Available Devices:
Line Out:
Connection: RCA
S/P-DIF Out:
Connection: Optical

Diagnostics:

Power On Self-Test:

Last Run: 3/23/07 6:17 AM
Result: Passed

FireWire:

Graphics/Displays:

GeForce Go 7300:

Chipset Model: GeForce Go 7300
Type: Display
Bus: PCIe
VRAM (Total): 64 MB
Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x01d7
Revision ID: 0x00a1
ROM Revision: 3144
Displays:
HP LP2465:
Resolution: 1280 x 720 @ 60 Hz
Depth: 32-bit Color
Core Image: Supported
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Quartz Extreme: Not Supported
Rotation: Supported

Memory:

BANK 0/DIMM0:

Size: 256 MB
Type: DDR2 SDRAM
Speed: 400 MHz
Status: OK

BANK 1/DIMM1:

Size: Empty
Type: Empty
Speed: Empty
Status: Empty

Power:

System Power Settings:

AC Power:
System Sleep Timer (Minutes): 0
Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes): 0
Display Sleep Timer (Minutes): 0
Sleep On Power Button: No
Automatic Restart On Power Loss: Yes

USB:

USB High-Speed Bus:

Host Controller Location: Built In USB
Host Controller Driver: AppleUSBEHCI
PCI Device ID: 0x27cc
PCI Revision ID: 0x0002
PCI Vendor ID: 0x8086
Bus Number: 0xfd

USB Bus:

Host Controller Location: Built In USB
Host Controller Driver: AppleUSBUHCI
PCI Device ID: 0x27c8
PCI Revision ID: 0x0002
PCI Vendor ID: 0x8086
Bus Number: 0x1d

IR Receiver:

Version: 2.42
Bus Power (mA): 500
Speed: Up to 1.5 Mb/sec
Manufacturer: Apple Computer, Inc.
Product ID: 0x8241
Vendor ID: 0x05ac (Apple Computer, Inc.)

AirPort Card:

AirPort Card Information:

Wireless Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x87)
Wireless Card Locale: USA
Wireless Card Firmware Version: Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (4.80.79.1)
Current Wireless Network: AirPort is currently turned off

Locations:

Automatic:

Active Location: Yes
Services:
Built-in Ethernet:
Type: Ethernet
BSD Device Name: en0
Hardware (MAC) Address: [Removed -- Awkward]
IPv4:
Configuration Method: DHCP
IPv6:
Configuration Method: Automatic
AppleTalk:
Configuration Method: Node
Proxies:
FTP Proxy Enabled: 0
FTP Passive Mode: 1
Gopher Proxy Enabled: 0
HTTP Proxy Enabled: 0
HTTPS Proxy Enabled: 0
RTSP Proxy Enabled: 0
SOCKS Proxy Enabled: 0
Type: IEEE80211
BSD Device Name: en1
Hardware (MAC) Address: [Removed -- Awkward]
IPv4:
Configuration Method: DHCP
IEEE80211:
AllowNetCreation: 1
JoinMode: Automatic
MAC Address: [Removed -- Awkward]


You gotta love a messagehost that says this (with no ***)!

Awkward f**ed around with this message at Mar 23, 2007 around 19:19




Rocketman