The devs of IceFilms XBMC plugin for Apple TV haven’t given up after FBI took down Megaupload, the source of the most of IceFilms links, and they just released a new IceFilms 1.0.24 beta that supports RapidShare links. 2Shared links are still an option too. Going forward links will be posted to both 2Shared and Rapidshare so users will continue to see both in the sources section.

According to the developers, the new beta isn’t perfect but “it’s a development build and updates will be pushed through quickly.” There seems to be a bug with the tvshownextaired script but this should be fixed quickly as well.

The devs have disabled the metadata install pack from 1.0.24 so if you are doing a fresh install of this release you won’t be able to get metadata until the beta testing is done 1.1.0.

Things to know about RapidShare:
- Time limit on files varies to what appears to be server load, busier they are the longer you wait;
- No download limits, you can download as much as you want per day;
- Files stream and download just like Megaupload – still high quality AVI and HD scene releases.

To update to version 1.0.24 open XBMC, go to Videos -> Add-Ons -> Get More ->Icefilms -> Update. Some users report this didn’t work and they had to reinstall IceFilms. Here is how to install the new repository:

• Download IceFilms 1.0.24 zip
• Open XBMC, go to Settings > Addons > Install from zip file, browse to your downloads and select it. Repository installed!
• Now you can install Icefilms.info from within XBMC, by navigating to Settings > Addons > Get Add-ons > anarchintosh add-ons.

Here is a video of the new IceFilms in action:

[via hd420p]

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Do you want to feel like a wizard? Check the Kymera wand in Amazon: You can control your Apple TV waving a wand!

aTV Flash (black) for Apple TV 2 is no longer in beta: FireCore has finally released version 1.0 of its flagship product – a suite of applications to enhance the 2nd generation Apple TV. aTV Flash (black) features all-new Media Player, WebKit based browser, Last.fm radio, Weather, RSS feeds and gives you fast access to plugins like nitoTV, Remote HD, XBMC and Plex client. All new features are installed alongside the normal Apple TV features, so things like movie rentals, Netflix, and AirPlay will remain unchanged.

Media Player
The new Media Player included with aTV Flash (black) can access files directly from a Mac, PC or NAS drive without having to use iTunes. It downloads and organizes metadata and covert art automatically and will present media in your choice of a list or grid view. Supported file formats include AVI, FLAC, ISO, M2TS, MKV, MP3, MP4, MPEG, VOB, WAV and many others. Support for AC3/DTS sound, subtitles, DVD menus, playlists and photo slideshows are also included.

Native web browser
Also included is Couch Surfer Pro; a fully featured web browser that includes support for HTML5 streaming music and video as well as easy to use bookmarks and history. The browser can be controlled using the standard Apple TV remote, or the free iPhone/iPad Remote app.

Last.fm
Rounding out the offering is an interactive Last.fm feature that provides access to Last.fm streaming radio. While streaming Last.fm radio (or playing your own music) you’ll have access to artist bios, and a seemingly endless amount of artist photos.

Weather, RSS feeds
RSS news feed and iIntuitive weather forecast options are also included. Your current weather location will be detected automatically, and other locations can be easily added as well.

aTV Flash (black)1.0 is available now for $29.95, which includes updates for one year. You can download it from here.

Those who pre-ordered the beta can download the new 1.0 version through the Downloads tab in their account. Note: Those wishing to update from an early version will need to run the 1.0 installer from a Mac or PC.

aTV Flash (black) 1.0 can be installed on AppleTV 4.2 and later. Before installing, the AppleTV will need to be jailbroken. Read How to Jailbreak Apple TV 2 on iOS 5 (Apple TV 4.4) Using Seas0nPass – Tethered or How to Jailbreak Apple TV 2 on iOS 4.3 with Seas0nPass (untethered).

MacUpdate has aTV Flash (black) 1.0 for the sale price of $19.99 today only.

You may also want to read:
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Visit What's on iPhone for the best iPad and iPhone app reviews!
Do you want to feel like a wizard? Check the Kymera wand in Amazon: You can control your Apple TV waving a wand!

