# Apple TV (2nd generation)

> 2nd-generation Apple home media player

**Wikidata**: [Q33468982](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q33468982)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/apple-tv-2nd-generation-q33468982

## Summary
The Apple TV (2nd generation) is a home media player designed by Apple Inc. and manufactured by Foxconn. Released on September 1, 2010, it serves as the successor to the original Apple TV and is powered by the Apple A4 system on a chip (SoC).

## Key Facts
- **Release Date:** September 1, 2010
- **Discontinuation Date:** March 7, 2012
- **Designer:** Apple Inc.
- **Manufacturer:** Foxconn
- **Processor:** Apple A4 system on a chip (SoC)
- **Model Identifiers:** A1378, AppleTV2,1, and MC572LL/A
- **Classifications:** Subclass of Apple TV; instance of media player software
- **Predecessor:** Apple TV (1st generation)
- **Successor:** Apple TV (3rd generation)

## FAQs
### Q: When was the Apple TV (2nd generation) available for purchase?
A: The device was launched on September 1, 2010. It remained in production until it was succeeded and discontinued on March 7, 2012.

### Q: What internal hardware powers the Apple TV (2nd generation)?
A: This generation of the Apple TV features the Apple A4 system on a chip (SoC). This processor was designed by Apple Inc. specifically for use in its hardware devices.

### Q: What are the different names or model numbers for this device?
A: While officially known as the Apple TV (2nd generation), it is also referred to by the alias TV. Its technical model numbers include A1378 and MC572LL/A, and its hardware identifier is AppleTV2,1.

## Why It Matters
The Apple TV (2nd generation) represents a significant iteration in the evolution of Apple's home media receiver technology. Released in late 2010, it served as the critical link between the original 2007 hardware and the subsequent 3rd-generation models. This iteration is particularly notable for its internal architecture, as it features the Apple A4 system on a chip (SoC), a component designed by Apple Inc. to optimize performance within its hardware ecosystem. Manufactured by Foxconn, the device maintained the high production standards associated with the Apple brand.

As a subclass of the broader Apple TV category, this second-generation player solidified the product's role in the home media landscape. Its lifecycle, which concluded in March 2012, provided a dedicated platform for media playback during a transformative period for digital entertainment. By following the 1st-generation player and preceding the 3rd-generation version, it established a clear lineage of iterative improvements in Apple's media player software and hardware capabilities. For users and collectors, the device represents a specific era of Apple design and the early integration of custom Apple silicon into home theater environments. Its existence ensured the continuity of the Apple TV brand as a staple of the company's hardware portfolio.

## Notable For
- **Custom Silicon:** Features the Apple A4 system on a chip (SoC), designed by Apple Inc.
- **Product Lineage:** Served as the direct successor to the 1st-generation Apple home media player.
- **Manufacturing:** Produced by Foxconn, the same manufacturer responsible for various major Apple hardware components.
- **Specific Identification:** Distinctly identified in technical environments by the model number A1378 and the identifier AppleTV2,1.

## Body
### Product History and Timeline
The Apple TV (2nd generation) was introduced as part of the Apple TV product line, which originally saw its inception in 2007. This specific model was released on September 1, 2010. It functioned as a home media receiver, designed by Apple Inc. to facilitate digital media playback on television sets. The device was eventually replaced by the 3rd-generation model, leading to its discontinuation on March 7, 2012.

### Technical Specifications and Design
The device is classified as both a subclass of the Apple TV hardware family and an instance of media player software. Key technical details include:
- **Processor:** The unit contains the Apple A4 SoC.
- **Manufacturer:** Hardware production was handled by Foxconn.
- **Aliases:** The device is frequently identified as TV, A1378, AppleTV2,1, or MC572LL/A.

### Relationship to Other Models
The Apple TV (2nd generation) occupies a middle position in the early Apple TV chronology. It followed the Apple TV (1st generation) and was followed by the Apple TV (3rd generation). While it shares the "Apple TV" parent designation with these models, it is distinguished by its specific 2010–2012 production window and its use of the A4 chip architecture.

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