I can host websites on my Apple TV! Jealous? It is no secret that with a lot of tinkering, your little gadgets (iPhones, iPods, iPads, and even your Apple TV’s) can be converted into a great many things, including servers. You can take one of your extra Apple TV’s 2 and, with a bit of tinkering, get it set up as your very own, private, web based server for hosting websites and much more.

This is not a new idea, necessarily, but it has always been a bit of a long process to enable these types of features, and/or functionalities, on your device. Well, that was until now. We were recently informed of a new package – iOS-WebStack, which is now available in Cydia, that makes this process as easy as one repo, and one install. So, before I go on, let’s hear from the developer - Jason Anrugas – himself:

Because I would like host some web content with my jailbroken Apple TV 2, I 
have compiled a whole web stack composition with Lighttpd, PHP and MySQL. 
Regarding security issues and restrictions on software dependencies, all 
the software packages are up to date.

With this iOS WebStack I can host web content like on an Linux server. I 
don’t have unresolved dependencies as with the packages from the major 
repositories. Like XAMPP or LAMP you can install my Lighttpd/PHP/MySQL iOS WebStack with 
one click in Cydia or NitoTV.

The 99$ AppleTV mutated into a full web server. 
The iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch can also be used.

Now you can host own Cloud, WordPress, TYPO3, Contao, WebsiteBaker, 
myPhpAdmin, GetSimple, Dokuwiki, all on your iDevice. User can have their own personal wiki, hobbyists can run their own cheap 
web server, web designer can work without an internet connection.

To take advantage of this release you will simply need to add http://ios-webstack.tk/cydia to your Cydia installation. For the Apple TV users, simply make sure your Apple TV 2 is already jailbroken and you have NitoTV installed. This will enable you to add this address into Cydia with three easy steps:

1. Launch the Terminal app (Mac) or PuTTY (Windows)

2. Connect to your Apple TV via SSH using the following command

ssh root@apple-tv.local

echo “deb http://ios-webstack.tk/cydia/ ./” > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ios-webstack.list

apt-get update

For more details, visit the developer’s official support site, where you can find a  detailed GETTING STARTED guide.

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FireCore released aTV Flash (black) 2.0 for the 2nd generation Apple TV. Version 2.0 adds a ton of new features “that make browsing and watching media on the Apple TV more enjoyable than ever.” aTV Flash (black) 2.0 adds new Library View, fully integrated search, trakt.tv syncing, Last.fm scrobbling and much more. Version 2.0 is a free update for all current aTV Flash (black) users.

Library View

The new Library View now indexes all your media (even if stored on multiple devices) and automatically organizes movies, TV shows and music into easy to use categories. TV shows will also be group by series/season automatically. The original file/folder based browsing will remain intact and working as an alternative option.

Fully integrated search

The new integrated search tool allows you to search by movie, TV series/episode, song, artist, album or filename. Just start typing and the results will start being displayed instantly.

Trakt.tv syncing

This is a great feature if you’re trying to keep multiple Apple TVs in sync, as if you watch a movie on the first device it will also appear as watched on the 2nd. Additionally, if you manually mark a movie or show as watched on trakt.tv, it will automatically get marked as watched on the Apple TV.

Last.fm scrobbling

Last.fm scrobbling allows you track music plays in your Last.fm profile.

Here is a full changelog for aTV Flash (black) 2.0:

• Added all-new Library View
• Added integrated media search
• Added trakt.tv 2-way syncing
• Added Last.fm scrobbling
• Added genre/artist based playlists
• Added Recently Added display option
• Improved handling of WTV files
• Improved handling of DVD audio tracks
• Improved AFP connections
• Improved filename recognition
• Improved subtitle handling
• Resolved various navigation issues
• Resolved rare DVD playback issues
• Resolved rare subtitles positioning issue
• Many other minor improvements and fixes

aTV Flash 2.0 doesn’t work on the 3rd gen Apple TV. According to FireCore and according to what we reported back in August, work is still ongoing on the Apple TV 3 jailbreak.