Original Apple TV got a lot of love yesterday. Soon after App Dynamic released Remote HD plugin 5.0 for the 1^st generation Apple TV, Firecore announced the release of aTV Flash version 4.4 for your original shiny box of joy. Apart from the support for the new Remote HD features (iOS 5 AirPlay streaming, support for playing DRM protected media, support for doubleTwist + AirTwist add-on), the new update includes support for Mac OS X Lion and NFS file streaming.

What’s new in aTV Flash 4.4?

• Added support for Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion)
• Added NFS file streaming (Lion compatible)
• Remote HD: Added support for iOS 5 AirPlay streaming
• Remote HD: Added support for playing DRM protected media from iOS devices and iTunes via AirPlay
• Remote HD: Added support for doubleTwist + AirTwist add-on (AirPlay from Android devices)
• Remote HD: Added supports enhanced slideshows with music when streaming via AirPlay
• Updated metadata scrapers
• Resolved VPN setup issues
• Other miscellaneous fixes

Full details on setting up NFS streaming from Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) can be found here.

aTV Flash version 4.4 is available through the Downloads tab in your account. If you’re already running aTV Flash on your AppleTV you can update through the Maintenance –> Manage Plugins menu.

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Do you want to feel like a wizard? Check the Kymera wand in Amazon: You can control your Apple TV waving a wand!

App Dynamic, the company that brought AirPlay to the 1st generation Apple TV, has just released Remote HD plugin 5.0 featuring an all new AirPlay upgrade. The 5.0 plugin breathes new life back into your old Apple TV with iOS 5 and iTunes DRM-encrypted video support. The update does not include mirroring or HTTP live streaming over AirPlay.

What’s new in Remote HD’s 5.0 plugin:

• Added support for iOS 5
• Plays DRM protected Movies, TV Shows, Podcasts, Trailers, Music from iOS devices or iTunes on Mac/PC
• Added support for doubleTwist+AirTwist add-on; AirPlay from Android
• Optimizations for iPhone 4S added
• Support enhanced slideshows with music
• Added support for Camera for Apple TV iOS app
• Fixed iPhone 3GS photo-orientation bug

You can download the new Remote HD 5.0 plugin from here.

Here is how to install it on your old Apple TV:

1. If you are not using the latest Apple TV Software (version 3.0.2), update the Apple TV software from Settings > General > Update Software.

2. Unlock your Apple TV using opensource atvusb-creator. Step by step instructions can be found here and here.

3. Connect to your Apple TV using your preferred SSH client:

Host: appletv.local
Username: frontrow
Password: frontrow

Recommended SSH clients are:
OS X: Use the buit-in SSH command line client using Terminal.app
Windows: Putty

Here’s an example of how to connect to the Apple TV using Terminal.app on OS X:
ssh frontrow@appletv.local
Password: frontrow

4. Once connected, run these 3 commands one by one.

These 3 commands will download, uncompress, install/upgrade Remote HD plugin and restart the Apple TV interface.

scp ssh.remotehd.com:RemoteHelper.tar RemoteHelper.tar;
tar xvf RemoteHelper.tar;
./install-RemoteHelper

“frontrow” is the default password.

If prompted with a security prompt to confirm connecting, type in yes.

Thats it, you’re done! Now grab your device and have Remote HD scan for available connections. Your Apple TV should show up in the list of available WiFi-connections – just tap to connect!

The default password is empty.

Head over to the App Store and purchase a copy of Remote HD iOS app to activate the plugin.

Existing Remote HD users get all this for free.

For more information, visit Remote HD website.

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Visit What's on iPhone for the best iPad and iPhone app reviews!
Do you want to feel like a wizard? Check the Kymera wand in Amazon: You can control your Apple TV waving a wand!

Firecore has finally released aTV Flash (black) Release Candidate 1 for the Apple TV 2. RC1 adds a number of new features including a brand new ‘grid view’ browsing mode (allows you to browse through media by simply viewing a grid of posters, instead of a list), huge subtitle related improvements, support for Apple TV 4.4 (iOS 5), and other performance and playback related improvements.

