AppleTV questions

[DawnM]

I have a Roku, actually I have a couple of them. I love them, BUT, I am intrigued with the idea of mirroring content from my Mountain Lion based laptop to the TV set.

I am a bit confused however and have a couple of questions.

I have watched a YouTube on how to mirror and that doesn't seem difficult, what I don't get is after you get the picture up on your TV, when what? Can you then watch that show AND change the picture on your computer?

In other words, can I watch the show that I am mirroring and surf the net on that same computer while I watch the show? Or do I have to have that same show/picture on my computer while it is on the TV?

I have looked at doing it through the Airplay on the ipad or phone, but the shows seem limiting???? Maybe I am missing something??? I am trying to watch shows like CSI and NCIS, mostly CBS shows.

Thanks,

Dawn

 

[jel0511]

Now, I'm a relative newbie to apple TV, but I believe when mirroring, everything that's happening on the computer is also on the TV, so no you can't watch shows AND surf at the same time on your computer......

 

[clm10308]

I have a Roku, actually I have a couple of them. I love them, BUT, I am intrigued with the idea of mirroring content from my Mountain Lion based laptop to the TV set.

I am a bit confused however and have a couple of questions.

I have watched a YouTube on how to mirror and that doesn't seem difficult, what I don't get is after you get the picture up on your TV, when what? Can you then watch that show AND change the picture on your computer?

In other words, can I watch the show that I am mirroring and surf the net on that same computer while I watch the show? Or do I have to have that same show/picture on my computer while it is on the TV?

I have looked at doing it through the Airplay on the ipad or phone, but the shows seem limiting???? Maybe I am missing something??? I am trying to watch shows like CSI and NCIS, mostly CBS shows.

Thanks,

Dawn

I got my DH an AppleTV for Christmas, and we have been playing around with it a bit. We also have an apple laptop and several idevices. When using Airplay, whatever is on the screen of your device is shown on your tv. As the pp stated, you can not watch a show and do something else on your computer at the same time.

Several Networks have good apps for watching episodes on the iPad such as ABc, NBC, Disney channels, Cartoon Network. I only do this on my iPad, so I don't know if the same apps are available for iPhones. Currently, you can not add these apps to the AppleTV directly, but that would be a nice update.

CBS does not have a comparable app, but you can watch CBS episodes from the CBS website through an Internet browser which you could then send to you AppleTV.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

We use the AirPlay Mirroring on our Apple TV to watch many TV programs, including ones on CBS and Fox.

In addition to the Apple TV, you need a recent version of a Mac. Specifically,
iMac (Mid 2011 or newer)
Mac mini (Mid 2011 or newer)
MacBook Air (Mid 2011 or newer)
MacBook Pro (Early 2011 or newer)

We also use the Mobile Mouse Pro app for our iPhone so that we can remotely control the computer from the TV. I think it cost $2.

Best of luck. -- Suzanne

 

[DawnM]

Thanks. That is a problem for me as I like to surf the net as I watch TV.

CBS has been the biggest issue as they aren't on Hulu+ and you can't stream to an ipad from CBS.com. I haven't found a way to stream them at all other than through PlayOn that ONLY works on Roku and only with a PC. It isn't perfect, but it does allow me to stream some content.

It may not be worth it for me to switch. I am still determining that.

If all it does is play what is on the screen of your computer, I actually already know how to hook the laptop to the TV and do that.

Dawn

 

[TexasErin]

I believe CBS is coming to HuluPlus sometime this month....

 

[DawnM]

I don't think so. What I read was that OLD CBS shows that are no longer aired are coming to Hulu+, not recent shows.

I believe CBS is coming to HuluPlus sometime this month....

 

[DawnM]

Do you have a link to this information? That is not what I am reading. I am reading that you just need Mountain Lion.

Can you watch all CBS shows that are currently online? So the latest full episode of CSI is available through your iphone?

We use the AirPlay Mirroring on our Apple TV to watch many TV programs, including ones on CBS and Fox.

In addition to the Apple TV, you need a recent version of a Mac. Specifically,
iMac (Mid 2011 or newer)
Mac mini (Mid 2011 or newer)
MacBook Air (Mid 2011 or newer)
MacBook Pro (Early 2011 or newer)

We also use the Mobile Mouse Pro app for our iPhone so that we can remotely control the computer from the TV. I think it cost $2.

Best of luck. -- Suzanne

 

[wiigirl]

I believe CBS is coming to HuluPlus sometime this month....

One can hope!

 

[thedonduck]

I'm 99% sure when we where in the Apple Store the person helping us showed us how to mirror and then continue using the computer. She was showing us a movie on the iTunes and then doing other things on the iMac

 

[jel0511]

I'm 99% sure when we where in the Apple Store the person helping us showed us how to mirror and then continue using the computer. She was showing us a movie on the iTunes and then doing other things on the iMac

exactly!!! You can do that, as the movie doesn't have to be on the screen to play on Apple TV, whereas the OP needs it to play on the screen since it's online content. So, I think she's stuck unless CBS comes to Hulu+.......

 

[DawnM]

Maybe my best bet is to call Apple directly. They should be able to give me some concrete answers and I will come back on and report.

 

[DawnM]

Ok, so are you saying that if I purchase it in itunes I can keep playing on the computer?

I am not clear. I do already know you can stream any purchased itunes to your AppleTV.

exactly!!! You can do that, as the movie doesn't have to be on the screen to play on Apple TV, whereas the OP needs it to play on the screen since it's online content. So, I think she's stuck unless CBS comes to Hulu+.......

 

[DawnM]

THIS is the article about CBS coming to Hulu+. Old shows from their "vault."

If that is all that there is, I will not be getting Hulu+ back.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2411754,00.asp

 

[DawnM]

Ok, I spoke to TWO Apple people on the phone. The first was about as intelligent as dirt. She argued with me and wanted to go over all the channels AppleTV DID offer. I told her I could read, but that didn't answer the questions I was asking.

Second person was slightly more intelligent than dirt but had no idea what the TV.com app actually did or how it worked and suggested I either give up surfing the net while watching shows on TV (um, no) or that I buy an AppleTV to try the TV.com app and if I couldn't get it to work to return it within 14 days.



I know when they say, "Oh, I have never heard of that, let me look that up" and then they proceed to read me the information I have already read, that we are in trouble.

So, I still do NOT have an answer to my questions.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Do you have a link to this information? That is not what I am reading. I am reading that you just need Mountain Lion.

Can you watch all CBS shows that are currently online? So the latest full episode of CSI is available through your iphone?

Here's the link to the list of computers with the necessary processors:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5404

I can watch the latest CBS episodes on my Apple TV by using Airplay Mirror from my Mac. I can't watch them on my iPhone.

Because the function mirrors the computer screen onto your TV, if you surf the web, that is what you see on your TV screen. We usually just surf on our iPads while watching TV. -- Suzanne

 

[DawnM]

Ok, looks like it doesn't matter about mirroring anyway, my laptop is mid-2009 and not new enough.

Do you know anything about using the TV.com app through the iphone?

Here's the link to the list of computers with the necessary processors:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5404

I can watch the latest CBS episodes on my Apple TV by using Airplay Mirror from my Mac. I can't watch them on my iPhone.

Because the function mirrors the computer screen onto your TV, if you surf the web, that is what you see on your TV screen. We usually just surf on our iPads while watching TV. -- Suzanne