Next-Gen Apple TV Doesn't Play Nice with Home Control
By Julie Jacobson
With diskless design and proprietary communications, next-gen Apple TV evades integration with third-party control systems. Autonomic, Extra Vegetables explain options.

If you like integrating Apple TV with home control -- as many CE Pros do -- it’s best to stick with the original model rather than “upgrade” to the new Apple TV 2.

Autonomic Controls and Extra Vegetables, two of the original and most popular creators of two-way Apple TV drivers, tell CE Pro that the new Apple TV does not lend itself to integration.



“We confirmed that the new device has changed the protocol in a manner that makes it controllable only by other Apple devices, as far as we can tell,” says Autonomic CEO Michael de Nigris.

Both Autonomic and Extra Vegetables offer software for controlling the original Apple TV over the home network using third-party home automation systems. Autonomic supports AMX, Crestron, NuVo, RTI and URC; EV supports Control4.

With the respective drivers and an Apple TV on the network, users can access their iTunes library with a Control4, Crestron or other touchscreen – without having to turn on the TV or computer.

Not so with Apple TV 2.

Click here to continue.