Tablo has finally released a native Apple TV app that was unveiled and previewed at this year’s CES. The free app lets Tablo customers record and stream both live and recorded broadcast TV programs on their big screen TVs via the 4th gen. Apple TV.

The app works in conjunction with the networked Tablo DVR, a small $200 box that plugs into a digital TV antenna to capture free, local HDTV broadcast programs including news and sports within the US and Canada.

Unlike traditional DVRs that are connected to one TV, Tablo does not feature an HDMI connection – it connects to your home network using WiFi or Ethernet to stream content to any connected device inside your home or anywhere you have internet.

With version 1.0 of the Tablo App for Apple TV, customers can get access to their favorite network shows via both a Live TV guide and Recordings screens. One-time and series recordings can also be scheduled for programs airing within the next 24 hours.

Thanks to integration with Apple TV Siri Remote, Tablo users can easily skip commercials simply by asking Siri to jump ahead in the stream.

The app is said to provide “exceptionally fast performance during in-app navigation, as well as launching both live TV and recorded playback streams” thanks to the “superior processing power” of Apple TV 4.

Tablo also announced that the additional screens and features will be rolled out “over the coming months”.

Tablo app for Apple TV 4 is available for download now through the Apple TV App Store.

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

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Air Media Center is a multi-platform mobile media center that lets you stream your media collection from your computer to Apple TV 4. Unlike other players, AMC will automatically transcode your music, video and photo streams when necessary.

Air Media Center is a suite of 2 applications: in order to enjoy AMC on your Apple TV, you will first need to download and install a free server application on your Mac or PC.

Learn more about Air Media Center.

Partnering with App Dynamic, the developer of AMC, we’re giving away 5 free copies of this amazing piece of software.

Here’s how to participate:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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If you got a new Apple TV but you find native AirPlay mirroring in OS X too limited or you own a Windows or Chromebook machine, you may want to check out AirParrot 2. It’s the go-to app for all of your mirroring and streaming needs.

AirParot 2 allows you to wirelessly send your Mac/PC screen or media files to Apple TV. Among the main features are:

• Specific window or app mirroring
• Ability to mirror to multiple devices simultaneously
• Ability to stream audio around the house to AirPlay-enabled speakers
• Mirroring support to Apple TV, Chromecast and Reflector
• High-quality streaming for video and audio files (5.1 Surround Sound, 1080p mirroring)
• Compatibility with every mirroring-enabled generation of Apple TV

Check out our review of AirParrot.

Related articles:

• Pangea releases five tvOS games with support for 3DTV
• MAME emulator running on Apple TV 4
• VLC coming to the new Apple TV
• tvOS not coming to Apple TV 2 and Apple TV 3
• How Apple is fixing what’s wrong with console gaming today

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

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Back in September Plex confirmed that the official Plex app for the new Apple TV was in the works. However, they didn’t say a word on when they were going to relese it. Now, it looks that we will be able to enjoy the app from day one.

@reneritchie Count us in on the Apple TV launch

— Plex (@plex) October 21, 2015

But if you are a developer who was lucky enough to get the Apple TV Developer Kit, you can already check out a POC standalone Plex Client for tvOS written by Plex Forums user Eric Yanush (it is basically PlexConnect written in javascript, which generates TVML).

Also check out: How to get Plex working on Apple TV 3

The new Apple TV is coming next week – orders start on Monday, Oct. 26, with the device shipping later that week.

Giveaway: Win a brand new Apple TV 4!

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

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We already know that the official Plex app is coming to the new Apple TV and now we’ve learned that other popular media streaming app – VLC, will be soon available on the Apple TV 4 as well.

VideoLAN lead developer Jean-Baptiste Kempf confirmed it on his blog today:

Oh, and one more thing… we started to prepare VLC for tvOS.

The only deatails he gave is that “some code to build VLCKit for the new tvOS was merged” and that the video playback is already working on tvOS 9.0 beta (image above).

VLC is a free and open source cross-platform multimedia player and framework that plays most multimedia files as well as DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols. It is available on Macs and iOS devices.

The new Apple TV will be available at the end of October starting at $149 for a 32GB model and $199 for a 64GB model.

