Buzz
Are you ready to say goodbye to tangled cables and irritating commercials? With Apple TV, you can comfortably lounge on your couch and easily rent or buy high-quality movies, listen to podcasts, download Netflix, Hulu, and other videos, watch sports, or even access your computer's music and photo library. This article will guide you on setting up, using Apple TV, and getting back to television.
Steps
Setting Up Apple TV
Unbox the Apple TV. Place it near your TV, close to a power source, and if using a wired network (optional), ensure it’s near the network port.
- Avoid placing Apple TV on top of other electronic devices or stacking anything on it. Doing so may cause overheating and wireless signal interference.
Connect the HDMI cable. Attach one end of the cable to the HDMI port on the back of the Apple TV and the other end to the HDMI port on your TV.
- Note: This article explains how to connect directly to a TV. If you're using an audio connection device, refer to the manufacturer's instructions. Generally, such devices are placed between the Apple TV and your TV.
- Apple TV also provides a TOSLink digital audio output port. If using this port, connect one end of the TOSLink cable to the Apple TV and the other end to the TOSLink digital audio input port on your TV.
Connect the Ethernet cable. If using a wired network, connect the Apple TV to the Ethernet port using the appropriate cable.
- Apple TV has built-in 802.11 Wi-Fi: you can connect to a wireless network during setup.
Connect the power cord. Once all other connections are complete, plug the smaller end of the power cord into the Apple TV's power port and the other end into a nearby power outlet.
Turn on the TV. Explore the world of Apple TV! Use the remote to select the HDMI port that the Apple TV is using as the TV input.
- If this is your first time setting up Apple TV, the setup screen will appear. If not, double-check that everything is plugged in correctly and that you've selected the right input.
Configuring Apple TV
Familiarize yourself with the Apple Remote. You'll use it to control nearly every function on Apple TV.
- Use the black ring to move the cursor up, down, left, and right.
- The silver button in the center is the "Select" button, used to choose menus, input characters, and more.
- The Menu button opens menus or takes you back to the previous screen.
- Press and hold Menu to return to the main menu.
- While watching a movie, hold the Menu button to enable subtitles.
- The Play/Pause button starts or pauses content.
- Hold the Menu and Down arrow buttons to reset Apple TV. The status light will blink rapidly during reset.
- To pair the remote with Apple TV, hold the Menu and Right arrow buttons for 6 seconds. No other remote will control the Apple TV.
- Note: The App Store offers a free app called "Remote," which enhances your Apple TV experience with additional features, especially if you own an iPhone or iPad.
- Remember, the Apple Remote is not a universal remote. You'll still need your TV or audio device's remote for volume and other functions.
Connect to your wireless network. Follow on-screen instructions to select your Wi-Fi network from the menu. If the network is hidden, enter its name. After selection, input the password (if required) and press Done when prompted.
- If you're not using DHCP for your network, you'll need to manually assign an IP address, subnet mask, router address, and DNS address.
Set up Home Sharing. To access music and videos on your computer from Apple TV, enable Home Sharing.
- Set up Home Sharing on Apple TV: From the main menu, go to Settings > Home Sharing and enter your Apple ID and password.
- Set up Home Sharing on iTunes: From the File menu, select Home Sharing > Turn On Home Sharing. Use the same Apple ID and password as on Apple TV.
Enjoy Content on Apple TV
Watch movies to your heart's content! With iTunes on Apple TV, you can enjoy the latest movies in 1080p (v3) and 720p (v2) formats. Use the on-screen browser to preview, rent, or purchase movies from the collection.
- While most iTunes content offers previews, many movies in their first weeks of release are only available for purchase, not rental. Sometimes, movies may only offer one option: buy or rent.
- iTunes also allows purchasing TV shows, though you can subscribe to entire seasons. TV shows on iTunes are typically released one to two days after their original air date.
Stream content from your iOS device. Use AirPlay to wirelessly stream movies and photos stored on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch. You can also use screen mirroring to turn your TV into a large display for your iPhone or iPad!
Utilize Home Sharing. With Home Sharing, you can browse and play your entire iTunes library, including all your playlists and Genius features. You can also view photos from iPhoto on your computer or simply drop photos you want to share on Apple TV into a folder and connect it via iTunes Home Sharing.
- To access photos, music, movies, and videos on your computer from Apple TV, click the blue "Computers" button on the Main Menu screen. From here, you can access all compatible content on your computer.
- To access all music stored on iCloud via iTunes Match, press the orange "Music" button on the Main Menu screen.
Try Netflix and Hulu Plus. To enjoy content, you'll need a Netflix and/or Hulu account. Once set up, you can immerse yourself in a vast library of past and present shows, ensuring you're never bored again. To access content, press the Netflix or Hulu button on the main menu and select your options.
- If you have another iOS device, download the Netflix app. If you're watching a movie on Netflix and want to finish it in bed (avoid action movies for this), turn off the TV (Apple TV will pause) and open Netflix on your iOS device. The movie will resume right where you left off! Hulu+ offers a similar feature.
Enjoy live sports. If you're a sports enthusiast, subscribe to MLB.TV, NBA.com, and NHL GameCenter to watch live games in HD and access on-demand archives. Even without a subscription, you can still check schedules, scores, rankings, and highlights from past games.
Become a financial expert. Use Wall Street Journal Live to gather financial and market news, listen to experts share their insights, and catch up on the latest updates. Available 24/7!
Enjoy content shared by others. Access YouTube, Vimeo, and Flickr directly from the Main Menu. Explore a vast world of user-generated content with just a single click.
Dive into the world of music. With Radio, you can choose from hundreds of online radio channels categorized by genre. Ready for some Classic Blues? Or perhaps classical music? How about radio talk shows? Click on your preferred category and make your selection. Some channels are ad-free, while others include ads, but all are free and high-quality.
What You'll Need
- Apple TV
- An HD TV with HDMI input, capable of displaying 720p or 1080i resolution.
- HDMI cable to connect directly to the TV, or 2 HDMI cables if connecting through an audio device first.
- Network (preferably a wireless network with 802.11g or higher)
- Network name and password
- Broadband internet connection
- iTunes account to rent or purchase movies and TV shows
- Netflix and/or Hulu account to stream content from these services
Tips
- If you experience streaming issues (such as buffering or poor quality), try resetting Apple TV via the menu or unplugging it for a few seconds before plugging it back in.
- Use iTunes or iPhoto to set up folders for your slideshows.
- If you turn on the TV and there's no signal, press any button on the remote. Apple TV automatically goes into sleep mode, and pressing a button will wake it up.
- Consider canceling your cable TV subscription. At first, you might miss the constant broadcast channels, but soon you'll be immersed in the latest movies, ad-free TV shows, or binge-watching Star Trek episodes.
Warnings
- Microwave signals can interfere with your network. Pop your popcorn before starting your movie!
