Apple TV
Apple TV is a set- top box manufacturer Apple. It is connected to a TV or a monitor and can play on this different media content that it receives over a local network. Apple TV is essentially a player controllable via the remote control for iTunes content (music, podcasts, videos and movies ), supplemented by the reproduction of one's own photo collection and YouTube videos.
On September 1, 2010, Apple introduced the second, on March 7, 2012, the third generation ago.
- 4.1 First generation
- 4.2 Second Generation
- 4.3 Third Generation
- 4.4 Hardware in comparison
Project name iTV concept and idea
After the success of Apple iTunes went to the question of how the optimal device for iTunes could look in the living room. In the form of iPods already existed a mobile device to iTunes. Unlike usual, Steve Jobs announced at the keynote on 12 September 2006 at a new product called iTV before its completion. The fact that a set- top box does not include TV reception and no DVD player, is unusual and was founded by Steve Jobs with the consideration that the typical household in the living room already all devices for playing CD, DVD and to record videos possess. The only thing missing is an iTunes player that allows you to get its digital media collection from the computer to the living room.
The iTV was therefore presented only as a wireless receiver. Steve Jobs explained his reasoning with numerous illustrations of typical living room with lots of stacked devices; always lay on top of an iTV.
In January 2007, the finished product was presented as the Apple TV to go name conflicts with the British television Independent Television (ITV ) out of the way.
Compared with the presentation of 12 September, the first generation of the Apple TV had received a separate hard drive and a full operating system based on Mac OS X. Even with the significantly increased hardware performance, the use of concept remained the same.
Since April 2009, German -language films are available in iTunes. Only since the IPTV functions (Internet TV) in the Apple TV in the periphery are available, as announced at the launch in 2007.
Apple TV software
Apple TV 1
The first version of the Apple TV software was a special version of Front Row. In February 2008, developed a unique user interface with version 2.0 (also Apple TV " Take 2 " called ). This is most obvious at the main menu: the colorful animated menu Front Row 2.x was replaced by an almost pure black and white, square main menu in the version.
The functionality was compared with Front Row constantly expanding, the German -speaking Changelog gives an overview. Specific enhancements include access to Flickr, YouTube, MobileMe, iTunes Store ( for movies in HD quality ) and its streaming function for AirPlay -enabled speakers (at the time this technique was still called AirTunes ). With version 2.4 the option has been removed, play the specified there background music for slideshows created in iPhoto. Instead, you can only specify a song or a playlist on the Apple TV, which is used in all slideshows.
On 29 October 2009, Apple released version 3 of the software. The most noticeable improvement is the changed layout of the main menu, which allows direct access to the latest media. In addition, support for iTunes LP, iTunes Extras, iTunes Genius Mixes, listed in iTunes Internet radio stations and two new search options for events or people's faces for data stored in iPhoto or Aperture media came.
Apple TV 2
With the release of the second generation of Apple TV has system software version 4.1, the visual version 3 is similar, but technically no longer based on the operating system Mac OS X, but on iOS to use the new processor Apple A4 can.
Apple TV 3
For the third generation of the Apple TV user interface was redesigned again; this was the home of colored icons iOS -like. The operating concept was further simplified, so can only be a single computer to the Apple TV to be connected. Contrast, can be streamed from multiple iOS devices. The Apple TV with the third-generation newly introduced software is available for an update and the second-generation Apple TV available.
With software version 5.2, the Apple TV also controls the audio output to AirPlay speakers.
Operation
Originally Apple TV could only be operated with the included Apple Remote, so that content outside of Apple TV always required a second remote control. Later, Apple introduced other operating concepts:
- Since version 2.3, any remote can serve as a remote control for the Apple TV because it has a built Anlernprogramm. If one uses this program, appear on the screen one after the six buttons of Apple Remote, Apple TV, and stores the code of the other infrared remote control.
- Apple TV is also often used for playing music. For operation without turning on TV Apple provides a free add-on program "Remote ", which allows the operation by means of a running on Apple iOS device. Thus, the screen stays off. In addition, the operation with the remote program is much smoother than with the Apple remote control and the remote TV.
- Using Apple Remote App mirrored touch pad inputs on the iPhone or iPod via WiFi sync on Apple TV television screen, so changing the camera settings is possible via the iPad, for example, at a sporting application. About the AirPlay interface iOS devices can play their screen via WLAN on the Apple TV screen.
- Bluetooth keyboards can also be connected to the Apple TV.
It does not support HDMI Extension Consumer Electronics Control ( CEC).
Hardware
First generation
The first-generation Apple TV was released on 21 March 2007. It contained a 40- GB hard drive, on 31 May 2007 also appeared a model with 160 GB. While the 40 GB version was withdrawn from the market September 14, 2009, the 160 GB model was available until the release of the second generation. It has a superficial resemblance to the original Mac mini, but is flatter and wider and has the dimensions of the then current Time Capsule or the Mac mini. Despite its resemblance to a Mac mini Apple counts the Apple TV is not for Mac product line, but placed it on the Apple website in the product range iPod iTunes or iTunes.
About the Wi-Fi or Ethernet interface are media files (music, videos, photos ) from the iTunes library on a Windows PC or a Macintosh computer synchronized to the hard drive of the Apple TV and can be viewed on a TV or monitor. Up to five additional computers to send their data streamed to the Apple TV, so that there only appear immediately, but will not be saved. Furthermore, the Apple TV also plays movie trailers from the QuickTime website and YouTube videos. With the operating system version 2.0 for both music and videos can be purchased directly from the Apple TV in the iTunes Store. You will also be downloaded to the hard drive of the Apple TV, which is compared with the next synchronization with iTunes. Even podcasts can be " streamed " directly from the Internet. The device has except the remote does not have buttons. Switching off is not provided, there is only a standby mode that can be activated by remote control.
A television receiver or a digital video recorder function, the device has not, therefore, only content from an iTunes library can be played. However, it is possible to connect an external USB TV tuner and (eg Linux) to retrofit using appropriate operating systems other functions.
Second generation
On September 1, 2010, Steve Jobs ( Apple CEO at the time ) at a press conference a new generation of Apple TV before. Since 11 November 2010, Apple TV is also available in Switzerland, Austria and Italy; simultaneously offered now there the iTunes Store also movies. The customer has the option of movies in HD quality ( 720p ) To view and stream photos and music directly from your computer with the second generation. Furthermore, movies and music via AirPlay can be transmitted wirelessly from an iPod, iPhone or iPad to the device on the local network.
Used equipment this generation achieve over the following model considerably higher prices, as these not provided with the jailbreak of Apple software as the XBMC Media Center or aTV Flash can be used. This, inter alia, allow the playback of media formats such as DivX, Xvid and Matroska; Furthermore, there is a HTML5 -enabled web browser.
Third Generation
The third generation of Apple TV was introduced in March 2012. Outside of the device relative to the second generation remained unchanged, but the main memory has been increased to 512MB and made an upgrade of the chipset (processor, graphics unit, wireless hardware): The device uses the Apple A5 in the single-core variant. This now also allows movies in Full - HD quality playback ( 1080p). To date, there is no jailbreak for this version.
In March 2013, the internal design was revised again; by a change of the chip design were further power savings. New features have not been implemented.