I Now Hate My AppleTV

[mikebenton]

Up until recently I loved my AppleTV. I enjoy purchasing a season of certain TV shows. And like many Apple products....they just worked.

Not the case any more.

First, I was one of those who lost all content. I have just over 100GB. Trying to contact Apple over the issue was a challenge, especially via the Internet. There were no options to report an error with the upgrade. I actually had to report a problem with Internet radio to create the help ticket.

After getting the latest update my AppleTV stopped working all together. First, the video had a green tint to it. Then is stopped all together. I had the device connected through my receiver. I started receiving a message stating the signal was unsupported. I changed nothing, FYI, in the configuration. I then connected the device directly to my TV. Most times the video signal works, but not always. Even my TV will sometimes display "unsupported video signal."

When it does work it is not very responsive. I select menu items and wait sometimes 2 - 3 seconds. Playback hasn't been an issue. Once an item is selected it play ok. I tried to purchase a movie last night with almost no success. For whatever reason, it asked my to enter my username/password again. It would not accept my credentials. I tried 6 more times before they were accepted.

So yes.....now I basically am angry at myself for a bad investment. Maybe I should've purchased the Mac Mini. Maybe Apple will fix the AppleTV. How can it be a hardware issue when it worked so well before the update? Maybe Apple will provide a better method of reporting and receiving assistance with their AppleTV firmware updates? IDK

I guess the first step is to raise awareness. Hopefully if enough people report the issue something will be done.

 

[FamiliaPhoto]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Guess I've been lucky to not have any issues since the upgrade. I have about 300 gig synced to my ATV and would hate to have to do that again.

 

[alFR]

The fact that most people aren't having these issues suggests that it isn't a systematic problem with the new software, maybe something went wrong with your upgrade. I know it's a pain and you shouldn't really have to do it, but my approach to this sort of thing has always been:

• Hard reset (complete power cycle)
• If that fails, reset to factory settings (i.e. reinstall ATV software) and resync content

If that fails, contact support - you might have a hardware problem.

 

[mikebenton]

I've done many resets. Typically, this is the only way I've been able to restore the picture.

I recently saw an article on the macworld.com site about the 3.0 release. It stated that many customers complained about performance, not just the disappearing content with the release. To my knowledge, the 3.0.1 upgrade only fixed the disappearing content issue.

I don't think I'm an exception when it comes to performance issues.

 

[zedsdead]

I've done many resets. Typically, this is the only way I've been able to restore the picture.

I recently saw an article on the macworld.com site about the 3.0 release. It stated that many customers complained about performance, not just the disappearing content with the release. To my knowledge, the 3.0.1 upgrade only fixed the disappearing content issue.

I don't think I'm an exception when it comes to performance issues.

I've had performance issues too. I like the upgrade features, but I really think the Apple TV hardware can't handle what Apple is trying to do with it. The hardware is far too outdated (over 3 years now).

 

[Scarpad]

I just rebought an ATV w/160gb HD I had a 40gb I sold, i tried various things from wdtv to XBMC and while they were fun to play with they were still alot of work to maintain. I loved the simplicity of the ATV, the new update sounds like a bummer and hopefully apple will fix things. Maybe mine will have a previous FW uinstalled, either Way I figured if Apple updates the HW I'll just assing this one to the bedroom and get another for the Living room.

 

[jaw04005]

I've had performance issues too. I like the upgrade features, but I really think the Apple TV hardware can't handle what Apple is trying to do with it. The hardware is far too outdated (over 3 years now).

It came out in March of 2007. So, it’s not quite three years old yet.

If any Apple TV owner tells you they’ve never had performance issues they’re either lying or don’t use their Apple TV.

It’s time for a hardware refresh.

It needs some love and attention from a senior executive at Apple. Apple needs to decide what the Apple TV is.

Here’s my 5 step plan on how to “save” the Apple TV

1. Upgrade hardware including processor, RAM, graphics, hard drive controller (move to SATA), Ethernet (gigabit) and add a Bluetooth or UHF module for the remote (so it works indirectly). Hardware should be capable of 1080p at 30 FPS up to at least 15 Mbps.

2. Upgrade software including moving to a 10.6 base, introduce a plug-in architecture, add Safari, add Dashboard widgets (for weather, etc) and HTTP streaming.

