Apple TV (2007)
The first Apple TV brought the iTunes library to a television through local storage and a home network, before app-centered generations.
Specs
| Display | Output up to 720p |
| Storage | 40 GB at launch |
| Platform | iTunes synchronization; Apple Remote |
| Ports | HDMI; component; analog/optical audio; Ethernet 10/100; Wi-Fi |
| Release | 2007-03-21 |
| Price | 299 USD |
Launch and context
Apple introduced it on January 9, 2007, planning February shipping at $299 in the US. The March 21 release announced that it was shipping and reaching stores that week: the initial schedule differed from the actual release. The original configuration included a 40 GB hard disk and Apple Remote. It offered output up to 720p; the launch unit is distinct from later larger-disk configurations. [tv07-announce, tv07-ship]
How Apple presented it
The proposition was enjoying iTunes films, shows, music, photos and podcasts from the sofa. It could sync content from one computer and stream from up to five others. HDMI, component video, analog and optical audio served different setups; 10/100 Ethernet and Wi-Fi connected the library. The disk let synced content play without a continuous stream from the computer. Advertised figures of 50 video hours, 9000 songs or 25000 photos were alternatives depending on content, not simultaneous capacities. [tv07-announce, tv07-ship]
Documented issues
Ars Technica praised ease of use but found format limits: a file playing in iTunes was not necessarily compatible with Apple TV. It also found under 33 GB usable on its 40 GB unit because of formatting and the system. USB was documented for diagnostics, not media input from disks or peripherals. The original system was not the later tvOS with an App Store. These limits describe the software tested in 2007, not current service availability or a universal hardware defect. [tv07-review]
Sources
- tv07-announce · , Apple TV Coming to Your Living Room (2007-01-09) · https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2007/01/09Apple-TV-Coming-to-Your-Living-Room/
- tv07-review · , Apple TV: an in-depth review (2007-03-27) · https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2007/03/apple-tv-1st-generation/
- tv07-ship · , Apple TV Now Shipping (2007-03-21) · https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2007/03/21Apple-TV-Now-Shipping/
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Updated: October 26, 2026 · Compare this product