multiple apple tv's

I have an old, 1st generation apple tv I want to use with its own monitor. I'm missing the remote that came with it. Having a hard time establishing the 2nd "location" especially without having the remote. I do have virtual remote apps on iPhone and I can see the introductory screen, just can't navigate to establish the new location/name of this apple tv. Any thoughts

Posted on Nov 30, 2022 6:29 AM

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Posted on Nov 30, 2022 9:52 AM

If you mean the very 1st Apple TV, the big aluminum box, then there isn't much you can do with it. It no longer supports the iTunes Store, and the only 3rd party service it did support (YouTube) also had support dropped long ago.


For syncing, it may work if one had an older version of iTunes. But only for personal content, and that is if the HDD and networking is still workable.


If it's a smaller black box then it is at least a 2nd gen. That will still be able to access iTunes, but while it did have more 3rd party services most of those have been dropped at this point.


Nevertheless, it would still need a physical remote in order to go any further. Any virtual remote would need a connection established with the network before it can pair.



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Nov 30, 2022 9:52 AM in response to brooklyn architect

If you mean the very 1st Apple TV, the big aluminum box, then there isn't much you can do with it. It no longer supports the iTunes Store, and the only 3rd party service it did support (YouTube) also had support dropped long ago.


For syncing, it may work if one had an older version of iTunes. But only for personal content, and that is if the HDD and networking is still workable.


If it's a smaller black box then it is at least a 2nd gen. That will still be able to access iTunes, but while it did have more 3rd party services most of those have been dropped at this point.


Nevertheless, it would still need a physical remote in order to go any further. Any virtual remote would need a connection established with the network before it can pair.



Nov 30, 2022 9:59 AM in response to vazandrew

That's super helpful, thank you! I guess I do have a 2nd gen apple tv, it's a black box. And while I don't have the original physical remote, I do have a newer one that pairs with my newer apple tv, elsewhere in th same residence. I wonder if there's a way to have that remote "see" the other TV temporarily, just to get the connection & setup established.

Nov 30, 2022 10:15 AM in response to brooklyn architect

You're very welcome. You can also verify your model here

Identify your Apple TV model - Apple Support (CA)


So if you are referring to the Siri Remote then unfortunately, that will not work if you had anything older than the 4th Gen as it uses bluetooth and cannot pair to the older ones.


In that case you would need the older aluminum remote

Also, if using a monitor (instead of TV) make sure it uses HDMI, and also that it supports HDCP.


Bear in mind the 2nd gen is also limited, apart from iTunes I think Netflix is really the only other thing still supported. It theoretically still does airplay, but only the original version (so it may not work for a lot of internet services). It is classified as obsolete, so no more updates and due to its age other issues may also start to crop up.


If you can find a cheap remote and it still works for the time being you are free to go ahead, but just wanted to keep you informed so you don't have unrealistic expectations.


Cheers


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multiple apple tv's

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