Q: My TV is not recognizing the AppleTV I have it pluged directly into TV into the HDMI port

Do you know which make/model of TV you have?

Are you using a third generation Apple TV? (the most recent one which supports 1080p)

Are you using an HDMI cable which supports HDCP? (High Definition Copy Protection)

Of course you have plugged your Apple TV into the mains so I suspect that you need to select the input on your TV's remote control. Mine has a button marked AV. Press the button (AV) and cycle through the options, then your Appe TV will show on your telly - as long as it's little light is on.

With regard to your receiver, I would think that it is simply an issue of selecting the correct input on that.

Also, sometimes, TV's are a little slow at recognising a new signal.

Good luck and a happy new year.

The cable that came with your Apple TV is perfectly good enough. It certainly works for me..