Apple TV (2nd generation) vs Apple TV (3rd generation)

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TV (2nd generation) compared with TV (3rd generation)

	AppleTV (2nd generation)	AppleTV (3rd generation)
Overview
Released
Released	September 2010	March 2012
Video and audio
Resolution
Resolution	720p	1080p (better)
HDR
HDR	None	None
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos	No	No
Video
Video	H.264 up to 720p at 30 fps, Main Profile level 3.1; MPEG-4 up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 × 480 at 30 fps; Motion JPEG up to 35 Mbps, 1280 × 720 at 30 fps. Protected content requires HDCP	H.264 up to 1080p at 30 fps, High or Main Profile level 4.0 or lower, Baseline Profile level 3.0 or lower; MPEG-4 up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 × 480 at 30 fps; Motion JPEG up to 35 Mbps, 1280 × 720 at 30 fps. Protected content requires HDCP
Audio
Audio	HE-AAC (V1), AAC, protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Apple Lossless, AIFF and WAV; Dolby Digital 5.1 pass-through	HE-AAC (V1), AAC, protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Apple Lossless, AIFF and WAV; Dolby Digital 5.1 pass-through
Performance
Software
Software	Apple TV Software	Apple TV Software
Chip details
Chip details	Apple A4 chip; Apple does not publish its clock speed on the model's spec sheet	Apple single-core A5; maker model numbers A1427 and A1469 (Rev A) are both third-generation Apple TVs
Memory
Memory	256 MB RAM (iFixit teardown, from the A4 package marking)	512 MB RAM (AppleInsider review); Apple does not publish RAM on the model's spec sheet
Storage
Storage	8GB NAND flash (iFixit teardown); used for streaming cache rather than a user-accessible library. Home Sharing replaced the original model's synchronised local media	Streaming device with flash storage for caching rather than a synchronised local media library; maker does not publish its capacity. Home Sharing supported streaming from a Mac or PC running iTunes
Software and services
Software and services	Reviews describe historical services available at launch, including US-only Netflix and TV programme rentals. Netflix's current compatibility list requires Apple TV HD (4th generation) or later; this model is no longer supported	Legacy Apple TV Software, with built-in channels rather than a third-party App Store. Reviews describe services available in 2012–2017. Netflix's current compatibility list requires Apple TV HD (4th generation) or later; this model is no longer supported
Connections
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi	802.11a/b/g/n	802.11a/b/g/n
Ethernet
Ethernet	Yes	Yes
Voice remote
Voice remote	No	No
Ports
Ports	HDMI; optical audio; 10/100BASE-T Ethernet; IR receiver; Micro-USB for service and support	HDMI; optical audio; 10/100BASE-T Ethernet; IR receiver; Micro-USB for service and support, not external media playback
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth	802.11a/b/g/n; wireless video streaming requires 802.11a, g or n. The maker sheet does not list Bluetooth support, although iFixit identified a combined Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chipset	802.11a/b/g/n; wireless video streaming requires 802.11a, g or n. Bluetooth support for Apple Wireless Keyboard requires Apple TV Software 5.2 or later
Remote
Remote	Included seven-button aluminium Apple Remote using infrared; Apple's iOS Remote app also supported control over the network	Included aluminium Apple Remote using infrared; Apple's iOS Remote app also supported network control
Design
Type
Type	Box	Box
Power
Power	Built-in 6 W universal power supply	Built-in 6 W universal power supply
Size
Size	98 × 98 × 23 mm (W × D × H); 0.6 lb, varying with configuration and manufacturing	98 × 98 × 23 mm (W × D × H); 0.6 lb, varying with configuration and manufacturing
In the box
In the box	Apple TV, aluminium Apple Remote, power cord and documentation; HDMI cable sold separately	Apple TV, Apple Remote, power cord and documentation; HDMI cable sold separately