Setting up your Apple TV

The first thing you need to understand is that if you want to connect your Apple TV to your TV, then you need to do so by using the HDMI port. This port is used for delivering both video and audio. Before setting up the Apple TV, check the ports on your TV and be sure you have the required cables.

1. You will need an HDMI cable to connect your Apple TV to your home theater receiver or TV.

2. (Optional) You may also need an optical digital audio cable. This cable can be used if you’d like to connect your Apple TV to a receiver.

Connecting the cables

At this point you’ll need to connect the cables. Using the HDMI cable, connect one end of it to the back of the TV. The other end should be connected to the appropriate port on the back of your Apple TV. Some people may use an optical digital cable for audio. If that’s the case for you, then be sure to connect one end of it to the appropriate port on your Apple TV (optical digital audio) and the other end to the audio input on your TV or receiver.

Note: The Apple TV features 802.11 Wi-Fi technology, allowing it to connect to your network automatically and wirelessly. However, if you have an Ethernet based network, be sure to use an Ethernet cable to connect your Apple TV to it.

Connect the power cord

One end of the power cord needs to be connected to a power outlet and the other to the power port you’ll find on the back of the Apple TV.

Note: You should never place any objects on top of the Apple TV. Doing so may result in bad signal. Placing the Apple TV on top of electronic equipment is also not recommended.

Turn on your TV and select the input

Since this is the first time you’re using the Apple TV, you’ll be greeted by a screen where you have to select your language and network. However, if the only thing you see is a black screen, then don’t worry. All you have to do is check whether the input setting selected on your TV is the same as the input you connected the cables to on your home theater receiver or TV.

Configuring your Apple TV 3rd gen

If you want to connect to iTunes, then you’ll be very happy to know that the Apple TV can help you configure your wireless network to do so. With iTunes, you can watch and listen to a lot of high quality content from the iTunes library.

Configuring your Apple TV

When configuring your Apple TV, you need to have your Apple Remote, but also your network pass and name ready. The path between the Apple TV and the remote should also be clear. Keep in mind that if you’re on an Ethernet network, then the Apple TV will detect your network automatically. If you’re on a wireless network, then the Apple TV will help you connect to it.

Using the Apple Remote, make sure to enter your network name or select it from the list and then enter the network pass (if you’ve set one).

Entering your IP address along with your DNS address, router address, and subnet address may be necessary if you do not connect using DHCP. Be sure to follow the onscreen instructions to complete the network connection.

How to connect to iTunes

If you’d like to use your Apple TV to access the content of your iTunes library, then you need to have the latest iTunes installed (recommended). Any version earlier than 10.5 won’t work so be sure to keep that in mind. If you do have iTunes, but you’re not sure if you have the latest version, then update it. You can do this by using Software Update (if you’re on a Mac). If you’re using a Windows machine, go to iTunes Help to update the software.

How to set up home sharing

Once your network connection is finally set up, you have to set up your Apple TV and iTunes so you can share your iTunes library. To do so, you need to use Home Sharing on both the Apple TV and iTunes. If you’d like to set up Home Sharing in iTunes, then you need to open iTunes, go to Advanced, and there you’ll see Turn On Home Sharing. You’ll now need to enter your Apple ID and your password. Next, click on Create Home Share.

Now, if you’d like to set up Home Sharing on your Apple TV, then you first of all need to go to settings and then to Computers. Here you’ll see an option that says Turn on Home Sharing. Click it and again, enter your Apple ID and pass (the same ones you entered on your laptop or computer).

As you can see, setting up your Apple TV 3rd generation is not hard at all. Just follow these tips and you’ll be able to watch your favorite videos, movies, shows, and also listen to your favorite music in no time!

The post How To Set Up Apple Tv 3rd Generation appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

CARROT Weather (Apple TV only)

If you travel a lot or you’re simply interested in how the weather is going to be today or tomorrow, then you need to get the CARROT weather app. What’s great about it is that you can use it in order to store multiple locations. Better yet, it also features some pretty great animations that you’ll certainly like. Whatever you do though, just make sure you don’t poke its ocular sensor!

Wikify (universal)

We’re all aware of Wikipedia and we’ve probably used it more than we think. However, having Wikipedia on your TV may seem a little bit weird at first. However, Wikify is more like a travel companion. The way it works is that if you travel somewhere, you can use it in order to zoom on your location. As you zoom, you’ll notice a lot of red pins will start to pop up. Each of those pins actually represents interesting locations that you may want to visit. While this kind of functionality may sound like it’s better suited for a phone, we cannot refute its usefulness.

