We are pleased to announce the release aTV Flash (black) Release Candidate 1 (RC1) for the 2nd generation AppleTV. RC1 is a major update for aTV Flash (black) and adds a number of exciting new features include a brand new 'grid view' browsing mode, huge subtitle related improvements, and countless other performance and playback related improvements.

Keep reading to learn more about what's new.

All-New Browsing Options

We've added an all-new grid view which allows you to browse through media by simply viewing a grid of posters, instead of a list.

From the grid view you can press the center (select) button to get more details about the movie through the 'Pre-Playack Screen' or if you're in a hurry just press play/pause to start the movie right away.

The list view has also gotten a healthy overhaul as well. Movies and TV Shows are now listed using the prettier 'fetched' name instead of the actual filename. Additionally metadata is fetched and cached in bulk, so there's no more waiting for cover art and metadata to load.

Note: You can switch between the Grid and List views through the Media --> Settings menu.

Full Changelog

  • 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

Splendid! Where can I get it?

If you're already running a version of aTV Flash (black) the new RC1 version can be installed through the Maintenance --> Manage Extras menu. If you need to re-install aTV Flash (black) links for the new version can be found in your account under the Downloads tab.

New users can pre-order aTV Flash (black) here.

Note: Installing RC1 requires AppleTV 4.2 or later.

Enjoy! :-) 

Comments

Submitted by Anon on October 30, 2011 - 10:58am

Hi, will you release rar-archive support? Then MP would be perfect :)

Submitted by ewanh.6307 on October 30, 2011 - 2:12pm

Hi guys, are there plans to support syncing playback between ATV2's? I have a large room with 2 TV's and I'd like to be able to have them synced and playing the same movie at the same time with no difference in timing etc. Thanks

Submitted by ewanh.6307 on October 30, 2011 - 2:12pm

.

Submitted by ewanh.6307 on October 30, 2011 - 3:08pm

Hi, is there any way to default subtitles to off in the settings page (can that be added please)?  Currently every time I play a movie with embedded subtitles they display and I have to manually go in and set them to none.  Thanks.

Submitted by Anon on October 30, 2011 - 3:17pm

Hi, will there be an update adding a search by genre ? I have several drives that contain movies, would nice to have all the movies show in one window. I've been using plex but having lag issues. I find the quality of your built in player excellent.

Submitted by Anon on October 30, 2011 - 6:59pm

Get a splitter and stop being freakin retarded you retard!

Submitted by samirq.0225 on October 30, 2011 - 8:38pm

I am also unable to play ISO files... when I open an ISO file, the Apple TV freezes and then dumps me back into the main menu.  Any suggestions on how to fix this problem will be greatly appreciated!

Other than this, fun product!  Keep up the good work :)

Submitted by normanp.4070 on October 30, 2011 - 9:58pm

Cant install running 4.4.2 tethered jb when try to instal i get "sorry the installer could not install Maintenance (error 9.100)
Please help.

Submitted by Anon on October 30, 2011 - 11:07pm

New client here! I just replaced XMBC, and I like aTV Flash (black) RC1 but definitely enable SORT feature... by: Release Date, Genre, Date Added, Alphabetical, Rated, Popularity, etc.!

Submitted by Anon on October 31, 2011 - 1:58am

Hi!

Media player is amazing! Unfortunately the Metadata scanning in my Movies folder (288 movies in 720p) stops around 77. If I remove the movies 60 until 90 (alphabetically) from the folder it still stops at 77/78.
Also it notifies me the memory buffers out. As soon as I turn of metadata scanning it still scans the metadata and after 1 minute it shuts down the ATV so I can't watch movies very easily.
Also it buffers many times during the movie, which is weird because of my hard-wire ethernet connection to my AirPort Extreme.

Hopefully it's clear what I'm saying. Thank you for this great product.

Submitted by Anon on October 31, 2011 - 3:31am

My issue is with Couch surfer....Is there a way to close browser windows such as pop up adverts? every time i load a site to stream a show off, it skips straight past to the pop up window and i cnt get back to the page i need.....

Also having issues with BBC iPlayer & 4od on Plex, cannot get them to play anything, just says "An error occurred"

Can anyone help?

Thanks.

Submitted by ewanh.6307 on October 31, 2011 - 3:43am

Thats a bit strong bearing in mind you have no idea why I asked this question or my set up. I am well aware of HDMI splitters however the TV's are a good 10m apart (one in the kitchen and the other in a conservatory) and its near impossible to run an HDMI lead between the 2. So it was a fair question and I'm sure I'm not the only one that would find this feature useful (Ever heard of Airplay?? What I'm asking is not too dissimilar, just mirroring ATV2's vs say an iPad and an ATV2). Think you need to look in the mirror and you will no doubt see a real retard looking back at you!

Submitted by Anon on October 31, 2011 - 4:39am

Hi

Just installed RC1 and found out that when I try to fast forward the whole thing freezes up so I have to reboot ATV

Jannik

Submitted by Anon on October 31, 2011 - 5:40am

awsome

Submitted by Anon on October 31, 2011 - 10:58am

Restore to 4.3 and then jailbreak your device until they come out with an untetherd version for 4.4.2.

Submitted by timothyb.7788 on October 31, 2011 - 12:27pm

Any word on an untethered jailbreak for iOS 5? I'd really like the new features, but don't want the hassle of having to connect my aTV to my computer every time I need to restart it.

Submitted by james on October 31, 2011 - 2:03pm

Hmm - can you send in a bug report?

http://forum.firecore.com/topic/4291

Submitted by james on October 31, 2011 - 2:03pm

Would you mind opening a support ticket so we can get some more info from you?

http://forum.firecore.com/topic/4291

Submitted by james on October 31, 2011 - 2:04pm

Yes, this will be added in the next version.