More on the 4th gen. Apple TV:

• tvOS not coming to Apple TV 2 and Apple TV 3
• How Apple is fixing what’s wrong with console gaming today
• Guitar Hero, Skylanders, and Geometry Wars coming to the new Apple TV this fall

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

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Until now, streaming media files from a Windows PC to an Apple TV was only possible with iTunes (for supported file types only) or AirParrot (using its media streaming or specific app mirroring features). Recently released PopCast is a new player to the market. It lets you stream all of your videos to your Apple TV or Chromecast, no matter what file format.

PopCast does live video conversion, which means you can instantly begin to watch your video content. It supports all the popular file formats, including AVI and MKV.

It also lets you queue up your favorite videos and create playlists.

Here’s how it works:

You can get PopCast from here. A $15 license allows unlimited usage and 1 year of upgrades. Free trial is also available.

We heard from the developers that the Mac version is in development and almost ready for release. To be notified once it is complete, sign up for their notification list.

If you’re looking for a Mac app that offers similar functionality, check out Beamer.

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

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Ahead of the launch of the much-anticipated Apple’s online TV service, Comcast announced a beta test of its new streaming cable service called Stream. The new service requires no extra device or additional equipment… or even a TV.

With Stream, Xfinity internet customers can watch live TV or on demand content from about a dozen networks – including all the major broadcast nets and HBO – on laptops, tablets and phones in their home.

It includes thousands of on demand movies and shows to watch home or away and even comes with access to TV Everywhere and a cloud DVR so you can record all your favorites and watch them later.

Stream will be available to Xfinity Internet customers for $15 per month. Comcast is launching the service in Boston at the end of the summer and they will take it to Chicago and Seattle next, with plans to make it available everywhere in their footprint by early 2016.

The Wall Street Journal reported back in March that Apple was planning to launch its own online television service that would include about 25 channels from broadcasters such as ABC, CBS and Fox and would be available on Apple TV as well as on iPhone and iPad.

Apple Web TV service is expected to be priced at $30/$40 per month and it’s reportedly scheduled to be launched in September.

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

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So you are having trouble AirPlay mirroring your iPhone or iPad screen to an Apple TV. Here is a guide on fixing the most common issues causing this.

Note: For those who are using AirPlay mirroring for the first time, we are also including a set up guide. But those who have had mirroring working before but have new onset of problems, skip to Step B. 

Holiday Gift Guide 2015: Best Accessories for Apple TV

A. How to AirPlay mirror your iPhone or iPad content to your Apple TV

1. Make sure your Apple TV is powered on.

2. Connect both your iPhone/iPad and your Apple TV to the same WiFi network
– on Apple TV, go to Settings > General > Network
– on iOS device: Settings > WiFi

and see if both are connected to the same network.

3. If you are running the latest firmware on your iOS device and have the refreshed 3rd generation Apple TV, you can use peer-to-peer AirPlay, which means you needn’t even connect to the WiFi network for AirPlaying. Just switch on WiFi and Bluetooth on your iOS device and Apple TV, and proceed to next step.

4. On iOS 7 and iOS 8 devices, you can just pull up the Control Center by swiping up from the bottom edge. You’ll now see an AirPlay button. Tap on it, choose your Apple TVa and toggle on Mirroring option.

Read more on how to use AirPlay.

If you tried the above steps right but got stuck at some point or, your previously well-mirrored devices suddenly start behaving haywire, follow the remaining guide to fix them.

B. General troubleshooting of AirPlay mirroring issues

1. Check if both your Apple TV and iPhone/iPad are connected to the same network. See the Step A2 above to find out how to check this.

2. If you are using peer-to-peer AirPlay, please note that you still need to have WiFi and Bluetooth toggled on, on both devices. You needn’t connect to WiFi router nor pair each other via Bluetooth, but you should have these switched on in the Control Center.

Peer-to-peer AirPlay requires an iOS device (late 2012 or later) with iOS 8; and an Apple TV (3rd generation rev A, model A1469 or later) with Apple TV software 7.0 or later.

3. If it still doesn’t work, try updating both iOS device and Apple TV to the latest firmware available.

C. The AirPlay icon is not showing up in Control Center

1. Try restarting your iPhone/iPad by pressing and holding the lock button and sliding to switch off. Press and hold the power button again to restart the device. Also, restart your Apple TV by pressing and holding the (Menu + Down) buttons for 6 seconds.