TVPlayer (universal)

If you have an Apple TV, then there is a chance that it’s plugged into an actual TV that can play live broadcasts. If that’s not the case, then don’t worry about it. Using TVPlayer you can gain access to a lot of TV channels right away. If you want, then you can also pay something extra and access a lot of private channels as well. According to users, this is by far one of the most interesting apps for apple tv, so be sure to give it a shot!

TV Maps (universal)

Many people may scoff at the idea of using maps on their TV. That’s because it’s unrealistic that while traveling, you’ll have your Apple TV with you in your car, trying to zoom up on the highway to find the next gas station. However, you can look at this app in a different way. You can use it in order to explore. TV Maps offers you a three dimensional view of popular landmarks. If you want, then you can also receive directions that you can then send to your mobile device through the TV Maps app. How great is that?

Streaks workout

For those who want to get in shape and never really get to do something about it, Streaks Workout may be the answer they’re looking for. Using this app, you only need some desire to get in shape, a floor, and your Apple TV. In terms of exercising, you can choose the exercises you want to do and how long you want to exercise. With Streaks Workout, you’ll be able to track your workout and see how much fat you burn. Thanks to this great app, you can set weight loss goals and lose fat without having to go to the gym. Just give it a try to convince yourself of how useful it actually is!

Speedtest by Ookla (universal)

We’ve all used a speed test tool or website at least once, but did you know that they’re generally inaccurate? Therefore, if you have trouble streaking your favorite content on the Apple TV, then you may want to use Ookla to test your broadband speed. Based on its reviews, Ookla is one of the best apple tv apps 2016 and you should certainly install it on your TV. Now when it comes to the internet speed test, it takes about a minute. Once it’s over, you’ll know all about your download and upload speed.

Solar Walk 2 (universal)

Have you ever wanted to explore the solar system? If the answer is yes, then we have good news for you! With Solar Walk 2 you can easily do that! This app is available of the Apple TV and it’s simply amazing. You can use it to explore the Moon, the planets in our solar system and also the moon. There are also infographics which tell you a lot about Earth and the rest of the planets in the solar system. Pretty interesting stuff for sure!

Plane Finder

If you’re an armchair plane geek, then Plane Finder may very well be an indispensable app for you. Using it you can see almost live maps of planes that hurtle through the sky. You can also search for certain flights, filter by company, and even zoom to track specific planes. On the other hand, if you like something more conventional, then you may want to give FlightBoard a try.

If you’re looking for the best apps for apple tv, then now you have them. Check them out and see how much you like them, but don’t forget to let us know about it in the comments section below!

The post Top 8 best Apple TV apps you should try right now appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Build quality, hardware, size, and price

Even though it’s a few years old, no one can deny that the apple tv 3rd gen looks amazing. It measures 23 millimeters in height, and 100 millimeters square. In fact, it’s has such a small form factor that you can easily place it on your TV without worrying about it taking too much space. If you check the back of the device, you’ll notice there are several ports. These include optical S/PDIF, HDMI, Ethernet (10/100 Megabits), and a micro USB port. However, according to Apple, this port is for diagnostics only.

The Apple TV also features a dual band 802.11n Wi-Fi, meaning that it can effectively connect to 2.4 GHz and also 5GHz networks. If you’re curious about the apple tv 3rd generation price, you can currently get it for as little as $59. The apple tv 3rd generation Amazon may be cheaper, so be sure to check its price on Amazon as well.

Setup and control

You can easily control the Apple TV via its sleek and small, yet very thin aluminum remote. Even better, the remote is very simple to use, features a central Select button, but also a 4 way cursor pad that you can use to navigate through menus.

It’s possible to also use the Remote application for your iPad or iPhone. With it, you can control your Apple TV from your tablet or phone. What’s great about the app is that you don’t require line of sight, since it works over Wi-Fi.

To set up the Apple TV, you just have to plug in the soft-touch power cable and then hook it up to the HDMI port of your TV. Keep in mind that Apple doesn’t provide an HDMI cable, so you should get one separately. Next, all you have to do is enter your Apple ID and password. Once you do that you’ll be taken to the home screen.

