How to Setup and Configure Your Apple TV

I'm guessing you have other Apple products if you have decided to purchase an Apple TV.  Or maybe the Apple TV is your gateway device into the Apple ecosystem.  Either way, you have to setup and configure your Apple TV so you can enjoy all that it has to offer.  So, let's get started!

Setup

Setup is pretty easy and straightforward.  You will need the following:

• Your Apple TV
• HDMI cable
• Ethernet cable (if you're not using WiFi)

Then you simply connect the Apple TV to power.  You connect the HDMI cable to the Apple TV and the other end to your television.  If you are not using WiFi, then you will need to connect an ethernet cable to your Apple TV and connect the other end to your router or switch.  Now, your Apple TV is setup.  Let's configure it!

Configuration

First, you will start with the network configuration.

If you are using WiFi, then you will need to know the name of your network and the password.  The Apple TV will walk you through the steps to configure your network connection.

If you are using an ethernet cable, your Apple TV will configure your connection automatically.

Next, you will have to configure your Apple ID so you can make purchases from the iTunes Store.  You also want to make sure Home Sharing is configured so you can access your iTunes content on your computer.

An additional note, make sure you have the latest version of iTunes on your computer that has all your content.  Then, enable Home Sharing on your computer so you can share your content with the Apple TV.

Lastly, if you have subscriptions for the apps (Netflix, Hulu+, and the sports apps), you can configure them when you click on the apps.  These will greatly increase your content...maybe making it possible to get rid of your cable box.

Additional Considerations

If you need to make additional tweaks to your Apple TV, go to Settings.  Here you can adjust your screen saver to show off your cool pictures from your iTunes library.  You have multiple options for how you can display your photos.  You can also make sure AirPlay is enabled so you can play video from your iPhone, iPad, or Macbook on your Apple TV.  You may also mirror your device's screen if your device allows it and you are using the latest Apple TV.

Under Settings, then General, you will see where you can update your Apple TV software if and when needed.

Under Settings, then General, then iTunes Store, you can adjust your location, video resolution, and turn HD Previews on and off.  Most people will want HD Previews on but if your internet connection is not fast enough to support it, you may want to turn off HD Previews.

Now, you are more than prepared to navigate you Apple TV and enjoy all it offers.  The best advice I can offer is to use it often and you will become familiar with it.  Now, you have setup and configured your Apple TV, grab some popcorn and enjoy the show!

Check out Amazon for deals on Apple TV!

Did you find this tutorial helpful?

If you found this helpful, make sure you leave a comment, share it, "Like" us on Facebook, and follow me on Twitter!

Is Apple TV Worth It?

Is Apple TV Worth It?

Is Apple TV Worth It?

Every since Apple released the small set top box known as the Apple TV, people have wondered:  Is Apple TV worth it?  Is it worth the purchase?  Does it provide enough content?  Well, if you're one of the ponderers, I hope this article will give you some insight into Apple's little hobby.

What does Apple TV do?

Let's take a look at what Apple TV offers to help answer the question:  Is Apple TV worth it?  First, Apple created the Apple TV so it naturally fits into the Apple ecosystem.  If you are an Apple fan and own many of their products, this decision may be a no brainer for you.  For users not already in the Apple ecosystem, this is what the Apple TV can do.

1.  It works with iTunes so you can stream music, TV shows, and movies you have purchased or rented.

2.  This could be included into #1 but it also allows you to stream podcasts and iTunes U content from your computer.  This is a favorite feature of mine.

3.  Apple TV allows you to stream content from Apple as well.  By highlighting TV Shows or Movies, this device will show you the latest releases in the respective areas.  When you select one of these categories, you can purchase or rent the TV Show or Movie from the Apple TV.  Apple also allows you to rent some movies before they appear or while they are in movie theaters.  It can be a little pricey but it may be worth it to someone that would rather enjoy a new movie at home.

4.  The latest version, Apple TV 3, can display up to 1080p high definition content.

5.  You can watch Movie Trailers on this device.

6.  Sports fans can watch Baseball, Basketball, and Hockey.  I believe you need subscriptions for these.  Without the subscriptions, you may be able to watch game highlights and wrap-ups.

