Airplay on old Apple TV

talk2tom wrote:
I received my AppleTV as a gift in December 2008. I don't think it's fair to say that the ATV1 was near the end of its product life cycle at that time. Apple simply didn't support the product properly and then dumped it in favor of a new processor and OS. I'm okay with that, however, I offer that Apple should not have abandoned its customers so easily -- seems to create the impression that Apple does not value its customers. If Apple could not have developed a software fix for a less than 2 year old ATV1 to stay relevent, that's more Apple's fault and perhaps Apple should have offered some accommodation to its loyal customers (I don't know, perhaps a token coupon or rebate on an ATV2?). Instead, Apple ignores the situation, leaving the perception that Apple hopes ATV1 owners would disappear. I have been an Apple customer for some time (multiple generations of iPod, iMac, iPhone and MacBook Pro). In the past, I have been impressed with Apple products and customer service. From my perspective, Apple seems to be evolving into a company that sees its customers not as the people who have purchased its products, but rather as the folks who may stand in line and have not purchased, yet.

Apple didn't abandon anyone. You're being way too sensationalistic.

There is no reason for Apple to provide a "software fix" because nothing was ever broken. Your ATV1 still does everything it did when you bought it. And now, after 3 years on the market, Apple have released a new ATV with a few new features, it doesn't mean the old one has stopped working.

Car manufacturers don't give a rebate to previous buyers when a new model year car comes out with new features, so why should a tech company?

It's all part of the upgrade cycle.. That's just how technology and business works. You can either accept it, or don't buy it, but Apple owes you nothing.

Message was edited by: solsun

A definitive Apple response to this topic would be appreciated Mr. Jobs. Nobody likes playing guessing games. Tell us what you're going to do with ATV1 and we can all made decisions accordingly. Many thanks.

I think only Walt Mossberg can find out for sure if this is a dead end or not. I still think Apple (or mabe a third party app developer) could find a work around for the classic ATV. How about letting your iPad steam content to your iTunes and then to the classic Apple TV somehow? I'd vote with paying for an app that works. I may even give in and spring for the new ATV2 eventually, but I'll wait a few months incase an App developer comes up with something. Things are changing pretty quick with the iOS 4.3 coming in DEC and all... Ya never know.

Since Airplay is merely a way of translating information received over a WiFi signal it is not such an massive ask to add the plug-in as a final update to everyone who paid a premium price for such a promising product before it was taken seriously.

It's important to understand that "AirPlay" is just a marketing name for streaming server/client software contained in iOS and compatible devices, and I'm guessing it's based on the same code used in iTunes. It likely will be incorporated into upcoming iOS compatible accessories.

The fundamental problem remains, however, that it is not part of the ATV1 software package. It would have to be integrated into the existing OS without breaking anything, and that would take a significant development project. I just don't see that happening for a product that has been replaced by a newer model.

I have an ATV1 that still works the same way it always has, and I don't really care whether they upgrade the OS again or not. It hasn't become entirely useless simply because it doesn't have AirPlay. I have other devices that can stream both iTunes and non-iTunes media to my A/V system (a Mac mini, for example), so AirPlay is probably a feature I wouldn't use much if I had it on my ATV.

I understand a lot of people who recently purchased ATV1s are upset, but the dream of an upgrade to bring it up to par with the capabilities of the ATV2 is just not realistic, IMHO. It would not be a small undertaking, contrary to the prevailing belief here, thus is unlikely to happen.

capaho wrote:

The fundamental problem remains, however, that it is not part of the ATV1 software package. It would have to be integrated into the existing OS without breaking anything, and that would take a significant development project. I just don't see that happening for a product that has been replaced by a newer model.

Capaho, you have made some valid points, and i'm not a programmer, but I've got to say that I don't agree that it would be the "significant" undertaking that you say it would be.. Sure, it would take some work, just like every other new software and feature update that they do. But Apple are a huge and extremely profitable company now.. I'm sure their talented staff of programers and engineers could find a way to add video streaming to ATV1 without having to "re-invent the wheel" if they chose to do so.

The point is, why would they? They've already discontinued the product and replaced it with a newer and 50% LESS expensive version. What would be the point of ATV2 if it did all the same things as ATV1? There has to be a few features that would tempt people to upgrade.

...i'm not a programmer, but I've got to say that I don't agree that it would be the "significant" undertaking that you say it would be.

An assessment made without understanding the work involved.

There has to be a few features that would tempt people to upgrade.

People in this thread are clamoring for AirPlay. People in other threads in this forum are clamoring for Netflix and TV show rentals. People in the ATV2 forums are clamoring for Hulu Plus, MLBN, ESPN, etc., and people in this forum will be clamoring for those as well if they are added to the ATV2. How much upgrading will be required to please everyone? It's an impossible task.

capaho wrote:

...i'm not a programmer, but I've got to say that I don't agree that it would be the "significant" undertaking that you say it would be.