If you’re already running a version of aTV Flash (black), the new 2.0 version can be installed through the Maintenance –> Manage Extras menu. Links for the new version can also be found in your FireCore account under the Downloads tab.

If you’re not yet using aTV Flash (black) you can get started here.

Here is a tutorial on how to install aTV Flash (black) on your jailbroken Apple TV 2.

IMPORTANT: Once the Apple TV 3 jailbreak is available your aTV Flash (black) license will cover both Apple TV 2 and Apple TV 3.

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FireCore has just updated its aTV Flash (black) for Apple TV to version 1.7, which, among other things, features seamless access to trakt.tv – a TV show and movie recommendation service that helps keep a record of what TV shows and movies you are watching. Trakt is different than other sites since it automatically keeps a record of what you are watching and don’t rely on manual check ins.

After login to trakt.tv on the Apple TV, your plays will be silently scrobbled back to trakt.tv where your watched history is stored. You’ll also have the option to rate movies and TV shows after you’ve watched them. FireCore is also working to bring support for 2 way sync and trakt.tv recommendations.

How to setup trakt.tv in aTV Flash (black):

• Through the Maintenance » Manage Extras menu, ensure the Media Player item is installed

• Navigate to the Media » Settings » General » trakt.tv menu

• Click login and enter your trakt.tv username and password when prompted

• That’s it! You’re all setup to use trakt.tv on your Apple TV.

Here is a full changelog for aTV Flash (Black) 1.7

• Added trakt.tv integration (scrobbling and ratings)
• Added localized movie poster art
• Added localized movie ratings
• Added AirControl (beta) – an open control API for Apple TV
• Added support for embedded DVB subtitles
• Added advanced read-ahead buffering for SMB and NFS shares
• Added Simplified Chinese translation
• Added ‘Update All’ option
• Added support for secure web logins
• Improved metadata fetching speed
• Improved video rotation detection for MOV files
• Improved support for YUVJ420 & YUVJ422 formats (used by digital cameras)
• Improved top-level menu layouts
• Resolved crash when accessing ISO files on certain shares
• Resolved potential streaming issues when using an unstable network
• Resolved AFP related memory management issues
• Other minor improvements & fixes

If you’re already running a version of aTV Flash (black), the new 1.7 version can be installed through the Maintenance –> Manage Extras menu. Links for the new version can also be found in your FireCore account under the Downloads tab.

If you’re not yet using aTV Flash (black) you can get started here.

Here is a tutorial on how to install aTV Flash (black) on your jailbroken Apple TV 2.

IMPORTANT: Once the Apple TV 3 jailbreak is available your aTV Flash (black) license will cover both Apple TV 2 and Apple TV 3.

Update: there seem to be some problems with Plex plugin:

A few users are reporting issues with Plex running on the 5.0+ software. The Plex plugin for Apple TV is quite outdated, and we recommend removing it before installing any updates. If you’re using Plex and are experiencing trouble a workaround can be found here please re-run the aTV Flash (black) installer.

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IceFilms XBMC addon has been recently updated to version 1.1.12 that fixes minus.com resolver for metadata zips, adds ShareBees user login support (does not detect free user vs premium as of now), fixes JumboFile and ShareBees resolver for site changes, updates VidHog resolver to check for ‘server in maintenance mode’ msgs and disables ‘Video Seeking’ option (not needed for current sources and has been causing problems).

Note that you need a free account at ShareBees to be able to download their larger files.

You can download IceFilms addon from here and install it on your Apple TV by following this tutorial.

[image: HD420p]

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Now that Seas0nPass has been updated to provide an untethered jailbreak for Apple TV 2 running the latest 5.0.2 (iOS 5.1.1) firmware and a brand new version of aTV Flash (black) for Apple TV 2 has been released, it seems like a perfect time to give a try to the FireCore‘s Apple TV supercharger. If you’re still unfamiliar with aTV Flash (black), you can read our review and then try to get a free copy of this amazing piece of software by participating in our giveaway. Here is how to do it:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

IMPORTANT: Once the Apple TV 3 jailbreak is available your aTV Flash (black) license will cover both Apple TV 2 and Apple TV 3.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Google+ for the latest updates on Apple TV 3 jailbreak status.