7.  You can view individual pictures, picture slideshows, and also set up your screensaver to be a picture slideshow with multiple display styles.

8.  You can stream radio stations.

9.  You can watch YouTube videos, Netflix, and Hulu+.

10.  Last, but not least, you can use AirPlay.  AirPlay allows you to stream content from iTunes, your Mac, or an iOS device to your Apple TV.  This is where it gets good!  If you have the latest devices, you should be able to mirror the screens of those devices on your Apple TV.  This means you can display apps on your large screen.  I can't promise all apps work.  You would have to test them, but  that largely increases the Apple TV's capabilities.

What doesn't Apple TV do?

So far, what do you think?  Is the Apple TV worth it?  We've looked at what the Apple TV can do.  Next, let's look at what it cannot do.

1.  Apple TV doesn't play various video formats.  You are limited to the MP4 format.  Tip:  Now, if you convert your videos to this format, then you should be able to watch them using your Apple TV.

2.  Apple TV doesn't provide a huge amount of content.  It provides a lot of content but there are other devices that may offer more.

3.  Apple TV doesn't have voice navigation.  Users may feel limited with the remote and it may take longer to type in search items.

Your choice

Now that you've had a chance to see what features the Apple TV offers and what features it does not, you can make an educated decision.  Apple makes great products but they have many competitors.  I think Apple makes the best quality products.  You can normally get an Apple TV for $99, slightly lower if you find a sale.  In the end, the choice is yours.  Only you know if the Apple TV is worth it for you.

Did you find this helpful?

If you found this helpful, make sure you leave a comment, share it, "Like" us on Facebook, and follow me on Twitter!


Check out the sales below by selecting the picture! 

Get yours on sale now!

You may also like:

Installed a SSD in Macbook and Mac Mini

The Refurbished Mac Mini Story

Tips for buying Apple products

New Apple TV Update To Bring Bluetooth Keyboard Support

This is exciting news!  It's only minor news technically but it makes my mind wander about what this could mean in the future.  Apple's next iOS update to the Apple TV is expected to bring Bluetooth keyboard support.  Normally, the Apple TV is fairly easy to navigate with the remote but when you have to search for something, the process is lacking.  You have to arrow up, down, and side to side to get to each character and then press enter.  With a keyboard, you just type as you normally would.  This would definitely help the search function.  Now, my mind is wandering in the direction of thinking Apple is moving towards having a web browser added to the Apple TV.  This is just speculation on my part of course, but how cool would that be?  I understand some users have had this feature for a while by jailbreaking their Apple TV 2 or earlier editions and adding Couch Surfer (I think that's the name).  Since the Apple TV 3 has not been jailbroken yet, this is not an option so I'm excited by the possibility of what could follow the Bluetooth keyboard support.  Sorry, not trying to start the next rumor.  I'm just stating where I think Apple is heading.  I could be completely wrong.  Hopefully not.  Let me know your thoughts on the matter.  Below is the complete article.


Upcoming AppleTV Update

Apple Television Rumors Return

Recently, we haven't heard many rumors about Apple creating a television set.  The device was being called the iTV in previous rumors.   In the past, it seemed like the rumor was gaining momentum but the last rumor I heard was that there were delays in content contracts.  Now that the iPad 4th generation and iPad Mini have launched, MacRumors has posted the first new Apple television rumor I have seen.  The article discusses that at least one major cable company is looking into the potential impact an Apple television would have on its network infrastructure.  It also mentions that it could be an updated Apple TV or an Apple television coming out.  There is no mention of a release date.  I guess we will see if Apple has one more event planned for this year shortly.  If they want to launch a device for Christmas, time is running short so they would need to host an event this month.  I'm not sure that would even be enough time.  It may be more likely that Apple will launch early in the New Year.  Right now, this is all speculation.  I'm just kind of throwing out some ideas.  I would like to see what Apple would create for a television after I saw what they did with the iMac.  More details are in the article below.  Read through it and let me know what you think.  Do you think Apple will and/or should launch a television?

Apple Television Rumor