An assessment made without understanding the work involved.

Right, because between OSX, iOS, iLife, the Pro apps and the 20-30 other applications that Apple authors, they are constantly adding new features and updates on a regular basis.. I don't need to be a programmer to assess that fact.

Do you honestly believe that the reason video streaming works for ATV2 but not ATV1 is because it's too much of an undertaking? Come on, that's ridiculous.

I'm certain that there is a legitimate reason for choosing not to support ATV1 with video streaming, but I'd be willing to bet that "too much work" for Apple programmers is not it..

Message was edited by: solsun

As an investor, I suggest Apple upgrades just enough to cause customers to justify canceling their traditional cable and satellite subscriptions for an Apple service equivalent. You would need a way to charge for a recurring service through iTunes first. That feature is coming soon, I assure you all.

This is part of a bigger picture/effort that could lead to significantly more development in terms of functionality and content with the current ATV, though it seems the Classic ATV will get left behind... I suspect it has more to do with content providers than Apple or us, the consumers. They've taken the biggest step towards this by coming out with a second generation of ATV, so that tells me they (Apple) are committed to penetrating the live broadcast market one day. Has anyone heard of the Cloud facility Apple just finished up in the Southeast? There is more to come on this subject our friend Capaho refers to regarding the other forums requests.

I don't need to be a programmer to assess that fact.

In your assessment as a non-programmer, how many lines of code need to be changed for the upgrade, how many programmers will be needed for the upgrade, how many man-hours of work will be required, how long will it take, and what will be the total cost of the upgrade? How will Apple recoup these expenses for the ATV1?

I'd just like to add the point that for myself and perhaps many others are not peeved about the lack of support for video airplay. I DO understand that there might be a significant problem in achieving that...

But audio? Cmon... That can't be too taxing surely? I just want to be able to arrive home and switch my music from my headphones to my living room sound system via my atv1. If it works simply with my AE to my bedroom now I'm sure it's not a huge leap to make the atv1 manage it.

I just want to be able to arrive home and switch my music from my headphones to my living room sound system via my atv1. If it works simply with my AE to my bedroom now I'm sure it's not a huge leap to make the atv1 manage it.

Anything the ATV1 OS doesn't have the code for now would require a development project to add it. I can't put it any more simply than that. It would be cheaper and easier for you to buy an ATV2 than it would be for Apple to upgrade the ATV1 so that it could do everything the ATV2 can do. See the problem?

Iangreen100 is right. Audio, not video is supported.

Here is the suggested help measures from Apple.
If your AirPlay-enabled device does not appear in the AirPlay menu, follow these steps to resolve the issue:

Verify that your AirPlay-enabled devices have the most up-to-date software or firmware (see the table above for minimum AirPlay requirements).
Verify that all your AirPlay-enabled devices are on the same network.
Verify that your iOS device has Wi-Fi turned on and is associated with the same network as your AirPlay-enabled device.
Ensure that AirPlay is enabled on the device to which you are trying to stream content (for example, you can disable or enable AirPlay on Apple TV in the AirPlay menu: Settings > AirPlay).
Check Internet or network connectivity on all affected devices.
Ensure that other devices are not trying to stream to the same AirPlay-enabled device at the same time.
Turn off Bluetooth on your iOS device by tapping Settings > General > Bluetooth.
Temporarily disable firewalls (both network and local) and security software (security software and firewalls may block ports that AirPlay uses to stream content).

capaho wrote:

I don't need to be a programmer to assess that fact.

In your assessment as a non-programmer, how many lines of code need to be changed for the upgrade, how many programmers will be needed for the upgrade, how many man-hours of work will be required, how long will it take, and what will be the total cost of the upgrade? How will Apple recoup these expenses for the ATV1?

Like I said, I'm a non-programmer, so, I wouldn't assess your programming q's.

I have an iPod Touch, iTunes on W7 64bit and Apple TV 1st Gen all connected through a wireless router, but I can only get Airplay to work from iTunes to ATV 1G. Some have said you need and additional equipment to get the iPod Touch to work with the ATV 1G and I've also heard that only the iPod Touch 4G supports the Airplay to ATV.

I've only recently bought the ATV 1G and iPod Touch 3G (bought only just before they released the ATV2G and iPod Touch 4G) and now being told that the features that I want are only for the higher versions ?? Talk about Apple taking the P *.

I don't think they should have to put airplay on the 1GTV. It is a different product and was never advertised to get it. I have a 2GATV and would like a big hard drive but i won't get one.

You do have a gripe if they don't support it in the areas of what it was supposed to do. But the new stuff you won't get. If the old ATV was going to get all the new stuff I would have purchased the 1G atv. My guess is they don't want to have to update two products with the functions on two separate OS's.