Apple Issues Bug Fix with Apple TV 4.4.1 Software Update [Updated x2]

[MacRumors]

Less than a week after releasing a significant 4.4 software update for the second-generation Apple TV, Apple has now released a 4.4.1 bug fix update for the device.

According to Apple's release notes, the update addresses an issue affecting a "small number" of units to have to connect to iTunes.

Software update: Addresses an issue that required a small number of Apple TV units to be connected to iTunes in order to complete the update.

The previous 4.4 software update had added a number of new features, including AirPlay video mirroring, Photo Stream support, movie trailers, and video content from the National Hockey League and The Wall Street Journal.

Update: Some users in our forums and elsewhere are reporting that the update has "bricked" their Apple TV units, requiring that they be connected to iTunes and restored. The update appears to have temporarily been pulled, but users should be careful in applying it when it is available.

(Thanks, Seth!)

Update 2: Apple has re-released the Apple TV 4.4.1 update, presumably addressing the issue users were experiencing with the initial version.

Article Link: Apple Issues Bug Fix with Apple TV 4.4.1 Software Update [Updated x2]

 

[partyfart]

Warning: be carefull with this update. Check http://9to5mac.com/2011/10/17/apple-updates-apple-tv-to-version-4-4-19a335a/

Many bricked there Apple TV's...

 

[infiniteentropy]

Now they just need to fix the Netflix sound-out-of-sync bug I encounter often enough to now fire up my Roku when wanting to watch Netflix. Only been about a year now... any second now...

 

[digitalhen]

Just checked with my ATV here... no updates available. Perhaps withdrawn already? Have seen many reports on other sites that this release too is bricking plenty of boxes.

(My update to 4.4 bricked it in the first place)

 

[hansenc]

Yeah I got notified of this update last night, had to hook my Apple TV up to iTunes after and do a restore to get things working again.

 

[mrfoof82]

Warning: be carefull with this update. Check http://9to5mac.com/2011/10/17/apple-updates-apple-tv-to-version-4-4-19a335a/

Many bricked there Apple TV's...

This indeed happened to me. Currently waiting on a MicroUSB cable from Amazon to do a restore with, which should be here tomorrow thanks to Amazon Prime.

 

[Jorohaco]

Yeah I was stuck at 4.3

Right on time... sorta. I unhooked my tv just last night hoping I could find a friend with a blackberry cable to manually update to 4.4. I wanted to try out AirPlay mirroring.

By the way, of all cables to use, Apple chose a microUSB... interesting.

 

[Habakuk]

Thanks for the warnings, guys! Will wait for some more reports of success.

My problem here is not listed anyway, connection problems (seems that AirPort Extreme needs a firmware update as well):
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=13622223&#post13622223

 

[wolfpackfan]

Yep, bricked my ATV. At Apple Store now, hopefully getting it fixed.

 

[TalonFlyer]

Random Resets

The update its needed. My Apple TV has had weird things happening. Mostly, it appears to reset itself or return to the top menu in the middle of watching a movie.

I'll wait until the kinks are worked out to apply the latest update.

 

[bmoorhouse]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A334 Safari/7534.48.3)

Where are Movie Trailers? I updated and can see the new sports channels, but can't find the trailers.

 

[Stuipdboy1000]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A334 Safari/7534.48.3)

Where are Movie Trailers? I updated and can see the new sports channels, but can't find the trailers.

It's under the 'In Theatres' sub-menu under Movies. It was there before but they seem to have given the interface a bit of a spruce up.

 

[BC2009]

Anybody else notice that an app can specifically refuse to allow AirPlay Mirroring (or perhaps any external display)?

I tried to Airplay some missed episodes from The CW app last night and got a message that this app does not allow for external displays.

 

[MacBoucher]

Hbo go

Anybody else notice that an app can specifically refuse to allow AirPlay Mirroring (or perhaps any external display)?

