Recently I followed guides from to install XBMC on first-generation Apple TV. The setup really worked, and as a result I've had some family members wanting me to do the same for them. Since my little brother isn't around to help me like he (and I) want him to be, I'm writing this tutorial in case he wants to do it himself. The project is broken down into 5 sections:. Updating the Apple TV and creating a patchstick.
Before getting started you need will need a USB Stick which can be fully erased. Step One Create a folder called Patchstick on your desktop, download atv-win from here, and place it into the folder. Double click to open the atv-win-3.0.zip archive and drag the atv-win executable into the Patchstick folder.
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Patching the Apple TV. Installing XBMC on your patched Apple TV. Installing the Broadcom CrystalHD hardware-based decoder. Installing the CrystalHD drivers This first part covers only 1, 2, and 3. I will do 4 and 5 when the CrystalHD card comes in. Updating the Apple TV and creating a Patchstick As with most Apple hardware/software, this thing is locked down. Lucky for us, people better than I like to tinker and do what they want with the devices.
So, let's move on to the first step: Updating the Apple TV. This is ridiculously easy, just use the pictures below if you get stuck. After initial setup, go to the Settings menu.
In the Settings menu, select General. In the General menu, select Update Software. Finally, select Download Now Now we're ready to create the Patchstick. Head over to the project site and download the most recent version. This is Windows and Mac only, so Linux guys like me may have to use their wife's computer.
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Creating the patchstick with the Patchstick Creator:. Open the Patchstick Creator. Change to the most recent version of the Apple TV OS software. Check at least the Launcher checkbox, and SSH if you know what that is and how to use it. Click Create Patchstick and let it download the most recent image At this point you need to ready your USB flash storage device.
The patchstick will clear out ALL data on the USB stick, so clear anything off you need to save. Got everything saved off? Good- let's move on! You will see this status report window after the download is complete. Read it carefully if you installed SSH. Otherwise, just click OK. When you get this prompt asking if you want to run the image tool, the answer is YES.