2012-01-29, 23:19
Let me first say that I'm writing this purely from practical perspective. I don't care about specs etc, I just care about usability and convenience. I've been using XBMC since original XBOX, then upgraded to custom HTPC, and finally recently switched to ATV. I have both ATV1 with crystalHD/Cystalbuntu and ATV2. A PC is serving as my central video repository.
I really love having a tiny box controlled by a 6 button remote running my XBMC and ATV is perfect for that. I purchased both ATV1 and ATV2 at the same time so I can compare and decide what to buy for the rest of my house. At this point, I am leaning heavily to ATV1 for many reasons.
Stability
ATV1 with Crystalbuntu is far more stabile. My ATV2 currently crashes about 4-5 times a day with no discernible pattern. I realize that this is the one thing that will probably improve with time, but it is annoying nonetheless. The ATV1 has never crashed yet.
Power Saving
The ATV1 can be set to turn off the TV after certain amount of time (mine is 5 minutes) The ATV2 cannot. This means we have to use the TV remote to turn off the TV when we're done. This not only defeats the simplicity of using the small 6 button remote, but also wastes much more electricity. I realize that ATV2 uses less power than ATV1, but my plasmas use MUCH more power.
HD playback
The ATV2 currently chokes on about 15% of my library. Generally the symptoms are constant stuttering and buffering, making the video unwatchable. I followed the WIKI and nothing helps. Same videos play perfectly on ATV1.
Controls
The ATV1 allows me to control the volume from the apple remote, which is just tremendously convenient!!! It also allows me to hold the arrows down for fast scrolling, fast forward, etc. Coupled with the fact that the ATV1 turns off my TV after 5 minutes of inactivity, I NEVER have to touch a different remote. The ATV2 does not have these features and supposedly never will. This means that you either have to use 2 remotes, or use the 100+ button TV remote for everything. Huge letdown.
Portability
This is where the ATV1 falls short because you have to sacrifice the WIFI card to install crystalbuntu. I've tried installing a USB WIFI card, but unsuccessful so far.
In conclusion, the ATV2 is FAR less convenient because of a few small features that are missing plus stability problems. I've read on these forums that the control features will never be solved. I'm currently 90% decided just to buy used ATV1s for my other rooms, but if someone wants to suggest workarounds for the above issues, please feel free.
I really love having a tiny box controlled by a 6 button remote running my XBMC and ATV is perfect for that. I purchased both ATV1 and ATV2 at the same time so I can compare and decide what to buy for the rest of my house. At this point, I am leaning heavily to ATV1 for many reasons.
Stability
ATV1 with Crystalbuntu is far more stabile. My ATV2 currently crashes about 4-5 times a day with no discernible pattern. I realize that this is the one thing that will probably improve with time, but it is annoying nonetheless. The ATV1 has never crashed yet.
Power Saving
The ATV1 can be set to turn off the TV after certain amount of time (mine is 5 minutes) The ATV2 cannot. This means we have to use the TV remote to turn off the TV when we're done. This not only defeats the simplicity of using the small 6 button remote, but also wastes much more electricity. I realize that ATV2 uses less power than ATV1, but my plasmas use MUCH more power.
HD playback
The ATV2 currently chokes on about 15% of my library. Generally the symptoms are constant stuttering and buffering, making the video unwatchable. I followed the WIKI and nothing helps. Same videos play perfectly on ATV1.
Controls
The ATV1 allows me to control the volume from the apple remote, which is just tremendously convenient!!! It also allows me to hold the arrows down for fast scrolling, fast forward, etc. Coupled with the fact that the ATV1 turns off my TV after 5 minutes of inactivity, I NEVER have to touch a different remote. The ATV2 does not have these features and supposedly never will. This means that you either have to use 2 remotes, or use the 100+ button TV remote for everything. Huge letdown.
Portability
This is where the ATV1 falls short because you have to sacrifice the WIFI card to install crystalbuntu. I've tried installing a USB WIFI card, but unsuccessful so far.
In conclusion, the ATV2 is FAR less convenient because of a few small features that are missing plus stability problems. I've read on these forums that the control features will never be solved. I'm currently 90% decided just to buy used ATV1s for my other rooms, but if someone wants to suggest workarounds for the above issues, please feel free.