Why am I forced to use Apple TV when exporting a slideshow? You appear to be creating a dependent situation, where I cannot create and share my Photos Slideshow unless I have an active Apple TV account with you. Why?

Hi Blockmor,

It's unclear what you mean by being forced to use Apple TV for exporting slideshows. From the site Export photos, videos, slideshows, and memories in Photos on Mac the steps to create a slideshow file are:

"Export slideshows

You can export slideshows to share with others. When you export a slideshow, Photos creates a movie file with the video format that you select. 

1. In the Photos app  on your Mac, click a slideshow under Projects in the sidebar.
2. Click Export in the toolbar, or choose File > Export > Export Slideshow.
3. Enter a filename for your slideshow movie in the Save As field.
4. Click the Format pop-up menu and choose a file type for the exported movie.
5. Standard definition (480p) is good for standard-definition TV. If the slideshow will play on a high-definition TV or display, choose one of the high-definition formats: 720p or 1080p.
6. Choose where to save the exported slideshow movie, then click Save."

That file can then be shared as needed. A quick test shows that the format will be in .m4v so a player that can support this format is necessary for playback, which may include the Apple TV app or others you choose to install.

Regards.

You are free to convert the exported video to any format you prefer, for example with the free HandBrake, if you need to share it users without Apple devices.

I have converted all my videos to mp4 with the H.264 codec, as this format is working rather well on all my Apple devices.

You must not exerting correctly. See this:

AppleTV has nothing to do with exporting a Photos slideshow.

Apparently the OP figured out they were not being forced to use Apple TV when exporting a slideshow. They seemed to have been spun up thinking they needed a subscription to Apple TV and once realized they were out of line, decided just to not provide any follow up.

This is not true, mp4 is not an optional format. I can’t do anything with the newest format.

.