Q: Remote controls both Apple TV and iMac - Any configuration to avoid this?

I just set up my Apple TV and when I try to control it with the remote, my iMac is also getting controlled via same remote. There is a way to pair one remote to only work with the Apple TV and my second remote to only control iMac. I don't want to simultaneously control both iMac and Apple TV with one remote.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Feb 22, 2008 4:05 AM

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Q: Remote controls both Apple TV and iMac - Any configuration to avoid this?

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by Winston Churchill,

Winston Churchill Feb 22, 2008 4:31 AM in response to Will2008
Level 10 (104,171 points)

Apple TV

Feb 22, 2008 4:31 AM in response to Will2008

There is a pairing option in the settings for the tv, you can also point the remote at the device and press next and menu together for 6 seconds.
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by Will2008,

Will2008 Feb 22, 2008 4:53 AM in response to Winston Churchill
Level 1 (0 points)

Feb 22, 2008 4:53 AM in response to Winston Churchill

Pairing the remote with Apple TV is ensuring that this particular remote only controls Apple TV however this remote paired with the Apple TV will still control iMac. So this is still a problem.

I wonder if I can pair my original iMac remote with the iMac so only that remote controls it. Anyone knows how to pair up a remote with the iMac. This way one remote can be paired up with the Apple TV and the other one with iMac.
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by Pete A.,

Pete A. Feb 22, 2008 6:43 AM in response to Will2008
Level 1 (15 points)

Feb 22, 2008 6:43 AM in response to Will2008

If you don't use the remote for your iMac ( I don't), you can turn off the infrared receiver on the iMac so that it won't react to the ATV remote. To do so, on your iMac go to system preferences/security/general/disable remote control infrared receiver.
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by electblue,

electblue Feb 22, 2008 7:54 AM in response to Will2008
Level 1 (1 points)

Feb 22, 2008 7:54 AM in response to Will2008

You can pair the remote in the security preference panel under the general tab, at least that's where it is on Leopard.
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by PC Defector,

PC Defector Feb 22, 2008 12:53 PM in response to Will2008
Level 2 (480 points)

Feb 22, 2008 12:53 PM in response to Will2008

you can pair the other remote to your imac... I can't remember the button combo... maybe play/pause and menu for 6 seconds and then a chain type link icon will appear.
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by Winston Churchill,

Winston Churchill Feb 22, 2008 1:16 PM in response to Will2008
Level 10 (104,171 points)

Apple TV

Feb 22, 2008 1:16 PM in response to Will2008

Pair the other remote with the imac exactly the same way, hold it close to and point it at the  logo on the front of the panel.
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by HD2600 Hater,

HD2600 Hater Mar 10, 2008 4:29 AM in response to Will2008
Level 1 (5 points)

Mar 10, 2008 4:29 AM in response to Will2008

This pairing process doesn't work the way it should. My Apple remote still activates my iPod in its dock at the same time as the iMac. I have tried different button combinations on the remote, and the remote icon with the chain link comes up ,but always with the same result.
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by Dr. Lynn,

Dr. Lynn Mar 10, 2008 4:40 PM in response to HD2600 Hater
Level 1 (0 points)

Mar 10, 2008 4:40 PM in response to HD2600 Hater

Apple told me today that there are only so many IR frequencies and it is possible that the Apple TV remote and MacBook remote have the same frequency and thus pairing will not solve this issue. I just turned a MacBook Pro around so that it was no activated by the remove for the Apple TV
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by Winston Churchill,

Winston Churchill Mar 10, 2008 4:56 PM in response to HD2600 Hater
Level 10 (104,171 points)

Apple TV

Mar 10, 2008 4:56 PM in response to HD2600 Hater

HD2600 Hater wrote:
My Apple remote still activates my iPod

Are you sure about this.
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by HD2600 Hater,

HD2600 Hater Mar 12, 2008 7:57 AM in response to Winston Churchill
Level 1 (5 points)

Mar 12, 2008 7:57 AM in response to Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill wrote:
HD2600 Hater wrote:
My Apple remote still activates my iPod

Are you sure about this.

Yes, positive. I should say, i'm not the only person with this problem.
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Q: Remote controls both Apple TV and iMac - Any configuration to avoid this?

All replies Helpful answers

by Winston Churchill,

by Will2008,

by Pete A.,

by electblue,

by PC Defector,

by Winston Churchill,

by HD2600 Hater,

by Dr. Lynn,

by Winston Churchill,

by HD2600 Hater,

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