3. Introduce a Netflix-like TV/movie streaming service for iTunes which includes streaming to your Mac/PC, iPhone and Apple TV. Additionally, offer to just “stream” content from iTunes’ servers instead of forcing users to download content. And upgrade iTunes to natively transcode Divx, WMV and other file types on the fly.

4. Introduce an App Store for the Apple TV and work with partners like Pandora, Last.FM and El Gato to get their apps in it.

5. Introduce a “Live Internet TV” channel that works with partners like YouTube Live, UStream, StickAm, Bit Gravity and Justin.TV.

 

[Bevz]

I've done many resets. Typically, this is the only way I've been able to restore the picture.

I recently saw an article on the macworld.com site about the 3.0 release. It stated that many customers complained about performance, not just the disappearing content with the release. To my knowledge, the 3.0.1 upgrade only fixed the disappearing content issue.

I don't think I'm an exception when it comes to performance issues.

bit of a long shot but you say you've done many resets but have u done a factory restore? This will revert back at version 1.0 software and you will have the option to download and install 3.0.1... Apologies if you've already done this....

 

[seamer]

My atv is driving me nuts too. Since the atv 3x firmware and 9x iTunes update my atv is near unusable in both streaming and sync. If I select something to watch, 9/10 the atv will reboot without an error. I'm at wits end with it. This is my bedtime entertainment, I can't screw around at 2am fixing something that shouldn't be breaking

Happens on both of my atv, bought both this year new from
an apple store. Run factory restore+updates and diagnostics and they keep coming back as fine. Grr.

 

[JonHimself]

...
Here’s my 5 step plan on how to “save” the Apple TV

1. Upgrade hardware including processor, RAM, graphics, hard drive controller (move to SATA), Ethernet (gigabit) and add a Bluetooth or UHF module for the remote (so it works indirectly). Hardware should be capable of 1080p at 30 FPS up to at least 15 Mbps.

2. Upgrade software including moving to a 10.6 base, introduce a plug-in architecture, add Safari, add Dashboard widgets (for weather, etc) and HTTP streaming.

3. Introduce a Netflix-like TV/movie streaming service for iTunes which includes streaming to your Mac/PC, iPhone and Apple TV. Additionally, offer to just “stream” content from iTunes’ servers instead of forcing users to download content. And upgrade iTunes to natively transcode Divx, WMV and other file types on the fly.

4. Introduce an App Store for the Apple TV and work with partners like Pandora, Last.FM and El Gato to get their apps in it.

5. Introduce a “Live Internet TV” channel that works with partners like YouTube Live, UStream, StickAm, Bit Gravity and Justin.TV.

I agree (mostly with 4 of those). I think having hardware capable of playing 1080p at fps would be nice but is not necessary (I say that meaning it's not necessary because Apple doesn't even offer that so there's no reason for it... now maybe with 1080p on YouTube and the eventual result of 1080p movies being on iTunes it will become necessary, but it isn't right now).

The only thing I disagree with is is transcoding DIVX, WMV, etc. I just don't see why they need to do this when you look at it from their business perspective. I understand that people do have legitimate video in those formats but if you're a) Purchasing your content from iTunes or b) Ripping your own movies/tv shows there is no reason to ever have them in those formats. While it is frustrating, I kind of like Apple's hardline stance on things like file formats and what they support. I think that Flash is annoying and would rather see websites using HTML/CSS, etc to accomplish similar effects. I don't hate - but see no point to FLAC, WMV, DIVX, etc when (again assuming you're converting your own media) there is h264 and Apple Lossless.
Of course if you're not using Apple devices (for instance say you have a smartphone that isn't Apple but also have an iPod) then it becomes frustrating.. but my assumption is their goal is to get you to buy into their formats and then you're more likely to buy their products, which I can understand people being upset with.

 

[toolbox]

1. Upgrade hardware including processor, RAM, graphics, hard drive controller (move to SATA), Ethernet (gigabit) and add a Bluetooth or UHF module for the remote (so it works indirectly). Hardware should be capable of 1080p at 30 FPS up to at least 15 Mbps.

Totally agreed! defiantly needs a SATA interface and gigabit ethernet

 

[eleven59]

hell im tired of it telling me there's no content available or its not in the right format when i havent changed how ive added content or encoded in the past when that worked!! its the little quirks im getting tired of!!!