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Chances are, you are aware of FireCore and their work with a product known as aTV Flash. As everyone scrambles to get the jailbreak set for the Apple TV 3, the FireCore team is still hard at work getting the Apple TV 2 software to the best it can possibly be. For those of you who have not yet jumped on board with FireCore, aTV Flash (black), recently updated to version 1.6, offers some great features and extras that you should know about.

Included Software

For me, the real magic offered with aTV Flash (black) is the software that is bundled and installable via their tools they add to your Apple TV Menu. This collection of software takes a (potentially) pointless little black box and turns into a powerhouse of entertainment! Some of the software included in version 1.6:

• Couch Surfer Pro

A Powerful Browser that enables you to surf the web and stream content from an endless supply of websites. For those who do not utilize the XBMC feature, this is your best chance to stream random video content from the web.

• Last.fm

This is a great iteration of the Last.fm system. Once installed you can simply log in and listen to your stations. As an added bonus, you are given the option to view scrolling photos related to the artists you are listening to. This gives the feel of a digital jukebox on your television.

• Maintenance

This is the location where you can install any, and all, of the extra software that is available in the aTV Flash software. With an easy interface you can navigate to each item and choose to install or uninstall. For those of you who have installed these items before, using SSH… you will see that they have really streamlined this process greatly.

• Media Player

The latest iteration of their Media Player is easily the best yet. With an endless list of formats for your audio and video you are able to stream anything and everything from your hard drive network drive to your ATV2. Seriously, if you own content that this system cannot play you need to throw it in the garbage and update your stuff! Current formats that are supported:

The Media Player is designed to work with your Network Media Services. If you have a NAS, another Apple TV that is sharing a library, or even a laptop with movies on it you can get them streaming to your ATV with little to no effort. Simply open the player and it will scan automatically for shared sources. As soon as they are found you can test the connection and then save it.

To make a good experience better, the team over at FireCore has taken a page for the XBMC playbook and given some great new view options for displaying your content. This makes the browsing experience that much more enjoyable! Truly a sit back, relax, and browse kind of setup.

• RSS Feeds

Simple and effective! I am not one to utilize RSS Feeds on my ATV, but if you are… you will like what you get. It is clean, and simple to understand.

• Weather

Weather is another simple little add-on, but it is very polished. The graphics and the interface as a whole are both fantastically pleasant on the eyes.

• nitoTV

This option holds a lot of extras that you can put into your Apple TV. There are to many great extras to get into them here… but if you have an Apple TV, you should have nitoTV installed.

• PLEX Client

And the goodies just keep on rolling! Yes folks, this is a PLEX Client. Now you can stream everything from your PLEX setup directly to the Apple TV. Making things even better… you have some great options on how to display the content.

Note: Plex client does work on Apple TV 5.0 (iOS 5.1) but it’s unreliable. Check out Plex forum for more details.

• Remote HD

Have you ever wanted to use your iPhone or iPsd to control your ATV2? Ever wanted to mirror your ATV2 to your phone or iPad wirelessly? Congratulations, Remote HD is a great feature that enables a host of new features and abilities between your iOS device. I will warn you though… once you get this feature set up, you may never go back.

Note: Remote HD doesn’t work on Apple TV 5.0. Remote HD has been updated for Apple TV 5.0.x compatibility.

• XBMC

The installation process of XBMC could not be made any easier. Simply click, install, and enjoy. I can get long winded regarding XBMC and its features so I would encourage you to check our other articles for more info regarding XBMC.

There is one new feature that FireCore has made a real point to share as a stand out feature of this release. With that in mind, I will let them tell you all about it:

Integrated Subtitle Downloads

By popular request we’ve added one-click subtitle downloads, courtesy of OpenSubtitles.org. Now instead of spending hours searching for the right subtitles they can be easily downloaded right from your Apple TV in a matter of seconds.

The Bad?

The title of this section is a bit misleading. In the end, I found nothing bad with this release. However, I had two “hick-ups” that I would be remiss to exclude them. In a total of two hours of use, I had the following issues:

• Repeated “Disconnected” error on my HDTV. This only happened after some time was spent in Couch Surfer. This eventually went away.

