Introdução
Two long years have passed since our last encounter with an Apple TV. Today on our teardown table, we have a shiny new Apple TV 4K plucked straight from the technology orchards of Cupertino. So what are we to do with Apple's first 4K HDR streaming device? Binge-watch Stranger Things? We definitely thought about it… but nah, we're tearing this sucker apart!
Do you want to see what else we've been up to? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up-to-date on all things repair!
O que você precisa
Vídeo de Apresentação
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We all know this little black obelisk is packing some serious 4K chops, but let's see what else is new in this revamped Apple TV:
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64-bit Apple A10X Fusion chip
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Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11ac Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, IR receiver, and HDMI 2.0a
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... and in the remote:
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Glass touch surface
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Dual microphones
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Accelerometer and gyroscope
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Bluetooth 4.0, IR transmitter, Lightning connector
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We're excited to dig into a new TV offering from our favorite UFO-dwelling tech company in Cupertino—but first, let's compare Apples to 4K Apples.
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The newest Apple TV doesn't tower over its predecessor this time around, but we did notice a couple of key differences in the design.
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The bottom panel has been redesigned for what looks like some serious thermal venting.
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Bye-bye, USB-C port.
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Before we pop the box open, our partners at Creative Electron provided some fancy X-ray scans.
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X-ray vision reveals a new circular object which seems to coordinate closely with the new exhaust ports on the bottom panel.
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Is it a fan? A particle accelerator? A portion of the Contact ring?
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Alright, our interest is piqued. It's time to crack this black box open and see what this 4K upgrade is all about.
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We take a familiar access route through the underside of the Apple TV 4K.
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Just like with its single-K sibling, the Apple TV 4K features repair-friendly plastic clips that secure its bottom panel.
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No moat of glue or uncommon screws? This upgraded unit gets a 1 Up as a reward.
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Peeling back the rear panel reveals a beefy fan secured by some Torx screws.
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Ferramenta utilizada neste passo:Mako Driver Kit - 64 Precision Bits$39.95
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After pulling out the T7 Torx screws, we meet Apple TV's biggest fan!
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It looks like Apple merged the new fan with the heat sink/EMI shield assembly from the Apple TV 4th Generation—combining them to form one whopper of a cooling solution.
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With the twist of a few more Torx screws, the assembly is disassembled—revealing a replaceable fan driven by a Nidec brushless motor.
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This new fan assembly is apparently secured by an identity disk. TRON, is that you?
do all modern gadgets have blue loctite tipped screws? i’ve noticed this when i did my apple 4k disassembly, and likewise in replacement screws for my mbair 11inch
Anyone have any idea where one could find this replacement fan? Mine died and when watching anything 4K or higher (Dolby Vision) it begins to hiccup and lock up after 5 minutes. Took it apart and the fan has seized.
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We're pleased to see that Apple keeps with the tradition of easily removable logic boards for the Apple TV 4K.
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Apple APL1071/343S00198 64-bit A10X Fusion processor
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Broadcom BCM57762 Gigabit Ethernet Controller
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SK Hynix H9HCNNNBRUMLQR-NLH 2 GB LPDDR4 RAM and SK Hynix H9HCNNN8KUMLQR-NLH 1 GB LPDDR4 RAM for a total of 3 GB
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Apple 343S00150 (similar part number to the 338S00055 custom memory controller found in the Retina MacBook 2015)
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Murata 339S00381 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Module
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Toshiba THGBX6G8D2LLDXG 32 GB flash memory
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Megachips MCDP2920A4 DisplayPort 1.4 to HDMI 2.0 converter
Agreed error in discription - http://www.av-iq.com/avcat/ctl1642/index...
Yep, 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet PCIe Controller with ASF2.0.
“The device combines a triple-speed IEEE 802.3-compliant Media Access Controller (MAC) with a triple-speed Ethernet transceiver, x1 PCIe bus interface and on-chip buffer memory in a single device. The device is fabricated in 1.2V CMOS process, providing a low-power system solution.”
