Engadget shows us how to swap out your Apple TV's HD

Does it actually take advantage of the increased space? Or does it simply have more space yet not use it?

I wouldn't say that an update would render AppleTV useless with a non-stock drive any more than if you had upgraded the hard drive in your Mac and run Software Update. I suppose there is a chance that it's possible, but I think it's very unlikely.

Now what do you do when the first update, renders your appletv useless... Wouldn't that suck... But I guess if your gonna hack it. Then you will not be doing any updates...

Disk Utility does not allow for updating only changed files. That may be a feature added to the Leopard version, don't know. You can use rsync or other software to do that part for you if you like. So, i can see why you like the other program for those benefits. For businesses and important data, I prefer to make separate back-ups, just in case a file gets corrupt. I also tend to separate files, so i can back up important data more frequently, and try to keep things on separate drives as much as possible -- ie, music and photos on separate drive than those important files. Of note, important files can be stored in a .dmg file with encryption, giving you extra security [ if you don't save the password in the keychain ] and if you like hard backups, you can make the dmg file fit nicely on a cd, dvd, dvd-dl, etc.

I'll have to look at SD sometime and give it a try.

when it comes to upgrading Hard drives etc, disk utility rocks. It's also on all the Mac OS X install DVDs, so you can boot off the dvd and use it.

Does Disk Utility avoid copying over files that haven't changed? I use SuperDuper because it saves so much time by avoiding that. It's not going to change much for copying to a clean drive (like in this case), but for regular backups, SD is better.

one other note. To date, I have used Disk Utility to do all of my back up and restores of hard drives. No need for all the other applications on the market. Disk Utility handles moving all the hidden files etc, moving from different size disks, backing up to a file, backing up multiple partitions, single partition... Just use the image utility if you want to back up to a file. Use the restore option and drag your source and destination disks / partitions if you want to just move the stuff over. May make things go quicker, as you already have the software installed on your computer. Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility.app

Here's the ultimate in media preservation... thanks to the apple tv. (i haven't tried it, but given everyone's results so far, and knowing it works with a mac mini, it should work).

0. read all instructions first, then tailor them to fit your design / visual needs. [ because if you are going to do this, you should know from the instructions the details to do it ]

1. buy 2 large 3.5" hard drives [ say 500 GB+ ] and a 2.5" to 3.5" adapter

2. Get two inclosures you can live with.

3. hook one HD up to your computer and load your whole iTunes library on it / and make it the default.

4. hook up the second drive to the  tv and enclosure.

5. sync them up.

Now you have a full copy of all your media. one on the computer, and one on the Apple TV. You can take your library with you to a friends house also. [as it's on an external hard drive and the apple tv]

to select which library you use on itunes or iphoto, hold down the option key while launching the application. (sure there's something similar on the PC).

Good luck. Wonder if it will work with those 1000GB HDs. haven't checked to see what connectors those will use.

I'm with you, James, on my 802.11g network streaming both video and music is fine. Music is pretty much instantaneous and video takes about 5 seconds to load up.

I would recommend my favorite tool, SuperDuper!

Any confirmation on CCC working?