javestde
Level 1 (9 points)
Apple TV

Q: Poor streaming quality from Macbook or iMac

My recently purchased 3rd gen Apple TV has been causing some grief. Basically the streaming quality is terrible - jerky playback and distorted sound. This occurs whenever a Macbook or an iMac (both running El Capitan 10.11.6) are used to stream content to the Apple TV.

 

But here's the strange thing: when an iPhone 5s is used to stream HD video, everything works flawlessly. The Apple TV also works perfectly when content is accessed directly from the Apple TV menu (in other words, no computers are involved). Because both the iMac and the Macbook or running El Capitan 10.11.6, it would seem that there might be a bug in the computer's OS? In which case, surely many other people would have experienced the same thing.

 

The Apple TV is connected to a router via an ethernet 5e cable, and my TV is connected to the Apple TV with an HDMI cable. Likewise, a soundsystem is connected to the TOSlink output of the Apple TV. In other words, the only wireless link in the whole system is between the streaming device and the Apple TV.

 

Would love to hear if anyone else is experiencing the same thing.

 

Cheers

Apple TV, null

Posted on Sep 9, 2016 8:29 AM

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javestde

Q: Poor streaming quality from Macbook or iMac

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  • by vazandrew,

    vazandrew vazandrew Sep 9, 2016 9:31 AM in response to javestde
    Level 6 (19,044 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 9, 2016 9:31 AM in response to javestde

    Are you using basic airplay (from within iTunes) or mirroring?

  • by Diana.McCall,

    Diana.McCall Diana.McCall Sep 9, 2016 10:08 AM in response to javestde
    Level 4 (3,063 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 9, 2016 10:08 AM in response to javestde

    Hi. Below is a brief description of the two different modes of AirPlay. They work in very different ways, and the results differ significantly.

     

    Video AirPlay works in two modes. Basic AirPlay just sends the video URL to Apple TV which then streams it directly. This usually works best since there's no double transmission. You're using basic AirPlay when the video player on your device goes black. On a computer, you do this using the AirPlay icon that appears in the controls of a screen video player object, in the browser or other app.

     

    The other mode is Mirroring, which generates an H.264 video stream from the device frame buffer and transmits it over WiFi to Apple TV. This video compression inherently limits resolution, and may have trouble with fast motion. When you puit the iPad or iPhone video player into full screen mode, mirroring automoatically switches to basic AirPlay, and it seems to be impossible to prevent that from happening. On a Mac computer, you access this mode from the AirPlay icon in the main menu bar. It lets you mirror the main display, or create a new display, extending the desktop. But remember that the data sent to the Apple TV is always being converted to a live video stream. Actual display frame buffer pixels are not transmitted, as they are to a directly connected monitor.