Teardown of New Apple TV Reveals Same 8 GB Flash Storage, Bump to 512 MB RAM

[bommai]

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The people that were holding out for a fullhd atv should get this one. But people who already have one are not going to be pushed to swap theirs.

This isn't really a significant upgrade like the the new iPad. And I can't believe it still doesn't have gigabit ethernet! Must be expensive

I upgraded one of my ATV 2's because I have a lot of blu ray rips that I really wanted to convert for use with the Apple TV. I've been using a WDTV Live to stream them to my TV and it's a piece of garbage that only works 50% of the time. I agree that for a lot of people, the upgrade to 1080P isn't that big a deal, for me it is though. I'll eventually upgrade my second ATV 2 as well, but the TV that's hooked up to isn't particularly great, so I don't think I'd notice the quality difference all that much anyway.

As for the gigabit ethernet...that would be a largely useless feature on the ATV. You don't transfer files to it for storage. It has 8GB of flash memory on board to cache content as it streams, so there's no need for super fast access during playback. No one has an internet connection that is remotely fast enough to take advantage of gigabit ethernet. And lastly, most people don't have their routers near where their ATV(s) are used, and wouldn't want to run long cables all over the house to attach them.

You obviously don't have gigabit Ethernet wired through your home...it is the greatest convenience ever not always having to rely on a wifi signal. It's speeds are almost always faster, many times significantly.

I agree. After living with a pre built house in Kansas city, Missouri for 4 years and having to live with wifi, I built a house in Florida 2 years ago. I ran cat6 cables through out the house and use a gigabit switch and router. Great performance. I use wifi only for truly mobile devices.

 

[rsocal]

Just part of the Ecosystem

I have Apple TV2 and will be getting ATV3, maybe even today? As soon as I can put down my new iPad"3". I need to go to Apple this morning to add Apple Care+ to my new iPad, forgot to add it when I pre-ordered it.

Anyway I really like my ATV2, it's just an extension of the great Apple Ecosystem. AirPlay alone makes it worth a $100, and streaming movies from iTunes & Netflix has worked flawless for me

What I'm really waiting for is the real deal complete Apple TV HD 1080p big screen! I think they will hit it out of the park, I'm sure the picture quality will be that of "Retina" at viewing distance. I hope it comes in at least 42-50in. and even a 72in. although I don't think a 72 would be affordable for me?:

So off to Apple today for ATV3 and Apple Care+ for new iPad and I'm sure I'll find some more stuff there that I think have to have! I love going to Apple stores!

 

[LFMNX]

Reason for new antenna

I believe the reason for the new antenna is that apple is working to optimize video streaming among this and all devices with new wifi technology. We will see a new airport to leverage this.

 

[MagicWok]

My point being 99.99% of people would not care if there is a tiny bit of lag, imperceptible to the bog-standard human.

Not that I play games anymore, and discounting your random 99.99% imagined number, I'd be quite happy being the 0.01% who are not 'bog-standard' humans, and are capable of noticing a 2ms lag.

Bring it on!

 

[scottjl]

https://www.macrumors.com/2010/10/05/new-apple-tvs-component-cost-pegged-at-64/
So...

and apple is a business, they're not entitled to make a profit? let's bitch about dell/microsoft/hp, they all make profits too!

 

[1t1sm3]

Apple released the perfect tv ages ago

Years ago I bought a mac mini intel core solo when they were fresh of the press. It seemed like the perfect TV solution back then and can't say I'm looking to replace it any time soon... eventually HD may give me reason.

Back then I also had an elgato eye tv box too but I got rid of it when streaming online took off and when I found I was renting a lot of my content off itunes.

Can't say I miss a real tv.

 

[Takeo]

Ok but who actually buys apple tv.

Are you serious? AppleTV is awesome. I love mine. And at $99 it's a no-brainer.

 

[MacAddict1978]

I for one am amazed Apple can pack this much technology inside a box and still sell it for under 100 bucks.

Not saying the price isn't great, because it is and is affordable, but I don't praise them too much on the price point. (Roku's comparable box to the ATV2 is only $49, and their $79 model is on par with this update), but I do praise them on the interface, ease of use, and Airplay. They've really done the best job on the UI end. At the same time, Apple is a business, and businesses are supposed to make money... but would have been cool to see them keep the ATV2 and maybe throw it out there for less money. Compete more with Roku and their offering of 4 models.