• Couch Surfer, though it is a fantastic piece of software, falls victim to the same issues I find in the PS3, and Boxee browsers. They all fall victim to the infamous POP UPS. Anytime I visited a streaming site that used POP UPS it would take over the browser and I could not find anyway to close those windows specifically.

FINAL THOUGHTS

If you own an Apple TV 2 and you are not one who likes to mess with SSH, terminal Commands, or anything else that techy… THIS IS FOR YOU! This software makes it amazingly easy to install all of the tools you need to get the most out of your little black back!

IMPORTANT: Once the Apple TV 3 jailbreak is available your aTV Flash (black) license will cover both Apple TV 2 and Apple TV 3.

We will be running a giveaway of aTV Flash (black) soon. Stay tuned! We are giving away 10 free copies of aTV Flash (black). Get it now!

Installation Process

FireCore could not have made the process of installing this software any easier! Once you have downloaded the aTV Flash 1.6 you will have two simple requirements:

1) Ensure that the Apple TV 2 is Jailbroken.

2) Ensure that the Apple TV 2 is plugged in.

Simply open the software package, once it is installed on your system, and locate your Apple TV form the drop down menu on the right. If you have multiple Apple TVs in your home, the devices will be listed with their IP address:

Once you have selected your device simply click continue. That is it. You will soon see a Completion Screen followed by your Apple TV rebooting. Once done you will want to start installing software.

umOuch (Andrew Brasher)

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FireCore has released an update to their aTV Flash (black) for Apple TV 2. aTV Flash (black) 1.6 adds integrated subtitle downloads (courtesy of OpenSubtitles.org), support for purchased iTunes content, expanded codec support, refined video playback, improved networking, Wake-on-Lan (WOL), additional translations and a bunch of other improvements and bug fixes.

Here is a full changelog:

• Added integrated subtitle downloads from OpenSubtitles.org
• Added support for purchased iTunes content (matching iTunes login required)
• Added video deinterlacing option
• Added Wake-on-Lan (WOL)
• Added Portuguese (Portugal) translation
• Added support for displaying subtitles in lower ‘black bar’
• Added support for .WTV files
• Added support for multiple simultaneous AFP connections
• Improved bulk fetching & added automatic artwork caching
• Improved automatic downscaling for large thumbnails
• Improved metadata reloading for images
• Improved buffering over AFP
• Resolved various audio synchronization issues
• Resolved possible overflow in 5.1 AC3 audio
• Resolved issues with zoom for 4:3 movies
• Resolved missing audio for .dvr-ms files (ASF containers)
• Resolved rare SRT file crash
• Resolved issues with slideshow animation
• Resolved file specific metadata fetching issues
• Resolved rare ISO file crashes
• Resolved issue with displaying identical thumbnails for images with the same name
• Resolved metadata loading issues for files containing non-latin characters
• Resolved rare 5ch audio file crash
• Resolved issues with incorrect metadata for files with ‘<TVShow Name>/S01E0.avi’ pattern
• Resolved auto-start issues in Couch Surfer
• Reduced memory footprint for large software-decoded videos and slideshows
• Other minor UI improvements & bug fixes

If you’re already running a version of aTV Flash (black), the new 1.6 version can be installed through the Maintenance –> Manage Extras menu. Links for the new version can also be found in your FireCore account under the Downloads tab.

If you’re not yet using aTV Flash (black) you can get started here.

And here is a tutorial on how to install aTV Flash (black) on your jailbroken Apple TV 2.

IMPORTANT: Once the Apple TV 3 jailbreak is available your aTV Flash (black) license will cover both Apple TV 2 and Apple TV 3.

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FireCore released a new version of aTV Flash (black) for Apple TV 2. aTV Flash (black) 1.5 comes with a revamped player that is optimized for iOS 5.0 and later and is claimed to improve performance for virtually all file type resulting in “noticeably smoother playback”. The new version of FireCore’s Apple TV supercharger also includes NFS streaming, subtitle timing settings, additional translations and a bunch of other improvements and fixes.