I tried to Airplay some missed episodes from The CW app last night and got a message that this app does not allow for external displays.

Yes. HBO GO App on iOS5 doesn't mirror video to my AppleTV, just audio.

 

[Laird Knox]

Yes. HBO GO App on iOS5 doesn't mirror video to my AppleTV, just audio.

Are you using mirroring or AirPlay? I ran into this at first as well. If you tap on the icon in the application it is going to use AirPlay and is dependent on the app supporting it. If you double click the home button and scroll to the music controls you can turn on mirroring and everything you do on the screen is sent to the TV.

I'm not sure if this is what is happening in your case but worth a shot. It worked like a champ for Hulu+.

 

[Billfmtx]

Confused

The problem. Is it with v4.4 or v4.4.1? I did get 4.4. to download and install after having to unplug the unit and plugging it back in. I do not see an update 4.4.1. yet.

 

[ohbrilliance]

Bricking

Pedantic alert. If the device can be restored by plugging into iTunes then the ATV was never 'bricked'. Bricking is unrecoverable save for recovery using specialised equipment.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Tried to update last night and it froze my ATV2. I had to do a restore w/ iTunes x3 before I could get it working again. Ironically the only USB Micro cable I owned was the one that came w/ my closeout HP TouchPad. Finally the thing was useful! Ha.

 

[Windlasher]

The update its needed. My Apple TV has had weird things happening. Mostly, it appears to reset itself or return to the top menu in the middle of watching a movie.

I'll wait until the kinks are worked out to apply the latest update.

thats probably because you have an update pending. if you assign a static IP and fake DNS server so it can't check for updates, it will stop doing that. It drove me nuts for a few days until i figured it out. I have 2 jailbroken AT2s and this fixed that.

 

[Billy Boo Bob]

I ran the 4.4 already and it seems to be working fine... Had (prior) a bad problem with reset/restart when watching my own content through iTunes shared, but it hasn't done that again yet. Had a problem with MLB.TV, but that's over now (no WS on that), so I don't know if it's fixed or not... Will test with archive games later on.

Guess I'll hold off on this 4.4.1 since I'm not seeing any bugs (probably just not using effected areas).

 

[GooMan]

I thought Aple pulled only the 4.4.1 update. I'm still running 4.3 and it says I'm up to date. Guess they pulled the 4.4 and the 4.4.1, anyone else seeing this?

 

[Burke Hamblin]

The 4.4.1 update rendered my Apple TV inoperable as well. It won't even do the restore in itunes, either on my ThinkPad or my brother's 27" iMac.

I suspect my ThinkPad's USB ports just don't have enough juice, and in OS X it continually pops up an error saying the device is using too much power and disables the USB ports.

Nearest Apple Store is over 2 hours away. I'll try a better quality cable and see if it's as simple as that.

Fingers crossed.

 

[locust76]

Pedantic alert. If the device can be restored by plugging into iTunes then the ATV was never 'bricked'. Bricking is unrecoverable save for recovery using specialised equipment.

You're one of those "Malware vs. Virus" kind of guys, aren't you?

Thing is, unless you even know that it's possible to recover the Apple TV yourself (and connecting the Apple TV via USB to your PC isn't exactly "normal usage" like an iPhone or iPad), the device is as good as bricked.

 

[logandzwon]

You're one of those "Malware vs. Virus" kind of guys, aren't you?

Thing is, unless you even know that it's possible to recover the Apple TV yourself (and connecting the Apple TV via USB to your PC isn't exactly "normal usage" like an iPhone or iPad), the device is as good as bricked.

Your one of those, "cars are only as good as their tank of gas," kind of guys, aren't you?

Thing is, unless you even know that it's possible to refill the gas tank yourself, (and opening the fuel door and gas cap isn't exactly, "normal driving,") the car is as good as junked.

 

[digitalhen]

PC free.... unless you upgrade your Apple TV. Then you'll need a PC. And a micro-USB cable.