From the components around Apple 343S00150, Apple 343S00150 could be the PMIC. Memory controller should be integrated in the Apple A10X processor. There is 343S00151-A0 next to Apple 343S00150. Supposedly, Apple 343S00150-A0 and Apple 343S00151-A0 could be the PMIC for Apple TV 4K.
Does anyone know why Apple would use DisplayPort internally and convert it to HDMI instead of just using HDMI internally? (an ELI5 type answer would be best - https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfi... for more info)
What is the exact part number or reference of that motherboard ?
Can they be purchased on ebay, Apple or anywhere else ?
Thank You
I’m wondering if you can simply buy the low capacity flash memory AppleTV model (with the 32GB Toshiba THGBX6G8D2LLDXG), then inexpensively replace the chip with a 256GB Toshiba THGAF8T1T83BAIR chip (or similar)?
This may sound a bit crazy, but I’m trying to see if I can power up the ATV4K’s logic board with a 12v Power Bank. I plan on connecting the leads to the Power Posts on the board which according to your specs draws 12v @ 1.083A. Do you see this as doable?
This is old but for anyone reading, you can definitely power all current Apple TV motherboards with various power supplies. As long as you confirm you are using a properly rated one it will work though if it is out of its housing you lose the heat sinks/fan. (Running Apple TV just fine from bench supply)
Can i disable bluetooth from my apple tv?
Seems possible in some way to remove the Murata 339S00381 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Module and i dont mind the module getting destroyed :)
I get headache from bluetooth and the aluminium IR controller from the old apple tv works perfectly :)
Would be really interessting for me too. The box could still be used over IR with a ONE for ALL remore IR control.
My father is also very sensitive to bluetooth.
I was not able to find productsheets for the Murata Chip, because it's a custom one. Will the box still startup without the chip?
I would be happy for help!
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IC Identification, continued:
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Apple 343S00151-A0 power management
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Winbond W25Q80EWUXIE 8 Mb serial flash memory
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Texas Instruments INA213 current sense amplifier
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Texas Instruments LMV331 low-voltage comparator
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Dialog Semiconductor mixed signal array
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Texas Instruments TPS62130B step-down converter
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Texas Instruments TPS715A01DRV 80 mA LDO regulator
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Ferramenta utilizada neste passo:Precision Tweezers Set$9.95
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We don't run into any surprises here; the heat sink remains much the same as its predecessor from 2015.
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We take a moment to pluck a familiar pair of presumed power posts from the body of the heat sink.
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With the heatsink and posts out of the way, the only thing left to do is remove the power supply board.
on my apple 4k, theres 4 copper pins on the plate, near the memory controller area (to power the fan?), and theres a slight elevated surface to kiss the CPU and mem controller,
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The new power supply is rated for 12 V at 1.083 A. This is a modest bump up from the 0.917 A power supply in the Apple TV 4th Generation.
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Again taking a design lead from its older sibling, the Apple TV 4K eschews internal wiring between the power supply and logic board.
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NXP Semiconductor TEA1833LTS switch mode power supply controller
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There's all the bits! Now to reassemble this thing and binge-watch Stranger Things for real...
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And special thanks Creative Electron for sending us some sweet X-rays all the way from the other hemisphere!
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- Plastic clips hold the case together for easy opening.
- Modular components make for easy disassembly and repair.
- The power supply is modular and features a removable AC-in jack.
- Standard Torx screws hold everything together.
- All major components are soldered to the logic board, meaning fixing any port problems will require board-level soldering or a full board replacement.
Considerações finais
Índice de reparabilidade


(10 é o mais fácil de reparar)
44 comentários
Got off the phone with Apple. No USB means a corrupted firmware means you will have to send in the device for recovery/restore. You will at least have to pay shipping. Apple stores should be able to recover/restore as well. Don’t exactly the USB pads on the PCB. Maybe the four pads on the left of the bottom image. Anyone?
Maybe they'll allow it to be done through the ethernet port….
