Connecting AppleTV(#1) to HDTV and/or Cable TV DVR Box?

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Level 1

48 points

Connecting AppleTV(#1) to HDTV and/or Cable TV DVR Box?

I'd like to connect my AppleTV, my DVD player, and also my iPad2 at times, such that I can play various iTunes products, streaming videos, photos from iPhoto or the iPad2's FaceTime//Skype, or movies onto the HDTV. Isn't that what I will now be able to do? By the way, my home has WiFi wireless connectivity. Based on my own apprehension, I've hesitated to connect my new AppleTV (version 1, I'm sorry to say) to my HDTV out of fear I would jeopardize my cableTV's connectivity/reception quality or offset the attractive reliance upon my current in-wall-to-cabinet (concealed) cabling housing. I have a Toshiba REGZA 42in flat screen LCD HDTV, which has at least one extra HDMI input receptacle. I also use Charter Cable TV with a DVR box connected to both the HDTV and the DVD player, using an IR universal remote to select.

Can I connect my AppleTV to my HDTV either directly to the extra HDMI input receptacle or through use of an HDMI switch with or without adversely affecting the cableTV DVR connectivity and reception quality? If the former, I have the problem of unsightly HDMIs hanging from my HDTV to the AppleTV box, but perhaps I can figure out how to pass that extra HDMI cable through the wall's interior to the cabinet where all the other paraphenalia is now hidden. If the latter, I avoid the clutter, but I now have to figure out whether I can connect an HDMI switch between the DVR box and the HDTV without jeopardizing video or audio quality on the screen.

Apple TV, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Dec 12, 2011 1:58 PM

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Answer 1

vazandrew

Level 8

40,834 points

Dec 12, 2011 2:03 PM in response to Bronco 01

You can't connect the ATV directly. You can try a switch although users have reported mixed results.

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Answer 2

Bronco 01 Author

Level 1

48 points

Dec 12, 2011 2:14 PM in response to vazandrew

I don't want to try a switch unless I can be sure it will work as planned/hoped. Is the problem a particular switch or type of switch? What mixed results, for instance? Also, please confirm the proper interfacing of the iPad2 and the AppleTV. Could I just connect the iPad2 directly or through the switch and gain all those functions without using the AppleTV?

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Answer 3

vazandrew

Level 8

40,834 points

Dec 12, 2011 2:44 PM in response to Bronco 01

I don't know what the issues were it just seems a general issue (based on many users posting here) and I can't guarantee it will work.

An alternative, You could purchase the AV Adapter and mirror your iPad, connecting directly to the TV.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC953

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Answer 4

Bronco 01 Author

Level 1

48 points

Dec 12, 2011 2:52 PM in response to vazandrew

I do have the digital A/V adaptor for use with the iPad2, but I've not used it for reasons stated above. If I understand what you're suggesting, the iPad2 mirror provides most if not all what the AppleTV would provide on my HDTV, right? I want to be able to play iTunes music, but I could also play its videos too. I especially want to display the iPhoto photos/videos on the HDTV, and I might find it attractive to play the streaming video from my iPad2 apps and the like as well. From your experience, will that exclusive reliance upon iPad2 mirroring cause me to lose some capability the AppleTV(#1) provides? If not an important capability, what is the value of AppleTV anyway?

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Answer 5

vazandrew

Level 8

40,834 points

Dec 12, 2011 3:03 PM in response to Bronco 01

The adapter will let you mirror what is on the iPad. You can use home-sharing via the iPad to stream photos/video/music from your computer.

Note: the iPad is not 16:9 so while some videos may have video out functionality to fill the screen, not everything will.

The ATV2 allows for wireless mirroring and airplay, which for me is more convenient. You will not receive this on #1 (I forgot to mention), it is EOL and has not received updates in quite some time.

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Answer 6

Bronco 01 Author

Level 1

48 points

Dec 12, 2011 3:13 PM in response to vazandrew

I've come full circle now to thinking that the iPad2 mirroring is all that I really need, unless the AppleTV2 adds capability I can't live without. I'm not sure I understand the second paragraph above about 16:9 problems and filling the HDTV screen, but I assume it only relates to streaming video from some iPad2 apps, like HBO Go, for instance. Have you confirmed the AppleTV(#1) does nothing that the iPad2 with the digital A/V adaptor won't do? I don't use/subscribe to NetFlix, for instance. Will Safari streaming video work like on the iPad2 itself?

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Answer 7

vazandrew

Level 8

40,834 points

Dec 12, 2011 3:29 PM in response to Bronco 01

You won't get any of this function with the ATV#1, so let's take it out of the equation. What I meant regarding the 16:9 is that the iPad is not the same aspect ratio as your TV so when mirroring you will see black bars on either side. It is when an app supports that you will see content fill the screen (i.e. the native video app).

Safari will work the same, you will simply see the content on the iPad and then also on your TV.

So it's up to you. Your options are to use the adapter and connect to the TV or ATV2 (with wireless mirroring, airplay etc)

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Answer 8

Alley_Cat

Level 7

20,560 points

Dec 12, 2011 3:37 PM in response to Bronco 01

Bronco 01 wrote:

Can I connect my AppleTV to my HDTV either directly to the extra HDMI input receptacle or through use of an HDMI switch with or without adversely affecting the cableTV DVR connectivity and reception quality? If the former, I have the problem of unsightly HDMIs hanging from my HDTV to the AppleTV box, but perhaps I can figure out how to pass that extra HDMI cable through the wall's interior to the cabinet where all the other paraphenalia is now hidden. If the latter, I avoid the clutter, but I now have to figure out whether I can connect an HDMI switch between the DVR box and the HDTV without jeopardizing video or audio quality on the screen.

You also have the option of connecting the AppleTv1 via analogue using component and stereo RCA leads but you probably don't want the clutter.

A switch will either work or it won't - if it works quality will be preserved.

AC

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Answer 9

Bronco 01 Author

Level 1

48 points

Dec 12, 2011 6:02 PM in response to Alley_Cat

Both above replies tell me that the adapter will allow me to mirror my iPad2 with limitations on the 16:9 ration video under many circumstances. They also tell me the AppleTV1 will probably only work with the component leads rather than HDMI, but that AppleTV2 improvements will allow me to achieve the desired ends in most instances. Also, it appears that neither responder suggests any benefits of using an HDMI switch, in part based upon the experiences of other users as evidenced in their various postings. Do I have this all correct? If so, it appears I'm stuck with the unsightly, cluttered digital A/V adapter visibly hanging from my HDTV down my wall. I wish there were a better way of achieving desired outcomes without purchasing a different AppleTV. Thanks for the helpful analysis and suggestions.

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Answer 10

vazandrew

Level 8

40,834 points

Dec 12, 2011 6:18 PM in response to Bronco 01

Yes. If you want to mirror your iPad you will have to use the adapter apart from getting the new ATV.

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