For those who want a simple solution to hacking Apple TV for more functionality:

ATV Flash (http://www.applecorellc.com/product_info.php?products_id=27)

Key Features:
- Play most video formats (DivX, Xvid, AVI, WMV, RMVB + more)
- Play DVD files WITHOUT converting them (includes DVD menu support)
- Surf the web with a Safari based web browser
- Easily enable external USB hard drive storage
- Enable FTP, SFTP and SSH access
- View local weather forecasts
- All original Apple TV features remain intact
- And much, much more...

All for $50 with new GUI install, no expertise required.

A question for those of you using ATV Flash: I am considering getting an Apple TV, and using ATV Flash to put all of my music and movies on an external drive. I have about 40,000 songs and a handful of movies. My question is this: When I add new songs or movies to iTunes, how long will it take to re-sync the Apple TV considering the size of my library? Thanks.

I am using a hack similar to atvflash. When i sync new content, the ATV only has to sync the new content. It does not have to re-sync my entire library.

I have been very disappointed with ATV flash. They're customer support is the worst. The new version has been out for 2 weeks and they still havent been able to update my account. They don't answer or return phone calls. And the one email they answered, they didnt actually answer what I asked.

If I could get a refund, I would.