This is strange...
I also am using the new power cord on a gen 1 apple tv that has been developing a lot of video artifacts and generally working very poorly.
For some reason, using the gen 2 cord the old atv is working perfectly now. So here's my real question. The old power cord has a built in power adapter, but on the new atv it is built into the unit itself. Is the old atv now getting pure 110v without the cord mounted adapter. And if so, why is it not fried???
Do you think that the real problem with the gen1 atv could just be a bad power adapter?