I was hoping to see an SD card slot (Roku boxes have them)...or more onboard storage as that might have hinted at an app store coming down the pike. Would also have been cool to have an SD slot, because even if Apple doesn't expand content options (which is what really hold the Apple TV back from being the front runner in this category), I'm sure some hacker could find a way to port the Roku software <g> Then I'd have 1 box, and HBO Go.

 

[mac26]

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My brother is about to get an iPad 3 so I'm thinking of giving him my ATV2 and buying the new one so that I can stream HD and in readiness for AirPlay from my MBA. I know it's not much of an upgrade but the apparent extra hardware for AirPlay seems worthwhile.

It does seem that the software update has fixed the issue with Netflix streaming that I (and many others it seems) have been having.

I really don't want to burst your bubble but 2010 Macs can't use Airplay yet. I hope they add this in the next Developer preview so I can get a nice 2010 Mac for my parents eventually

 

[RedCroissant]

Apps on AppleTV?

I bought one along with my 64GB Wifi iPad but having so much fun on the new iPad I've not tried Apple TV out yet!

I have to say though, Apple have really missed a trick and extra revenue by not having Apps for the ATV3, all it would have taken was a dual core cpu and some extra storage to keep it in line with say a iPad 2 and they would have had a formidable gaming/media presence in the lounge.

Why would it need a dual core cpu to run apps? I don't know if this is completely accurate, but didn't the iPhone 3G have a single core processor? It could also run apps and could stream video and audio no problem. It just can't be upgraded to iOS 5. Why not bring iOS4 or at least a version of it to the AppleTV so that it can run apps?

I would also like Apple to update their Remote app so that there is also some visual representation on the device you're using as a remote.

 

[lvt]

I really don't want to burst your bubble but 2010 Macs can't use Airplay yet. I hope they add this in the next Developer preview so I can get a nice 2010 Mac for my parents eventually

AirParrot is a great little app that brings this functionality to macs a bit ahead of Mountain Lion. Some may consider the $10 a bit pricy (or 5 for $30), but I had a presentation for our lab class and it was well worth the cost (especially since the U paid for it!). I set up an hoc network from the lab's hardwired iMac (ATV does not like the U enterprise wireless system), connected the ATV to an Epson HDMI projector and streamed the content of the keynote from the iMac. Use my ancient iPhone1 as a remote with an app called Pointer. It is one step better than Apple's own Keynote Remote because it not only shows presentation notes, but an onscreen pointer and the ability to write on the screen with a red pen.

 

[roocka]

you're a sicko

Agreed, Netflix and playing tunes through it are just the two main reasons I bought it. AirPlay has made it and my iPad two pieces of tech I can't love without.

You can't "LOVE" without them.. Damn, you're a really messed up person ;D

 

[shompa]

The A5 seems to be harvest failed A5 chips for iPhone4S/Ipad2.
I wonder if Samsung/Apple fuse off the non working cores?

If its not fused of, it would be possible to reactivate the CPU/GPU that is turned off.

Who buys AppleTV?
My dream is that Apple and the movie companies starts a world wide tradin in program. Send in you original blu rays and DVDs and get iTunes version instead. A converting fee of 2 dollar would be ok.
The Movie companies gets 2 dollar free and Apple gets loads of content that people wants to use with AppleTVs/Ipads.

I want a totally digital movie library, but will never double dip to pay the movie companies many times for the same content.

 

[URFloorMatt]

Agree on both points - the new app style interface does sort of suggest apps are acoming, and yeah, let's hope enough Jobs wore off on Cook and Ive (although we know Ive is a perfectionist by nature, and for all we know Cook is too, there must be a reason Jobs left him in charge).

With the 8 GB storage, apps are a problem. But given that the Apple TV is always stationary (and not reliant on cellular data), it could make sense to pilot test iCloud for storing apps/app data to reduce the need for on-board storage.

 

[Lesser Evets]

Ok but who actually buys apple tv.

It's a good question. The ATV is still a "hobby" device, and Apple is missing out on a lot of potential. While it is excellent for the price, it isn't an excellent device as of yet. They are closing in on something quite good, but it will take a lot of rustling with content and providers.

The question's answer is most likely a)tech geeks, b) Apple enthusiasts, c) people wanting their computer content on their stereo/TV/home entertainment center, d) people wanting to rent movies or buy them through internet provision.

Anyone that has a PS3 can do that and more with their game console, and do it with 1080i for years. They have Netflix and Hulu and Juju and VuDu and MuMu and all those others, but they don't have the Apple Store (of course). If you want computer content down on the PS3, it is just one, free program away, and you can stream all music and movies, no matter format or size, with a wifi connection or ethernet. And you can flip out the drives and store ALL video there, as I am doing: hundreds and hundreds of 1080i hours of video ON the device hooked up to the TV.

