This is a work in-progress. I will continue to update it.
Apple TV User’s Guide [PDF, 1.1MB]
Apple TV Safety and Regulatory Compliance Information Manual [PDF, 573 KB]
Networking
Where do I find the Media Access Control address? On the Apple TV, select Settings -> About. You can also find the Wireless and Ethernet network IDs on the UPC label on the Apple TV case.
How do I set the name of my computer for AppleTV? In iTunes, open Preferences, click General, enter the computer name in the “Shared Name” field, and then click OK.
How do I check to see if the AppleTV is properly connected to my network? On the Apple TV, select Settings->Network and make sure that you see an IP address listed for your unit.
What ports are used by AppleTV? TCP 3689 communicates with iTunes. UDP port 5353 finds networked computers via Bonjour. TCP ports 80 and 443 communicate securely with the iTunes Store over the internet.
Can I stream using 802.11b? No. You need 802.11g/n to stream.
Can I sync using 802.11b? Yes. You can sync with 802.11b/g/n and over a wired Ethernet connection.
How do I connect AppleTV to my network? Select the network from Network -> Configure Wireless or Network -> Configure TCP/IP. If you’re not using DHCP for your TCP/IP network, you may have to manually enter your IP address, subnet mask, router and DNS addresses.
More FAQs after the jump…
Connecting to your TV
Where’s the cable to connect to my TV? It’s not there. Apple does not ship a cable with your AppleTV unit. You can pick up a HDMI-to-HDMI or DVI-to-HDMI cable on eBay for not too much money. You can also use the component-to-component cable that probably shipped with your (newer) TV. AppleTV supports HDMI, component video, DVI video, digital and analog audio. Note that for DVI video, you’ll need to use a HDMI (AppleTV) to DVI (your TV) cable.
Can I connect AppleTV to my older TV using composite cables? Nope. Apple is still “skating to where the puck is going to be”. You need a newer TV that supports component video, DVI or HDMI (preferred).
How do I know which output ports/cables are being used to export video? On AppleTV, check your input settings screen. As a rule, HDMI connections take precedence. When an HDMI cable is connected, video is not sent on the component connections.
How do I adjust the brightness of the HDMI video? On the Apple TV, select Settings -> HDMI brightness. Press Play/Pause on your Apple Remote to switch between Low and High brightness. For additional brightness control, adjust your TV directly.
How do I adjust the brightness of the Component video? Use your TV’s built-in brightness controls.
How do I select a video mode? Press and hold both Menu and Menu up/Scroll (the “+” button) on the Apple Remote for about 5-10 seconds. AppleTV will cycle through its display resolutions. When the Apple logo looks OK, press Play on your Apple remote.
Can I control the TV volume with my Apple Remote? No. The + and - buttons are used to navigate the menus, not to control volume. You’ll need to use your TV’s own remote or a universal remote that has been programmed to set your TV’s volume.
AppleTV Basics
How do I know if the AppleTV is powered on? The AppleTV should have an illuminated LED to indicate that it’s properly powered.
How do I know if my Apple TV is receiving signals from my Apple remote? The status light on your Apple TV should flash every time you press a remote button. If the AppleTV flashes amber, you’re using an unpaired remote.
Can I pair my Apple remote with my Apple TV? Yes. Choose Settings -> Pair Remote Control. Alternatively, press and hold Menu and Next/Fast-forward for 5-10 seconds to pair your remote to your AppleTV. When paired, AppleTV displays a chainlink logo above the picture of the remote in the settings menu. To unpair the remote, use any Apple remote, aim it at your AppleTV and press and hold Menu and Previous/Rewind for 5-10 seconds, or select Settings -> Unpair Remote on the Apple TV.
How do I restore AppleTV to its factory settings? Press and hold Menu and Menu down/- on your remote for 5-10 seconds until the status light blinks amber. Select a language and then choose Factory Restore.
What does the AppleTV status light indicate? White means ON. Off means OFF or Standby. Blinking amber means STARTING UP. A single white flash means it accepted a command from the remote. A single amber flash means a rejected command from an unpaired remote. Alternating between white and amber means you need to service your AppleTV.
How do I find my AppleTV serial number? On AppleTV, select Settings -> About. In iTunes, select your AppleTV in the source list. You’ll find the serial number in the Summary tab. On the bottom of the AppleTV box, you’ll find the serial number on the Information Label. The serial number is also printed on the barcode label on the original packaging that came with your AppleTV.
Can I use the AppleTV USB port? So far, no. Apple says that AppleTV will not recognize USB keyboards, mice, hard drives, etc. The USB port is for “service and diagnostics only”.
iTunes and Media
What version of iTunes do I need? iTunes 7.1 or later and QuickTime 7.1.5 or later.
Do I have to authorize my AppleTV to play DRMed content? Yes. You must select your AppleTV in the iTunes source list and choose File -> Sync Apple TV.
Why do I sometimes see other Apple TVs in my source list? You’re detecting them wirelessly. You can disable the detection by deslecting Apple TV -> Look for Apple TVs in your iTunes preferences.
What’s the difference between syncing and streaming content to my AppleTV? When you sync, you copy content to the Apple TV hard drive. When you stream, you send the data without storing the content. You can sync photos, movies, TV shows, podcasts, and music. You can stream movies, TV shows, podcasts, and music but you cannot stream photos.