2. Check if both your iOS device and Apple TV are connected to the same network. See Step A2.

3. On your Apple TV, go to Settings > AirPlay and verify if it is turned on.

D. I am not seeing the Apple TV I want to AirPlay to

If you have multiple AirPlay devices at home and can see other devices in the AirPlay option but not the Apple TV you want to stream to, try the following fixes:

1. Make sure the concerned Apple TV is powered and switched on.

2. Make sure AirPlay is toggled on at Settings > AirPlay

3. Check if the Apple TV and iPhone/iPad are connected to the same network as mentioned above. See Step A2.

4. On an iPad, you may have to scroll down the AirPlay pop-up to see the remaining devices.

E. I cannot AirPlay certain content to Apple TV

1. If you are streaming the content to be mirrored, check your internet connection.

2. Sometimes certain apps are not updated to support AirPlay, while for others they don’t have sufficient rights to allow broadcasting to Apple TV from their apps. You can check the provider’s app description or website for details.

F. I can see the video but AirPlay doesn’t produce audio

1. Make sure the audio is not muted on your iPhone/iPad nor on your television set.

2. Check if your iPhone is on silent/vibrate mode. If so, toggle the side switch to turn it into ring mode.

G. The video shows lag, stutters or gets stuck during AirPlay mirroring

1. Check if your WiFi settings are in accordance with Apple’s recommended configuration. Don’t worry, almost all of them are.

2. If you have a microwave oven or baby monitor or other devices that can interfere with Apple TV’s WiFi connection, change the positions of your devices accordingly.

3. Try connecting the Apple TV directly to the router via an Ethernet cable rather than using WiFi.

Holiday Gift Guide 2015: Best Accessories for Apple TV

Also read:

• How to send audio from Apple TV to AirPlay speakers
• How to use any third party remote to control your Apple TV
• My Apple TV Remote isn’t working properly: The Apple Remote troubleshooting guide

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

The post I cannot AirPlay mirror my iPhone and iPad to Apple TV: The Apple TV AirPlay troubleshooting guide appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

For the past half a year, rumors had been continuously pointing towards a March, 2015 launch of the much awaited Apple TV 4. And when the Spring Forward event was announced to be held on March 9th, many of us hoped the revolutionary new Apple TV to be Tim Cook’s One more thing for this event.

Althought 9to5Mac’s Mark Gurman reports that the refreshed Apple TV won’t make an appearance on the Monday’s event, the good news is that according to his sources, “Apple is finishing up work on a slimmer Apple TV set-top-box with a more capable and tactile remote control and a redesigned operating system bundled with an App Store.”

Though the launch date for Apple TV 4 is not available, Gurman expects it to be released in Q4, judging by other products in Apple’s 2015 pipeline.

The reason for this delay remains the same as before – “the content roadblocks”, as Apple is struggling to obtain rights from multiple content owners and broadcasters.

Except for the release dates, his report on the next Apple TV is consistent with what we’ve heard before. The new Apple TV will sport a new design and come packed with its own App Store.

The Apple TV 4 will have a thinner footprint and the remote will be more capable and tactile, sources say.

The next Apple TV will also have the current Beats Music channel replaced by a standalone Beats streaming service too.

The new iTunes music streaming service is based on technology acquired from Beats Music, including curated playlists, cloud-based libraries, and offerings customized to the musical tastes of individual users. The service will be priced as high as $7.99 per month, which is less expensive than current $9.99 pricing for Beats Music, Spotify, and Rdio.

Despite all these reports, if you’re feeling really optimistic about the March 9 event, you can catch it live directly on your Apple TV.

Even if the Apple TV 4 isn’t announced, there’s enough reasons for us to celebrate the Apple Watch launch as I have discussed in this post.

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

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Citing “industry executives”, Recode is reporting that Apple is in talks with TV programmers about launching its own “over the top pay-TV service”, similar to Dish’s Sling TV and Sony’s new Web TV service.

The theory is that Apple would put together bundles of programming — but not the entire TV lineup that pay-TV providers generally offer — and sell it directly to consumers, over the Web. That means Apple wouldn’t be reinventing the way TV works today, but offering its own version of it, with its own interface and user experience.

According to Recode, Apple has already shown programmers demos of the proposed service but the whole project seems to be in the early stages, meaning “terms like pricing and timing aren’t close to being ironed out”.

Also read:

• After Apple Watch, the next big thing is Apple TV
• Apple TV will be the center of Apple’s smart home
• Gene Munster now expects the Apple TV set in 2016

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

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