They are not stopping software updates for the HD. At least not yet.
16.0 runs on it just fine
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Apple TV HD With Original Siri Remote is Now Vintage
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16.0 runs on it just fine
If you really wanted to do an experiment, you could unplug the power to the aTV and see it's still listed in the Sources.
Apple TV HD was shipped with a different remote starting in 2017.
This classification only applies to the original remote that shipped with the first sets of Apple TV HD’s from 2015-17.
I think this type of thing is a feature of the HDMI port on the TV itself. The type of port that works on my Samsung is called an "HDMI-CEC" port. Not all of the ports on my TV have the CEC feature.
My TV is horribly ancient, at least 4 years old. That's probably something to do with it.
Apple is not selling the version of the aTV that has been moved to the Vintage list. The aTV HD that is on the list is the one sold from 2015 to 2017. Yes, they are essentially same as the ones sold now, but the ones sold from 2017 to present are not Vintage.
And we don't even know what this means for the 2015 aTV HD. It's possible that Apple continues to support the 2015 units with updates. All they're doing is saying that they don't have to service it any longer.
I have to turn off touch on the new ones too because it just doesn’t work well. Too touchy, even on the lowest sensitivity, especially for the rest of my family.
I won’t buy another Apple TV until they add Find My or something similar to the remote. I lose that damn thing way too much.
It’s extremely hard to lose, and kids are attracted to it like flies.
Every time it disappears I can’t help but be frustrated by the irony that I can easily find all my other Apple items, but not that one, the only one I really do lose basically every day.
I didn't realize how old this thing is until I checked out
support.apple.com
just recently.
I had an A1625 (Apple TV HD/4th generation) and two A1378 (2nd gen -- 12 years old!) until literally yesterday. They have been re-homed.
I've moved to current-gen 4K ATV's in part for home automation needs (they support Thread) and a remote that makes more sense is an added benefit too.
Identify your Apple TV model - Apple Support
Learn how to identify your Apple TV by its model number and other details.
I had an A1625 (Apple TV HD/4th generation) and two A1378 (2nd gen -- 12 years old!) until literally yesterday. They have been re-homed.
I've moved to current-gen 4K ATV's in part for home automation needs (they support Thread) and a remote that makes more sense is an added benefit too.
Apple this week added the Apple TV HD with the original Siri Remote to its vintage products list. The device became vintage on June 30, according to an internal memo obtained by MacRumors, but the public-facing list was only updated recently.
When the Apple TV HD was first released in 2015, it came with a first-generation Siri Remote without a white ring around the Menu button — only units that shipped with this ring-less remote are now considered vintage. Apple added a white ring to the Menu button in 2017 to make the button more prominent when picking up the remote.
Apple TV HD units that shipped with a Siri Remote with a white ring (which is still considered the first-generation Siri Remote) or the second-generation Siri Remote (silver with a circular trackpad) have not been classified as vintage.
A device is classified as vintage after five years have passed since Apple last distributed the device for sale. Vintage products are typically ineligible for repairs at Apple Stores or Apple Authorized Service Providers, unless parts are still available.
Apple continues to sell the Apple TV HD (originally known as the fourth-generation Apple TV) for $149. Beyond changes to the Siri Remote, the device has not received any hardware upgrades since being released nearly seven years ago.
A new Apple TV is planned for release later in 2022, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, and it could feature an A14 chip and an increased 4GB of RAM.
Article Link: Apple TV HD With Original Siri Remote is Now Vintage
So, I now have two "Vintage" collectable items!
Cool.
I'll sell them for double on fleabay!
;-)
I guess I'm confused - the on/off button on the Apple remote turns the AppleTV on/off. How do the also make that turn on/off your TV as well?
On TVs with HDMI-CEC enabled, the TV will turn off when the AppleTV is turned off. And then also will turn on when the Apple TV is turned on.
Sorry but I thought when Apple makes a product vintage it also stops the software support for the item? But you are saying that's wrong and the 2015 Apple TV still gets updates?
Typically support ends when it becomes vintage but that’s going to be tricky because the 2015 ATV HD and the current HD model sold both use the A8 SoC. It’s up to Apple if they decide to cutoff the 2015 ATV but support the ATV with the A8 SoC that’s currently being sold. I have the 2015 model but if they cut it off so be it. I purchased two Google Chromecast last year and I actually prefer those and they are much cheaper in price.
It’s still very capable, my pal uses one and shares my account , tbh the whole 4K thing is overrated
1080p can give an incredible picture
1080p can give an incredible picture
I have a tough time noticing the difference myself unless I put my glasses on. Then it becomes obvious to me. But i usually just watch TV without my glasses anyway and accept the “lesser” experience.
In videogames the difference between 1080p and 4K is huge. Gran Turismo 7 in 4K with HDR looks real/lifelike. In 1080p it looks good but nowhere as nice as 4K. Watching TV and movies in 1080p still looks good enough, besides most if not all networks still broadcast in 1080p. The cost to upgrade to a 4k signal must be massive.
well, it is vintage now, ok, I use it ever day and still hate the remote since day one. it is a pain to use. always has been. putting a white ring around a button does nothing for me as I would never buy a new model just for that "feature". add a "new" remote, wonderful, but it is essentially unchanged except for a "new" remote. I guess I will hang with my vintage product until something better comes along. I do not need a gaming remote, do not play games on my TV. make it worth my while or I will use it until I cannot and move on to something different.
The terms "vintage" and "obsolete" only apply to repair service and parts availability in the Apple context. In this case, the hardware in the now "vintage" Apple TV is identical to that of the current Apple TV HD. The only difference is the remote. Now, we know that the Apple Watch Series 3 won't get watchOS 9 support, and Apple is still selling that, so there's no assurance Apple won't discontinue the TV HD shortly after tvOS 16 is released, but for now the vintage Apple TV continues to get updates.