Here is the complete list of new features and improvements:

• Added grid view and pre-playback view options
• Added bulk metadata fetching with growl-like status
• Added fetched names in list view
• Added hardware decoding for .m2ts files
• Added support for embedded subtitles (MKV, M4V, etc…)
• Added support for ISO (DVD) files
• Added TV Show metadata fetching
• Added metadata correction for Movies and TV Shows
• Added movie title in Top Shelf (instead of filename)
• Added DSI ping for better operation with AFP shares
• Added folder tagging
• Added metadata view indicator
• Added support for metadata overriding using xml files
• Added DVD menu buffering
• Added support for subtitles with invalid timestamps
• Added support for AppleTV 4.4 (iOS 5)
• Added subtitle ‘Weight’ setting
• Added option to show/hide local files
• Improved data buffering and playback performance
• Improved XSUB subtitle support
• Improved network error handling
• Improved filename parsing for metadata fetching
• Improved NAS drives support and increased connection timeout
• Improved video loading process
• Improved DVD menu handling
• Improved playback position detection
• Improved memory footprint
• Improved SMB share handling
• Resolved DVD subtitle issues
• Resolved Voiceover related issues
• Resolved audio synchronization issues
• Resolved problems when streaming from an AirPort Extreme
• Resolved AFP related issue when resuming after a long pause
• Resolved issues that caused the first subtitle section to be skipped
• Resolved performance and crash related issues for certain DVD files
• Resolved audio playback issues when the connection to Last.fm fails
• Resolved potential issues in shares handling and filename processing
• Resolved AFP related crashes
• Resolved .dvdmedia extensions and folder images not hiding
• Resolved floating crash during metadata fetching
• Resolved various cloud backup issues
• Many other miscellaneous fixes

RC1 is available through the Downloads tab in your account. If you’re already running aTV Flash (black) on your Apple TV all the new features can be installed through the Maintenance –> Manage Extras menu.

Note: Installing RC1 requires Apple TV 4.2 or later.

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Visit What's on iPhone for the best iPad and iPhone app reviews!
Do you want to feel like a wizard? Check the Kymera wand in Amazon: You can control your Apple TV waving a wand!

Firecore has just released another update to its Media Player for the 2nd generation Apple TV. Version 0.9.1 includes a number of “long awaited features,” like a support for embedded subtitles, support for ISO (DVD) files and metadata correction for TV Shows.

Here is the complete list of changes:

• Added support for embedded subtitles (MKV, M4V, etc…)
• Added support for ISO (DVD) files
• Added metadata correction for TV Shows
• Added movie title in Top Shelf (instead of filename)
• Minor UI improvements

Media Player 0.9.1 can be installed on your ATV2 (with aTV Flash black already installed) through the Maintenance –> Manage Extras menu.

You may also want to read:
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Visit What's on iPhone for the best iPad and iPhone app reviews!
Do you want to feel like a wizard? Check the Kymera wand in Amazon: You can control your Apple TV waving a wand!

Firecore, a developer of aTV Flash (black), has just released a “hefty update” of its Media Player for Apple TV 2. The new version adds some new features (like TV Show metadata fetching and folder tagging) and a ton of performance related improvements and bug fixes.

Here is the complete list of new features and improvements:

• Added hardware decoding for .m2ts files
• Added TV Show metadata fetching
• Added option to correct movie metadata
• Added DSI ping for better operation with AFP shares
• Added folder tagging
• Added metadata view indicator
• Added support for metadata overriding using xml files
• Added DVD menu buffering
• Improved data buffering and playback performance
• Improved network error handling
• Improved filename parsing for metadata fetching
• Improved NAS drives support and increased connection timeout
• Improved video loading process
• Improved playback position detection
• Resolved audio synchronization issues
• Resolved problems when streaming from an AirPort Extreme
• Resolved issues that caused the first subtitle section to be skipped
• Resolved performance and crash related issues for certain DVD files
• Resolved audio playback issues when the connection to Last.fm fails
• Resolved potential issues in shares handling and filename processing
• Resolved AFP related crashes
• Resolved .dvdmedia extensions and folder images not hiding
• Resolved floating crash during metadata fetching
• Resolved critical compatibility issues with iOS 5
• Minor UI improvements
• Many other miscellaneous fixes

Media Player 0.9 can be installed on your ATV2 (with aTV Flash black already installed) through the Maintenance –> Manage Extras menu.