Andrew -
I just had this happen with the 12.4.1 update. Blinky LED & no video out at all. The bad news is the Genius Bar / Store Techs have no more access to do a factory restore than the user does. IOW: none. Nothing on Ethernet either. (That was straight from the GB guy’s mouth.) If there are USB pads on the board they don’t know about them.
And if this happens out of warranty it’s a $150 board swap. I advise turning off the auto-install for OS updates.
My Apple TV died, and they Apple store could not do anything to recover it. And Apple does not repair them, so the offered to sell me a new one at full price. And no shop will service them since Apple considers these disposable and does not provide schematics or parts to repair partners, so no one will touch it. They could at least sell logic boards, but you know, Apple I guess is not profitable enough as it is.
Any more detailed info (part numbers) on the remote?
Isn’t that Broadcom ethernet chip used in thunderbolt dongles, but not necessarily anything to do with Thunderbolt? I.e TB carries it, but it's it’s own thing. Not sure this shows Thunderbolt on ARM.
It was so funny, to see it’s and it’s, the first meaning it is, the second meaning its. I haven’t seen that blunder in a long while. Thanks for the laugh.
That’s a lot of mirth derived from an extra apostrophe. Small things, as they say…
tipoo -
What quick video tear down for a product that took two years to make!
I would go slower and show the chips and defiantly try not to damage the backcover…
AppleTV 4K is awesome, seeing it naked it quite sexy indeed. Nice big cool fan.
Is a bit of an illusion and I had to double check - only the inner blades are a fan, looks about as big as a regular laptops fan. The outer ring is metal air baffles/channels, connected to the upper heatsink, just to bring air in part of the fan and let it push air out the rear part.
tipoo -
When the Apple TV has better cooling than the MacBooks.
What about the possibility to upgrade the 32/64 Gb memory?
I wondered the same thing — if you can simply buy the low capacity flash memory AppleTV model (with the 32GB Toshiba THGBX6G8D2LLDXG), then inexpensively replace the chip with a 256GB Toshiba THGAF8T1T83BAIR chip (or similar)?
It uses bluetooth. Only IR is used for the TV.
This is what I came here for too.
There is an IR receiver, but it seems to have moved a bit left (facing the Apple TV 4K) from where the previous 4th gen was. I installed a few yesterday and stuck an emitter back on the center and got a bit nervous thinking they changed codes.
Aaron C -
Yes, the IR (Infrared) receiver is at the front left side. It is the four dots at the bottom left of the X-Ray photos in STEP 3.
i wish hacked this 4k tv for install IOS 11.1 on it every body have idea???
because in ipad pro same as!!
please how can edit ios image for install ios on 4k tv this is Revolution in age of smart t.v with one wireless touch pad any thing can do
Will it be hacked so that OS X can be installed? Benchmarking tests show the apple tv 4k is more powerful than a lot of macbooks out there…
Its an ARM chip, Its not suitable for X86 based software unless it gets some serious redesigns and workarounds.
UpicX -
Where is the IR receiver on the Apple TV 4k?
Hi, what is the logic board part number ?
Can it be purchased from ebay or apple ?
Thanks
I am wondering if we could enhance the Bluetooth antenna to increase its reach when used as a HomeHub
There is a hidden lightning port inside the Ethernet port, check out http://9to5mac.com/2019/10/17/Apple-tv-4...
Yeah! I’m wondering the same.
How did the Lightning port get missed? Didn’t the 7-9 leads on the board behind the 8 for ethernet catch anyone’s attention?
Do you have the parts numbers ? I search a original Apple TV 4k case
I think it would be worth mentioning that the Apple TV 4K that has no ports, can be reset by switching off and on the AppleTV several time in a row. I waited 20s in on and 10s while being off.
That absolutely does not work for everyone. Me included.
Nice teardown, I've been wondering what's inside my mysterious matte black Apple TV 4K (1st Gen)!
Since I got it in 2019, it's something I've been wondering for quite a while! Lol.
I've had mine plugged in and running a lot, actually. In 2020/2021 especially I was home a lot without company - I think I watched everything worth watching on Amazon Prime Video and Netflix. I had Paramount + for some time, Disney + for a month, oh, and Apple TV, of course!
