Q: 4.3 Flicker Problem

Make sure you save your AppleTV's SHSH so you can downgrade to it in the future if necessary.

BradGarbus wrote:

Chenks wrote:
AppleTV v4.1.1 via apple download server - http://appldnld.apple.com/AppleTV/061-9978.20101214.gmabr/AppleTV2,14.2.1_8C154Restore.ipsw

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

BUT, once I restart the unit, won't it just re-update to the new OS?

As an affected user, I concur with this. I knew when I bought both they were not 'officially' supported. One of my TVs has no optical input and so I use a monoprice HDMI converter to split the audio out to RCA, on that one I have the "pink" screen issue (http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=12480509)

I do understand it's hard to test every TV combination out there, including TVs that are up to 7 or 8 years old (in my case). I am encouraged by the direct email I got from an Apple rep asking for detailed information about my setup so they can try to fix it.

I don't know. I have disabled automatic updates on my two units.

http://www.appletvhacks.net/2011/03/10/apple-tv-2-gets-software-update-4-2/

Chenks wrote:
the response would be though that you knew it was unsupported when you bought the appletv, so you accepted the risks from the start.

it most likely will be fixed, but you do have to accept that whilst you continue to use it via unsupported connection methods that you may continue to have issues.

it's like buying a car and using tires that the manufacture say aren't supported. you know the risks when you choose to use those unsupported tires.

This is true, but I would have returned it if it had not worked in the very beginning. Now it is too late.

It would be like buying the tires and installing them at purchase, then going in for an oil change and having them change the rims (different size) and returning it to you with flat tires saying, sorry you have to buy new ones that fit the new rims. (okay, not the best come back, but you get the idea.)
I would have never taken it back for the oil change! lol

Message was edited by: BradGarbus

Bottom line here is.

When I purchased the unit. It worked great. (So well I disconnected Cable TV and rely solely on the Apple TV)

Don't send me an "update" that essentially breaks the unit after I am out of warranty and tell me "too bad so sorry for your luck"...

Its just not right. There simply was no warning that I would go from loving my product that I have come to reply on, to now wanting to toss it out the window... Oh wait, you can buy a new TV and it will work fine. lol

I look at it this way, Apple can undo this issue and fix it or they can help me buy a new TV. That sounds fair... lol

Message was edited by: BradGarbus

Considering that the flickering, resolution problem happens regardless of a DVI to HDMI or direct HDMI connection it's irrelevant to this problem, which essentially bricks the device. It seems the only thing the unsupported connection affects so far is the new ability to change HDMI color mode (I have an HDMI TV and can change my mode but I have the other problems).

BradGarbus wrote:
I look at it this way, Apple can undo this issue and fix it or they can help me buy a new TV. That sounds fair... lol

or you use the appletv the way it was sold to you originally, using an HDMI cable with no third party convertors.

you decided to buy it even though you knew you would need a convertor. you took the risk and continue to take the risk by using an unsupported connection method.

you don't but a petrol car knowing the nearest petrol station is 100 miles away, then blame the car manufacturer when you run out of petrol 20 miles from home.

Chenks wrote:

BradGarbus wrote:
I look at it this way, Apple can undo this issue and fix it or they can help me buy a new TV. That sounds fair... lol

or you use the appletv the way it was sold to you originally, using an HDMI cable with no third party convertors.

you decided to buy it even though you knew you would need a convertor. you took the risk and continue to take the risk by using an unsupported connection method.

you don't but a petrol car knowing the nearest petrol station is 100 miles away, then blame the car manufacturer when you run out of petrol 20 miles from home.

I have to disagree.

When I purchased it, I tested it and it worked fine - has worked fine for over a year. It wasn't until Apple tried to "improve" an out of warranty product, that this happened.

I took the Apple TV for a test drive, with option to return it for a refund. It worked fine for my needs so I kept it. Apple changed the parameters after it was out of warranty and well beyond the time frame that I could return it for a refund.

In your example, the car manufacturer changed the fuel economy so it would only go 20 miles. I didn't ask them to. They did this on their own and it created the problem when there was none to begin with. So yes, they created the conditions in which the product won't work properly when all this time, it did work just fine...

AppDad wrote:

Chenks wrote:
or you use the appletv the way it was sold to you originally, using an HDMI cable with no third party convertors.

Okay, so what am I doing wrong? I am using an HDMI cable and am getting the flickering.

