I'll be very interested in watching this one, my Apple TV in the lounge room is connected via ethernet and all content is streamed over the network, so lack of WiFi isn't a problem for me... hell I'll run extra cable into the bedroom (where I have another ATV) if is means I can have access to more content.

I'm already running XBMC on both anyway so again, no issues

Got any links to more details?

Yeah it is certainly something that is going to draw a fair few people away from the totally legit Apple TV world of things.
I can't wait to see some decent results, but it is probably still some time off (read: a few months) until a few things are sorted out, but when that happens, it should be great!

My bedroom is about to become a world of tangled ethernet cable

XBMC is a great piece of software, adds a lot of functionality that you would expect Apple would have included.

Sure, links:

Broadcom Product Description
Apple TV Hacks Article
XBMC Team Article
AwkwardTV Wiki Page on Crystal HD
Crystal HD Driver Status @ XBMC
Hardware Installation

Originally Posted by ravage221

Hardware Installation

That link seems to say it's working now?? or am I reading it wrong?

Originally Posted by The_Hawk

That link seems to say it's working now?? or am I reading it wrong?

Nope your right, the support is there. It is just too buggy at the moment to use. If you want to do it now, of course you can, but it switches all video processing to the Crystal HD hardware instead of doing a software based decode using the CPU. Edit: Let me be precise, the drivers now install at a operating system level and are loaded on startup once installed, but 1080p video playback is only in XBMC but you can switch it on and off at will.

There are big issues with the drivers at the moment, which is the only reason I have not already done it. That and I am getting an Apple TV again soon.

__

Originally Posted by displayb333

Correct me if I'm wrong*, but doesn't the TV do 1080p already?

iTunes Store probably doesn't give us downloads at Blu-Ray bit rates; but isn't the hardware already in place?



* it happens

Nope, the Apple TV doesn't playback material at 1080p. It can display it's menu and other things at 1080p, but all encoded 1080p content (read: video) cannot be played back. The system just doesn't have enough grunt.

Originally Posted by Byrd

Is the Mini PCI-E slot already being used on the Apple TV, eg. for wireless?

JB

Yep, the wireless card in the Apple TV occupies the Mini PCI-E slot in a normal configuration.

It's a toss up between living with Wi-Fi or having 1080p.

I guess really, you could sub anything in for the Wi-Fi and add something else to your Apple TV.
But yes, the Wi-Fi has to go.

sounds promising.

Originally Posted by ravage221

It's a toss up between living with Wi-Fi or having 1080p.

If you want to play 1080p content (especially over a network) you'd want to be using ethernet anyway really

So... to find one of these cards and have a bash... decisions decisions...

Anyone got a recommendation on who to get one from?

Better solution: buy a second hand Mac Mini from ebay, install XBMC... your done, no hacking needed.

I gave up my apple TV at the start of the year for a Mac Mini Media Center approach with Eye TV and XBMC, apart from terrible interaction with my harmony remote i will never look back.

My Bluetooth Mac Keyboard is now my remote... love it!

I do use a Harmony remote (on both ATV's) so would prefer if I could keep them running.

I like the idea of a mini, but lets face it, if the ATV can play 1080p with a minor mod (and to be honest it doesn't look like rocket science) why would you bother with a full (and much more expensive) mini if you don't want anything more than a streaming play back device?

For me XBMC is 90% of my use, but the iTunes integration is used for party music.


...that and I have already trained the wife and kids on how to use the current setup :P

Originally Posted by The_Hawk

If you want to play 1080p content (especially over a network) you'd want to be using ethernet anyway really

So... to find one of these cards and have a bash... decisions decisions...

Anyone got a recommendation on who to get one from?

Yeah, 1080p content is a big plus, and something that I have being looking for a way to do for a long time with the Apple TV, so good bye wireless... Hello Crystal HD.

Doesn't look like it is sold retail anywhere major in Australia.
Just ordered on off this guy from eBay. Seems reputable. $60!

---------

Originally Posted by The_Hawk

I do use a Harmony remote (on both ATV's) so would prefer if I could keep them running.

I like the idea of a mini, but lets face it, if the ATV can play 1080p with a minor mod (and to be honest it doesn't look like rocket science) why would you bother with a full (and much more expensive) mini if you don't want anything more than a streaming play back device?

For me XBMC is 90% of my use, but the iTunes integration is used for party music.


...that and I have already trained the wife and kids on how to use the current setup :P

It's is relatively minor, cheap and to top it off, easy to pull off.

XBMC looks like its got some huge upgrades coming in the near future too.

Got a link for where you picked up the card? (or was is a one off random?)

Originally Posted by The_Hawk

Got a link for where you picked up the card? (or was is a one off random?)

BroadCom BCM970012 Mini PCI-e HD Decoder Chipset 4 UMPC - eBay, ExpressCards, Notebookzubehör, Computer. (end time 05-Mar-10 23:08:27 AEDST)

Seems like he sells a lot of these. Also in other form factors. Be sure you get the Mini PCI-E version.

Also I checked out the LogicSupply website but they dont seem to ship it outside of the US.

Just grabbed this one:

BCM70012 HD Hardware Decoder Mini Card For Apple TV UK - eBay (item 200438289115 end time Mar-12-10 16:35:00 PST)

just under AU$45 shipped

Will see how it goes when it gets here, can't wait

Originally Posted by The_Hawk

Just grabbed this one:

BCM70012 HD Hardware Decoder Mini Card For Apple TV UK - eBay (item 200438289115 end time Mar-12-10 16:35:00 PST)

just under AU$45 shipped

Will see how it goes when it gets here, can't wait

Damn you! That $15 bucks could have been an extra couple of beers at the meet coming up!!

Yeah, should be good. I can't wait to finally see some 1080p content on my damn TV.

Originally Posted by ravage221

Damn you! That $15 bucks could have been an extra couple of beers at the meet coming up!!

Yeah, should be good. I can't wait to finally see some 1080p content on my damn TV.

Here's hoping it all works

While I am interested in 1080p, for me the real benefit is knowing that it will play anything I throw at it instead of the slide show you get with improperly formatted 720p (read higher bit rate)...

...and now we play the waiting game...

...the waiting game sucks...