Interface

What many will love about the Apple TV is the fact it has one of the simplest interfaces you’ll ever find on a media streamer. The icons on the home screen are large, therefore easy to navigate through. It’s important to mention that the top row is dedicated to Apple Services. You cannot delete them, but you can reorder them. The Apple TV runs on TVOS which works very smoothly. Even though it’s a bit old, the Apple TV 3rd gen has hands down one of the best operating systems ever put in a streaming device.

Content and AirPlay

The reason why people get an Apple TV is to consume content and there are many ways for them to do that. You can use apps, but you can also use AirPlay. AirPlay allows you to beam content from your Mac, tablet or smartphone to your Apple TV. This means that almost any content you can watch on your smartphone can also be beamed to your Apple TV.

If you want, you can also use AirPlay’s Mirroring function. As the name suggests, you’ll be able to send what you see on your laptop, tablet or smartphone to your TV. This can be very useful if you want to watch a movie with your friends or someone else.

Apple movies and TV

One of the best things about the Apple TV is that you can rent and also purchase TV shows and HD movies from Apple’s collection. In fact, Apple has the second largest collection of content (Sky Now ranks first) you can choose from, so no matter what TV show or movie you want to see, there’s a good chance Apple has it.

If you want, then you can also watch content you purchased from another device. Dolby Digital surround tracks are also supported by Apple (where available). Therefore, if you’re into surround sound, then just plug your Apple TV into an audio video receiver and enjoy it! One thing to bear in mind when purchasing live shows from Apple is that its version is usually a day behind the live broadcast.

Photos and iCloud

With photographs from your Mac, iPad, and iPhone going into iCloud, you can easily view them on your Apple TV at any given time. Not only that, but all the content you uploaded, such as your shared streams, photo stream, movies, etc can be accessed from the interface. Based on your internet connection, the content can be viewed pretty fast.

You may also have photographs that have yet to be uploaded to iCloud. If that’s the case, then you can use AirPlay to view on them your Apple TV.

Apple music

By using the music app, you can easily browse through the music store to play any songs that you may have purchased. If you have an iTunes Match subscription, then the songs you ripped from CDs are also made available.

Summary

If you’re the type who wants to have access to all his favorite TV shows and movies at any given them, time you certainly need to buy apple tv 3rd generation. Its impressively simple interface, great functionality, amazing build quality, but also low price make it a solid choice for anybody looking for an affordable, yet top quality streaming device.

The post A quick look at the Apple TV 3rd Generation appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

One thing you need to know about the Apple TV is that it comes preinstalled with a lot of useful apps. Some of them include MLB.TV, YouTube, WatchESPN, HBO GO, but also PBS, Hulu, Netflix, and more. However, maybe these apps are not enough for you and you’d like to add more apps to it. If that’s the case though, then how to add apps to apple tv? Well, about that and more we’re going to tell you more below. One more thing to keep in mind: adding apps to apple tv also depends on the Apple TV model you have.

4th Gen Apple TV: Yes

Okay, so you have a 4th Gen Apple TV and you would like to add apps to apple tv. Can you do that? Fortunately, the answer is yes! The 4th Gen Apple TV was introduced in late 2015 and as Tim Cook said at the time, the TV was built around the idea that applications are the future of TV.

When it comes to installing the apps on your device, it’s as simple as installing them on your iPad or iPhone. It’s true that the operating system is a bit different and this means the installation process also differs. However, it’s not a big difference. Here’s a short guide on how you can download apps on apple tv and install them.

1. Search for the app you want to install, highlight it and then view the detail screen for it by clicking the touchpad.
2. At this screen, you’ll need to click the Install button. If the app is paid, you’ll see a price instead of the Install button. Begin the installation by highlighting the button and clicking the touchpad.
3. To proceed with the installation, you may need to enter your Apple ID password. Do this by using the onscreen keyboard and the remote control.
4. Once the installation is launched, you’ll notice an icon appearing in the button that shows how long until the installer completes.
5. When the app is finally downloaded and installed, the button’s label will change to Open. You can open the application by selecting it or returning to your Apple TV’s home screen.

3rd Gen Apple TV and Earlier: Channels are added regularly by Apple

Can you download apps on apple tv 3rd gen? Unfortunately, the answer is no, but luckily Apple does add them on a regular basis. For instance, when the Apple TV was launched, it featured less than 10 channels of online content. Currently, there are dozens of them and what’s surprising is that Apple continues to add a lot of them as new ones appear.

