multiple Apple TVs

If you are all prepared to watch the same stuff at the same time you could get yourself a multiplexer (you can still watch a DVD on one and tv on the other for example but for content from itunes it would be the same on each tv).

If you want the choice of different itunes content on each, you'll need an tv for each tv.

James Giel wrote:
I don't mind the limitation of watching the same content from ATV on all TVs

In which case the tv isn't relevant to which multiplexer you chose. It will be just one of a number of your inputs which can be managed and output to any number of tv's

I don't have a multiplexer nor could I recommend one. Basically a multiplexer will have a number of inputs and a number of outputs (perhaps eight of each), you hook up your DVD player, your cable box, your satellite system, your tv etc etc to an input each and then each of your tv's to one of the outputs. You can then choose which device sends its output to where, which can be more than one tv at a time.

All I was saying is that you don't need to google 'atv and multiplexer', just google 'HDMI multiplexer', the tv is just another source that you will plug into it and isn't relevant to searching for or choosing a multiplexer.

Message was edited by: Winston Churchill

It's not called a multiplexer, it's called a Matrix Switch and it's only needed if you want to send several sources (DVD player, AppleTV, Cable Box etc) to several TVs.

If you just want to send one AppleTV to several TVs then what you need is a Distribution Amplifier.

But you don't say if you're using HDMI? Component Video? Digital Audio? Analog Audio?
Did you know HDMI cables are limited in length and complicated (expensive) to extend far? How will you control the AppleTV from other rooms? Do you know anything about IR distribution? Do you know how to fish cable through walls and between floors? Do you know what a Balun is? Cat5? Optical-to-Coaxial Digital Audio Converter?

Apple has made it SIMPLE (and less costly) for you. BIG SURPRISE:-) Make you life easier and get yourself a couple more 40GB AppleTVs.

If you want to go the hard, expensive way, I can answer all of your questions. I doubt I'm allowed to mention manufacturer's names here, but I can think of about eight companies that make Distribution Amplifiers and Matrix Switches.

Google:

"Component Video Distribution Amplifier"
"HDMI Matrix Switch"

Alternate solutions:

1) Buy a cheap/used Mac Mini and load all of your digital content on it, then use the AppleTV(s) you attach to your televisions to stream from the mini.

2) Buy a $40 RCA-to-Coaxial modulator from smarthome and take the signal coming out of your ATV and modulate it 'back into your home coaxial cable plant' on an unused channel. Tune into the selected channel on your other coax-connected televisions, and you have your ATV content. Downsides on this are 1) one person can view their content at a time, 2) the quality is degraded (analog), and 3) you still need to figure out how to remotely control the ATV from the other room (IR-to-RF repeater).

The $40 RCA-to-Coaxial Modulator won't work alone. The modulator requires a COMPOSITE video source. The AppleTV outputs COMPONENT video and HDMI only.

First you'd have to get a Component-to-Composite Converter ($140 -$200)