Find out more about Media Player 0.9 on Firecore’s blog.

You may also want to read:
aTV Flash (black) Beta6 for Apple TV 2 Now Available
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Visit What's on iPhone for the best iPad and iPhone app reviews!
Do you want to feel like a wizard? Check the Kymera wand in Amazon: You can control your Apple TV waving a wand!

Firecore’s Media Player, a core feature of the company’s flagship product – aTV Flash (black) for Apple TV 2, has been updated to version 0.6 that comes with added AC3 and DTS (5.1+ surround) sound, access to DVD menus during playback and a low buffer detection warning (prevents stuttering) as well as with many other improvements and bug fixes.

Here is the complete list of changes:

• Added AC3 and DTS (5.1+ surround) sound
• Added access to DVD menus during playback (press menu)
• Added low buffer detection warning (prevents stuttering)
• Improved playback of larger files
• Improved buffering and re-buffering (when required)
• Improved FF/RW controls for larger files
• Improved audio decoding performance
• Improved center channel (voices) audio mixing
• Improved DVD file playback
• Improved file sorting logic
• Improved performance and memory management
• Improved error handling
• Resolved DVD subtitle issues
• Resolved stalls observed with some files during and after FF/RW
• Resolved synchronization issues observed after buffering some files
• Resolved audio synchronization issues
• Resolved rare floating crash observed at the end of some files
• Resolved resume related playback issues
• Resolved various screensaver related issues
• Local files are now hidden when one or more remote shares are setup
• Minor metadata fetching improvements
• Minor UI improvements
• Other miscellaneous fixes

Media Player 0.6 can be installed on your ATV2 (with aTV Flash black already installed) through the Maintenance –> Manage Extras menu.

You may also want to read:
aTV Flash (black) Beta6 for Apple TV 2 Now Available
How to Watch Hulu on Apple TV 2
How to Jailbreak Apple TV 2 on iOS 4.3 or iOS 5 Beta with Seas0nPass 0.7.7 (untethered)

Visit What's on iPhone for the best iPad and iPhone app reviews!
Do you want to feel like a wizard? Check the Kymera wand in Amazon: You can control your Apple TV waving a wand!

Check out this video for the instructions on how to install Remote HD Apple TV plugin.

More detailed instructions can be found here.

You may also want to read:
Remote HD now supports Apple TV 2
AirPlay Streaming Hacked into the Old Apple TV
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Visit What's on iPhone for the best iPad and iPhone app reviews!
Do you want to feel like a wizard? Check the Kymera wand in Amazon: You can control your Apple TV waving a wand!

Among other features you will find:

• Full keyboard support in 3rd party plugins (including in XBMC)
• Global playback controls: skip songs without needing to first navigate to Now Playing.
• Dedicated Now Playing button designed to take you straight to the Now Playing view (pressing the menu button brings you back where you were)
• Easy restart and sleep.

Here are the installation instructions:

1. Jailbreak your Apple TV using greenpois0n or Seas0nPass.

2. Connect to your Apple TV using your preferred SSH client:

Host: apple-tv.local
Username: root
Password: alpine

Here’s an example of how to connect to the Apple TV using Terminal.app on OS X:

ssh root@apple-tv.local
 Password: alpine

3. Once connected, run these 2 commands one by one (this will download, install/upgrade Remote HD plugin and restart the Apple TV interface)

wget http://remotehdcdn.appspot.com/Downloads/ATV2/remotehd-atv2_4.3.2_iphoneos-arm.deb;
 dpkg -i remotehd-atv2_4.3.2_iphoneos-arm.deb

Update: Remote HD has just been updated to version 4.3.2

What’s new

• XBMC now available in RemoteView
• Trackpad support added in CouchSurfer
• RemoteView – Tap to Click support added in CouchSurfer
• RemoteView – Tap to Click support added in AppleTV interface

Improvements and bugfixes

• Text entry fixes
• RemoteView refresh bug fixed
• Play/Pause button fixed in XBMC

Visit What's on iPhone for the best iPad and iPhone app reviews!
Do you want to feel like a wizard? Check the Kymera wand in Amazon: You can control your Apple TV waving a wand!