Message was edited by: AppDad

I am guessing here, but I bet your TV is not full HD. Maybe 720p? or even 1080i?
That seems to be the issue. They are only supporting 1080p now via HDMI to HDMI. Essentially. ( I could be wrong. )

BradGarbus wrote:

Chenks wrote:

BradGarbus wrote:
I look at it this way, Apple can undo this issue and fix it or they can help me buy a new TV. That sounds fair... lol

or you use the appletv the way it was sold to you originally, using an HDMI cable with no third party convertors.

you decided to buy it even though you knew you would need a convertor. you took the risk and continue to take the risk by using an unsupported connection method.

you don't but a petrol car knowing the nearest petrol station is 100 miles away, then blame the car manufacturer when you run out of petrol 20 miles from home.

I have to disagree.

When I purchased it, I tested it and it worked fine - has worked fine for over a year. It wasn't until Apple tried to "improve" an out of warranty product, that this happened.

I took the Apple TV for a test drive, with option to return it for a refund. It worked fine for my needs so I kept it. Apple changed the parameters after it was out of warranty and well beyond the time frame that I could return it for a refund.

In your example, the car manufacturer changed the fuel economy so it would only go 20 miles. I didn't ask them to. They did this on their own and it created the problem when there was none to begin with. So yes, they created the conditions in which the product won't work properly when all this time, it did work just fine...

no you're missing the point, HDMI to DVI was never supported in the first place, so apple haven't changed the parameters at all.
the fact that it worked was luck.

the issue most likely will be fixed, but apple are under no obligation to make it work as they only support HDMI connections.

BradGarbus wrote:

AppDad wrote:

Chenks wrote:
or you use the appletv the way it was sold to you originally, using an HDMI cable with no third party convertors.

Okay, so what am I doing wrong? I am using an HDMI cable and am getting the flickering.

Message was edited by: AppDad

I am guessing here, but I bet your TV is not full HD. Maybe 720p? or even 1080i?
That seems to be the issue. They are only supporting 1080p now via HDMI to HDMI. Essentially. ( I could be wrong. )

Apple TV's native output is 720p. Apple does not officially support HDMI to DVI adapters at all for AppleTV2, although some people have been able to get it to work with some adapters.

Chenks wrote:

BradGarbus wrote:

Chenks wrote:

BradGarbus wrote:
I look at it this way, Apple can undo this issue and fix it or they can help me buy a new TV. That sounds fair... lol

or you use the appletv the way it was sold to you originally, using an HDMI cable with no third party convertors.

you decided to buy it even though you knew you would need a convertor. you took the risk and continue to take the risk by using an unsupported connection method.

you don't but a petrol car knowing the nearest petrol station is 100 miles away, then blame the car manufacturer when you run out of petrol 20 miles from home.

I have to disagree.

When I purchased it, I tested it and it worked fine - has worked fine for over a year. It wasn't until Apple tried to "improve" an out of warranty product, that this happened.

I took the Apple TV for a test drive, with option to return it for a refund. It worked fine for my needs so I kept it. Apple changed the parameters after it was out of warranty and well beyond the time frame that I could return it for a refund.

In your example, the car manufacturer changed the fuel economy so it would only go 20 miles. I didn't ask them to. They did this on their own and it created the problem when there was none to begin with. So yes, they created the conditions in which the product won't work properly when all this time, it did work just fine...

no you're missing the point, HDMI to DVI was never supported in the first place, so apple haven't changed the parameters at all.
the fact that it worked was luck.

the issue most likely will be fixed, but apple are under no obligation to make it work as they only support HDMI connections.

I hate to say this, but I have handled Legal issues here in the states for major companies and this sort of issue has always been corrected. You can't have a product work (luck or not), and change it once it is out of warranty effectively disabling it. It is a form of bait and switch. Granted it was unintentional, I hope, but legally in at least 3 states, there is an obligation on the part of the manufacturer to at least undo what they did to disable to product.

BradGarbus wrote:
I hate to say this, but I have handled Legal issues here in the states for major companies and this sort of issue has always been corrected. You can't have a product work (luck or not), and change it once it is out of warranty effectively disabling it. It is a form of bait and switch. Granted it was unintentional, I hope, but legally in at least 3 states, there is an obligation on the part of the manufacturer to at least undo what they did to disable to product.

and what about the other 47 states ?
i would suggest that it you attempted to take it to court you would lose.

also the product isn't disabled, connect it to a TV using HDMI and you'll find it works.