It’s important to note that there isn’t a fixed schedule for new channels to be added to the Apple TV and users also have no control over whether they’re installed or not. So if you just turned on your Apple TV and noticed a new icon on the home screen, then this means that you can access new content. There are also cases when new applications are bundled together with certain updates to the Apple TV’s software. These days though, channels are added to your Apple TV as they’re ready.

3rd Gen Apple TV and earlier: No

If you want to know how to get apps on apple tv 3rd generation, well, you cannot actually do that. While it’s true that the operating system for the Apple TV 3rd Gen and earlier is similar to the one the iPad and the iPhone use, it has limited features. Most importantly, you won’t be able to download apps and install them. Fortunately, new apps do get added to it.

Adding apps via Jailbreak

Without a doubt, there are many people who aren’t happy with the idea that Apple is the only one that decides what apps make the cut and which apps do not. Therefore, if you’d like to install apps that Apple currently doesn’t allow, then you may want to jailbreak your device. Jailbreaking is a process that makes certain changes to the device’s core software in order to remove certain restrictions imposed by Apple (usually on installing software).

If you would like to actually jailbreak your device, then you can do so by using special software. Some examples include Pangu, iJailbreakPro (this is a paid tool), and Seas0nPass (free tool). Jailbreaking may not be possible on all Apple TVs (firmware version is very important as well), so be sure to keep that in mind before deciding to jailbreak your device.

Once the jailbreaking process is over, you can proceed to install tools such as XMBC or Plex so you can access content that Apple currently restricts. At this point you may be wondering “can you add apps to apple tv?”. Sure, you can install a lot more apps than before, but the apps need to be compatible with your Apple TV.

Now that you know how to get new apps on apple tv, you can start checking the most popular ones and see how you like using them with your Apple TV. Have fun!

The post How to Add or Install Apps on your Apple TV appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Apple is already facing fierce competition

In ’15, most of the first 4K UHD set top boxes emerged for the entertainment technology market. Some of the most popular examples of that time include Nvidia Shield, the Amazing Fire 4K TV box, and also the famous Roku 4. Compared to the Apple TV, they were all sporting much better features and the performance was also greater. But while all these alternatives to the Apple TV were great, Apple’s name and notoriety made it difficult for them to thrive and replace Apple’s set top box. However, in 2016 the same companies released their newest set top boxes which were way above what Apple could offer at the time in terms of performance and features. Almost all of them feature 4K support and some of them even support HDR.

Apple TV lags behind in terms of features

It’s true that over the years, Apple has actually released many generations of the device, with the latest iteration surfacing in 2015. This is when the Apple TV 4th generation was released and featured a lot more power than previous generation set top boxes. Currently though, Apple’s set top box lacks a lot of features compared to what the competition offers. On top of that, it doesn’t have the most modern specs users are craving for. This includes support for HDR and 4K UHD resolution. To make it even worse for Apple, their set top box is not cheap at all. In fact, even though it doesn’t offer HDR and 4K support, it still is a lot more expensive than the Amazon Fire TV box, the Roku Premiere Plus, and the Roku Ultra.

At this point Apple finds itself in a situation where they don’t offer the 3rd generation of their Apple TV for sale, but their 4th generation set top box still lags behind. Fortunately, there are signs showing that Apple may be working on the apple tv 5th generation set top box and if we’re lucky, we could easily see it launched this year.

The fans aren’t happy

While the 4th generation Apple TV was released at the end of ’15 and many people loved it, there were also many complaints about it not supporting 4K. In their defense, Apple claimed that due to the relative scarcity of 4K TVs and content they decided that launching a 4K compatible Apple TV is not feasible.

While in 2016 UHD content was still low in volume, it seems that in 2017 this is about to change in a big way. There are now more and more 4K TVs being released and this means that 4K is becoming more mainstream. In fact, at the end of 2016, about forty percent of all TVs sold in the United States (larger than fifty inches) were Ultra HD TVs.

As we also previously iterated, there’s also a lot of competition that Apple needs to deal with. As we all know, Apple is regarded as an innovating company that always brings something new to the market. However, their Apple TV 4th generation is currently outdated and people are happy to support the competition because they pay less and also get more. In fact, even Chromecast Ultra (from Google) supports 4K content, while Apple’s TV doesn’t.

