Apple TV Update
Thursday, November 25, 2010 at 2:47PM So the new Apple TV update came out (4.1) with support for AirPlay and very impressive it is too.
But I'm still not happy!
I wrote back in October - Apple TV Fail - about specific problems I was having with the new Apple TV and my Sony HD TV. It's only three or four years old and supports 720p 50Hz . I've been using it with great success with the 1st Gen Apple TV, which had a menu for TV resolution.
When connected by default, it uses 720p 60Hz and you get a fuzzy, ghosted image. Switch the 1st Gen Apple TV via the menu to 720p 50Hz aand bingo- perfect picture.
The new Apple TV specs include support for 720p 50Hz and 720p 60Hz on most popular TVs. Sony are even mentioned in the spec.
Connected it to the new Apple TV and it defaults to 720p 60Hz - fuzzy, ghosted image.
But Apple haven't included a TV resolution option in the Settings menu of the new Apple TV!
So I'm knackered! The new Apple TV doesn't work with my HD TV.
I'd hoped that the TV resolution menu might re-appear in the new release of the firmware, but it didn't. I've logged a call with Apple but they can't promise a resolution - excuse the pun.
So I bought an HDMI to Component cable to see if that would work and....
Nope!
Looks like you need some active circuitry to convert the signal.
I can buy an HDFury2: Universal HDMI to Component converter which I'm confident would work, but that's £123 - it costs more than the Apple TV.
The only other option is a new TV.
Despite being a gadget fiend and not really needing an excuse to buy a gadget, you'd think I'd be over the moon at the prospect of upgrading the TV, but I'm not.
There's nothing wrong with it.
Plus I don't really want all the hassle of switching over.
I had thought I might replace my TV next year, when the new Plex enabled LG TVs come out, but not now. Not just because Apple decided not to make the TV resolution switchable.
First world problem I know!
But what to do......
Update: Following the blogpost, I was contacted by a ScreenCastsOnline viewer - Kent Christian - who has kindly offered to send me a HDMI to Component Video adapter that should do the trick - Will report back.
Reader Comments (6)
Has there been any chances to the content on offer after the updates Don, could you reply back with what content is currently on it as I am considering one but not sure if there is enough content to make it worth the money?
Also a small typo found " I've been using it with great success with teh 1st Gen Apple TV, which had a menu for TV resolution." e and h need switching round, third paragrah.
Thanks Chris, Typo fixed!
No extra content I'm afraid. The main changes are support for AirPlay and the inclusion of VoiceOver for accessibility.
Still waiting on the Apple TV App Store!
I'm getting an AppleTV for Christmas, hope I don't have this problem :(
While it would be nice for Apple TV to be configurable, we all know that Apple like to eliminate choice as far as possible and make it "just work". Presumably your TV is simply not fully compliant with HDMI standards?
At the $99 price point I could not resist Apple TV. The new AirPlay works fine but is little use for me - videos and music are on my desktop machine which Apple TV can access, anyway.
Access to play my music, videos is great - though one complaint especially now is why do I have to choose whether to search for a movie, TV show or music. There should be a global "spotlight" search like there is on my iMac, iPad, etc.
Photos are great, I love the screensaver running while playing music - but loading photos takes too long initially.
Web access to YouTube, PodCasts, is excellent (far better than my Google TV); I have not tried NetFlix yet.
Purchasing/renting videos works fine too - though again you have to choose between movies or TV shows rather than have a global search.
Having an App store would be a little useful though with the limited controls you can't interact (no games); I guess a Weather App might be nice, but FaceBook would be tedious with no keyboard - and if you use the iPad remote then just go to FaceBook right from that instead.
Thanks for keeping us informed. I have a Sony 50" KDF-E50A11E 50Hz and an Apple TV also. I have the same problem. I updated the ATV software last night but it made no difference. Keep the info coming...Thanks
Wonderful news! I'm look forward to this new update. :)