Are my Apple TV problems hardware or firmware related?

[kavika411]

Thanks for reading this. Let me start by saying I love Apple TV, at least as a concept, so I really want mine to work. That said, I've got a couple of serious problems:

(1) The Apple TV periodically stops responding to the white remote. I know the remote is working, because that little light on the front of the Apple TV flashes as it should as I push the buttons on the remote. But none of the commands are working. Stranger still, I can use my iPhone Remote app for Apple TV just fine, even when the proper remote isn't working.

(2) My Apple TV likes to lock up a decent amount. It's kind of like when you open too many applications on your computer too fast and none of them will work, at least for a while. It's gotten bad enough a couple of times lately that I have to unplug the Apple TV and plug it back in. (In that regard, is there not an on/off switch?)

(3) When my my PowerMac - via a wireless g card - is synching with my Apple TV, that wireless signal wreaks havoc on my wireless Apple keyboard and wireless Mighty Mouse. It's as if there is a battle for the wireless signals passing across my desk.

I appreciate anyone's thoughts if they have a moment. I can't tell if these are things I need to get used to or if I picked a bad Apple.

 

[macleod199]

I get 1 and 2 a lot. It has also taken to telling me the battery in my remote is dying, even when I replace it with a new one. I'm encouraged to here that the iPhone remote app continues to work well... gives me another excuse to get an iPod Touch when they update them.

 

[ant-macyourself]

You could try running the built-in diagnostic test, which should (hopefully) let you know if you've got a hardware issue of some kind. To bring this up, hold down the minus (-) and menu buttons on your remote. It'll go dark for a little while and then show a menu with the options to restart, restore, and run diagnostics.

 

[zedsdead]

The 2.1 firmware is horribly glitchy, like the current iPhone software. Apple needs to get back in the game, and quick.

The Remote App causes my Apple TV to reset, every single time I turn the Apple TV back on.

The interface is also still very sluggish.

 

[pdpfilms]

I get 1 and 2 also. Seems to be new sine 2.1.

 

[Cave Man]

If you can, switch from HDMI to component video. This seems to be the issue with the remote lag.

 

[kolax]

1. I had this twice - I had to repair the remote and it began working fine again. First time, my flatmate said on the remote (must have pressed some sort of combination) and second time it just happened.

2. Locks up, as in goes extremely slow or just pretty much freezes? This isn't normal behaviour - elaborate on what you are doing when this happens?

3. This might be a good read - explains a lot with interference problems with 802.11 and bluetooth:

"Because of the potential for collisions, 802.11 (and Bluetooth) networks can suffer lower performance. An 802.11 station automatically lowers its data rate and retransmits a frame when collisions occur. Consequently, the 802.11 protocol introduces delays in the presence of Bluetooth interference."

 

[TuckBodi]

If you can, switch from HDMI to component video. This seems to be the issue with the remote lag.

Nope. I'm using component video and I see this behavior as well. Another annoying "feature" is how my ATV becomes unresponsive whenever I have to fire up iTunes and it goes through its sync. This even though I don't have anything to sync other than some pictures (for the screensaver) which never change. I have to let it do its thing for around 10 to 15 minutes. Bummer when you want to show off the thing to friends and you realize iTunes isn't running! They definitely have some polishing/refining to do..