The Apple Tv 5th Generation launch is imminent

At this point, Apple is feeling the heat and it doesn’t like it. Since they removed the 3rd generation Apple TV from their website, this is a clear sign that they’re working on something new. On top of that, the 4th generation is also due for a replacement very soon.

By considering all these things, it’s clear that Apple doesn’t want to be left behind. It’s not really about losing sales, since they’re making a killing with their iPhone lineup. Apple wants to be regarded as the best company in the world and wants people to think of it as the only company that truly innovates. So if you’re currently thinking about getting a 4K TV, then you should certainly proceed with getting it, since Apple will release their next generation Apple TV sooner than you think. Once they do that, we’ll also see a sharp decrease in price for their 4th gen Apple TV. Great things are to come from Apple, so stay tuned for more updates!

The post What You Need To Know About the Apple Tv 5th Generation appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Connectivity and External Differences

On the outside, the third generation Apple TV and below, but also the 4th generation models and above can be easily confused. While it’s true that they have the same footprint, the latest iteration is about 1/3 lbs heavier and about half an inch taller than the third generation Apple TV.

In terms of connectivity, the third and fourth generation Apple TVs are quite different. Whether the fourth generation is better than the third one or vice versa in this regard is all up to you.

Both generations feature a 10/100 Base-T Ethernet port and a power connect. However, in all other aspects they do vary.

3rd generation Apple TV: This Apple TV iteration features a Micro USB port, an optical out audio port, and an HDMI port. It also features support for Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound and 802.11a/b/g/n wireless.

4th generation Apple TV: Compared to the previous generation, the 4th generation Apple TV features a USB-C port and an HDMI port version 1.4. While you don’t get an optical audio out port, you do get 802.11AC Wi-Fi capability (MIMO). The latest Apple TV model also supports Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound.

Remote Differences

While it’s true that both Apple TVs (3rd and 4th gen) support remotes, the fourth generation is a lot more advanced.

3rd generation: The third gen Apple TV remote is silver and features dedicated Play/Pause, Menu, and directional key buttons.

4th generation: The 4th gen Apple TV remote is made of aluminum and comes in black. It sports a lot of features, including dedicated buttons for Siri, Play/Pause, Up/Down, Home, Menu, but also a gyroscope, an internal accelerometer, a Glass Touch surface (which is great for directional control) , but also features 2 microphones. Thanks to Siri Voice Command, you can control your Apple TV by issuing voice commands.

It’s true that the Apple TV 4th gen remote is a lot more advanced and comes with great features, but its build quality is not that great. On top of that, it now comes with rechargeable batteries that will last you months, instead of years as it was the case with previous generation Apple TV remotes. The remote also supports 3rd party controllers which may potentially open productivity and gaming possibilities.

Identification Differences

If you put them next to each other, the third and fourth generation Apple TVs are easy to differentiate. On the other hand, there are 2 third generation iterations, and the second generation of the Apple TV looks visually the same as the third generation. Because of that, identifying them by looks alone is not feasible.

To better identify what generation your Apple TV is, you need to check their EMC and Model Number. You can check these by turning the Apple TV upside down checking the small text there.

Internal Differences

If we are to compare the hardware of the third and fourth generation Apple TV, then you’ll see there are many differences between them. For example, the Apple TV third generation features a twenty eight nanometer Apple A5 CPU (single core), 8GB of storage (flash), and 512MB RAM.

The fourth generation on the other hand features a twenty nanometer A8 CPU (dual core), between 32GB and 64GB of storage (flash), and 2GB of RAM.

While the 4th generation does have much faster and newer hardware than the previous generation, both of them do not yet support 4K video.

Software Differences

Both Apple TV generations are based on the iOS platform, but at the same time they run on different OS.

The Apple TV third generation features the 5.1 Apple TV version which offers support for selective application-like functionality and built-in channels.

The Apple TV fourth generation runs on the tvOS which allows you to connect to an app store and use fully fledged apps.

While Apple is dedicated to updating its products and software for the Apple TV third generation, we can safely assume that they won’t be doing so much longer. After all, they’re currently focused on the tvOS and working hard towards improving it.

The post What generation is my Apple tv? appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

AirPlay requirements

One thing you need to know about AirPlay is that you can use it on basically any device that Apple currently sells. This important and incredible feature was introduced with iTunes 10 for the Mac. Later on, Apple decided to also add it to the iOS with version 4.2 on the iPad and version 4 on the iPhone.

