This is Tyler Fitch

It runs really hot, is that normal?

And I have to do a hard reset about once a week.  The audio clicks to show that remote input is being received, but the display is blank.  It could be a HDMI issue with my LCD, it’s a cheap no name 32″ model that we got for $400 last winter.  Considering that we still can’t find 32″ models for $400 I’m happy with my choice.  I’m not going to move the Apple TV downstairs to the Samsung DLP to compare the results, it’s not worth my time.

Those complaints aside, having all our movies available at the press of a button is worth a few hard resets.

Not a ground breaking discovery here, but this greatly improved the usability of my Apple TV when finding movies to watch.

1) Go to http://www.movieweb.com/ and search for the movie(s) you have in iTunes.

2) Go to the movie’s theatrical release page and/or DVD page.  You’ll find images of the DVD cover or images of the various posters used to publicize the movie.  (Older movies have less of selection, but the DVD cover will be available).  Drag the image of the DVD cover or movie poster to your desktop or a folder you’ll store all your images in.

3) In iTunes find the movie highlight it by clicking on it once.  Now type Command-i or control-i to bring up the Info window for the iTunes file.  The last tab is ‘Artwork’ and it’ll be empty.  Click on the ‘Add’ button and select the image you just downloaded from movieweb.com to be the artwork for the movie.

4) You’re done.  Now when you browse your movie library in iTunes or on your Apple TV you’ll see this boxshot instead of the default image which is a frame of the movie, almost certainly not usable to visually define the movie.

My DVR started recording a new episode of Two and a Half Men tonight.  That was pretty quick, I wonder if they had this one in the can before the strike and just needed to tweak a couple of things.  I guess not, I think they’d have major continuity issues for any changes over that long a period.  They probably had the script done and shot it as soon as it was possible.  Welcome back new TV.