apple tv lag when using airplay on macbook pro

C'mon Apple. The laggy apple tv airplayis going to take my love away

Are you experiencing issues when you use an app on the ATV itself? For instance Netflix or HBOGo? I notice the lag issue just like yourself only when using AirPlay from my iMac running OS X Mavericks.

Just like you stated there are no issues with iPad or iPhone AirPlay to the 3G ATV just the computers for some reason.

Not only am I experiencing lag but the sound will cutout for a couple of seconds randomly while watching something, but that is a different issue.

What did it for me, was running movies through http://www.inmethod.com/airvideohd/index.html;jsessionid=FB583654AB698C926637FD9 99BE0FB17
Air Video HD, it’s free download just check out the link. It is perhaps a couple of steps more inconvenient but when you get the hang of it,. it is really smooth. Use your iphone or ipad as a remote. This is must, so make sure you download and install it on both your pro and/or ipad/iphone. Work with subtitles also, just make the video and sub file the same name. No worries, no lag anymore,.

I have the same problem. If I use ATV apps like netflix, there is no issue. However if I use my 2011 MBA to mirror any of the video there is a lag in the video. I have observed that the video keeps playing smooth on the computer even when ATV ocassionally freezes. This also happens with sound sometimes. It is very frustrating. I have used Motorola SBG router and Ubee router. The problem doesn't seem to be with the router. I used to connect wireless on ATV earlier but then I used ethernet and the problem still exist. The problem existed with mountain lion and it's still there on mavericks. I don't have much love left for Apple because of this.

Same problem as most everyone else here, but I have found a possible answer / workaround.

Problem: Laggy / stuttering performance when using Airplay Display from a MacBook Pro, most noticeable with video playback, but I've seen this in slideshows of pics from iPhoto as well. Airplay works fine over iPad and iPhone on the same network.

Answer / Workaround: First off, I'm sorry this "answer" will NOT help most of you, because it seems the problem occurs with certain routers and/or router configs. Here's how I found a workaround: My AppleTV is connected to a stock CISCO Linksys N UltraRangePlus router. When I start AirplayDisplay when connected through this router, I have the same problem as everyone else. However I have a second router - a CISCO Linksys e2500 router that I've flashed with DD-WRT so that it could serve as a wireless bridge (a wireless bridge is a way to extend a wireless signal). When I connect to my network through this second router, the problem goes away. Video plays with no lag from the MBP.

What's this mean for you? The simplest test is to try to borrow a spare wireless router from a friend, relative or colleague and try it in your network. If your comfortable poking around your router settings, there may be some setting that's causing the problem - tho I have no guess as to what it might be. A final option is to install DD-WRT if your router supports it, however this final option is not for the faint of heart. It took me two solid half days to research DD-WRT and flash my router. You can brick your router, making it completely useless. If you don't have the time or technical prowess, do not attempt.

Of course Apple should try to fix this problem and I hope Airplay Display will work on all routers equally well, but if you want results now, you'll have to take matters into your own hands.

I have the same issue but i finaly found a solution:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY2weHeKUI8

Works great for me.

I am having the same issues: Can connect/mirror my ipad to the Apple TV, but my MacBook Air does not connect/mirror. I can see the Apple TV symbol at the top and it appears to connect, then gives me the icon "unable to connect to Apple TV". Been trying to find an answer for hours. Did all the usual things: rebooting all devices/modems/routers/etc.

Don't know why the ipad can mirror, but the MacBook cannot!

Help! Thanks!

To MacThor72

How does Air Video HD work?

I installed it and it seems that after installation it wants me (on my mac) to move the video file that I want to watch into a folder to convert it and then watch it.

Seems like a huge hassle to just get something to stream to ATV.

It's also $2.99 in the AppStore and I think most people here are looking for a fix to something that should work like it was advertised anyway.

To: A 1997

That solution only works with certain internet providers.

For instance I have Verizon FiOS and they tell me that I cannot use a different router besides the one they provided. They claim a different router would make my cable boxes not work.

I think we need a better solution or a fix from Apple before we go and buy a new router just to fix streaming on ATV.

I have been having the same lag issues with my MBP Retina late 2013 model streaming video (and general legginess when extending desktop) using a brand new Apple TV.

I got the Airvideo HD and it completely solved the lag problem for videos. The way it works is that you have to use either an iPad or iPhone as a remote and download the software for $2.99. That is how Airvideo makes their money since the server software is free. Just specify on the server software which runs on your Mac which directories you want to use and they appear in your iPhone app. Select the video you want to view, press the airplay icon within the app and just hit the play button. You do not need to download it first to your iPhone. It streams the video straight from your Mac to Apple TV doing any conversions necessary on the fly. I have been able to play .mkv, .mp4 and other format movies without any advance conversion. The picture quality is perfect with no lag.

Overall I think it was $2.99 well spent since it plays most video formats so no VLC is required. As a plus it works as a pretty good video format converter if you want to do conversion and downloads instead of on the fly streaming.

This doesn't solve the extended desktop legginess issue but for streaming videos from my MBP Airvideo HD seems to be the best solution so far.

AirVideo HD and $2.99 worked for me.

Dr.Dave wrote:

I have been having the same lag issues with my MBP Retina late 2013 model streaming video (and general legginess when extending desktop) using a brand new Apple TV.

I got the Airvideo HD and it completely solved the lag problem for videos. The way it works is that you have to use either an iPad or iPhone as a remote and download the software for $2.99. That is how Airvideo makes their money since the server software is free. Just specify on the server software which runs on your Mac which directories you want to use and they appear in your iPhone app. Select the video you want to view, press the airplay icon within the app and just hit the play button. You do not need to download it first to your iPhone. It streams the video straight from your Mac to Apple TV doing any conversions necessary on the fly. I have been able to play .mkv, .mp4 and other format movies without any advance conversion. The picture quality is perfect with no lag.

Overall I think it was $2.99 well spent since it plays most video formats so no VLC is required. As a plus it works as a pretty good video format converter if you want to do conversion and downloads instead of on the fly streaming.

This doesn't solve the extended desktop legginess issue but for streaming videos from my MBP Airvideo HD seems to be the best solution so far.

SAme problem here. But I found a real simple fix.

1- turn off bluetooth

2- share screen to appletv

3- problem is gone.

just turn off the bluetooth from the MBP before sharing the screen and there will be no more lag

worked for me

This actually made a big difference. Thanks for the tip. I still had lag after a while but I'm able to restart the video without the lag and watch to the end with way less hassle.

this actually seems to work. now popcorn time plays ok! 🙂