To run AirPlay, you need to have the following:

1. At least iOS 4.2
2. A 2011 Mac or newer
3. An Apple Watch
4. At least an iPhone 3GS
5. Any iPad model
6. At least a second Gen iPod touch

Unfortunately, you cannot use AirPlay on the original iPod touch, iPhone, and on the iPhone 3G.

AirPlay for Photos, videos, and music

With AirPlay, you can stream video, music, and photos from your iOS device to Wi-Fi connected stereo components, speakers, and computers. However, they all need to be AirPlay compatible to begin with.

While that’s not possible for all components, a lot of manufacturers have begun to release products that support AirPlay.

If you do have a pair of speakers though that doesn’t support AirPlay, you can still use AirPlay with them. How? Well, with an AirPort Express of course! This is a small Wi-Fi base station that you can easily use with AirPlay. All you have to do to use your speakers with AirPlay is connect AirPort express to the Wi-Fi network and then use the appropriate cables to connect the speakers to it. Once you do that, you’ll be able to stream music to your speakers.

If you have a 2nd Gen Apple TV, you should know that it works in the same way with your home theater system or your big screen TV.

Just keep in mind that you need to make sure all devices use AirPlay and share the same Wi-Fi network. For example, you cannot use your iPhone at work in order to stream music to your car.

AirPrint: AirPlay for printing

Did you know that AirPlay also makes it easy for you to print content from your iPhone or any other compatible iOS device to Wi-Fi connected printers that support this technology? You may actually have a printer that doesn’t support AirPrint and if that’s the case, then don’t worry about it. You can easily connect it to an AirPort express (as you did with the speakers) and make it compatible.

AirPlay Mirroring

Generally speaking, AirPlay Mirroring is used in order to display content from devices with smaller screens to bigger screen devices (such as your HDTV). Thanks to AirPlay, you can show the video, game, website or any other content you’re currently watching to your friends, family, coworkers, and more. You can do this via Wi-Fi, but the good news is that you can also achieve it via wire mirroring.

Using this method, you’ll need a cable that connects the iOS device to the TV (basically, an HDMI cable). For this type of mirroring you do not need to have an Apple TV. As for the devices that support AirPlay Mirroring, they include:

1. 2nd Gen Apple TV or newer.
2. Mac.
3. iPad 2 and newer.
4. iPhone 4s and newer.

How to enable AirPlay and stream music/movies on the iPhone

To do this, the first thing you need to do is download 5KPlayer and then launch it. By doing so, you’ll enable iPhone to PC/Mac AirPlay that is otherwise not possible by using independent AirPlay.

Thanks to this connection, you’ll be able to turn your iPhone into an AirPlay sender to PC/Mac to enjoy your favorite music or video content.

Instructions:

1. Connect the iPhone and the PC/Mac so you can activate AirPlay. Prior to turning on AirPlay, you need to ensure that your PC/Mac and iPhone are on the same Wi-Fi network.
2. If your iOS version is 8, 9 or newer, you need to launch the control center and then enable AirPlay from there.
3. Thanks to the AirPlay server 5KPlayer, you can enable AirPlay to your PC or Mac so you can then stream videos from your personal computer to your Apple TV.

To turn on AirPlay on your Mac, be sure to take the following steps:

1. Download 5KPlayer on your Mac and install it.
2. Tap the AirPlay icon to activate AirPlay. A user guide will appear if you click the AirPlay icon in the main interface. Please note that if 5KPlayer acts as a receiver on the Mac, the process ends here.

AirPlay supported files

AirPlay supports a lot of files, including MP3, AAC, M4A, MOV, M4V, and MP4. If you want to stream files of a different format, then you’ll need to cover them to one of the supported file formats before you can play them.

AirPlay is by far one of the best features Apple has introduced to its devices, making it a great way to share content with friends, family, and coworkers in a few simple taps. Now that you know how useful it is, how about you give it a try and let us know how you like it?

The post What is Airplay Mirroring and why should you care? appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Pros

1. The Apple TV is a stylish, easy to use and affordable set top box.
2. It costs $149 and $199 for the 32GB and 64GB variant, respectively.

Cons

1. The Apple TV ties in to iTunes, which some people may not really like.

What is Apple TV?

