Apple TV
Introduced to the Apple product lineup in September of 2006, the current Apple TV has transformed from a media storage and player device, to a wireless streaming digital media receiver.
The Apple TV allows users to access many different types of media on their TV, everything from HD movies and TV shows in iTunes to their own content from the iCloud.
Contents
Services
iTunes Movies & TV Shows
Using your Apple ID (aka. iTunes account) you can rent HD or standard definition movies and purchase TV shows directly to your Apple TV. Within the movie menu you can access many Hollywood hits, as well as new releases. You'll have the ability to search by top movies, titles, or genre. Also, you can preview movies with trailers and see Rotten Tomatoes ratings. Once a movie is rented you have 30 days to start watching it; once started, you'll have 24 hours to finish it.
Because TV shows are purchased, not rented, you can access them from anywhere using iCloud services, and they are yours to keep forever.
iCloud
iCloud can store all your TV shows, music (iTunes Match), photos (Photo Stream) and more.
As mentioned above, you can access all your TV shows from anywhere. If you purchase a TV show on your computer, you can access it from any of your other devices (iPad, iPod Touch, Apple TV).
With iTunes Match ($25.00 per year), users can access their entire iTunes music library whenever and where ever. On the Apple TV, this feature is accessible through the Music section on the main menu screen.
Photo Stream is accessible if enabled on your computer (iPhoto/Aperture) and/or mobile device running iOS 5 or later (iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad).
Netflix & HuluPlus
In order to use these features on the Apple TV, you will need to be a current subscriber to Netflix streaming services or HuluPlus. If you aren't already a subscriber, you can sign up on their respective websites, or on the Apple TV itself.
Sports & News
With the NBA service (paid subscription) you will have access to HD live game streaming as well as replay past games on demand. Non-subscribers will have access to real-time score, full-season statistics, team standings, and video highlights.
The NHL service (paid subscription) will also give you access to HD live game streaming, as well as the ability to replay past games on demand. You will also be able to follow your favorite NHL teams with full schedules and statistics. There are no non-suscriber features.
In the MLB.TV service (paid subscription) you will have access to HD live game streaming. This service also allows you to access archived games on demand. Non-subscribers can still access team schedules and live game stats, scores, and standings.
The Wall Street Journal Live (WSJ Live) service (free) gives users the ability watch live and on demand content from the international daily newspaper. This services covers content related to business, economic, and economic news and issues.
Others
- YouTube
- Vimeo
- Flickr
- Podcasts
- MobileMe
- Radio
Computer
Using Home Sharing, you can wirelessly stream movies, photos, and music from your computer to your Apple TV.
To stream music from your computer, located the AirPlay symbol in the bottom right-hand corner of the iTunes window. In that menu you can either select the individual source to play your music, or you can select multiple devices (e.g. Both your computer and your Apple TV).
AirPlay
This is currently unavailable on the Gustavus wireless network.
AirPlay on the Apple TV allows you to stream music, photos, and videos directly from your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or Mac computer onto your TV. Many of the applications that ship with the mobile devices will have AirPlay functionality enabled... there are also many other applications that can be downloaded from the App Store that have the AirPlay enabled (e.g. Pandora, Vevo, etc.)
The AirPlay symbol (pictured to the right) will appear on the mobile device when connected to the same network as the Apple TV. Tap the symbol to wirelessly stream the content from your mobile device onto your TV.
Mirroring
This is currently unavailable on the Gustavus wireless network. Using an iPad, an iPhone, or Apple Computer you can wirelessly mirror their screens onto your TV through the Apple TV. You can access this functionality through the same AirPlay symbol that would show up when the two devices are on the same network. AirPlay mirroring is only compatible with the iPad 2 or later, the iPhone 4S or later, and any Apple computer from 2011 or later.
Controllers & Remotes
The Apple TV ships with a remote (as pictured above).
You can also download the free Remote application from the App Store for your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad. In order to use the remote application with your Apple TV, you'll need to set up Home Sharing. You are also able to pair an Apple bluetooth keyboard with the Apple TV to use as a remote. This is currently unavailable on the Gustavus wireless network.
Connecting your Apple TV to Gustavus' Network
On the Apple TV, you have the option to use either a wireless network or an wired network to access many of the functions, but you can't use both of them simultaneously (so you must choose). If you are looking to use your Apple TV with another mobile device such as an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, you will need to use your Apple TV on the same wireless network in which they are also registered.
When looking for the network settings on the Apple TV, it is important to note that the settings page will only display the network information in which it is connected to. So, if you wish to see a wireless network, don't plug in an ethernet cord, and vice versa, if you wish to use a wired network, do plug in an ethernet cord. There is no need to register this device on the network.
Finding your MAC Address
Wireless
When the Apple TV is not connected to an ethernet cable, it will display the device's wireless MAC address. To locate this address, choose General under the settings tab, then select network, and look for the Wi-Fi address. The Wi-Fi address should look something like this (01:23:45:67:89:ab)... that is your MAC address.
Ethernet
When the Apple TV is connected to an ethernet cable, it will display the device's wired MAC address. To locate this address, choose General under the settings tab, then select network, and look for the Ethernet address. The Ethernet address should look something like this (01:23:45:67:89:ab)... that is your MAC address.
How to register your MAC address
Connect to the Gustavus wifi or plug into the wired network. No registration is necessary.