If I buy a new AirPort Extreme 802.11 ac to use with my Apple TV 2nd Gen. for streaming movies, Will it stream without pausing to catch up? What improvement would I see? Thanks, Whit

The Apple TV cannot connect to an "ac" signal because it does not have that type of capability, so it would be extremely unlikely that a new 802.11ac router would provide you with any noticeable improvement.

You have 2 potential issues with your current setup:

1) The 5 Mbps connection may likely be too slow for reliable operation. I cannot get reliable, lag free wireless performance unless the connection is at least 15 Mpbs. Higher would be better.

2) Depending on the number of obstructions like walls, ceilings, etc in the signal path between the wireless router and Apple TV, you still may need to install a wired Ethernet connection between the devices to improve the performance.

As already noted by Bob, your appletv is not capable of the new 801.11ac (1300mbit) standard and can't make use of it.

If you still have an old wireless router or access point in your current setup that max speed is 801.11g (54mbit) and you replace it with the new airport extreme then your appletv will gain its max supported speed 801.11n (300mbit) from it.

Regards

Eldrik

If you still have an old wireless router or access point in your current setup that max speed is 801.11g (54mbit) and you replace it with the new airport extreme then your appletv will gain its max supported speed 801.11n (300mbit) from it.

I may be wrong, but I interpreted the 5 Mbps connection information from Whitncj as the speed of his Internet connection as he was streaming data from an Internet site.

Hopefully, he will clarify.

If that is the case, the max speed on the network regardless of router capabiliies will still be 5 Mbps.