How do I start syncing? On AppleTV, select Sources -> Syncing. Note the 5-digit passcode. In iTunes, select the AppleTV from the device list and enter the 5-digit passcode.
How do I start streaming? On AppleTV, select Sources -> Connect to New iTunes. Note the 5-digit passcode. In iTunes, select the AppleTV from the device list and enter the 5-digit passcode.
How do I turn off syncing? On AppleTV, select Sources -> Syncing -> Turn off Syncing.
How many computers can I sync to/stream from? You can sync to one computer and stream from up to 5 iTunes libraries.
Does AppleTV count as one of my iTunes computer authorizations? No, it will not take up one of your iTunes slots.
Troubleshooting
Apple has an AppleTV Service and support page here.
I've just read a first hand report that you CAN connect it to older CRT TVs with component connectors.
Andy: Yes, you can so long as it has component connectors. Here's what I wrote above. Did I get something wrong?:
"Can I connect AppleTV to my older TV using composite cables? Nope. Apple is still "skating to where the puck is going to be". You need a newer TV that supports component video, DVI or HDMI (preferred)."
Can you listen to internet radio stations from AppleTV by adding them to a playlist and streaming them from your Mac?
That's cool - I read 'older TV' as meaning 'a non HD TV'.
Bonus, my CRT TV has component video inputs. Guess what I'll be buying myself :)
Andy, just to be clear--Apple says you need a widescreen TV so the picture may be off. The specs page for AppleTV is here
Enhanced-definition or high-definition widescreen TVs capable of 1080i 60/50Hz, 720p 60/50Hz, 576p 50Hz (PAL format), or 480p 60Hz
Nate: it hasn't worked so far (tried creating a playlist with the radio stations, but it didn't sync), but I'll keep trying
Here's what's sure to be a FAQ:
How long does it take to convert broadcast HDTV content for use on the AppleTV ?
Erica: Since you've been telling us about your adventures capturing HDTV streams, I'm hopeful that you can give us timings for the conversion of, say, a 30 minute 1080i (e.g. NBC) and a 720p (e.g. ABC) show to whatever the maximum/default resolution the AppleTV QuickTime preset will do. Timings on a 1.83G iMac Core Duo would be perfect, but I'll take what I can get. ;-)
According to: http://www.macintouch.com/readerreports/appletv/index.html#mar22
(Scroll down to Chris Brown's comment), the "Export to AppleTV" command in QuickTime Pro 7.1.5 can produce at least "a .m4v file. Video was using H.264, at a size of 1248x702, at 23.98fps. Data rate on the video track is 4.85Mbps. Audio was AAC, 44kHz stereo, at 128kbps. That puts the whole file at 4.9Mbps, just under the maximum AppleTV spec data rate of 5Mbps (according to the Apple website)."
That was a from a 960x720 DVCPRO HD file, 720p, 23.98fps. DVCPRO HD uses an anamorphic format (which QuickTime doesn't support very well, hence the 1248x702 output).
I'm also hoping that the conversion from a true HDTV stream might be at an even higher resolution than 1248x702, but it sounds like this is pretty near the device's limits. I'm guessing that the preset will down-res the video rather than try to sort-of reverse telecine it (i.e. it will drop from 1280x720 to something lower rather than go from 720p at 60fps to 720p at 24fps) -- but I'd love to be wrong.
Anybody have a whole house remote control solution (either 802.11 or rf) for itunes coming off the Apple TV?
I have had no luck connecting appletv to an apple cinema display (23") using a a monster hdmi to dvi adapter. Apple logo appears, disappears, reappears, then disappears forever. Have checked that monitor and appletv are functioning normally in other configs (appletv to hdtv at Radio Shack, monitor to laptop). Any ideas? I don't have an hdtv so I am sol now.
Same here, bought appleTV before HD TV and trying to connect 23" cinema Display with no luck. Logo appears but then disappears, I'm thinking if the logo is visible there has got to be A way to get it to work. For now i'm going to try and find a composite to dvi converter and go that route, will post if succesfull.
I had the apple tv working with my 23" cinema display and now it has suddenly stopped working.
The apple tv crashed and once I had restarted the cinema display won't display a picture, except the apple logo when I restart it. The really strange part is the monitor seems to be getting sync out of range. The display works fine with my macbook and the apple tv will work with another dvi monitor so I don't think anything is broken.
Any body else having a similar problem?
I have the same problem with my 23" cinema display the light just blinks three times with no picture With signals from my High Def dvi out on the cable box, PC computer DVI 1920x1200 card, hdmi 1920x1080 HD DVD , Blu-ray plaver, and AppleTV. I connect it to an Apple only video card and it works but this is the only signal it works on!!! I know it is too sensitive to any other signal because I have tried 3 different 1920x1200 DVI only monitors with all of these signals including the apple display card and they all work perfectly, but the Apple 23" cinema display won't work on any of them but the Apple Video Display Card. Why is Apple trying to drive customers away from their monitors with B.S. like this? Don't they know if the monitor doesn't work no one else will buy it!!!
Hi. I need some help for my Apple TV.
I just got an Macbook pro (before I got an Macbook) Now I want to stream all my music from Itunes to Apple TV. And it is streaming allright to it's going slow damm slow. I only got 2270 songs, but it takes almost one day just to transfer 20 songs.
Help Please!. Can I transfer by USB 2.0 i the back of the apple tv?
Help!....