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jmb02 Wrote:So the ATV 2 only displaying in 720p.
I have a lot of HD content on a media server. Currently running XBMC for Windows on a dual core PC. however was looking at repurposing that PC for something else.
Whats the best performing smallest box that will display in true 1080p?
Sounds like a lot of people like the ATV2, but wondering about others.
Used apple tv 1 (silver) with Linux. The price + Broadcom crystal hd card is about $100. It will do 1080, internal hdd+ USB, networked (wireless maybe.i think some people got a USB wifi adapter to work on it. You have to remove the original wifi card to put the crystal hd card in.)
It's actually more powerful in most ways when compared to the ATV2 (black).
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I was going down this same road for my living room which is the least watched TV in the house. It was a 32" 4:3 HDTV with component video input only capable of 480p/1080i (no 720p). Since it is not watched all that often and resides in a cabinet (so no benefit from a slim LCD) I had dismissed the idea of replacing the TV. Instead I cobbled together a P4 + 8400GS pc (from spare parts) running 1080i component video out to the TV with acceptable, if not stunning, results.
That said, the OSD had a bit of lag due to only 512mb or RAM and the TV only supported 16:9 1080i resolutions, even though it was a 4:3 display. The TV also had pretty poor geometry made even more evident by the horizontal and vertical lines in the XBMC interface.
The best balance between improved performance (both the TV and XBMC client) did end up being to replace the TV, but not with a pricey (given the application) LCD. I ended up getting a 30" 16:9 Sony CRT monitor with HDMI input for only $25 on CraigsList. This fir the existing cabinet perfectly, allowed me to add a refurbished AppleTV 2 for only $80, and provides much better image quality for all sources thanks to MUCH improved geometry, 16:9 AR, and generally being a higher end display than the one it replaced. Even higher end 34" XBR models were even more abundant and available for as little as $50, but were too wide for my cabinet.
If you're needing to add XBMC to an old CRT TV and can't justify the cost of an LCD, and older but higher-end 16:9 CRT can be the cheapest and easiest way to modernize. Just make sure you have a good friend ot help you carry it!
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i have 2 acer revo 1600 nettops ($199)
they measure 7''x7''x1'' and come with vesa mounts to mount on the back of a monitor.
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natethomas
Enjoying Retirement by Staying Busy
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Huh. An ARM processor that does OpenGL ES 2.0? Well that's nifty.
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seand
Senior Member
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I'm not schooled enough in the whether the Crystal HD hardware acceleration will work for composite output. The ATV1 sans Crystal does OK with SD content generally and even works on some "BRrip" divx encodes but if you put high-bitrate h264 mkvs it chokes - basically it plays but video and audio drift progresively out of sync with eachother. So I'd consider reencoding the HD content or upgrading the TV.
Really if its content specific for kids, I think you could change your collection and ripping habits to target DVD quality content for them, HD content for the grownups and you will be fine.
Acer Revo 3610 w/ Ubuntu 10.10, Giada Cube Win 7, 2 ATV 1's one w Crystal HD card, UnRaid server w/ SAB/SickBeard/Couch Potato/Transmission, MacBook Pro, Hackintosh Dell Mini 10v
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seand
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The ATV1 does get hot if you leave it running so put it on its side and put it in standby or shut it down when not in use. Otherwise Apple remote is a good choice for young viewers.
Acer Revo 3610 w/ Ubuntu 10.10, Giada Cube Win 7, 2 ATV 1's one w Crystal HD card, UnRaid server w/ SAB/SickBeard/Couch Potato/Transmission, MacBook Pro, Hackintosh Dell Mini 10v
