Apple tv support

[table9]

Any news on apple tv support?  Currently you can get linux running on the box. http://wiki.awkwardtv.org/wiki/Linux_on_Apple_TV
It seems like this would be a perfect solution.  The only other step I can see would be the 704 install.  Any thoughts?

[1audio]

I think this is a good idea. I did some searching and found this: http://www.mythic-beasts.com/resources/appletv/ which suggests it could be brought up pretty easily. However you will still have some Video constraints and it won't be an apple TV, just an inexpensive box for a media director. I would pursue it further but I don't have an apple TV or know how to make a seperate PXE boot image for this. If someone did it would be very interesting to try.

[table9]

1audio,
Thanks for the input and the link.  My idea is to use it as an alternative to the fiire station.  The price point is the only reason I am looking elsewhere.  For $300 you get a very SFF box with a 40 GB drive Intel 1 GB Intel mobile proc and 512 in Ram.  I have a friend who can get me one for under the list price and was going to replace the HD (in case I can't get it working I want to sell it) install linux and then 704 and use it as a director.  I think this could make it more affordable and create a high quality solution at a low price point that could seriously add to the project.  I can't see any issues with running the director locally as opposed to booting it.

[totallymaxed]

1audio,
Thanks for the input and the link.  My idea is to use it as an alternative to the fiire station.  The price point is the only reason I am looking elsewhere.  For $300 you get a very SFF box with a 40 GB drive Intel 1 GB Intel mobile proc and 512 in Ram.  I have a friend who can get me one for under the list price and was going to replace the HD (in case I can't get it working I want to sell it) install linux and then 704 and use it as a director.  I think this could make it more affordable and create a high quality solution at a low price point that could seriously add to the project.  I can't see any issues with running the director locally as opposed to booting it.

I can see a problem with the on-board IR receiver (not sure what standard it supports) also the remote has a rather minimalistic design/layout... so either the lmce UI would have to change or a non-Apple remote would have to be used. Then of course there is the issue of having drivers for the video hardware to support TV out and acceleration etc.

Its a nice box... though ;-)

[steve199]

I can see a problem with the on-board IR receiver (not sure what standard it supports) also the remote has a rather minimalistic design/layout... so either the lmce UI would have to change or a non-Apple remote would have to be used. Then of course there is the issue of having drivers for the video hardware to support TV out and acceleration etc.

Its a nice box... though ;-)

But it should be able to operate on the three button system??...... the apple remote should have enough buttons... i also think this would be great as a media director, all we need is someone the capabilities to make it work

[table9]

Thanks guys I did some more research and it is doable.
http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php/Installing_MythFrontend_on_an_AppleTV
This is the install for OSX.  So we would need the developers to port the 704 install potentially.
So as soon as I can get one and void the warranty I will let you know.  Like I said earlier I am waiting on a friend who can get one cheaper than list....  So it may be a few weeks.  I will try the OSX install.  This would work out the best because you are not installing linux to get it going.  I will try OSX and then try Linux.

[table9]

Ok quick question if anyone has the answer.  It looks as though you can get Myth tv running fairly easily on the apple tv using OSX.  How well does a Myth front end interact with MCE?  I know I will at least lose certain features.

[steve199]

Would it be possible just to remove the HDD (or just format it and use it for general storage) and have it network boot?

[gnomeza]

Would it be possible just to remove the HDD (or just format it and use it for general storage) and have it network boot?

Short answer: yes, kinda.

Removing the HDD is about the only way to install Linux on AppleTV.
If you happen to already have a copy of the (proprietary) Apple binary bootloader that is present on the AppleTV HDD, you can make a bootable USB drive and do it without voiding the warranty.

The onboard IR receiver works well enough (the only remote I can get working is the Apple remote). Analog and optical audio work. HDMI, Component and (yes) Composite video output and XvMC work with proprietary nVidia drivers.

Edit: removed garbage