TV 3.0.1

I now get picture of an TV with a flashing ? above it.

Kevin, the Apple TV is closed and proprietary. So, unless you have modified it with a hack to install Boxee and other items, the Apple TV can only be modified over the network using Apple-signed updates. And those updates are always directly downloaded by the Apple TV -- not pushed from your computer like with the iPhone. So, why wouldn't it be legitimate?

Apple TV version 3.0.1 exists. People have mixed feelings about it, but it definitely exists and it is from Apple directly.

I installed tv 3.0 the minute it came out and liked the new format and feature, but the next time I opened itunes all my music {2000 songs} were gone but they were all replaced with an automatic resync. All was good after as Winston mentioned above, but after receiving the Apple e-mail I updated to v3.0.1 and so far so good. According to kb article if this update does not cure your problem you to try the following.


If the issue persists, try disconnecting your Apple TV from your computer, and then connecting it again. To disconnect and then reconnect a computer:

On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Computers.
Select your iTunes library to disconnect.
Select your iTunes library again to reconnect.

Winston,
Any insight on why we'd need to disconnect and reconnect the power cable before install of 3.0.1? I'm not a big fan of that procedure to reboot. If you've ever pulled the power cable in a dark or semi dark room you will have noticed that there's a fairly large spark as you disconnect. That can't be a good thing. I Usually hold down the menu and down arrow on the remote if a reboot is needed.

At any rate, I'm wondering why that would be necessary since the ATV will reboot itself automatically after the install.

Holding off on this upgrade from 3.0 until I read a few more posts here since both of my ATVs seem to be doing OK on 3.0 except for the fact that one only wants to handshake with its Sony at 720P but not 1080P. No real prob there though since the Sony does a fine job of upscaling to 1080 from 720 output.

Thanks,
Jimbo

Any insight on why we'd need to disconnect and reconnect the power cable before install of 3.0.1?

Not specifically just for this update no, however I include it as part of all tv update procedures. Pulling the cables will reset certain system management hardware in some systems, whether this applies to the tv or not I don't know because we don't know much about the gubbins inside the device.

If you're interested my update procedure is:

0. Check for itunes updates and update if available.
1. Perform a sync of your library.
2. Remove ALL cables (for around 30 seconds)
3. Swap HDMI cables for component were possible.
4. Go to itunes prefs and check 'Prevent...from auto syncing'
5. Restart the tv.
6. Download and install the update.
7. Restart itunes.
8. Re-enable autosyncing in itunes.
9. Manually resync your library if autosyncing hasn't already done so.

I've never had any issues after an update, there are some here who put this down to luck, that may or may not be the case, I don't know, but no point in breaking a lucky streak by changing my system.

Thanks, Winnie. Seems as though our routines are similar, although yours is a bit more thorough. I don't usually unplug all my external ports to the Mac (that resets the ports and certain aspects of the Parameter RAM) unless it's a major System update, and I run the diagnostics on the ATV before downloading and installing the update.

I'm going to try this update on one ATV and see how it goes, after which I'll pop back in here and inform as to my success or lack thereof.

Thanks for the prompt reply,
Jimbo

I had all the problems like everyone else. Disappearing from the devices list and then some. I tried the new update last night. I followed the steps as laid out in the email. Eventually, I had to do the factory restore and then the 3.01 update. That did the trick. I used it the rest of the night. I even paused a movie came back today and picked up right where I left off without a hick-up. I haven't been able to do this for weeks. I would recommend the final resort and start from scratch. It appears, for the moment, to have worked for me. I am once again a happy Apple TV owner. Although a little tired of the long wait.

OK, that seemed to go just fine and rather rapidly as well. All content is still there, ATV still shows up in Devises list in sidebar of iTunes, etc, etc.

Life is good.

Thanks again, Jimbo

Jim.

For the avoidance of doubt, I don't pull all the cables when performing an update on my mac, it's just the tv because it's one of the few things one can do. Right or wrong, I have a feeling that both HDMI and network issues have the potential to interfere with the inner sanctum of the tv, which isn't something I want loitering around when I overwrite the existing system.

3.01 fixes....almost nothing...

Oh man!! Come on!! Instead of getting to streamed movies and or tv shows in 3-5 seconds, now it takes 2 mins plus!

Well, it finally does load the shared stuff, but it will take over 2 mins each time .

Uh, keep going Apple. This is not going to work.

Argggg....

Big Kitty,

After similar problems for a few months, your suggestion is the one thing I haven't done, for reasons of laziness. But I'm about to give up; I've pasted your post (along with Winston's detailed steps for upgrading) on a sticky note and will succumb to this task when I yell uncle.

So 2.4 for me was OKAY. Movies and tv shows streamed like crap, but pictures and music worked great.

3.0 broke streaming of music, the screen save would often kick in before it would begin playing.

3.01 broke syncing, now it itunes sees the apple tv but claims my firewall is blocking it. I don't have a firewall on.

is Apple incapable of writting bug free software anymore?!?!

Successful upgrade to my first edition tv w/ 320 drive installed
No problems with 3.0 or 3.0.1
Enjoy the new interface and features
Wish it was more responsive but I have learned to give it a few seconds/minutes to catch up after stopping a video

Has anyone tried the "Internet" choice on Apple TV? I have tried internet radio several times. After selecting a 'channel' to listen to, ATV will freeze after so many minutes of perfect playback. ATV will then go through it's auto restart cycle.

Everything comes back to normal. I go back to listening to internet radio and it will freeze up, again.

This does not happen while listening to my own music stored on ATV.

Just another goofy behavior of ATV.

I like most of the Apple products I've ever purchased because they just work.

However, when it comes to Apple TV I have to say this:

I CAN NOT RECOMMEND APPLE TV TO ANYONE.

We just had company over for dinner. Music was playing through our hifi system through out the evening from our ATV. Not a problem or a hiccup on the music playback. But, I could not honestly tell my friends, "Hey, you should get one of these Apple TVs".

That's too bad. I'd have no problems recommending the computer I'm using, or the iPod Touch I have, they're great! But Apple TV is like some kind of weird oddity that some kids operating out of a garage are selling on the side. It's really cool, has some really cool features, but man, is it full of bugs.

Come on Apple, FIX THIS THING!!

This is just a preliminary report -

I bit the bullet and did a factory restore (back to 2.1, I think). Then I upgraded to 3.0.1 and connected to my iTunes and then began the syncing. Over night it finished. This morning, ATV was still in the devices list and by the time I got home tonight, it still was listed. This is a good sign, it never stayed in the list this long during any one day. But now, my Mac Mini (media server for the house) is doing the OSX upgrade, so I had to close down iTunes. I plan to use it this evening and will see how will the ATV-on-devices problem does.