2011-07-04, 21:06
killdashnine Wrote:Honest question...
I've been watching these forums for a long time. I own a ATV2 and knew exactly what I was getting when I purchased it. A lightweight media player capable of being hacked to run a scaled down version of XBMC. In preparation of purchasing this unit, I took my existing library and converted my movies via handbrake. I have not had a single issue playing any movie converted with handbrake.
I didn't expect my ATV2 to play 1080P wirelessly, nor support higher end audio options. 2 channel supports my needs well enough. Anything more, I'll use my HTPC or Boxee Box.
My question here is... With all the time people spend testing nightlies, why not just convert your files into a format that is easily readable by the ATV2 and call it done. Just seems like the XBMC on ATV2 project is in a a perpetual development cycle with no end in sight.
I welcome your comments and rants.
There are two big reasons to use XBMC on an ATV2. One is the UI, the other is the fact that you don't have to reconvert your entire library and every new file you come across.
When I rip DVDs or encode something for the first time myself I will use handbrake and ATV compatible settings. That's no problem. However, reconverting lossy videos will decrease quality, and at that point where do you draw the line? Make a new encoding for every new device that has its own requirements? The fact that XBMC can play everything under the sun is a major feature.
Then there's the growing library of add-ons allowing us to stream video from several places on the internet. You can't really convert those.
It's laughable to say that development for iOS/ATV2 has no end in sight. The XBMC devs actually have a roadmap for XBMC development. ( http://trac.xbmc.org/roadmap )
Unless someone says otherwise, some act of god, or who knows, XBMC v11 (Eden) is when the iOS/ATV2 version becomes "finished", just like on every other platform. After Eden there will be nightly builds for the next version called Frodo, etc.