 

[jaw04005]

The only thing I disagree with is is transcoding DIVX, WMV, etc. I just don't see why they need to do this when you look at it from their business perspective.

Well, look Windows Media Player can do it in Windows 7. So Apple might as well add it. Additionally, they already support audio formats that are inferior to AAC (including both WMA and MP3) so they might as well do the same for video to make everyone happy.

It’s not like it would take much. For example, all iTunes would have to do is accept the files. You can already convert from WMV and DIVX files in QuickTime with the appropriate plug-ins. If they just offered “what QuickTime accepts, iTunes will accept” it would make life easier.

Do I expect they’ll ever add it? Absolutely not.

 

[Cuthbert]

Up until recently I loved my AppleTV.

I'm losing love for the apple tv myself. An issue I've never had with an apple product and one which is changing my opinion of Apple.

Why the F- is apple tv a "hobby?" Why produce a half-ass product that obviously has issues? If you are going to give us a product, take ownership of it and work to make it better. No hardware upgrade over the current life of this product is laughable.

Currently, my apple tv will not even download HD movies from Apple. I've tried everything. The whole experience has become maddening.

 

[Winni]

So yes.....now I basically am angry at myself for a bad investment. Maybe I should've purchased the Mac Mini. Maybe Apple will fix the AppleTV.

Maybe you shouldn't care. Maybe you shouldn't give Apple any more of your money. Maybe you should buy a working product from the competition.

 

[Keebler]

i feel for you, but just reload your backup to the atv. you had it backed up right?

the upgrade issue is something that wasn't planned, but always plan for anything with a backup.

i'm not trying to be a jerk here - just trying to say that if you had a backup, you could reset the atv, load up the sw updates, then re-add your media.

not the most enjoyable of processes, but something that would maybe have you NOT hate your ATV.

 

[xraydoc]

If any Apple TV owner tells you they’ve never had performance issues they’re either lying or don’t use their Apple TV.

I have 3 AppleTVs (40GB models, but I stream everything) and while I fully admit I've had one of them drop off the iTunes device list periodically, it wasn't anything that a quick reboot didn't fix - and hasn't at all happened since installing Snow Leopard on the Mac that acts as my iTunes server.

I have each connected to a 720p TV via HDMI (I don't have any 1080p TVs yet) - an older model 55" Sony RPTV, a 720p LCD projector (100") and an older model Vizio 42" plasma.

Apart from occasional, minor UI sluggishness, my AppleTVs have been working great. They get used almost every day. Even when different content is being streamed to each one, I've not had any issues with playback. And I've never lost any content, though I have them set to stream virtually everything off the server; only the newest 3-5 items get pushed out and stored on the AppleTV's hard drive.

I'm very happy and have recommended them to friends.

 

[ntrigue]

When it does work it is not very responsive. I select menu items and wait sometimes 2 - 3 seconds. Playback hasn't been an issue. Once an item is selected it play ok. I tried to purchase a movie last night with almost no success. For whatever reason, it asked my to enter my username/password again. It would not accept my credentials. I tried 6 more times before they were accepted.

We are in the exact same boat here. Everytime my girlfriend attempts to watch something when I am not home the ATV s%*$! itself. Its an ongoing joke as soon as the unresponsive occurs it just gets progressively worse and then reboots. I did a clean install of 3.0.1.

 

[Munki60]

I understand the frustration when products don't work, but i have never had a problem with my Apple TV. I have had it for just over 4 months now, it is used everyday, more than i would use my skyhd. I download TV shows using Vuze, which also converts for streaming to my Apple TV, so formats are not an issue. I have downloaded tv shows and movies from Itunes in HD. I have synced all my music and music videos, due to it skipping problem when playing music through streaming, which i have put down to my wi-fi network issues.

I hacked my Apple TV when i first got to add more hard drive space, but reverted back to factory settings as i found the UI to be messy with the additional add-ons.

I do not require my Apple TV to do any more than it already does, more features would be beneficial i'm sure, but as it stands, i can not fault it. I can't praise it enough to friends, the majority of which are amazed by the features it has.

All you people that are having problems, have you hacked into it? Could this be the cause of your problems??

 

[thejadedmonkey]

I'm curious what is Apple's policy if a working, out of warranty Apple TV stops working after a firmware update? Will Apple cover the issue due to the update, or do they tell the customer to go s***w themselves?