hacks-related stories
Posted Apr 30th 2008 2:33PM by Brad Linder
Filed under: PVR Wire, Hardware, Software
The Unofficial Apple Weblog picked up on two interesting tidbits related to the Apple TV today. First up, the latest software update from Apple includes the ability to
listen to internet radio streams. You'll need to connect your Apple TV to a computer with iTunes, and that computer will need to have some streams saved in a playlist.
But the much more exciting news (if you happen to be a big nerd) is that hackers have figured out how to
load Linux on an Apple TV. That means if you're a fan of the Apple hardware, but not so much the Apple TV interface, you might be able to turn your box into a MythTV FrontEnd, or even load a port of
XBMC, the media center suite originally developed to run on converted Xbox video game systems.
You can find out more about the Linux bootloader at the
atv-bootloader page.
Posted Jan 30th 2008 6:57PM by Brad Linder
Filed under: PVR Wire, TiVo
In every generation there is a chosen key combination. It alone can stand against the commercials, the boring bits, and the forces of TV darkness. It is the hidden 30 second skip button on the TiVo remote control.
While no TiVo unit comes with a 30-second skip button, there's almost always a secret code that will let you turn one of your TiVo buttons into a commercial skipper. For a while it looked like there was no working code for the new Comcast TiVo remote controls, but Chunky Monkey at the AVS forums has posted a method that will reportedly work.
All you have to do is hit the following keys:
- Rewind
- Slow
- Fast Forward
- Play
- 3
- 0
- Advance
Now the button with the right arrow under the fast forward button will advance 30 seconds whether you're watching live, recorded, or on-demand programs.
[via
TiVo Lovers]
Posted May 11th 2007 9:56AM by Brad Linder
Filed under: PVR Wire, Awards, TiVo
People have been hacking their TiVo recorders as long as there have been TiVo boxes. You can add more storage, enhance your networking experience, or make your TiVo remote control a bit more useful.
While some of the more advanced hacks require some technical know-how and some modifications that could potentially leave you with a dead PVR, there are plenty of beginner-level hacks. Our buddy
Dave Zatz has compiled his top 5:
- Program your TiVo remote control to add a 30-second "commercial skip" button.
- Add an extra hard drive or replace your existing hard drive with a larger one (or pay someone to do it for you).
- Transfer video to your TiVo box.
- Remove the DRM from TiVoToGo programs you've moved from your TiVo to your computer.
- Stream AAC, WMA, OGG and MP3 files to your TiVo.
Zatz's article has all the steps you need to take to perform these hacks.
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