Some users are reporting that their Apple TV set top box is DOA after applying the latest software update, launched in September, and labeled as version 5.1.
Details of the issues can be found in a growing thread discovered by AppleInsider at the Apple Support Communities website. There, users of the iOS-based Apple TV models indicate that upgrading the software on their device has rendered it useless.
A number of users have indicated that after selecting the software update option on their units, they are left with a device that displays a blinking light, and nothing but a black screen displaying on their HDTV. Other users found they’ve lost network connectivity after the update, a condition that basically renders the device useless.
The first posts about the issues were posted in late September, however the thread has continued to grow, with posts made as recently as today, November 20th.
Some users have reported success by manually downgrading the device to a previous version. That involves downloading an IPSW file from Apple, plugging the Apple TV into a Mac or PC with a micro USB cable, and restoring the software through iTunes.
Version 5.1 was released by Apple in September of this year, it added support for Shared Photo Streams, and also the ability to send audio content from the unit to AirPlay-enabled speakers and devices.
I was one of the lucky ones this time, I just updated my Apple TV this week, and everything works fine. How about you? Did you have any problems with your Apple TV software update? Let us know in the comments section below.
