Connect MacBook and AppleTV....

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Level 1

10 points

Connect MacBook and AppleTV....

I am looking for a faster way of loading up my AppleTV with content from my MacBook; is it possible to hard-wire the two together via USB and transfer items that way?

I apologize if this is a dumb/noobie type of question.

Macbook 13', Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on May 6, 2009 3:49 PM

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Answer 1

Niel

Level 10

726,851 points

May 6, 2009 3:53 PM in response to janglesjr

is it possible to hard-wire the two together via USB and transfer items that way?

Not without hacking it. No publicly available device is officially supported by the Apple TV's USB port.

(43240)

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Answer 2

janglesjr Author

Level 1

10 points

May 6, 2009 3:55 PM in response to Niel

What on earth is the USB on the AppleTV for then? Is it another option of connecting it to a TV or projector?

Anyone have any tips of how to make media transfers faster between the two?

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Answer 3

Alley_Cat

Level 7

20,548 points

May 6, 2009 8:40 PM in response to janglesjr

janglesjr wrote:
What on earth is the USB on the AppleTV for then?

It is supposedly for 'diagnostics' and has no end-user function.

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Answer 4

May 6, 2009 9:03 PM in response to janglesjr

What about ethernet? Connect MB and ATV to a Router.

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Answer 5

May 6, 2009 10:30 PM in response to janglesjr

Just connect your MB and ATV directly via ethernet cable. Turn off both, connect the ethernet cable and power both units on. The ATV will obtain an IP directly from your notebook and off you go. Much faster than via WiFi and a router is not needed at this point.

Cheers.

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Answer 6

janglesjr Author

Level 1

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May 7, 2009 10:01 AM in response to Getting Tired

Sounds like a plan and a great idea! I'm trying this out tonight...Will report tomorrow. Thanks for the idea Getting Tired!

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Answer 7

tmartine

Level 3

995 points

May 7, 2009 10:16 AM in response to janglesjr

you will need a special type of ethernet cable called a crossover cable.. you can get them basically anywhere you by regular ethernet cable... the cable you have right now might even be one but it must be a crossover cable.

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Answer 8

janglesjr Author

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May 7, 2009 11:20 AM in response to tmartine

Great tip; thanks in advance!

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Answer 9

Niel

Level 10

726,851 points

May 7, 2009 11:25 AM in response to tmartine

you will need a special type of ethernet cable called a crossover cable.. you can get them basically anywhere you by regular ethernet cable... the cable you have right now might even be one but it must be a crossover cable.

That's not true. The MacBook can use either a crossover or regular cable for either purpose, and if one of the connected devices supports this, it doesn't matter whether or not the other does. Click here for more information.

(43278)

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Answer 10

janglesjr Author

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May 7, 2009 11:33 AM in response to Niel

Well I will try it with a normal ethernet cable first and see how it goes. Thanks for all the great information!

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Answer 11

tmartine

Level 3

995 points

May 7, 2009 11:42 AM in response to Niel

thank YOU for the great tip 🙂

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Answer 12

janglesjr Author

Level 1

10 points

May 7, 2009 6:24 PM in response to janglesjr

Many thanks to Getting Tired and Niel - both tips worked like a charm. This method makes transferring TV shows and movies a much faster task. Thanks again for saving me a lot of time and anguish.

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Answer 13

janglesjr Author

Level 1

10 points

May 12, 2009 10:47 PM in response to janglesjr

UPDATE: Actually, it is not possible to sync TV shows purchased via iTunes with this method as ATV will not be able to contact the iTunes store to verify what shows were purchased.

Besides this, it is a great, fast way to sync up your movies.

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Answer 14

GTCBrown

Level 1

80 points

May 13, 2009 7:38 AM in response to janglesjr

The previous suggestion of using a router that's hooked to your DCL/cable modem would solve this one for you. That way the AppleTV would be able to get at your 'net connection.

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