On my 5th apple tv from costco

I guess just letting it flash ever so slightly once every week or so is just out of the question.

Thats too bad that you've had to switch it out that many times.

Hopefully you'll get one that doesn't flash and love it!

Also, what do you mean by flash b/w the Apple logo and main menu?

yeah what do you mean flash???

Is it connected to your receiver/TV via an HDMI cable?

Saying your AppleTV flashes is a lot like me saying "I yelled at my kids twice today."

Without knowing I yelled at them to not wander into the road, or jump in front of a bus, the statement has a different meaning.

Mine flashes all the time when it boots up. Sometimes the Apple logo appears with a purple background and a green apple. It doesn't matter, since once it boots up it works fine.

Unless the OP clarifies what's happening, it looks like he's complaining about flashes that occur during HDMI negotiations or for other reasons during boot-up only.

And exactly how many of these does the OP need to get and return before he/she starts wondering if it's his/her TV or a common issue affecting all ATV users?

that's sounds like an uber picky reason to return one. I suppose you don't have a ps3, that thing flashes all the time, and even more when i first got it (before all the updates).

knux11 said:

that's sounds like an uber picky reason to return one. I suppose you don't have a ps3, that thing flashes all the time, and even more when i first got it (before all the updates).

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Maybe we misunderstood. Perhaps "the flash" is not a flash of light, but something slightly more illicit? What exactly is "flashing"?

And I agree - seems like an extra-whiny reason to return something, especially if it is the flash caused by HDMI.

Sounds like the problem lies with your TV, not the AppleTV.

From what I've read, the HDMI connection flashes on a lot of TV's. Some worse than other maybe, but really it's not a big deal at all. Is it? I've got a Samsung that flashes every time. It doesn't bother me. It's establishing a connection.

Agreed- Super picky reason to return an AppleTV 5 times. You could return it 50 times, it's still going to flash buddy.

^^ True about that flash via HDMI.
I used to have my ATV hooked up via component, and never had that "Flash" thingy. Ever since I switched to HDMI, a brief "Flash" appears when I switch from regular TV to ATV. Nothing annoying.

So there is your answer, southbark. Either use component cables or get rid of the ATV. Practically every HDMI device I've ever owned flashed at some point when it boots or when I switch inputs to it.

i think the OP is describing something different from just the normal hdmi logo flashing.

i just did a factory restore on my apple tv, and am now having the same problem as this guy. it showed the apple logo, and the connect code alternately, and everytime it showed the code, it was a different number. also, the apple tv does not show up in itunes. i was able to press menu (after pressing about 50 times, it registered one of the presses), but now it flashes between the logo and the menu, and once it goes back to the logo, it forgets where my cursor was, so i cant get it down to settings so i cant get the newer software version or anything.

basically, never do a factory restore...

update: i let it just sit there switching screens for a few minutes, and it eventually stayed on the menu. then i was able to go to sources and set it up to synch from there. phew

Its definitely your TV.

The sheer statistical chance that you got 5 bad appletv units in a row is astronomically high.

Lets say 1 out of a HUNDRED appletv units that apple manufactures is bad out of the box. This is way high. Its probably more like one out of several thousand.

.01 * .01 * .01 * .01 * .01 = 1e-10 = .0000001% = one in ten billion chance.

You're either not doing something right, or your HDMI port on your tv is funny. i promise.

for the record, i hate when people do this. dont know how something works, dont ask, dont call apple, they just return it. again and again and again. seriously.

Try component then and see what happens.

All of my HD toys flash when i first switch to its input on my receiver or tv.

Unless it flashes repetitively I would just deal with it.

southbark said:

Happens on component and hdmi

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Try a different TV

southbark said:

It flashes and thats all it does nothing else canot watch or sync . I have tried it on two hd tvs at myhouse as well as one at my friends and my fathers even tried my projector still the same.Costco manager even tried it on six of their tvs and still the same.Since no one hear can figure it out i will just have to wait for apple

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Apparently Apple shipped all defective units to your local Costco...I'm not saying you didn't get a bad unit, but 5? I suspect some form of exaggeration to your story.

Agee its something other than the appletv. Did you try different cables?

skye12 said:

Agee its something other than the appletv. Did you try different cables?

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Seriously - its like statistically impossible that you could have 5 dead units in a row with the same problem.

My thought: Power issue. If they're not working on costco's tv's, that (potentially) rules out your TV. Perhaps your power at your house is destroying the units, and then they won't work at your house or costco

I had the exact problem with the flashing thing, if you are hooked up via wireless, do a hard restart and restore factory settings, and when it asks you to connect to your network - don't. Just go straight to the menu (still not connected to the net)

If you are connected via ethernet, unplug it, and go to the main menu.

Once in your in the main menu, connect to the net either wireless or through ethernet.

IT SHOULD DO THE FLASH LOOPING THING NOW

Menu --> Silver apple logo --> black screen over and over

Just let it do its thing! Don't touch it. This will go on for about an hour until your screen saver turns on. Once its on hit play and download the update right away! It should fix any problems. Worked for me!

Hope this helps. I almost threw mine against a wall last night. The thing is really great when working perfectly.

- Jack

Sure you are selecting the right resolution for your TV? There is 720p 50/60Hz etc.

The wrong one sometimes causes odd flickers on my screen.

Maybe its set for a 50 hertz display

I noticed under TV resolution settings their is a option for 50Hz which would cause a flicker sense all tv's made for the us run 60Hz . If so reset the unit hole - and menu until it resets itself.