Does't sean to work with my TV

Question

I recently got a apple tv but it doesn't appear to work with my TV. The TV is about two years old and I have no idea what the resolution is! I assume it is 480i but I am not sure. When the apple tv is on all I get is distorted Black and white images, any one know what I need to do?

Answer 1

John
You need to provide more detail about how you are connecting the thing to your TV.
Specifically, does your TV have component or HDMI inputs?
Apple TV does not support composite/S-VHS.
Component inputs are a set of 3 RCA sockets coloured red, green and blue - these 3 are purely for the video signals - no audio amongst them. It's possible you are just connecting one of these 3 to a standard composite (yellow) socket on the TV (an the other 2 to the TV audio input sockets) which could give you a B&W signal- others have mistakenly done this.
If it's using a HDMI connection, then given that HDMI is a relatively new format, some TVs don't handle the connection as well as they should - most do so this is unlikely but you could do a Google on yoyt TV brand and HDMI to see if theer are any known issues.
Look at basic hints and tips at:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305175
Specifically from theer:
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If your TV screen appears fuzzy or black (you see no video)
* When you connect power, check to make sure the LED turns on. If the LED is not on, then verify with a known good power outlet or connect something else to the outlet you're using for Apple TV and make sure it works (such as a lamp or clock).
* Make sure you're using the correct video cables and that they are connected firmly to Apple TV and to your TV.
* Make sure the input setting you've selected on your TV matches the input you have your video cables connected to. See the documentation that came with your TV for more information.
* If you are connected via HDMI, try unplugging and replugging your HDMI cable.
* If HDMI isn't working for you - then try component instead. Read more about HDMI vs component video.
If your TV screen still appears fuzzy or black, you may need to select a video mode your TV supports.
To select a video mode:
1. Press and hold both Menu and Menu up/scroll on the Apple Remote for about 6 seconds. Apple TV will cycle through different display resolutions.
2. When Apple TV reaches an acceptable display resolution and "If you can see the Apple logo, select OK" appears on your TV screen, press the Play button on the Remote.
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Other possible issues:
- faulty AppleTV
- faulty TV inputs
- faulty connection cables (try another id possible)
If you have a friend with a component/HDMI equipped TV try connecting AppleTV to their set to try and narrow down the problem to the AppleTV box/cabling or your TV set.
Depending on where you purchased it, if you are confident you have all the right cables / connections and are stuck then it'd be more than reasonable to take it back to the store to see if it's faulty.
Good luck.
AC