Alternative to Apple TV

[PAlexC]

Heyo -

Been thinking about an AppleTV for awhile now, just to use as a digital jukebox, and to listen to podcasts at home. (NPR stuff that I miss.) Right now I go through having to sync my iPod and carrying it over and plugging it in, if I want to listen to something.

Just wanted to check and see what alternatives were out there first. The one thing I DON'T want is a media center PC, or a Squeezebox that requires my PC to be on I want a device.

Thoughts?

[hanratty21]

I've been researching this for a while - as I thought Apple TV had some limitations I didn't like. http://www.appletvhacks.net/ - a lot of the stuff on this site seems to alleviate that. Other than the combo of the Apple TV box and some of the hacks on that site, I've not found a decent priced alternative. Would also love to hear if anyone else has an idea on this.

[jAQUAN]

got a wii, ps3, or 360? or anything with a browser.
requires a comp running but highly recommended.

[Visionray]

I've been thinking about an Apple TV too, almost got one the other day at the Apple store but held back because I wanted to get some more info. I'd like to be able to play the TV shows I've downloaded from Itunes on my HD tv. Apple TV seems cool because with the new firmware update you don't even have to be connected to your computer to use and can also download straight to the box itself. Tversity looks cool but it requires Windows and I only have a Mac.

My only concern is it's price and I wonder how invested Steve Jobs is in the technology...will he continue to develop it, or just let it stagnate?

[hanratty21]

My only concern is it's price and I wonder how invested Steve Jobs is in the technology...will he continue to develop it, or just let it stagnate?

Even if Jobs drops the support, it looks like NitoTV will pick up the slack.
http://wiki.awkwardtv.org/wiki/NitoTV

[PAlexC]

got a wii, ps3, or 360? or anything with a browser.
requires a comp running but highly recommended.

I thought about that, but:

1.) 360 has a 20GB drive, 120 if I go max it out, that shares with other space.
2.) No AAC support. (For non-DRM AAC, a lot of my library is in that format.)
3.) 360 is loud and sucks down power. Chances of failure leaving it on for hours a day, not good.

Again, video and TV is a far second here. Maybe I'd rent the occasional movie seeing as how there are no stores in proximity to me, and Live's movie rentals take FOREVER to download at hi-def resolutions.

Really, I just want to access my digital files from my stereo, without my computer.

The only part that burns me is that I'd have to turn my TV on to browse music.

My idea, was to hack a digital photo frame to act as a display for the jukebox, but I'd have to figure out how to add HDMI or Component inputs to it.

As for price, heck, even a Squeezebox is $300 and requires your PC to be on, so $329 or whatever it is for a HDD jukebox, not so bad.

[hanratty21]

The only part that burns me is that I'd have to turn my TV on to browse music.

Ummm - you might want to check some of those links I posted. I am pretty sure there is a remote desktop server which you can enable on the unit.

*edit* pssst...