[Gareth82]

Hi everyone, i am in need of some advice.

I have already got a 1st Gen Apple TV Jailbroken running XBMC and i am getting tied of the constant chopping playback with HD files, even 480p DVD Rips seem to be struggerling and i think it's time for an upgrade.

There is two options that i am considering which are:


installing a Broadcom Crystal HD card in the Apple TV and running Crystalbuntu.


getting one of these Acer Revos Acer Revo RL70 Nettop PC - Nettops | Ebuyer.com

or getting one of these Acer Revos Acer Revo RL70 Nettop PC - Nettops | Ebuyer.com

I have no experience with Linux OS what so ever but all i need is a system that will run XBMC smoothly and allow me to playback upto 1080p files with no choppy playback etc


Thanks, and any help would be great

[planthead]

Originally Posted by Gareth82

Hi everyone, i am in need of some advice.

I have already got a 1st Gen Apple TV Jailbroken running XBMC and i am getting tied of the constant chopping playback with HD files, even 480p DVD Rips seem to be struggerling and i think it's time for an upgrade.

There is two options that i am considering which are:


installing a Broadcom Crystal HD card in the Apple TV and running Crystalbuntu.


getting one of these Acer Revos Acer Revo RL70 Nettop PC - Nettops | Ebuyer.com

or getting one of these Acer Revos Acer Revo RL70 Nettop PC - Nettops | Ebuyer.com

I have no experience with Linux OS what so ever but all i need is a system that will run XBMC smoothly and allow me to playback upto 1080p files with no choppy playback etc


Thanks, and any help would be great

When I ran xbmc on the Revo, I just ran it from an SD card, leaving the OS, which was windows 7 alone, open elec I think? ,

XBMC also do xbmc with a live cd,, XBMC has a completely new live CD environment called XBMCbuntu. It's built on top of Ubuntu, a popular Linux distribution. The live CD boots directly to a fully-functional XBMC environment. It also comes with the LXDE desktop environment and several applications, including the Chromium Web browser and a terminal. Users can access the underlying desktop environment by quitting XBMC and logging in with an XBMCbuntu session.

http://openelec.tv/installation/install-1-windows

[Gareth82]

Thanks for the reply.

So do you think i would be best to just get rid of the apple tv all together and go with a Revo RL70?

Also, in your opinion does xbmc run best in a Linux/buntu system or would running it on windows 7 be best for 1080p playback etc?

Thanks

[planthead]

Originally Posted by Gareth82

Thanks for the reply.

So do you think i would be best to just get rid of the apple tv all together and go with a Revo RL70?

Also, in your opinion does xbmc run best in a Linux/buntu system or would running it on windows 7 be best for 1080p playback etc?

Thanks

Sorry, I am not up to date with XBMC, but i love it, since I modded xbox 1's, the Atv 2 fetch a very good price, because of the jailbrake, best ask in here..,Acer Aspire Revo Owners Thread *Part 3*

[Gareth82]

thanks for your reply and help, i'll post my question in the Acer Aspire thread you linked me.

thanks

[next010]

As you already have an ATV1 the CrystalHD plus Crystalbuntu is the way to go, it's better than an ATV2 running XBMC. You cant jailbreak the ATV3's so that leaves them out.

Crystalbuntu is simple to install though it will erase the apple os unless you swap out the HDD for another in the ATv1. It boots straight into XBMC, everything runs smoothly & gives you Airplay, 1080p output, USB support.

If your after a non-HTPC solution for XBMC personally I'd bide my time for XBMC on the All Winner A10 devices. The A10 will give you basically the same deal as the CrystalHD/ATV1 but with lower power draw.

[bbasra]

I've got both. The ATV1 the CrystalHD plus Crystalbuntu in the bedroom and a Acer Revo and one of the family rooms.

I'm only using the Apple TV because of the component output and find this quite sluggish running XBMC Crystalbuntu of USB. I haven't tried Crystalbuntu on the internal HDD as i may want to revert back to the Apple Software.

The Acer Revo on the other hand with XBMC runs much smoother and quicker and can even use media portal.

[Gareth82]

Thanks for the reply bbasra.

It's very helpful that you commented about the apple tv being sluggish with xbmcv even with the BCHD and Crystalbuntu installed as although it would be the cheapest option for me, i was worried thst it may still be sluggish etc.

