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1st gen APPLE TV useful?

xtempo

xtempo

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 2, 2014
449
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I have 2 1st generation Apple TVs and I've not really played around with them that much but I do have Mac Mini (intel) hooked up to my TV.

Are these just good for decoration at this point and just keep using my mac mini?

Anyway are the originals closer to being a mac mini than the later ones? So I could probably turn them into a computer or something?
 
Keep the mini. I believe the first generation ATVs didn’t run TV-OS. They ran a stripped down, modified MacOS Tiger. Hackers and hobbyists have been able to load and run regular Tiger but the processor is so slow that you can’t really do too much computing on it. It would never replace a modern computer. It wouldn’t even replace a ten year old computer.
Edit: The first ATVs were also limited to 720p and we’re picky about what type of files they would play. The mini is a far superior media player.
 
xtempo said:
I have 2 1st generation Apple TVs and I've not really played around with them that much but I do have Mac Mini (intel) hooked up to my TV.

Are these just good for decoration at this point and just keep using my mac mini?

Anyway are the originals closer to being a mac mini than the later ones? So I could probably turn them into a computer or something?
Click to expand...
There was no app store for the ATV 1, 2, and 3. You got whatever apps Apple wanted to gve you, and had no ability to install other apps via an app store. I doubt Apple still updates the ATV 1, so I would be surprised if the apps still worked well.
 
If the OP is looking for something a bit more up to date in terms of streaming devices, the 4th gen ATV or even the original 4K ATV would probably serve them better at this point.

We have (1) 4K ATV and (2) 4th gen ATV's in our house and only use them for streaming. They work absolutely fine. Not that the 1st gen devices the OP has wouldn't work, but I'd imagine they're a bit long in the tooth at this point.
 
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I'm just curious as what to do with them. I have a mac mini that I can get itunes from other computers or even hook up macbook air. I guess there just good for decoration. I might keep them in storage with my wifi gear.

thanks for all who posted.
 
I used to have one that was a glorified airport express connected to a pair of speakers.
Even doing that now is kind of not possible since you can only play music from iTunes.
 
If you have any use for Kodi, you can reflash ATV1 with a new OS based on it. Otherwise, not much use for them.
 
No, I don't think I'll use Kodi again. I had a HTPC a long time but it died besides I have the mac mini that sorta of serves its purpose just need to transfer more to it.
 
I just had a thought is it possible to use it for internet radio? I was thinking of hooking it up to my stereo and use it for the internet radio channels.
 
I sold mine to a friend years ago and he put some version of Linux on it. These days, you probably could find better hardware to spend your time doing that.
 
I do have another one I sell but I am finally able to use it which is great. Surprise thing was there was an update for it once I got on the network and even though I can't get digitally imported or di.fm like I did in previous iTunes, I am exploring other electronic stations.
 
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