The Apple TV is basically a set top box that give you access to a lot of content, including movies, TV shows, apps, and more. You can purchase them or rent them from iTunes and other services, including Netflix, YouTube, etc. In other words, Apple TV simply takes the content that would otherwise be tied to your Mac, iPad, and iPhone and lets you enjoy it on a bigger screen. In terms of quality, the Apple TV is capable of outputting content in Full HD resolution.

Apple TV channels

One thing you need to know is that the Apple TV doesn’t actually offer you access to free to air channels as it’s the case with a regular TV. On top of that, it’s also not a digital video recorder that can help you record your favorite movies or shows while you’re at work. On the other hand, it does offer you access to channels where you can watch a lot of content based on your preferences. You can also use OnDemand services in the same way you would on your iPad and iPhone.

If you’re in the US, then by getting an Apple TV you can gain access to a lot of useful apps and channels. Some examples include WatchESPN, Lifetime, History, but also A&E, PBS, Disney Junior, Disney XD, HBO Go, Hulu Plus, and more. The good news is that Apple adds new channels quite frequently, so the amount of content you can access greatly increases over time. This is amazing if you’re the type who wants to keep up with the latest TV shows and movies.

Can I use my current TV with it?

One of the first things you need to know if you want to get an Apple TV is whether your current TV is compatible with it. As long as your TV has an HDMI port, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to use the Apple TV with it. Keep in mind that your TV needs to also be capable of 720P or Full HD output at 50/60Hz. While the chance your TV may not meet these requirements is low, there may be expectations. This is usually the case if you have an old CRT TV. Also, in order to access content stores, including the iTunes store, you need to have a broadband connection.

What can you play on the Apple TV?

The Apple TV supports a wide range of file formats, including M-PEG, MPEG-4, and H.264. In terms of audio, it supports Audible (formats two, three, four), MP3 VBR, MP3, protected AAC, AAC, HE-AAC (V1), WAV, and Apple Lossless. In terms of image formats, the Apple TV supports TIFF, GIF, and JPEG images.

One of the most important things you need to know about the Apple TV is that you can use it to turn your dumb TV into a smart TV. You can easily access the likes of Vimeo, YouTube, Netflix, but also iTunes movies and TV programs to enjoy the latest video content. Better yet, you can also view images on Flickr and watch Sky news live.

Verdict

As you can see, there are many things to like about the Apple TV. First of all, it’s simple to use and it’s very well built as well. On the other hand, some people may argue that they don’t really have access to as much content as they would like. If you look at the competition (we’re looking at you Roku!) you’ll notice that there are other options you may want to check out.

Truth be said, there are certain features that will only work with the Apple TV, so that’s also something you may want to bear in mind. All in all, the Apple TV is a great way to access large libraries of content and keep up with your favorite movies and TV shows. If you’re a couch potato or find yourself spending too much time looking for great content on your cable TV, then you may want to switch to the Apple TV as soon as possible. It’s definitely worth it!

The post What is Apple TV good for and why should you get one? appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Power up

Instead of a USB port, the Siri remote features a Lightning port. It also comes with a Lightning to USB cable for charging purposes. According to Apple, the new rechargeable battery in its remote can last for months on a single charge (with normal use). While this is significantly less than the battery life touted by its past remotes that used regular apple tv remote batteries, it does help save you a trip to the local electronics store to get new batteries.

No LED battery life indicator

As we’ve gotten used by Apple, there’s no LED light to notify you about how much power is left in the battery. So instead of waiting for the batteries for apple tv remote to drain, is there another way you could check how much power you have left and how long you can use the remote until you need to replace the batteries? Well, the good news is that you can actually do that.

Charging the remote

If your apple tv remote control stopped working, then you should charge it. However, if your remote control still works, then you should turn on your Apple TV and then go to Settings.

Once you’re there, navigate to Removes and devices and then click on Bluetooth. At this point, you’ll see every Bluetooth device connected to your machine. By default, the only Bluetooth connected device is the Apple TV remote.

Other Bluetooth connected devices

If you have other connected devices (such as game controllers) or remote controls, you’ll also see them displayed in this screen.

It’s here that you can finally check the apple tv remote battery life. You’ll see it displayed as an icon at the right side of its name. While the amount of power left in the batteries is not displayed in a percentage amount, the visual representation should at least give you an idea of how long you can use the remote before you need to recharge it.