Here is a full changelog:

• Revamped player with improved performance (Apple TV 4.4 and later)
• Added NFS streaming
• Added Catalan, Czech, Korean and Traditional Chinese translations
• Added support for localized TV show pattern: TV Show/Season #/S##E##.extension
• Added manual subtitle time correction (-10.0s to +10.0s)
• Added support for embedded .FLAC cover art
• Added support for .AC3, .DTS and .MOD files
• Improved .EYETV file handling
• Improved audio synchronization in slow and unstable networks
• Improved slideshow operation with small images
• Improved movie folders detection logic to ignore hidden files
• Improved metadata fetching to support movies split into multiple files (dvd#, cd#, disk#)
• Improved zoom mode operation for non-square pixels
• Improved DVD menu handling
• Improved .OGG file handling (now correctly treated as audio)
• Improved error handling for connection issues
• Improved buffering logic
• Improved installation routine
• Other minor UI improvements
• Resolved format detection that was causing rare playback issues
• Resolved issue with volume level resetting during rw/fw
• Resolved floating crashes usually observed when using SMB with Windows 7 shares
• Resolved conflicts with XBMC related to SMB
• Resolved issues with metadata fetching for ‘Show.Name.###.extension’ pattern
• Resolved crashes observed in folders with significant number of files
• Resolved playback error on DVD and ISO files observed when file path contains ‘?’ character
• Resolved crashes when working with long file paths
• Resolved rare issue with incorrect pre-playback screen layout
• Other miscellaneous bug fixes

If you’re already running a version of aTV Flash (black) the new 1.5 version can be installed through the Maintenance –> Manage Extras menu. Links for the new version can also be found in your FireCore account under the Downloads tab.

If you’re not yet using aTV Flash (black) you can get started here.

You may also want to read:
How to install IceFilms on your jailbroken Apple TV
XBMC 11.0 Eden for Apple TV 2 5.0 (iOS 5.1) released (+how to install tutorial)
How to jailbreak Apple TV 2 5.0 (iOS 5.1) with Seas0nPass (tethered)

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IceFilms is back and ready to increase the “awesome sauce” of your Apple TV! If you are one of our many fans with XBMC installed on their Apple TVs, you are likely aware of the fact that XBMC has always offered the ability to install third party add-ons. Sadly, this past December, the official XBMC Team took the odd step of closing access to some of XBMC’s most popular add-ons.

Just when it appeared as though these amazing tools would disappear, a new home arrived to connect developers, users, and add-on development. Since moving to XBMCHUB.COM the IceFilms team has been hard at work expanding the abilities and functionalities of it’s add-on and now it is ready, once again, for the prime time.

There are a few things that must be in place prior to installing the latest build:

• Jailbroken Apple TV with XBMC installed (see existing guides for details)
• SSH File Client
  • Windows – WinSCP
  • MAC – CyberDuck
• The Current IceFilms repo
  • Use This Link http://anarchintosh-projects.googlecode.com/files/repository.googlecode.anarchintosh-projects.1.0.1.zip
• A willing mind and a CAN-DO attitude

INSTALLATION

1. SSH into your Apple TV by using the following command. Make sure you use the IP address of your Apple TV. This is located in the Network information under the Settings menu on your Home Screen.

• At the top you will likely see a drop down menu that says “File Transfer Protocol.” Here you will need to select the option that says “SFTP” or “SSH”
• Server: Here you need to enter the IP address of your Apple TV that we located earlier.
• Username: root
• Password: alpine

2. Click on the “Connect” button and you will find yourself inside the File System of your Apple TV.

3. Next you will need to navigate to the location that XBMC associates as its Home Page. This location is found @ “/User”

4. Now we need to find the repo that you download earlier in this tutorial. Once you have located the file, you will need to drag it from your computer into this file location as seen below.

5. Open XBMC on your Apple TV and navigate to the System Menu.

6. Select the option titled “Add-ons”. This will open the Add-ons control panel that is built into XBMC.

7. Click the option titled “Install From Zip File”

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