ATV2 + XBMC how is it?

[TheSiege]

Anyone have this setup, I'd really like to have my netflix and XBMC all in one device and I think ATV2 is my only option, so how is it?

 

[Aikouka]

The menus are a little slow, but it works fine for me. Note that the default remote control works well for most normal things, but if you want to do things like disable subtitles, it's pretty much worthless. There are apps such as HippoRemote (VNC based) or any XBMC remote that will work for controlling XBMC.

As a side note, HippoRemote only works with the ATV2 if you install the optional package Exposed, which is a VNC server.

EDIT:

When I call the menus slow, that's in comparison to my normal HTPC running XBMC (11).

 

[ArJuN]

It works better than I expected it to. I did have some trouble on MKVs with the audio and video not being in sync though. That wasn't an issue with the other file types.

You're going to want to run a lite skin. There is a particular one that is commonly associated with ATV2...the name slips my mind right now.

Also don't forget you are limited to 720p regardless of the file resolution.

 

[dclive]

I bought an ATV2 a few months ago and set up XBMC 11b2 with all the defaults; it's fantastic. No problems at all, aside from the normal config issues with XBMC.

I love it. Better than a Boxee Box, better than a WDTV Live Streamer, better than a hacked PBO. (I owned all four.)

 

[SLCentral]

I bought an ATV2 a few months ago and set up XBMC 11b2 with all the defaults; it's fantastic. No problems at all, aside from the normal config issues with XBMC.

I love it. Better than a Boxee Box, better than a WDTV Live Streamer, better than a hacked PBO. (I owned all four.)

Are you able to stream 1080p mkv's (even at 720p output)? I can't get it to play smoothly...(I am using gigabit ethernet from Windows-based SMB share).

 

[dclive]

Yep, works great. The resolution doesn't matter - what matters is the filesize/bitrate of the files in question. Tell me how big the 1080p file is.

 

[Aikouka]

I've streamed your average-sized .h264-encoded 1080p MKV file (~8-10GB) without any issues.

 

[dclive]

I've streamed your average-sized .h264-encoded 1080p MKV file (~8-10GB) without any issues.

8-10GB for 10 minutes, 3 hours, or 50 hours of playback?

That's the sort of data one needs.

 

[SLCentral]

I must be doing something wrong then. I have the latest XBMC installed, and am trying to stream both 720p and 1080p h.264 MKV's ranging from 3GB to 25GB. I don't expect the larger ones to work, but why am I getting stutter on the smaller files? 480p files work fine, and I am using a gigabit network. Any ideas?

 

[dclive]

I must be doing something wrong then. I have the latest XBMC installed, and am trying to stream both 720p and 1080p h.264 MKV's ranging from 3GB to 25GB. I don't expect the larger ones to work, but why am I getting stutter on the smaller files? 480p files work fine, and I am using a gigabit network. Any ideas?

Again, one needs to know more data.

3GB for a 3 hours movie - ie 1GB/hour of video playback? If so, and it's a normal .MKV, your ATV2 with XBMC 11b2 should easily be able to handle that; mine works great.

It's a different story for the 25GB over 3 hours (8GB/hour) videos; I have seen them stutter.

You're sure you have a good network connection?
You can put a computer there, using the same network connection, and it plays perfectly?
These are standard .MKVs?
XBMC 11b2?
What's the bitrate per hour?

 

[SLCentral]

Again, one needs to know more data.

3GB for a 3 hours movie - ie 1GB/hour of video playback? If so, and it's a normal .MKV, your ATV2 with XBMC 11b2 should easily be able to handle that; mine works great.

It's a different story for the 25GB over 3 hours (8GB/hour) videos; I have seen them stutter.

You're sure you have a good network connection?
You can put a computer there, using the same network connection, and it plays perfectly?
These are standard .MKVs?
XBMC 11b2?
What's the bitrate per hour?

I've tried a range of files from bitrates as low as 4000 kbps to as high as 25000 kbps. These files play perfectly through the network on other computers. I don't think its a network problem considering that fact. Yes, XBMC 11b2. No idea where to go from here...

 

[dclive]

I suggest you post on the XBMC ATV2 forums, as developers hang out over there and can actually help you.

 

[SLCentral]

I suggest you post on the XBMC ATV2 forums, as developers hang out over there and can actually help you.

Thanks for the advice - appreciate it.

 

[Aikouka]

SL, what iOS version are you using? Is it 4.4.1 (iOS 5) or is it older?

8-10GB for 10 minutes, 3 hours, or 50 hours of playback?

That's the sort of data one needs.

Wouldn't you normally make a fairly strong assumption that my use of the word "average" means a 10GB file is not going to be 10 minutes or 50 hours?

When I rip my Blu-Rays, I typically do the math to get it to 2 hours ~= 8GB and adjusted if the movie is shorter or longer.

 

[SLCentral]

SL, what iOS version are you using? Is it 4.4.1 (iOS 5) or is it older?



Wouldn't you normally make a fairly strong assumption that my use of the word "average" means a 10GB file is not going to be 10 minutes or 50 hours?

When I rip my Blu-Rays, I typically do the math to get it to 2 hours ~= 8GB and adjusted if the movie is shorter or longer.

It's 4.4.1. I just realized I was on eden beta 1, not beta 2. Updating now, will see if that fixes things.

EDIT: Even with b2, it is still buffering HD content.

 

[dclive]

Wouldn't you normally make a fairly strong assumption that my use of the word "average" means a 10GB file is not going to be 10 minutes or 50 hours?

When I rip my Blu-Rays, I typically do the math to get it to 2 hours ~= 8GB and adjusted if the movie is shorter or longer.

I don't want to assume, because that leads to mistakes. For some, an average BR rip might be 50GB & 2 hours long. That's why it's important to clarify.

 

[dclive]

It's 4.4.1. I just realized I was on eden beta 1, not beta 2. Updating now, will see if that fixes things.

EDIT: Even with b2, it is still buffering HD content.

So you'll watch it for a little while then it pauses, is that right?

You're using wired networking, you have a 4GB/hour or less MKV you're playing, and your media share is SMB, no DLNA or other nonsense is involved, and you've tested that network drop and that network cable with a computer and it works fine... given that, XBMC ATV2 forums is about all I have left; I can only say mine works great.

 

[SLCentral]

So you'll watch it for a little while then it pauses, is that right?

You're using wired networking, you have a 4GB/hour or less MKV you're playing, and your media share is SMB, no DLNA or other nonsense is involved, and you've tested that network drop and that network cable with a computer and it works fine... given that, XBMC ATV2 forums is about all I have left; I can only say mine works great.

Yeah, all of the above. I can play the same files using a WDTV Plus using the same network cable with no problems. The movie starts playing for about a second or two before it requires buffering. I have no idea what the deal is. Maybe its worth restoring to factory and start over?

 

[dclive]

Couldn't hurt, but before I went through all that I'd post on the XBMC forums in the ATV2 section.