Apple TV/AirPlay

[Al1988]

I must admit I'm a little unclear on the exact function of Apple TV/AirPlay.

Does it effectively allow me to watch anything that is on my MacBook on a TV screen but over my WiFi (using Airplay)? E.g video files saved on my Mac?

So is it just a WiFi version of a HDMI cable?

[Baco Noir]

Yes, and you can listen to all your music on you apple device through the AV system and it also has tons of accounts you can link to like Hulu Plus, Netflix and more.

[Al1988]

Ah ok sounds intriguing.

I imagine it can transmit 1080p video? Though I guess it's only as good as the Internet connection that you use it on.

[joe100]

I love airplay. We use it daily in our home.

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by Al1988

Ah ok sounds intriguing.

I imagine it can transmit 1080p video? Though I guess it's only as good as the Internet connection that you use it on.

It's on your local network, so network speed i.e. your network provider won't have anything to do with it.

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by bayerische

It's on your local network, so network speed i.e. your network provider won't have anything to do with it.

Unless you are using the Apple TV for watching Netflix, HULU, etc.

I love it. Definitely worth the money

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by Jason71

Unless you are using the Apple TV for watching Netflix, HULU, etc.

I love it. Definitely worth the money

Yes of course, then it's on your SP.

[Al1988]

Hmm so wait, the speed at which Airplay can boost my video to a TV isn't determined by my internet speed?

Surely it's just MacBook>Wifi>Airplay>Wifi>TV?

[bayerische]

A source already downloaded on your mac will transfer to your TV: Mac -> Router -> AppleTV and down to your TV via HDMI.

[Al1988]

Originally Posted by bayerische

A source already downloaded on your mac will transfer to your TV: Mac -> Router -> AppleTV and down to your TV via HDMI.

Ahh i see. So I imagine I can choose which files to have effectively downloaded to my Apple TV?

This is sounding pretty useful, I might head down to the Apple store this weekend.

And one final question for you fine folks, Apple TV will work with most HD TVs right? I assume any TV with a HDMI port is compatible?

Thanks again all!

[bayerische]

Actually nothing is "downloaded" on the Apple TV, besides Apple TV direct content, it has no hard drive. It has a buffer memory to help, but you can't download and save movies to it. You'll need a computer to act as a "master". Or then your movie from iTunes will be stored in iTunes "cloud".

I have a separate media computer, a Mac Mini that is only used for movies and music and playback via airplay to the apple TV.

[Boothroyd]

I use a subset of Apple TV functions, but my absolute favorite has nothing to do with video. I use TuneIn Radio on my iPad, connect that via AirPlay to Apple TV, run the Apple TV output to my stereo.

I have 70,000 radio stations I can listen to over my stereo system. Use it all the time. Currently listening to Radio Swiss Jazz.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Al1988

Ahh i see. So I imagine I can choose which files to have effectively downloaded to my Apple TV?

This is sounding pretty useful, I might head down to the Apple store this weekend.

And one final question for you fine folks, Apple TV will work with most HD TVs right? I assume any TV with a HDMI port is compatible?

Thanks again all!

Yep HDMI port is the connection to use. But when you get into DRM material like video you buy on your Mac or iPad, the HDMI must be DRM compatible.

For example - on our flat screen only 1 HDMI is wired for DRM and it runs fine with AppleTV. But if we swap Apple TV to one of the side ports (probably the ones planned for game consoles and cameras) then only personal video will play. Otherwise we get a message that the protected content can't be played on a non-DRM port

[mgent]

Apple TV is the best piece of AV equipment we own. They are awesome.