[itsmike2k]

Hello everyone.. I have just recently started playing with ATV and have installed XBMC, Boxee and Nito so far with success. I have dome some searching and see with Nito its possible to have a external DVD but really cant find a answer on weather or not the Air Superdrive is able to be used with the ATV. I like the small form factor of that drive, plus it apple , but if its not able to be used is there any suggestions on a small alternative? It would be convenient to have a DVD drive on one of the ATV's i have.. thanks alot for the help

Mike

[davilla]

It's not possible to use the Air Superdrive on anything but a MacBook Air without hardware hacks to it. Google for it.

[itsmike2k]

Yea i seen that, which doesnt look that difficult. My question being after the Hack will the ATV power the drive and have access to it.. And if not has anyone found a sleek external dvd like the air drive.. i have a external at my work that is as big as the ATV ..

Thanks

Mike

[BBrian]

I've just spent ages reading about this, and rewriting this message! Here's the original mod for anyone interested in reading it.

It should work with a software hack on ATV with Linux: [atv-bootloader] MacBook Air (MBA) SuperDrive working on Apple TV

Someone has ported that code to Windows, but I couldn't find anything for other macs except the hardware hack. There are problems burning under OS X using the hardware hack that don't occur with Windows. The previous link links to a solution but it might possibly be OK with a powered USB hub. The original modder is blaming the quality of the replacement USB-IDE bridge. From what I gather, if you're not burning, it should be fine.

I've put this on my list of things to do. Cheaper price/international shipping on the adapter at Focalprice, though I've never heard of them before this. One could probably get a slim, slot-loading Blu-ray drive into an Air Superdrive case.

[davilla]

LOL, I totally forgot about that atv-bootloader mailing list entry.

Beware that Apple traditionally limits USB slots from pulling more that 500mA of current, the AppleTV is no exception to this.

[itsmike2k]

thanks you two for the help... i'll give it a shot..

mike

[BBrian]

If you're happy to hardware hack, iPhone wall chargers deliver 1000mA. You might want to find a longer USB cable for it. Though, the software hack linked above says:

* The MBA SuperDrive needs 1100mA supply from the host USB Port
* No promises if you ignore this.