Why does the Apple TV have a USB port?

[iParis]

I've been wondering why in the world the Apple TV has a USB port.
For a second I was thinking that maybe it's to expand the library by plugging in an external hard drive.
But then I thought, that won't work because the Apple TV has to be synced with iTunes and you can't sync an external hard drive.

Any thoughts?

[Peace]

The FCC requires all set-top boxes ( which the Apple TV falls under ) to have an "access port". On most devices it's usually a USB port.

[tom1971]

I've been wondering why in the world the Apple TV has a USB port.
For a second I was thinking that maybe it's to expand the library by plugging in an external hard drive.
But then I thought, that won't work because the Apple TV has to be synced with iTunes and you can't sync an external hard drive.

Any thoughts?

You can use an external hd with the USB part when you patch your ATV.

[iParis]

You can use an external hd with the USB part when you patch your ATV.

What do you mean by "patch;" sorry if that sounded stupid.

[tom1971]

What do you mean by "patch;" sorry if that sounded stupid.

You hack it with a so-called "Patchstick", a USB stick that installs additional software and functions to your ATV.