All About the Second Generation Apple TV

The second-generation Apple TV was the successor to the original Apple TV, Apple's first entry into the set-top box/Internet-connected TV market. This article details its key hardware and software features. It also provides a diagram to help you understand what each of the device's ports does.

While the original Apple TV stored content locally–whether by syncing from a user's iTunes library or via download from the iTunes Store—the second-generation model is almost entirely Internet-centric. Instead of syncing content, this device streams it from iTunes libraries via AirPlay, the iTunes Store, iCloud, or other online services using built-in apps like Netflix, Hulu, MLB.TV, YouTube, and more.

Because it doesn't need it, the device doesn’t offer much in the way of local storage. It does have 8 GB of Flash memory used for storing streamed content, however.

This version of the Apple TV runs a modified version of the operating system Apple uses for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Specifically, the firmware is a variation of iOS 7. Future versions would continue to use a version of iOS until the fourth-generation hardware, which finally got its own framework: tvOS.

Here are some more technical details from the second-generation Apple TV:

This image shows the back of the second-generation Apple TV and the ports that are available there.

1. Power Adapter
2. HDMI port
3. Mini USB port
4. Optical Audio jack
5. Ethernet port