About Apple TV (2nd generation) software updates

Summary

Learn about changes in Apple TV (2nd Generation) Software Updates. Click here to learn how to update Apple TV software.

Products Affected

Apple TV

Apple TV Software Update 4.4.4

Stability and performance Apple TV software version 4.4.4 includes general performance and stability improvements, including a fix for an issue that displayed an error when playing some video content.


Apple TV Software Update 4.4.3

Netflix Added support for Netflix in Mexico.
Audio output    Addresses an issue in which audio may not play through the optical port when the TV is turned off.

 
Apple TV Software Update 4.4.2

Software Update Addresses an issue that required a small number of Apple TV units to be connected to iTunes in order to complete the update.


Note
: If you are updating to software update 4.4.2 from sofware update 4.4 or 4.4.1, please read this article before starting the update process.
 

Apple TV Software Update 4.4

Photo Stream View photos recently taken on your iOS device and pushed to your Photo Stream in iCloud.
AirPlay Mirroring Wirelessly stream what's on your iPhone 4S or iPad 2 screen to your HDTV.
National Hockey League * Watch live games. View highlights, scores, and more.
Wall Street Journal Watch up-to-date news, business commentary, and financial analysis from leading experts.
New Slideshow themes Enjoy your photos on your HDTV with new slideshow themes: Photo Wall, Flip-up, Shifting Tiles.
Netflix Added support for subtitles when available.


Note: Live and on-demand games require a NHL subscription. Blackouts apply. See nhl.com/appletv for details.
 

Apple TV Software Update 4.3

TV show purchases Purchase TV shows on Apple TV. Shows purchased on Apple TV can be re-downloaded on other iOS devices. Shows purchased on other iOS devices or with iTunes automatically show up as available to play on Apple TV. Feature limited by region. For additional information, please read this article.
Vimeo Browse and watch millions of user-uploaded videos found on the Vimeo service, for free.

 

Apple TV Software Update 4.2.2

Audio Addresses an issue in which audio is not output when playing some video content.
Video playback Addresses an issue in which video is not displayed when playing some content.
Audio output setting Adds an audio output setting for switching to 16-bit audio for compatibility with some TVs and AV receivers.
Live FF/RW improvements Improves the performance of fast-forwarding and rewinding live events.
Movie description Addresses an issue in which the description information is not displayed for some movies.
YouTube video order Addresses an issue in which YouTube subscription videos were not ordered by date.

 

Apple TV Software Update 4.2.1

TV compatibility Addresses issues that may cause the screen to flicker or display incorrect color on some older TVs.
Wake from sleep Addresses an issue where Apple TV may not wake up from sleep.
Audio Addresses an issue where audio may not be heard on some TV models after switching from another input.
Stability and performance Apple TV Software Update 4.2.1 includes stability and performance fixes for Apple TV.

 

Apple TV Software Update 4.2

AirPlay for apps and websites Wirelessly stream video from iOS apps and websites that are enabled for AirPlay, on an iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch running iOS 4.3.
MLB.TV* Watch live and on-demand Major League Baseball games in HD with an MLB.TV subscription. Pause, rewind, fast-forward, and switch between the home and away broadcast. Even non-subscribers can access real-time MLB scores and in-game stats, plus see the full-season schedule, standings, and stats. (Live games are subject to blackouts. See www.mlb.com/appletv for details.)
NBA Game Time**   Watch live and on-demand games with an NBA League Pass Broadband subscription. Pause, rewind, and fast-forward both live and on-demand games. And non-subscribers can access real-time NBA scores and in-game stats, plus see the full-season schedule, standings, stats, and video highlights. (Live and archived games are subject to blackouts. See www.nba.com/appletv for details.)
Netflix Dolby Digital 5.1*** Enjoy Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound when watching Netflix movies and TV shows on Apple TV. (Not available with all titles.)
New slideshow themes View photos with the new Scrapbook, Photo Mobile, and Holiday Mobile slideshow themes or use as the Apple TV screensaver.
Improved on-screen keyboard Search and enter names and passwords more easily with the redesigned on-screen keyboard.
AirPlay photo slideshow themes All Apple TV photo slideshow themes are now available when using AirPlay to wirelessly send a photo slideshow from an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to Apple TV.
HDMI color mode Apple TV Software Update 4.2 includes a setting for changing the color mode output over HDMI.
Connectivity and performance fixes Apple TV Software Update 4.2 includes performance and connectivity fixes for Apple TV.

Notes

* Live and on-demand games require a MLB.TV subscription. Blackouts apply. See mlb.com/appletv for details.
** Available in the United States. Live and on-demand games require NBA League Pass Broadband subscription. Blackouts apply. See nba.com/appletv for details.
*** Not available with all titles. Netflix is available in the U.S. and Canada.
 

Apple TV Software Update 4.1.1

TV resolution fix Addresses an issue that causes some high-definition TVs to incorrectly display at 480p.
Download fix Addresses an issue that may cause a movie or TV show to be re-downloaded.

 

Apple TV Software Update 4.1

AirPlay With the new AirPlay feature, Videos, Photos, and Music can be streamed to Apple TV from iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch with iOS 4.2 or later. AirPlay also enables video and music to be streamed to Apple TV from a Mac or PC running iTunes 10.2 or later.
VoiceOver The VoiceOver accessibility feature brings screen reading to Apple TV, making it easier to use for those who are blind or have impaired vision. You will hear a description of the menu item currently being highlighted by the cursor, other onscreen text, and feedback on video and audio controls. VoiceOver speaks all 18 languages available on Apple TV.
Connectivity and performance fixes Apple TV Software update 4.1 includes performance and connectivity fixes for Apple TV.

 

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