What OS are you running on the Acer with xbmc? i have got a choice between Linux or Windows 7 ultimate but i'm not sure if windows is worth the extra £80

thanks

[A2a]

Originally Posted by bbasra

I've got both. The ATV1 the CrystalHD plus Crystalbuntu in the bedroom and a Acer Revo and one of the family rooms.

I'm only using the Apple TV because of the component output and find this quite sluggish running XBMC Crystalbuntu of USB. I haven't tried Crystalbuntu on the internal HDD as i may want to revert back to the Apple Software.

The Acer Revo on the other hand with XBMC runs much smoother and quicker and can even use media portal.

How do you mean with the component connection exactly?

What about using hdmi?

Looking at exactly the same dilemma here as the op, and leaning towards the atv due to lower foot print, not having to maintain an os and using a much smaller remote as opposed to keyboard and mouse...

[planthead]

Originally Posted by A2a

How do you mean with the component connection exactly?

What about using hdmi?

Looking at exactly the same dilemma here as the op, and leaning towards the atv due to lower foot print, not having to maintain an os and using a much smaller remote as opposed to keyboard and mouse...

Maybe all his hdmi slots are filled,, you can use a remote with xbmc, and others, you don't you use the OS as such, if you go with the xbmc, although what maintaining is needed with win 7, all systems need upgrades, at some point, and the revo is very small, you can hook on your TV.

[next010]

For best performance with crystalbuntu you really need to run from internal hdd, running it from a usb flash drive is way too slow.

If you have access to an Apple Mac is it possible to back up the internal Apple OS using ATV Cloner so that way you dont lose the OS and dont have to buy a new HDD.

[Gareth82]

would the xbmc skin i run on the apple tv effect media playback in any way?

all of my media is stored on a external 1tb hard drive, coud this also effect any of my media playback and would i be best to stream my media instead?

thanks

[A2a]

Originally Posted by planthead

Maybe all his hdmi slots are filled,, you can use a remote with xbmc, and others, you don't you use the OS as such, if you go with the xbmc, although what maintaining is needed with win 7, all systems need upgrades, at some point, and the revo is very small, you can hook on your TV.

Is this with installing xbmc on top of Windows, or as bootable standalone?

[next010]

Originally Posted by Gareth82

would the xbmc skin i run on the apple tv effect media playback in any way?

all of my media is stored on a external 1tb hard drive, coud this also effect any of my media playback and would i be best to stream my media instead?

thanks

Wont affect media playback though some skins which are more graphics heavy will affect the UI speed of the ATV. These heavy skins will run better under crystalbuntu. The stock XBMC runs very fast under Crystalbuntu and runs a bit slower under AppleOS, you can also use Quartz the AppleTV skin to speed up the UI.

Crystabluntu will auto mount any USB drive plugged into the ATV1 so you don't have to do anything in that area.

[planthead]

Originally Posted by A2a

Is this with installing xbmc on top of Windows, or as bootable standalone?

both, you can get remotes with a thumb controller, and acts as a mouse, or a harmony with a usb ir receiver

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-Remote...ht_3477wt_1025

Wireless Window Media Center MCE PC Remote+Mice Control | eBay

usb ir receiver | eBay

more update info will be in here,, Remote control reviews - XBMC

[Gareth82]

Thanks for the reply next010.

Do you think a Apple TV with a BCHD card and crystalbuntu installed would give the Acer Revo RL70 a run fr it's money?

thanks

[next010]

Originally Posted by Gareth82

Thanks for the reply next010.

Do you think a Apple TV with a BCHD card and crystalbuntu installed would give the Acer Revo RL70 a run fr it's money?

thanks

Certainly a lot cheaper yes. The users forum is over here if you want to research it more but you can install Crystalbuntu even if the CrystalHD card isnt present on the ATV1.

[A2a]

Originally Posted by Gareth82

Thanks for the reply next010.

Do you think a Apple TV with a BCHD card and crystalbuntu installed would give the Acer Revo RL70 a run fr it's money?

thanks

I've just got myself an ATv1 with BCHD card and crystalbuntu Hoping to arrive tomorrow.

Certainly hope all fly's well... Will take a bit to find out what's what, but believe it's best option for me over the Revo...