Submitted by james on October 31, 2011 - 2:04pm

Would you mind sending in a bug report?

http://forum.firecore.com/topic/4291

Submitted by james on October 31, 2011 - 2:05pm

Awesome! Glad to hear you're enjoying it.

Submitted by james on October 31, 2011 - 2:13pm

You will want to ensure you have tagged your TV Shows folders as TV Shows.

More details on folder tagging can be found here: http://blog.firecore.com/5476

Submitted by james on October 31, 2011 - 2:14pm

XML file info can be found here: http://support.firecore.com/entries/20557283-m...

Submitted by james on October 31, 2011 - 2:15pm

Can you send in a bug report?

http://forum.firecore.com/topic/4291

Submitted by james on October 31, 2011 - 2:15pm

Tell us more?

http://forum.firecore.com/topic/4291

Submitted by james on October 31, 2011 - 2:15pm

Awesome! Glad to hear it's working well.

Submitted by james on October 31, 2011 - 2:16pm

Not yet, but that's a good idea.

Submitted by Anon on October 31, 2011 - 2:16pm

Will do that tomorrow, thank you.
Software is 8F455 and the latest RC1 release

Submitted by james on October 31, 2011 - 2:16pm

You can check the version info through the Maintenance --> About menu.

Maintenance 0.8 = RC1

Submitted by james on October 31, 2011 - 2:17pm

Can you give us a bit more info about your ISO file issue?

http://forum.firecore.com/topic/4291

Submitted by james on October 31, 2011 - 2:17pm

Hmm - might be best to send us an email.

http://firecore.com/contact

Submitted by james on October 31, 2011 - 2:18pm

Hmm - can you give us a bit more info?

http://forum.firecore.com/topic/4291

Submitted by Anon on October 31, 2011 - 3:19pm

The grid view looks nice, but functionally it's cumbersome. The thumbnails have to be re-fetched every time you view a directory - that's a drag. Also the media file details only show once you've navigated to the sub-dir - which is a missed opportunity to have a true thumbnail browser while displaying the selected media file. And improvement from past versions but, meh.

Nobody puts all media files in a single directory, but mostly ATV Flash requires it - which is a shortcoming.

Submitted by sfbayrealtor on October 31, 2011 - 6:34pm

Great job guys. 

Love the Media plugin. 

Can't wait until we have the untethered boot option. Power just flickered out here...and I guess it looks like I need to do a tethered boot, each and every time it reboots...

 

Submitted by davige on November 1, 2011 - 9:33am

Same problem here.

Submitted by Anon on November 1, 2011 - 2:09pm

Time Capsule Stop working, whats the deal?

Submitted by procom on November 1, 2011 - 2:53pm

And Couch surfer pro, any update?

Submitted by frankveldink on November 1, 2011 - 3:12pm

Great work guys! It's all working, except for movies using the VC-1 format. All the movies in VC-1 are shaky and keeps buffering and running for a few seconds. Is this a know issue and will it be fixed in a future release?

Thx again for the great work! ;) 

Submitted by endera on November 1, 2011 - 3:54pm

Couchsurfer Pro support Bluetooth mouse

Submitted by james on November 1, 2011 - 3:54pm

Unfortunately VC-1 video is not currently supported, but may be added in the future.

Submitted by djkurupt on November 1, 2011 - 3:58pm

hey guys just wanted to know anyone know how i can obtain a us netflix content on my black apple tv i already jailbroke it and isntalled firecore and all but if someone can guide me id appreciate it and if anyone knows the least complex way

 

 

i heard in order to get US content you need a US ip address so things like that pelase let me know........

Submitted by Phixtit on November 2, 2011 - 12:41am

James, I have another feature request to ask of you for the next update...
Could you please add a small white check-mark in bottom right corner of the grid view to show if a Movie, TV Show, Season, and Episode is watched.
Also, please add an option to Mark as Watched/Unwatched for TV Show, and Season, like there is for a Movie and Episode?

Submitted by Jadi on November 2, 2011 - 4:50am

When I restart the apple tv (ATV2), it is going to search for time and date. This never comes to an end and I have to press menu to get back. It occurs when I have date and time update on or off.

Submitted by andreass.9746 on November 2, 2011 - 10:48am

DVD including subtitles (VobSub) ripped with Handbrake to MP4 is played with yellow subtitles, would it be possible to change the color to white?

Submitted by james on November 2, 2011 - 4:36pm

Some subtitle options are adjustable through the Playback Menu. The Playback Menu can be accessed by holding the select (center) button while a video is playing.

If when viewing this menu these options are grayed out, the subtitle are hardcoded into the video and cannot be adjusted.

Submitted by Anon on November 2, 2011 - 10:17pm

Try running coax. I do this for my children's rooms for the same reason. Now you will only need one ATV and one HDMI cable.

Submitted by adg.0734 on November 3, 2011 - 2:28am

Same here, the option key offers no subtitle size / color option (which is fine if the subtitles were white)

 

Submitted by andreass.9746 on November 3, 2011 - 1:50pm

No option to change color in the Playback Menu, not even grayed out options:

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:101:]]

The subtitles are displayed in white color when the movie is played with VLC on my PC, but unfortunately in yellow when played with Media Player on the aTV.

Submitted by louand.3650 on November 3, 2011 - 4:16pm

Will iTunes "DRM"ed purchased Movies be supported in Media player?

Submitted by superdifficult on November 3, 2011 - 9:42pm

Where do you pull the metadata from for TV shows? Hawaii Five-0 doesn't seem to work.

 

Thanks,

Patrick