From XBMC
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INCOMPLETE:
This page or section is incomplete. Please add information or correct uncertain data which is marked with a ?
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- This is the FAQ for the original Apple TV 1 (silver). For the Apple TV 2 (black) see: XBMC for iOS specific FAQ
1 General (all platforms)
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- XBMC v10 and up allows the Apple TV to play 720P H.264 encoded videos without any hardware modification.
- With a Broadcom Crystal HD video decoding card installed XBMC can playback most codecs up to 1080P. *Highly recommended*
- The original ATV OS will only output 720P from the HDMI port.
- A Linux-based OS will output full 1080P from the HDMI port.
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1.2 Installing the Broadcom Crystal HD
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- To replace the WiFi card with a Broadcom Crystal HD card follow these instructions: installing the Broadcom Crystalhd pci-e card into an AppleTV Editor note: need to make our own wiki copy of such instructions. However, they cannot be a direct copy of this link due to copyright reasons. Most raw instructions aren't considered copyrightable, but the text that goes along with it and explains things is, so feel free to make a version on our wiki based on that link, but in your own words. Images are a gray area on the Wiki right now, but it would be preferable to also have our own pictures so they are CC-BY-SA.
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1.3 Original OS vs Linux-based OS
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- To be blunt: Use the Linux-based OS option. Crystalbuntu is probably the easiest one out there right now. It might sound scary, but unless you still use some of the original features on the ATV OS, you will be MUCH happier using the linux-os version. Under a Linux-based OS the Apple TV 1 has more power to give to XBMC (due to various technical reasons) which will make XBMC much faster, and has greater support going into the future. It's also the only option if you want to have full 1080P output (Original ATV OS only does 720, which is then upscaled to 1080).
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- Editor note: USB card only with no HDD modification, dual booting patched original OS and Linux OSes on HDD, full replacement Linux OS on HDD, etc
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- The USB port on the ATV1 can be used for hard drives, wifi, bluetooth, keyboards, mouse, and just about everything else that uses USB. To enable USB on the original ATV OS (after XBMC is installed) follow this guide: HOW-TO:Enable the USB port on Apple TV 1.
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- The Apple remote (both white and silver version) works with XBMC and can be customized.
- How do I bring up the context menu? - Press and hold MENU
- How do I bring up the OSD during playback? - Press and hold SELECT
- The ATV1 can also learn remotes in its native settings. XBMC will respond to these learned remotes. See here for instructions.
- Web interface, including add-on interfaces
- Standard Android and iOS remote apps
- Rowmote Pro (requires helper, see nitoTV)
- The Apple iOS Remote app for iTunes/ATV
- Any remote that uses a USB dongle will likely work with the ATV1. This includes the Nyxboard and Boxee remote.
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1.7 Wi-Fi alternatives when using BCHD
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1.8 Apple TV 1 case gets hot
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- This is normal and should not cause any issues. The top of the Apple TV 1 will feel warm or hot because the top part of the cover has a metal plate that acts as a heat sink to both the CPU and GPU. The insides of the unit are not as hot, though even if they were it should still be within acceptable operating temperature.
- Using a Broadcom Crystal HD card (so the CPU doesn't have to decode as many video codecs) and enabling Dirty Regions will both decrease CPU usage and make the unit right slightly cooler.
- Avoid putting the ATV1 in a totally covered space (such as a closed cabinet) and don't place anything on top of it.
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2 Original ATV OS
- See also: XBMC for Mac specific FAQ
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- Apple TV 1 is "patched" to turn on certain software options required for XBMC to run. The patching is done by using ATV USB Creator that lets you make a patchstick, a bootable USB flash drive which boots the ATV and patches/modifies it. After you patch your Apple TV 1 a new Launcher menu will appear that allows you to download and install XBMC.
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2.3 Original ATV software after installation
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- XBMC will not replace the original Apple TV software, it instead works as complement the existing Apple TV software. XBMC is installed onto the Apple TV built-in harddrive but you will still be able you use your Apple TV software as normal. XBMC will only be an extra option that you can launch from the Apple TV's original menu.
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- Apple TV 1 runs a slimmed down version of Mac OS X v10.4 and runs XBMC for Mac as a native Mac OS X application.
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2.5 Boot directly into XBMC
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- To boot directly into XBMC when you turn on the Apple TV 1:
- Exit XBMC if it’s running.
- Launch your Terminal app and issue the following commands:
ssh frontrow@appletv.local
defaults write com.teamxbmc.xbmclauncher XBMCExpertMode 1
- Using the Apple Remote, go to Launcher -> Settings -> [enable] Multi-Finder.
- Reboot
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3 Linux-based OS
- See also: XBMC for Linux specific FAQ
Warning Before installing a Linux-based OS, you will want to make sure that your ATV1 has been updated to the original ATV OS 3.0.2 at least once in order to flash the HDMI controller firmware. You also want to change the original ATV OS settings to "RGB High" in the AV settings.
