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What is the USB port on the Apple TV *really* for?

B

b0lls1nne

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 6, 2007
3
0
Well, it's not for "maintenance", because it is a host connector. Here's how it works:

A USB system is asymmetric, in that it has exactly one host (such as a Mac) and a number of devices (printers, USB disks, ...). To make sure the cables are connected correctly, the Mac/PC has a different connector than devices. The Apple TV has the same kind of connector as you will find on the back of your Mac.

Hence, you can't easily connect an Apple TV to a Mac/PC using this connector, which I would assume "maintenance" would mean. (OK, there is this USB2Go thing, but that seems like a really odd choice here.)

So what is the USB port for? Storage? A game controller? Or for connecting the iPhone for really nice video conferencing?

Let the spin begin...
 
Mr Skills

Mr Skills

macrumors 6502a
Nov 21, 2005
803
1
Interesting point!

Of course, there's always the possibility that it's purely a "just in case we think of something" option...
 
Antares

Antares

macrumors 68000
Jan 16, 2006
1,721
28
Somewhere in the Milky Way....a little place calle
I think it's for connecting peripherals. For future "add-ons" to :apple: TV. Like a camera so you could video conference on your big screen tv. For a future hard disk expansion. For directly connecting a keyboard or mouse. For a holographic emitter attachment. For anything Apple thinks up in the future....
 
peterjhill

peterjhill

macrumors 65816
Apr 25, 2002
1,095
0
Seattle, WA
b0lls1nne said:
Well, it's not for "maintenance", because it is a host connector. Here's how it works:
Click to expand...

Why do you think it is not for maintenance.. that is exactly what it is for. If it breaks, how do you think the apple store people will fix it? They will connect a keyboard and mouse to it and probably press some combination of keys and it will give them some sort of access to the base operating system.

They could have even done some other clever things.. perhaps have a usb key drive that has some sort of diagnostic image that the mac tv will look for when it boots, and if it sees it, will boot a different image.. Like the Mac Hardware Diag DVD.

We can come up with all sorts of conspiracy theories, but to disregard apples stated reason right off the bat without any reason is a bit harsh IMHO.
 
jaw04005

jaw04005

macrumors 601
Aug 19, 2003
4,514
402
AR
b0lls1nne said:
A USB system is asymmetric, in that it has exactly one host (such as a Mac) and a number of devices (printers, USB disks, ...). To make sure the cables are connected correctly, the Mac/PC has a different connector than devices. The Apple TV has the same kind of connector as you will find on the back of your Mac.
Click to expand...

So you assume because the USB port on the back of the :apple: TV is type A and the USB port on the back of your Mac is also type A the two can't be connected?

Wow. They do make USB A to A cords. I hate to burst your bubble, but the "service" port on the back of my HDTV is also A, and I've personally watched a technician connect it to his notebook to update the firmware. :rolleyes:
 
tombarnes

tombarnes

macrumors 6502
Feb 26, 2006
348
1
Surrey, United Kingdom
I like to think that the USB port is for connecting a USB hard drive to. I don't think I will be content with just a 40GB! I have 101GB of stuff in my itunes (Movies, Songs, TV Shows)!

Fingers crossed! :)
 
Diode

Diode

macrumors 68020
Apr 15, 2004
2,443
125
Washington DC
I'm sure it's used for service like apple states.

Now if someone can hack it and open it up for devices is another more likley posibility.

I am guessing the ATV won't have drivers for mounting hard drives at the moment but might in the future.
 
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