Cheaper alternative to Apple TV?

format · 30-01-2009, 01:00 PM

I was just reading this excellent article over at LifeHacker about using Boxee and Apple TV.

Have a read of it, it looks pretty decent.

However the Apple TV box is damn expensive, especially because it only comes with a 40GB HDD.

I've got an old rig (AMD 3000+ 939, 2 GB RAM, 7600GT) - if I were to get a card with the appropriate audio/video out ports, could I use that for the same intents and purposes?

Cheers.

ma10 · 17-02-2009, 10:30 AM

I don't see why not....

although not sure what stage Boxee is with Windows. Last time I checked, I had recieved an invite to test the Linux alpha!

I had played with another Media Centric software for Windows called MediaPortal which is rather lovely to look at if your aim is to simply stream your own media...

Steve B · 17-02-2009, 10:43 AM

I've had my appleTV for about 2 years now I think, and it's amazing. Let me know if you want to take a look at mine, so you can see it in action, and have a shot.

Steve B · 17-02-2009, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by ma10

I don't see why not....

although not sure what stage Boxee is with Windows. Last time I checked, I had recieved an invite to test the Linux alpha!

I had played with another Media Centric software for Windows called MediaPortal which is rather lovely to look at if your aim is to simply stream your own media...

Boxee for Windows is now in early access by invitation alpha, so it's pretty difficult to get a hold of.

format · 17-02-2009, 11:48 AM

Steve, could you explain your setup for me ?

Cheers.

Steve B · 17-02-2009, 12:51 PM

I have an Apple TV, attached with an HDMI cable to my TV. The TV is attached to my amp with phono cable. I haven't bothered to get an optical cable long enough to go all the way from the Apple TV to the AVR yet! The Apple TV is connected via Ethernet into a switch, which can connect to my file server which exports NFS shares. I previously had problems with NFS and nitoTV, and then AppleTVFiles, but upon moving to Boxee, these issues have completely disappeared.

The Apple TV itself has firmware v2.3, with Launcher, Boxee, and XBMC on it (although I've never tried XBMC).

Does that sort of explain it?

format · 17-02-2009, 01:40 PM

Yup, mostly

The ATV doesn't really need a big HDD in it then (it only comes with 40GB right?)

Steve B · 17-02-2009, 09:04 PM

There's a 40 gigger, and a 160 gigger. I have the 40, and am nowhere close to filling it up

I've synchronised my iPhoto photos to it as well, so when it's not doing anything, the screen saver shows my photos

**Moby-Dick** · 17-02-2009, 09:07 PM

if you want to use it for streaming , a couple of guys at work are massive fans of the Popcorn hour box.

http://www.popcornhour.com

TheAnimus · 17-02-2009, 09:09 PM

Cheaper alternative to apple tv?

Popcorn hour might be one.

Failing that using any old PC with MCE, this gives an un-arguably better experiance, the problem is the hardware is often noisy and actively cooled. This is where the real cost of rolling your own media renderer comes in. I ended up splashing £70 for the SSD alone (i hate noise!)

edit: damnit moby! Actually if ur about in london and wanting belgium beer tommorow, i'll be at the dove tail!

Steve B · 17-02-2009, 09:12 PM

The "Where to buy?" link on the PCH website is the same for russia, and isn't in english!

I found one place, but they were selling it for £209.
Any other distributors?

**Moby-Dick** · 17-02-2009, 09:44 PM

I'll ask the guys at work where they got it from

ah Alex while I'd love to join you in several pints of leffe , this isn't a good week for me.

howeverI will raid my dads garage and we'll have a proper drink at some point

on topic edit - I still use an old xbox with XBMC on it , but I may well upgrade to ao Ph to go with the 37" ebuyer special I just got.

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