- XBMC v10 and up allows the Apple TV to play 720P H.264 encoded videos without any hardware modification.
- With a Broadcom Crystal HD video decoding card installed XBMC can playback most codecs up to 1080P. *Highly recommended*
- The original ATV OS will only output 720P from the HDMI port.
- A Linux-based OS will output full 1080P from the HDMI port.
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Installing the Broadcom Crystal HD
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Original OS vs Linux-based OS
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- To be blunt: Use the Linux-based OS option. There are two main distributions in use today: OpenELEC which is a minimal 'appliance' style Linux distro optimised for the AppleTV hardware (and other HTPC platforms) and Crystalbuntu which is a slimmed down version of Ubuntu. It might sound scary, but unless you still use some of the original features on the ATV OS, you will be MUCH happier using the linux-os version. Under a Linux-based OS the Apple TV 1 has more power to give to XBMC (due to various technical reasons) which will make XBMC much faster, and has greater support going into the future. It's also the only option if you want to have full 1080P output (Original ATV OS only does 720, which is then upscaled to 1080).
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- The USB port on the ATV1 can be used for hard drives, wifi, bluetooth, keyboards, mouse, and just about everything else that uses USB. To enable USB on the original ATV OS (after XBMC is installed) follow this guide: HOW-TO:Enable the USB port on Apple TV 1.
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- Apple remote (both white and silver version).
- How do I bring up the context menu? - Press and hold MENU
- How do I bring up the OSD during playback? - Press and hold SELECT
- Any Keyboard such as wired, wireless, bluetooth (by using a USB bluetooth dongle and additional software). This includes "keymotes" such as the Rii or Boxee remote.
- The ATV1 can also learn remotes in its native settings. XBMC will respond to these learned remotes. See here for instructions. (original OS only)
- Web interfaces, including add-on interfaces
- XBMC smartphone and tablet remote apps.
- The Apple iOS Remote app for iTunes/ATV (original OS only)
- Other IR remotes can be used with USB IR receivers such as the Flirc.
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Wi-Fi alternatives when using BCHD
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- This is normal and should not cause any issues. The top of the Apple TV 1 will feel warm or hot because the top part of the cover has a metal plate that acts as a heat sink to both the CPU and GPU. The insides of the unit are not as hot, though even if they were it should still be within acceptable operating temperature.
- Using a Broadcom Crystal HD card (so the CPU doesn't have to decode as many video codecs) and enabling Dirty Regions will both decrease CPU usage and make the unit right slightly cooler.
- Avoid putting the ATV1 in a totally covered space (such as a closed cabinet) and don't place anything on top of it.
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