ATV is still just a quaint device, but it has potential.

 

[David085]

I should order one next time maybe

 

[doofoo]

Right now I use a Asus O!Play to remotely mount my SMB mount from my Synology and play movies I have ripped/stored on my NAS. (xVid, MKV, all sorts of different formats)

Can the Apple TV do anything like this? I would like to get a better interface than the O!Play if possible.

Will Plex do this? Does it run on the new Apple TV?

 

[RedCroissant]

PS3 as media hub

It's a good question. The ATV is still a "hobby" device, and Apple is missing out on a lot of potential. While it is excellent for the price, it isn't an excellent device as of yet. They are closing in on something quite good, but it will take a lot of rustling with content and providers.

The question's answer is most likely a)tech geeks, b) Apple enthusiasts, c) people wanting their computer content on their stereo/TV/home entertainment center, d) people wanting to rent movies or buy them through internet provision.

Anyone that has a PS3 can do that and more with their game console, and do it with 1080i for years. They have Netflix and Hulu and Juju and VuDu and MuMu and all those others, but they don't have the Apple Store (of course). If you want computer content down on the PS3, it is just one, free program away, and you can stream all music and movies, no matter format or size, with a wifi connection or ethernet. And you can flip out the drives and store ALL video there, as I am doing: hundreds and hundreds of 1080i hours of video ON the device hooked up to the TV.

ATV is still just a quaint device, but it has potential.

I had the similar setup for a while but got tired of hearing my PS3 fan come on and compete with the movie I was trying to watch. I also noticed with Hulu+ that the super white Hulu logo started to burn itself into my tv and I have and LCD(not plasma). I also got tired of keeping the free DLNA apps from crashing and only playing portions of the movies that I had. Perhaps it's also because I still have the original FAT 80GB system, but at least now my devices are quiet when watching a movie.

 

[Glideslope]

Ok but who actually buys apple tv.

Will, please, no more attempts at Humor.

 

[JohnDoe98]

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Does it connect faster over wifi now? Atv2 could connect with max 65mbit

Nope, still 65mbps.

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Full 300mbit/450?

Nope.

 

[TallManNY]

I'm hoping it actually makes the thing work correctly.I bought the second generation and had to return it. Every movie took forever to stream and most wouldn't play properly. No, I dont have any internet issues, just wouldn't work for some reason. First time I had a problem with an Apple product.. Here's to hoping it works much better as I will get the new one on Monday. Amazon - tax free

I think you got a lemon. I had two ATVs, the only thing I had trouble with was NBA TV. It would often stall. But iTunes movies and shows were pretty close to flawless every time. I have strong internet (about 20MBs download) and that helped as well. I'm hoping that ATV 3 fixes the NBA TV issues. With greater onboard memory and a faster processor, the hockey puck should buffer a little better. I think ATV2 was a little underpowered. Okay if you were connecting to a strong server that was well programmed, like Apples. But I suspect NBA is doing something silly or chincy on their end and that is why I had problems. ATV3 should be more forgiving for bad programming.

 

[auero]

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I think it's a nifty device but until I see xbmc/plex on it the wdtv box will be a better deal for me. Might pick one up though when mountain lion comes out though.

 

[JohnDoe98]

the lag in video seems not very good. much longer then 2ms. So yes people would care if it wasn't as fast.

Haven't noticed any lag whatsoever on my system. Using iPad 3, my late 2007 MBP, or my iPhone 4, using latest time capsule and ATV 3. Seems like you are configuring things wrong.

 

[JohnDoe98]

I really don't want to burst your bubble but 2010 Macs can't use Airplay yet. I hope they add this in the next Developer preview so I can get a nice 2010 Mac for my parents eventually

Not gonna happen. You more than likely need Intel Quick Sync.

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Why would it need a dual core cpu to run apps? I don't know if this is completely accurate, but didn't the iPhone 3G have a single core processor? It could also run apps and could stream video and audio no problem. It just can't be upgraded to iOS 5. Why not bring iOS4 or at least a version of it to the AppleTV so that it can run apps?

I would also like Apple to update their Remote app so that there is also some visual representation on the device you're using as a remote.

Why do you need to run Apps on the ATV with Airplay around?

 

[twoodcc]

Isn't this how Air Drop works. The first antenna simply connects the computers and then using the second antenna an ad-hoc network is created. This could help with AirPlay especially when HD video is being streamed over wifi.

could be. i hope it does help with HD video streaming