TV (2nd generation)
Apple's compact A4-powered streaming box, with 720p video, Wi-Fi, Ethernet and optical audio, replacing the original model's hard drive with flash storage for caching.
Model history · 2 models, 2007–2010
- 2007TV (1st generation)Compare
- 2010TV (2nd generation)
- Type
- Box
- Resolution
- 720p
- HDR
- –
- Software
- Apple TV Software
What reviewers say
Launch reviews praised the compact hardware, straightforward interface and streaming picture quality. They criticised the limited rental catalogue and supported formats. Macworld found it good value for people who mainly rented films, while Ars favoured it for existing iTunes users; Engadget preferred Roku's broader content choices despite Apple's more polished experience.
From macworld.com, engadget.com and arstechnica.com
Specifications
Report a wrong or missing specVideo and audio
- Resolution
- 720p
- HDR
- None
- Dolby Atmos
- No
- 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
- Audio
- HE-AAC (V1), AAC, protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Apple Lossless, AIFF and WAV; Dolby Digital 5.1 pass-through
Performance
- Software
- Apple TV Software
- Chip details
- Apple A4 chip; Apple does not publish its clock speed on the model's spec sheet
- Memory
- 256 MB RAM (iFixit teardown, from the A4 package marking)
- 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
- 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
Connections
- Wi-Fi
- 802.11a/b/g/n
- Ethernet
- Yes
- Voice remote
- No
- Ports
- HDMI; optical audio; 10/100BASE-T Ethernet; IR receiver; Micro-USB for service and support
- 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
- Remote
- Included seven-button aluminium Apple Remote using infrared; Apple's iOS Remote app also supported control over the network
Design
- Type
- Box
- Power
- Built-in 6 W universal power supply
- Size
- 98 × 98 × 23 mm (W × D × H); 0.6 lb, varying with configuration and manufacturing
- In the box
- Apple TV, aluminium Apple Remote, power cord and documentation; HDMI cable sold separately
Pros and cons
Pros
- 98 mm square enclosure with a built-in power supply
- Ethernet and 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi
- Optical audio output alongside HDMI
Cons
- 720p maximum resolution, with no HDR or Dolby Atmos
- No local hard drive for synchronised media
- No voice remote; Netflix is no longer supported
Closest rivals
Model | Type | Resolution | HDR | Software | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box | 720p | – | Roku OS | Nov 2011 | |
| Box | 720p | – | Apple TV Software | Mar 2007 | |
| Box | 1080p | – | Roku OS | Sept 2010 |
Previous model: TV (1st generation). Newer model: TV (3rd generation).
Sources
- support.apple.com/en-gb/112428
- apple.com/uk/newsroom/2010/09/01Apple-Premieres-New-Apple-TV-for-Breakthrough-P…
- apple.com/newsroom/2010/09/01Apple-Premieres-New-Apple-TV-for-Breakthrough-Pric…
- ifixit.com/Teardown/Apple+TV+2nd+Generation+Teardown/3625
- arstechnica.com/gadgets/2010/10/ars-reviews-the-apple-tv-20
- help.netflix.com/en/node/23887
