murrayE

Q: Cannot connect iMac display to Apple TV

I want to see my iMac (OS X 10.10.5) desktop via AirDisplay on Apple TV. If I click the AirDisplay icon in the Mac's menu bar, I see my Apple TV listed. But if I select it there, I get a spinning wheel and then a pop-up windows "Could not connect to "[name of Apple TV]"  (actual name redacted here).

 

Likewise, with my iMac's iTunes Home Sharing enabled and with iTunes running, if on the Apple TV I go to the Computers app it tries to load my iTunes Library but eventually says it cannot connect.

 

This happens even with Intego Net Barrier disabled and even with the OS X application firewall disabled.

 

iMac is hard-wired (via Ethernet) to  Apple AirPort Extreme version 7.7.3 router; Apple TV is connected via Wi-fi to the same LAN, of course.

AirPlay is enabled on the Apple TV, and there are no Access Control settings on, and "Require Device Verification" is set to Off.

All current updates to Apple TV have been installed.

 

I can see the usual Apple TV apps, etc., when my TV is connected to Apple TV. (Thus the Apple TV is on the LAN.)

I've tried rebooting the Apple TV, my iMac, and the AirPort Extreme, all to no avail.


If on my iMac I run Bonjour Browser.app, among the local services listed I do see my Apple TV listed and with an IP address that in the OS X Terminal I can successfully ping!

 

Oddly, a different iMac on the same LAN via Wi-fi can connect to the Apple TV so that its desktop displays via AirDisplay.

 

Any ideas how to proceed?

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5), 3.4GHz Corei7, 16GB, SSD + 2T HD

Posted on Aug 15, 2015 2:15 PM

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Q: Cannot connect iMac display to Apple TV

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  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Aug 16, 2015 2:41 PM in response to murrayE
    Level 8 (49,154 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 16, 2015 2:41 PM in response to murrayE

    ... or else some other software on my iMac that's blocking Airplay mirroring connection


    AirPlay Mirroring works flawlessly on every Mac that I own or control so that is almost certain to be the case. Your challenge is to find out what it may be, but you seem to be enamored with an utterly useless "security" product. Such things introduce an element of uncertainty, as does every other similar utility that modifies OS X.

     

    Modifying a Mac in that manner means it is no longer running OS X, but a hacked version of it for which the modifier assumes all responsibility. I won't try to convince you of its utter uselessness any more, but if you want to fix your problems I suggest you don't bring up Intego in this discussion again. My evaluation of it is complete and it will not be repeated.

     

    If you want AirPlay Mirroring to work, troubleshooting requires that you simplify your network and eliminate uncertainty. One of the Support documents I referenced discusses router settings, and since your are not using an Apple router be sure to do that: Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points - Apple Support. There are quite a few settings to verify and they are different for every model router.

     

    After that, restoring your Apple TV to factory settings followed by setting it up again is justified: Restore your Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation) - Apple Support.

     

    After that, running Apple's Wireless Diagnostics may reveal helpful information: About Wireless Diagnostics - Apple Support. The most useful result might be its "Summary" window but if you want to discuss its other report options, ask.

     

    After that, you will have effectively isolated the problem to the problematic iMac, and since you already modified it by installing "Intego" it's anyone's guess what else might have affected it. Reinstalling OS X by downloading and installing its "combo" update might be justified: OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 Combo Update but communication problems are often the result of third-party modifications that reinstalling OS X does not affect. Identifying what they might be can be a challenge, but if you don't know where to start consider downloading and running EtreCheck (read about it) and posting its results in a reply. Like Wireless Diagnostics, it may or may not reveal anything particularly interesting or actionable. EtreCheck does not modify OS X and can simply be dragged to the Trash when you're finished with it.

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