can i control apple tv from my macbook? -- verification needed!

Question

can i control apple tv from my macbook? -- verification needed!

I know there are a lot of threads on this, and they all say no... (I did my due diligence in searching the forum, web, etc.!) But in one thread someone said YES, but didn't explain how!

So... Just for the record... The answer is no?

Thanks!

3.0 GHz 8-core Intel Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.8), two 17" Apple Monitors w/DVI-ADC boxes, PCIe USB hub, Digidesign 002R /Command|8

Posted on Jan 12, 2011 12:31 PM

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Answer 1

vazandrew

Level 8

40,348 points

Jan 12, 2011 12:45 PM in response to Eric Rosenwald

You are correct. You can control via the supplied remote, ios device or pair it to a universal remote.

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Answer 2

Jan 13, 2011 6:01 PM in response to vazandrew

NO! I just realized that I, and everyone else is wrong! This may be because of a new update or something... but you CAN control iTunes from your MacBook, so that it plays through Apple TV! All you have to do is click on the AirPlay tab on the lower right of iTunes, and select "AppleTV" as the speakers to use, as opposed to the built-in ones. Maybe everyone already knows about this...

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Answer 3

vazandrew

Level 8

40,348 points

Jan 13, 2011 6:25 PM in response to Eric Rosenwald

You would be controlling iTunes, not apple TV. To navigate the latter you need to use a remote (either supplied or paired to 3rd party) or an ios device running the remote app.

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Answer 4

Jan 13, 2011 6:34 PM in response to vazandrew

Cool, I get it. But for all intents and purposes, you ARE controlling Apple TV from your MacBook -- but only with respect to the iTunes library. (You are controlling what is displayed on the TV screen, and played through the audio of the Apple TV -- from your MacBook.) Because, with that logic, the Apple remote is controlling iTunes, even though it's technically controlling Apple TV. I wish people made the clear! It's a subtle distinction, but an important one.

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Answer 5

vazandrew

Level 8

40,348 points

Jan 13, 2011 6:41 PM in response to Eric Rosenwald

If all you're using is home-sharing then sure, why not. But If you want to navigate to anything else..

Most people don't want to navigate on their computer anyway

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Answer 6

Mar 5, 2011 4:39 PM in response to Eric Rosenwald

I have tried this but get an "unknown error (-015006) while connecting to the remote speak AppleTV."

(Separately, I have had success using the ATV remote and the Remote app on an iPod to drive music through to the AppleTV, but the user experience is a bit bizarre with one song streaming from the Macbook playing on the TV while another song plays simultaneously on the Macbook.)

Back to the problem, here's the layout: MacBook (2006, white), AppleTV-2 w/HDMI cable into Samsung LED TV, audio out to a PolkAudio soundbar. First obvious question: Do the remote speakers need to be directly attached to the AppleTV?

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Answer 7

Patoncho

Level 1

0 points

Apr 14, 2011 10:10 AM in response to Eric Rosenwald

This was what I was looking for. Thank you very much for clarifying this.

It was soo simple...

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Answer 8

Jan 29, 2013 6:20 PM in response to vazandrew

Just for the record. I would like to navigate the apple tv from my laptop.

Pointer accuracty
Full physical keyboard
Browser access

For exmaple, I would love to copy and paste from my browser the title of a movie into netflix for ATV; and so on.

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Answer 9

vazandrew

Level 8

40,348 points

Jan 29, 2013 6:58 PM in response to fresheyeball

An update was just released that lets you pair a bluetooth keyboard. You can mirror your computer (natively on a 2011 or later Mac with 10.8 or via 3rd party software) for browser access. Not sure what you mean by pointer accuracty.

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Answer 10

Jan 29, 2013 7:01 PM in response to vazandrew

I don't want the browser on the apple tv. Its just a benefit of having a appletv remote operable from inside osx.

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Answer 11

vazandrew

Level 8

40,348 points

Jan 29, 2013 7:02 PM in response to fresheyeball

That's not possible and you are missing the point of the device. You will not be able to control it from your laptop in that manner.

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Answer 12

Jan 29, 2013 7:04 PM in response to vazandrew

I'm not missing the point. Its just not possible right now. You claimed that no one wants to. I am just stating that I do want to.

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Answer 13

vazandrew

Level 8

40,348 points

Jan 29, 2013 7:11 PM in response to fresheyeball

It's not meant to be tied to a computer in that manner. A browser would also need to be available on the device for that functionality. I never said no one, I said most wouldn't want to. By the way, this thread is from 2 years ago.

Anyway, connect a computer if you want that function.

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Answer 14

Jan 29, 2013 7:13 PM in response to vazandrew

I found this thread because I was searching for an app that would let me navigate the apple tv from osx. So there is desire, even if you don't think its "meant to." Attaching a computer would not allow me to copy from a web browser and paste into the native netfix client on apple tv.

I can think of many use cases, not to harp on this one. Sorry.

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Answer 15

vazandrew

Level 8

40,348 points

Jan 29, 2013 7:25 PM in response to fresheyeball

I meant attaching a computer would allow for more of what you're looking for. How would one paste from a web browser into the native Netflix app without there being a browser on the device itself?

Apart from the bundled remote, there is the IOS app and now keyboard support. Really the only direct input is navigating the screens and typing. Anything else is through mirroring, not communicating with the native apps.

You may be able to think of many use cases and may have desire but most don't. You are the first i've seen looking for it anyway.

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