Apple TV

Essentials

Family: iPod

Codename: iTV

Gestalt ID: 406

Minimum OS: Apple TV OS 1.0

Maximum OS: Apple TV OS 3.0

Announced: January 2007

Introduced: March 2007

Terminated: September 2010

Processor

CPU: Pentium M

CPU Speed: 1 GHz (under-clocked to 350 MHz)

FPU: integrated

Bus Speed: 350 MHz

Data Bus Width: 32-bit

Address Bus Width: 32-bit

ROM: EFI

RAM Type: DDR2

Onboard RAM: 256 MB

RAM slots: none

Maximum RAM: 256 MB

Level 1 Cache: 32 kB data, 32 kB instruction

Level 2 Cache: 2 MB on-processor

Video

GPU: GeForce Go 7300

VRAM: 64 MB

Max Resolution: 720p

Video Out: HDMI, Component

Storage

Hard Drive: 40/160 GB

Input/Output

USB: 1 2.0

Audio Out: HDMI, stereo RCA, optical S/PDIF

Networking

Ethernet: 10/100Base-T

Airport Extreme: 802.11n

Miscellaneous

Power: 48 Watts

Dimensions: 1.1" H x 7.7" W x 7.7" D

Weight: 2.4 lbs.

Announced in January 2007 under the codename iTV and Released two months later, the Apple TV was apple's official first foray into the set-top market (Prototypes of a never-released PPC 603-based set top box from the late 1990s surface from time to time). Running a closed, custom build of Mac OS X (based on v10.4.7), the Apple TV allowed streaming of audio and video from any iTunes-equipped computer on the local network, acting as a single FrontRow-style interface for all computers in a household. In addition to on-network audio and video, the Apple TV could also play select YouTube videos (re-encoded in h.264) and movie trailers from Apple's website.

The Apple TV could be connected to any widescreen TV with either HDMI or component video, supported both analog and digital audio via RCA and optical S/PDIF outputs and supported resolutions from 480p to 720p. The 40 GB model sold for $299, and a 160 GB was available BTO for $399. In January 2008, Apple reduced the price of both models, to $229 and $329, respectively. Apple also released a new version of the Apple TV software, which allowed rental of DVD-quality and HD movies directly from the device. In October 2009, Apple introduced Apple TV 3.0, dropped the 40 GB model, and dropped the price of the 160 GB model to $229.

Picture Credits:
Apple, Inc.