Apple TV vs DIY

D

dmw16

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
141
I am pulling components together for my home theater and I'd like a device that will allow me to pull video and audio files from my server down to the TV.

I am at the point of choosing between a machine I build myself or just buying a refurbished Apple TV.

I think a list of needs and facts is the best approach, so:

1. I have a wired network port behind the TV, so connectivity is no issue.
2. I don't want to use my Xbox360 because it makes too much noise, especially for music.
3. If I go with the Apple TV I'd hack it to run Boxee and/or XBMC.
4. I don't plan to watch much of HD content so I don't need lots of horsepower.
5. I don't want to spend over $200.
6. It has to look good since it will be in the living room.
7. I'd like something very quiet (preferably passive cooling).

Option 5, 6, and 7 are what really bring me to the Apple TV as seeming like the better option. The refurb ones are fairly cheap ($150 for 40GB and $190 for 160GB). It also looks good and runs quiet. I have seen some nice looking mITX HTPC cases (love the ones from A-Tech fabrication), but the nice cases cost more than the entire Apple TV.

I know I am a bit limited in terms of expandability on the Apple TV, but 75% or more of my use will be for music, and all my media is stored on my server, so having tons of storage on the device itself isn't really a concern.

All of this makes me think the Apple TV is the best option, but I'd love to get another perspective. Perhaps I am overlooking something.

Thanks.
 
dmw16 said:
I am pulling components together for my home theater and I'd like a device that will allow me to pull video and audio files from my server down to the TV.
Click to expand...
Then build an HTPC.

An Apple TV will only work with iTunes/quicktime friendly content which means that 98% of your video content isn't going to work. If you buy or rent movies through iTunes (not sure if there's a "rental" option) then it'll be fine.

Expandability is one thing, most are now building mITX size HTPCs and with a media server (using WHS) local storage is hardly a concern. What you're really limited by is functionality. The Apple TV doesn't have it.
 
hmm, one of those Ion / Atom boards seem to run $150ish for CPU, VGA and audio, I think they also come with a PSU.

HDD should either by lying around or you can get one cheap.

Then it's just a case..
 
Arkangyl said:
hmm, one of those Ion / Atom boards seem to run $150ish for CPU, VGA and audio, I think they also come with a PSU.

HDD should either by lying around or you can get one cheap.

Then it's just a case..
Click to expand...

No PSU onboard but nearly all mITX cases come with a PSU.
 
ion 330 is the only one i would even touch...

but really the i3 with its on die IGP is a much more attractive idea.

the appleTV is lame.... i would rather have a mac mini running plex than a appleTV, it is way too handy capped and Apple itself doesnt even like it.... calling it a hobby
 
The Zotac AU does come with a PSU but your already at $189 for just the mobo. The AppleTV will play just about anything SD with XBMC (or any fork) installed, but it falls apart under 1080p. The embedded graphics on the new i3 and i5 aren't that much of an improvement and still lag far behind the ION graphics.

This is what I'm currently running and with the lastest drivers I can play just about any media including Blue-ray. You don't need the dual core Atom if you've got the Ion chipset. FTW, XBMC as a frontend, both linux and windows work well. There's even a driver trick to get the Ion LE to run exactly the same as the "full" ION.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103228

Is this setup perfect? Far from it, but for a dedicated XMBC and the price it can't be beat. Then there is my bedroom solution:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882438003

and I'll be picking one of these up next week:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815153010

Neither one will play true HD, but then the bedroom tv is SD.

Anyway good luck.
 
CrimandEvil said:
Then build an HTPC.

An Apple TV will only work with iTunes/quicktime friendly content which means that 98% of your video content isn't going to work. If you buy or rent movies through iTunes (not sure if there's a "rental" option) then it'll be fine.

Expandability is one thing, most are now building mITX size HTPCs and with a media server (using WHS) local storage is hardly a concern. What you're really limited by is functionality. The Apple TV doesn't have it.
Click to expand...

Not really accurate in the case of installing Boxee on the Apple TV. That will allow it to stream content from a server and play pretty much all video files.

The only issue with all the other options out there is that they are, well, ugly. It seems like the case is really the limiting factor. I haven't see a single low profile enclosure that is something I'd want in my HT for under ~$150.
 
but it falls apart under 1080p
Click to expand...

This may be addressed witht he Broadcom mini pci-e decoder and the latest SVN build of XBMC. I'm also debating on whether to go mini-itx or another device that will run XBMC and 1080p.
 
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