EggXpert

I've seen a few hacks out there to be able to add a network share (SAMBA) to apple TV but is it possible to, by default, save all your downloaded stuff to a Samba server (i.e. no need to worry about the local storage)? I already have the server, I'm just wondering if buying the apple tv for my HTPC would be worth it.

Have yet to get itunes to work on WINE. 

Root, why do you want to complicate your life? I thought the Apple TV was for non-geeks.

Well, if you are still using Linux, let me share some experiences. Two of my customer's teenage kids (the ones who mess Windows every week or so) have been sentenced by theirs mothers to an only Linux machine. Poor creatures, seeing theirs faces was so sad. All I could hear was: what about my iPod and I would die if can't chat with my friends   (they usually use 4 messengers at the same time)  Just imagine my face,  I, the one who despises messengers.

 Anyway, I finished theirs suffering with these two Linux programs:

GtkPod and Kopete, so far no complains I'm their hero and they are on theirs way to become Linux geeks... I just created some monsters  

They still spend the whole day chatting at the Pc, but there is nothing I can do about it. At least I won't be seeing them for a few month. Yes, they will find a way to trash the computer, they always do.

I've used the same basic setup you are trying to do and it worked fairly well. I got fed up with having to do alot of messing around to get the newest features when apple released updates so I just went back to the normal aTV setup and make changes to the rest of my config. Currently I have a linux box with a bunch of hard drives storing all of my media, then I have a second small box running windows that is used only for itunes to broadcast to the aTV. itunes on Wine doesn't support broadcasting the aTV (at least not the last time i tried it) so this was the only way to get it working properly. The only thing I would say if you go this route is to use a program such as MetaX to tag all of your media to ensure it looks pretty in the aTV.

Amazing, LT. I did not even notice your post. lol. It is for non-geeks! But I actually like itunes (I know, I know, shame on me) and I like the warm fuzzy feeling of supporting the artists with my 1$.

 glap, I had started with that setup up you just described and then decided to get completely off of windows. Now my windows box is in a 5$ case (no joke) and collecting dust next to my other tv. I had plans to use it there but that project fell to the wayside for another day. And now I'm going on a tangent.

With things like pandora and youtube, I've decided that I can do without itunes for a while. 90% of my time is spent at work or at home (which I have access to both pandora and youtube) so I can deal with not listening to my kind of music for that 10%.

Good for you.

I'm still double booting Linux and Windows, but I might do the complete switch one day.

 

I've never heard of this other box.  It wasn't really a big thing for me.  I wasn't really that interested.  I'm a huge fan of Apple but I have to admit that I think the reason for my lack of interest is the straightforward, seemingly limited features of Apple TV.  I read an interesting story the other day (I think it was on Apple's website) where a professional photographer had found a great use for it.  I don't remember exactly what that was but it was interesting.  I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to find on the site if you wanted to read it.  What's the official name of the other box?  I would love to read about it.  Would it work with a mac?  Apple just needs to make a version with more complicated features to lure in the nerds.