The new 4th Generation Apple TV remote may not provide the same batter life as past Apple remotes, but thanks to the new design change it’s thinner, lighter and easier to use. On top of that, it can also save you a trip to the store to get new batteries. While you may not appreciate that now, you will once you have to go out on a cold, rainy or snowy day just to get a new set of batteries for your apple tv remote.

The post How to check your Apple tv remote battery life appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

However, if you jailbreak apple tv, then that’s a different story. After you’ve jailbroken your Apple TV, you can proceed to install a wide range of systems, services, and applications on it that make it a lot more appealing even than the latest Apple TV.

Should you jailbreak your Apple TV?

While generally people are interested to know whether they should jailbreak their iPhone (there are many pros and cons to doing that), there are significantly less cons to jailbreaking your Apple TV. As for the pros, there are more than you can imagine.

Here are some of the most popular apps you can install once you’ve jailbroken your Apple TV:

aTV Flash (black): What makes this app great is the fact by that using it you can actually play a wide range of video format on your Apple TV. One example is the popular .mkv format. You can also use unofficial applications and also browse the internet.

Kodi: Kodi is an entertainment hub that allows you to mostly play podcasts, videos, and music. It also enables PVR functionality, meaning that on top of watching TV, you can also record your favorite shows, etc.

Jailbreaking your Apple TV

One of first things you need to know if you want to jailbreak apple tv is that you need to have the right model. If you do, then jailbreaking it is very simple. For instance, if you have the first generation Apple TV, you can jailbreak it by using Rowmote. The second generation is also easy to jailbreak, but we’ll cover more about that below.

Now, if you have an Apple TV 2nd generation and want to jailbreak it, here is how you can do it:

Those lucky owners if a 2nd Generation Apple TV should be happy, since they can actually jailbreak it. To do this, you first of all need to go online and look for Seas0nPass. We recommend you get the tools from the FireCore website. Once you get the tools, you have to follow the steps below:

1. Unrar the software and copy it to your Applications folder.
2. Get a micro USB cable and connect your Mac to your Apple TV.
3. Launch the jailbreaking software and then click on Create IPSW.
4. When prompted, you need to press the Menu and Play buttons on the Apple TV’s remote control. You should press the buttons simultaneously.
5. Once the software does its thing, you need to click on Done.
6. Lastly, all you have to do is unplug the USB cable and get an HDMI which you’ll use in order to connect the Apple TV to your TV. Turn on your TV and enjoy!

Once the Apple TV reboots, you will see the FireCore logo. Once you see that, your device has been successfully jailbroken. Now you can proceed to installing any apps and services you want on it. Enjoy your freshly jailbroken Apple TV!

Jailbreaking Apple TV 4th generation

1. If you want to jailbreak apple tv 4th generation, you’ll first of all need to connect it to your Mac by using a USB-C cable.
2. Automatic updates should be disabled so that your Apple TV cannot be updated anymore. To do this, go to Settings, System, Software Updates.
3. Go online and look for the iOS App Signer and Pangu jailbreak tool. Download and unrar them in the same folder.
4. Open Xcode and then go to File, New, Project, tvOS, Application, Single View, and finally Next.

The following fields should be filled in exactly as you see below:

1. Product Name: Jailbreak
2. Organization: *Input your name*
3. Organization Identifier: com.jailbreak.appletv

Note:

• Do not change anything else. After you’re done, click Next and then Create.
• Click Product, Destination, and then Apple TV.

At this point you’ll need to select your Apple ID and then link it to Xcode. You can do that by going to Xcode, then Preferences and then Accounts. Click Fix issue.

Remember the Pangu files you’ve extracted in the same folder as App Signer? Well, now you have to launch the App Signer and then select the atvipa.app file by using the Browse button. You can find this file in the Payload folder. While you’re still in the App Signer, click on the Certificate and Provisioning Profile for the application that was created in Xcode. Next, do this:

• Save the atvipa.ipa file on your desktop.
• Launch Xcode and then navigate to Window, Devices and then click on your Apple TV.
• Under installed apps, be sure to click on the “+” and then select the atvipa.ipa.

At this point the jailbreak tool is being deployed and once your home screen changes to that of Pangu, you’re good to go. One last step though is to launch the app to complete the jailbreaking process.

Congratulations! You’ve just jailbroken your Apple TV!

The post Should I jailbreak my Apple TV and How? appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.