SwitchingToChromeCast

Q: Why does AirPlay work through iTunes but not for screen mirroring? Mid-2010 Macbook Pro 10.9.5

I recently purchased an Apple TV.  My intent was to use it mostly for the screen mirroring function and the use of apps was an added bonus.  So when I set up the Apple TV, I went to watch a movie from my laptop (a mid-2010 Macbook Pro operating on OSX 10.9.5) and couldn't find the airplay icon anywhere on my screen.  After a short search, I found that mirroring is not supported on any Macbooks made prior to mid-2011.  Great.

 

After installing and uninstalling 3rd-party apps that cost $15 and don't work very well, I came across a movie that I purchased through iTunes and decided to give that a try without the use of any 3rd-party apps.  It starts playing, the AirPlay icon pops up, and I am able to seamlessly play the movie on my Apple TV.  Mind you, I have not set up home sharing, so the content is not loaded on the Apple TV.  It resides on my hard drive, just like the other movie that I had attempted a screenshare with.

 

So I find it interesting that when I'm trying to watch a movie that was not purchased through Apple, it is not possible to play through my brand new Apple TV.  However, if I do play something that was purchased through Apple, it works flawlessly.  Can anyone explain why this is?  Or is it just another one of Apple's product-lifecycle plays?  Clearly, it is 100% possible for my computer to stream content to the Apple TV but Apple is just limiting what can and cannot be streamed....that is, unless I purchase a brand new computer.

 

I do know that the ChromeCast will happily stream whatever I want with the computer that I already have.  So unless this is an easy fix, I'm about to have a spare $35 after I exchange this bad boy.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)

Posted on Apr 28, 2015 2:17 PM

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Q: Why does AirPlay work through iTunes but not for screen mirroring? Mid-2010 Macbook Pro 10.9.5

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  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Apr 28, 2015 2:25 PM in response to SwitchingToChromeCast
    Level 10 (271,328 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 28, 2015 2:25 PM in response to SwitchingToChromeCast

    About AirPlay and Airplay Mirroring

     

    AirPlay Mirroring requires a second-generation Apple TV or later, and is supported on the following Mac models: iMac (Mid 2011 or newer), Mac mini (Mid 2011 or newer), MacBook Air (Mid 2011 or newer), and MacBook Pro (Early 2011 or newer). For non-qualifying Macs you can try using Air Parrot.

     

    Several Apple Articles Regarding AirPlay

     

    Apple TV (2nd and 3rd gen)- How to use AirPlay Mirroring

    How to set up and configure AirPort Express for AirPlay and iTunes

    iTunes- Troubleshooting AirPlay and AirPlay Mirroring

    iTunes- Using AirPlay

    Apple TV (2nd and 3rd gen)- Understanding AirPlay settings

    About AirPlay Mirroring in OS X Mountain Lion

    iTunes 10- About playing music with AirPlay

    Troubleshooting AirPlay and AirPlay Mirroring

    Using AirPlay

     

    Thanks to the $15 Beamer, AirPlay streaming is still possible on Macs  that do not support Airplay and mirroring.

    Other solutions are the Air Parrot, StreamToMe, and AirServer.

  • by SwitchingToChromeCast,

    SwitchingToChromeCast SwitchingToChromeCast Apr 28, 2015 2:42 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 28, 2015 2:42 PM in response to Kappy

    Thanks Kappy. I have read this same, pre-scripted response several times through the several boards, but what I am asking is why am I able to stream through iTunes, yet do not have full functionality?  Clearly, my mid-2010 computer is able to stream to the Apple TV.  My question is why can't I use the full functionality of the device? 


    The answer of "AirPlay Mirroring requires a second-generation Apple TV or later, and is supported on the following Mac models: iMac (Mid 2011 or newer), Mac mini (Mid 2011 or newer), MacBook Air (Mid 2011 or newer), and MacBook Pro (Early 2011 or newer)." does not answer my question.  If Apple cannot provide me with a better answer than simply telling me that my Macbook Pro is older than Apple would like it to be, I see this as a play at pushing my computer into obsolescence by restricting the features that I have access to.

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Apr 28, 2015 2:55 PM in response to SwitchingToChromeCast
    Level 10 (271,328 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 28, 2015 2:55 PM in response to SwitchingToChromeCast

    It doesn't work because your computer lacks the internal hardware needed. It is obsolete. You don't have access to those features because of your obsolete computer. Apple isn't restricting you. Your obsolete computer is. Blame the computer for getting old.

     

    If you are waiting for Apple to write you a letter, then don't hold your breath.

  • by SwitchingToChromeCast,

    SwitchingToChromeCast SwitchingToChromeCast Apr 28, 2015 3:02 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 28, 2015 3:02 PM in response to Kappy

    Are you not paid by Apple?


    Just saying it's old isn't an answer.  What internal hardware am I missing?  If it works with iTunes, why doesn't it work with anything else?  Again...clearly, it has the capability to transfer data to my Apple TV.  Thus the conclusion that Apple is restricting the functions that I have access to.

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Apr 28, 2015 3:34 PM in response to SwitchingToChromeCast
    Level 10 (271,328 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 28, 2015 3:34 PM in response to SwitchingToChromeCast

    No. Everyone here is a user and volunteer. We are not Apple employees. I'm just relaying the facts. Interpret them as you wish. Apple can't restrict a function you never had. When you bought your computer you knew nothing about this because it did not exist at the time. You can't have what wasn't available.

     

    I have a first year Mac Pro. It doesn't run anything later than Lion. But it has everything needed except it's a 32-bit system. Should I blame Apple for not having a 32-bit version of Yosemite? Did Apple conspire to make my old machine obsolete? Are they pushing me to buy a new MP? Well, what if they are. That's how you stay in business and make money. Every business functions the same way. If you don't get that, then you need to.

  • by SwitchingToChromeCast,

    SwitchingToChromeCast SwitchingToChromeCast Apr 28, 2015 3:59 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 28, 2015 3:59 PM in response to Kappy

    Well, I apologize.  I thought all of there pre-programmed responses came from Apple bots and support technicians.

     

    I completely understand that.  And I would agree with you 100% if I were not able to stream at all.  But the fact that I am able to stream through iTunes shows that my computer is capable of what I am attempting.  It is the design of their software that is limiting that.  If my computer were unable to accomplish what I am attempting on all levels, I would say that yes, it is the hardware contained within my computer.  But that is not the case.

     

    Apple has done a lot of things to make their devices obsolete prematurely.  They repeatedly tell you that you need the latest software, regardless of device.  I have to deny the upgrade to Yosemite every single day because I know that it is designed for a machine with greater processing power than mine contains.  Yet, every. single. day., I get a notification that I need to update.  Not to mention the number of iPhones that I have experienced the same issue with.  They force updates to old hardware to purposely bog down processors and those who don't know better end up with poorly-performing pieces of metal and plastic and are forced to buy new ones. 

     

    And if it were an issue where I needed to run Yosemite, I would understand that.  And walk away.  But there is empirical evidence that my computer is capable of this and the only reason that I cannot use it to its full potential is that it was made a year too early.  I have not seen anything that says "you are missing the _________ dongle with the _________ attachment that transmits the airplay signal".  That is what I am looking for.  A solid answer as to why it works sometimes and why it doesn't work at other times.

     

    Thanks for the business lesson.  I had no idea of how they work but I now have a complete understanding of commerce.  Both domestic and international.

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Apr 28, 2015 6:39 PM in response to SwitchingToChromeCast
    Level 10 (271,328 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 28, 2015 6:39 PM in response to SwitchingToChromeCast

    I think I'll pass.