Do I need Apple TV when I have a HTPC (Atom base)??

[THINKPADT61]

Ok, so I want to have a setup that will give me free shows/movies.

I did buy one of those small Intel Atom base PC that I plan to use as my XBMC box, but haven't actually got it going yet.

From a friend of a friend, I was told Apple TV once jailbreaked, you can get a lot of free shows/movies!

Do I need a Apple TV? I do like the fact that it is not a PC so no rebooting and fan going off.

Please comment!

[Boods]

You currently cannot jailbreak AppleTV Generation 3 (which is what is currently sold in stores). If you have no need for being able to access the iTunes store just stick with the HTPC

[jamzbe]

I would think that the free shows/movies you are referring to are the XBMC plug-ins like navix or icefilms. HTPC user and builder for 7 years and it's a central hub for my family. While you are at it get a tuner and add a pvr to your setup.

[bowmah]

An ATV 2 can be jailbroken at this time, not ATV 3 so beware before / if you buy. An Apple TV would allow you to stream music, video and photos from iTunes to your TV. It's meant as a media streamer but only from iTunes. You can of course buy content from the iTunes store as well using your ATV. if you have an HTPC already, why not just save the $100 and use that as your media streamer?

[SuperCows]

I would think that the free shows/movies you are referring to are the XBMC plug-ins like navix or icefilms. HTPC user and builder for 7 years and it's a central hub for my family. While you are at it get a tuner and add a pvr to your setup.

Thats right. Apple TV's are good because of their small form factor and ability to run 1080P videos. Install Windows, iTunes and XMBC on your HTPC and you've technically got a fatter Apple TV.

[BobSagget]

Ok, so I want to have a setup that will give me free shows/movies.

I did buy one of those small Intel Atom base PC that I plan to use as my XBMC box, but haven't actually got it going yet.

From a friend of a friend, I was told Apple TV once jailbreaked, you can get a lot of free shows/movies!

Do I need a Apple TV? I do like the fact that it is not a PC so no rebooting and fan going off.

Please comment!

If you already bought a box you plan to run XBMC on, then no you don't need an Apple TV. Just download the plugin for XBMC called Navi-X.

[Techgeek32]

Agree with BobSagget.

[THINKPADT61]

Sounds good!

Another question, the HTPC is a atom base window 7 machine and does not have huge storage capability. I would think I can connect XBMC to a NAS, but my question would be, do I have to have both HTPC running XBMC and NAS on 24/7 to download movies, etc? Can it download movies with just the NAS with BT?

[toguy]

Sounds good!

Another question, the HTPC is a atom base window 7 machine and does not have huge storage capability. I would think I can connect XBMC to a NAS, but my question would be, do I have to have both HTPC running XBMC and NAS on 24/7 to download movies, etc? Can it download movies with just the NAS with BT?

For downloading you would not need to have the HTPC on all the time, as long as your NAS has a BitTorrent client. I don't think it's a good idea to leave those types of PCs (HTPCs) on all the time. I haven't even used mine for downloading (just watching content only) and after about 3 years it looks like it's on its last legs The fan is blowing like crazy, even when watching non-HD content. I cleaned a fair bit of dust out of it, but it still sounds like a 747 taking off in my living room. This is one of the reasons I'm thinking of going the AppleTV route or buying some other media streamer.

[THINKPADT61]

For downloading you would not need to have the HTPC on all the time, as long as your NAS has a BitTorrent client. I don't think it's a good idea to leave those types of PCs (HTPCs) on all the time. I haven't even used mine for downloading (just watching content only) and after about 3 years it looks like it's on its last legs The fan is blowing like crazy, even when watching non-HD content. I cleaned a fair bit of dust out of it, but it still sounds like a 747 taking off in my living room. This is one of the reasons I'm thinking of going the AppleTV route or buying some other media streamer.

So you are saying XBMC uses BT? How about Icefilm, it uses BT as well?

Fan turning on a lot is a issue for me as my little HTPC is so loud with fan on...

[TheDonkey]

No, XBMC just plays your existing content. You can download it over BT though. (On the same machine).

He's saying you *shouldn't* use the XBMC box for torrents, your NAS should be able to do that for you.