We all know the content available to you changes according to your location and over time. Say one provider doesn't pay to license something they've had for the past 3 years - it's gone now! Even with this assortment of streaming services, I'd say I only had access to about half of the majority of things that are good to watch. And not all at once, as previously described. Anyway, I think my unit is unique in the amount of time it's been plugged in, on, and in use.
(2) Since 2019, it's been plugged into 120VAC 60Hz 24/7/365. My APC UPS has made sure no outages ever reached his precious [power] pins (lol).
Oh, even though it's a 650VA model with a single 12V/7Ah AGM battery, I've got a total of 53Ah connected, so even the few 2-4 hour outages were completely covered. AND the 16!!! (The trick is to not pull more than about 80W from the UPS - yes it's rated for 425W/650VA, but because the included battery can only provide 480W for 4 to 5 minutes, they didn't add a fan to the MOSFET heatsink because by the time it reached temperature, the battery should be dead).
Anyway...
Houdecki -
(3) So it's safe to say my ATV4K has been connected to mains for over 40,000 hours. Since my TV (which, coincidentally, I bought at the same time as the ATV) has an operating hours counter in its service menu, I know that it's been on for nearly 34,000 hours (before you ask or run away screaming in terror: no, not all those hours are my eyeball time... I'll own my probably 12,000 to 15,000 though lol).
Except for two things: a cable box and my PC (totaling about 3,000 and 1,500 hours, respectively), that's right: Mr. ATV4K has been the only source! This means that for at least 3/4 of the >40,000 hours it's had power, it's been on and doing something. Usually it's not too intensive (CPU/GPU wise - primarily it's video, such as...
Houdecki -
(4) ...Prime, Netflx, and VLC, with some of the other previously mentioned apps sprinkled here and there). Oh, can't forget the apps that cable providers (and the like) make for their customers to install on their smart TVs... Or budget ARM based streaming hardware! Like Roku Sticks... They smart-ify a non-smart TV (one from before they started putting in the cheapest obsolete phone CPUs destined for the landfill into all TVs to call them "smart" and charge $300-500 more a piece...).
If you buy one of these "smart" TVs, and you chose one with a really good panel that cost quite a bit more than a budget offering, you want it to perform at least a little bit more than a budget offering...
Houdecki -
(5) For example, in 2019, I bought a premium TV. I didn't set out to spend as much as I did, but because it was an exciting time in the display market - new technology was starting to become widely available and prices had only just very recently dropped down (quite significantly from their highs just two years before) to just a few hundred bucks more than I originally planned to spend, I couldn't rationalize keeping that few hundred bucks in my pocket... What would be going through my mind every day, for the next possibly 10 or more years, while looking at an inferior display? I'm sure it wouldn't be anything good... When I watch things, I like to sit down and enjoy - start to finish. I'm very observant of visual details - for example, I can detect when my pupils constrict. Normally, your brain automatically adjusts the gain or whatever its equivalent is, but not me. Well, mine does, but I notice as it happens (and I notice the reduced dynamic range in the dark it causes).
Houdecki -
(6) I had more but getting to the end because time:
When you spend a lot on a TV and it comes with a crappy CPU and software and the video stutters, what do you do?
BUY YOURSELF AN APPLE TV 4K!!!!
Why? Because instead of sending 24fps over 60Hz, whenever you stream 24fps on Netflix or Prime or whatever, the ATV4K will actually send 4k24p! If you use a projector that is only good for SDR but officially supports SDR and HDR and you have no way to just play the SDR because your android stick or fire whatever sends the signal as whatever the source is, you can use the Apple TV to force SDR to your projector!
Lots of people like motion interpolation, but when you send 24hz on 60, the dang TVs can't handle it because people aren't good at their jobs, so you get juddery playback, frame drops, artifacts, whatever!
Just go and get yourself an Apple TV 4K, you will have the most fun with it. You can even stream motion interpolated content from your nV GPU over the network to VLC!!! It has VLC!!!
And it last >40,000 hours!
Houdecki -