Main Page

[edit] Welcome to the AwkwardTV Wiki

As you probably know, Apple TV is a set-top box manufactured by Apple. Out of the box, it is enabled to stream digital content from any computer running iTunes. As there is little information provided about what is going on "under the hood" of the Apple TV, this is a place to collect and share information.

This website is dedicated to finding additional uses for the Apple TV by (legitimately) enabling its Potential Capabilities, and is a place for the community to share ideas, discoveries and solutions. As such, when you add any comments or questions (not contributions to an informational page) please sign it using the signature button, , or four tildes (~~~~). It is for informational purposes only. AwkwardTV is not responsible if you void your warranty or damage your device.

[edit] Beginners Guides

If you're just getting started and trying to learn how to hack your Apple TV, then checking out the Beginners Guides section is probably the best place to start. This will help the novice get started with hacking the Apple TV, explaining steps in detail. Now in two flavours, we have

• A Guide for 1.0. This is for those who have an ATV that came with 1.0 firmware - the "old" menu system without the YouTube option showing.

• A Guide for 2.0 aka Take 2. This is for those who want to run the "new" menu system that Apple released in February. This guide isn't nearly so advanced, but does have a lot of useful links that will get you going. It is work-in-progress.

• HackMeNot or The Alternative To Hacking. Tried hacking and messed it up? Just can't get stuff to work? Or think that it's just too complicated. You can get more from your Apple TV than you think with a few free apps and the correct settings in iTunes.

[edit] Plug-ins

[edit] 'AppleTV 'Take 2' Plugin Compatibility List

Plug-ins directory and instructions

Plugin Tutorials For Developers

FRAppliance_101 - Tutorial for creating new PlugIns

FRScreenSaver_101 - Tutorial for creating screen savers. Please read FRAppliance_101 first.

[edit] Advanced BackRow Coding - An Ongoing Series

1. Introduction To Custom Controls
2. A Custom Layer Controller
   • Extra Credit 1: Animations
3. A Downloader Controller

BackRow Developers' Kit - A Mac OS X application and utilities to aid in creating and debugging new plugins.

Create_Environment_for_stock_ATV_1.1_Development_with_Leopard Setting up the development environment in Leopard

Plug-in Developers Note Pad - Snippits of information that may help others.

Alan Quatermain Video Tutorials

Alan Quatermain's Site - for more info and tutorials.

Recursive Menu Controller & Icons on Menus - A post by Alan Quatermain in the forum

Leopard Plug-In Method - Under Construction?

[edit] Resources

IRC: You can find us on IRC: #awkwardtv on irc.moofspeak.net. Register your Nick Please feel free to contribute! We are all learners at this stage ;-)

Forum: AwkwardTV project forums

[edit] Prerequisites

• Hardware Modification Prerequisites

[edit] How To Section

• How To Section covering Hard Drive Preparation and General Software Modifications.

[edit] Latest News

• DVDpedia FrontRow and AppleTV plug-in 2.0.2 released
• MediaCloud 0.1.2 released with AppleTV 2.1 support (still in a very alpha stage)
• Sapphire b6.3 released
• CouchSurfer 0.4 released with AppleTV 2.1 support
• Sapphire b6.2 released with AppleTV 2.1 support
• ATVFiles 1.1.1: Fixes for Apple TV OS 2.1.0.
• NitoTV_Take_2 0.4.8: AppleTV OS 2.1.0 support (for sure this time)
• NitoTV_Take_2 0.4.7: AppleTV OS 2.1.0 support, smart installer fixes, display mode changes
• AppleTV OS 2.1 has been RELEASED. Adds support for MobileMe and Remote (App for the iPhone used to control your ATV over WiFi).
• NitoTV_Take_2 0.4.6 Application keymaps, keymap editor, major installer bug fix + more
• NitoTV_Take_2 0.4.5 Application Launching support, 2.0.2 usb / watchdog patch, finder icons + more
• EyeTV 3 works with ATV Take 2 - fully working liveTV and DVR.
• EmulatorsPlugIn appletv 2.0 plugin for launching emulators
• iScripts yes i know another small update to Iscript allowing you to auto show and Hide the finder
• iScripts now has basic application menu support. Minor edit: also has Mouse Locator Support in 1.2.1
• iScripts released: run shell scripts from TV interface.
• Commercially available Patchstick is no longer selling.
• AppleTV_Datamaker generate metadata and cover art for ATVFiles - new updated version 5/23
• Commercially available Patchstick with many pre-installed apps - but did they get permission? Forum Discussion
• Applications Menu functionality will be rolled in the next version of nitoTV this will include compatibility for Take2. See Applications_Menu#Take_2_Compatability Here
• AppleTV OS 2.0.2 has been RELEASED (April 14, 2008). Check the forums post.
• Couch Surfer released for Leopard!
• nitoTV 0.4a/b (take two) released!
• Sapphire 1.0b6 has been released with Take 2 support.
• AppleTV OS 2.0.1 has been RELEASED! Check the forums for info.
• FireFly Install FireFly, iTunes-compatible music server
• nitoTV 0.3.1 take two cover art + unplayed markers back , many bug fixes
• ATVFiles 1.1.0 with Take 2 support
• ATVFiles Beta 2 for Take2
• nitoTV 0.2.2 take two Fixed smart+perian installer for full take 2
• MediaCloud for Take2
• Take2patch Enable SSH on on Take2
• Beginners Guide2 Beginners Guide for Take 2 is work-in-progress
• Take 2 Full Update First full update procedure for Take 2
• Couch Surfer released for ATV Take 2 (With Flash Support)
• ATVFiles alpha 2 release for Take 2.
• Take 2 Safe Update First safe update procedure for Take 2
• AppleTV Take 2 has been RELEASED.

Archived News