Filed under: How-tos, Apple TV
HOWTO: Setting up Apple TV
It turns out that setting up Apple TV and getting it to function couldn't be easier. Here's a quick run down of the steps involved.
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Attach the power cord. Remove the plastic wrapping from the Apple TV unit and insert the power cord into its jack. It fits very snugly and you may need to apply pressure to get it to seat properly.
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Attach your media cables. In the gallery below, I am using a component video cable (which shipped with my TV) and a separate analog audio connection (white/red). Apple TV supports HDMI and digital audio as well. Connect the cables to the jacks on the back of your Apple TV and to the jacks on your TV set.
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Power on your Apple TV. Plug into a power source. The LED on your Apple TV will flash amber for a few moments and then change to a solid white light.
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Select the proper video source. Power your TV on and select your Apple TV as its the video source.
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Select a language. Apple TV prompts you to select from its lists of supported languages.
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Select a network. Choose from a list of the detected wireless networks.
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Make a note of the PIN code. Apple TV displays a 5 digit identifier that you need to use to connect to your unit from iTunes and set that computer as your main host for the Apple TV.
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Go to iTunes on your computer. Select the Apple TV from the source list. iTunes prompts you for the 5 digit PIN. Enter this. iTunes now allows you to rename your Apple TV and it automatically begins to sync your data to the unit.
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Wait. It takes some time for your unit to sync.
Once you've set a home computer and have begun to sync, you can begin to explore your Apple TV immediately. You may begin to use Apple TV as soon as any content arrives. You do not have to wait for the sync to finish.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Phil Jackson said 7:19PM on 3-22-2007
I just got mine! Here's a question: I thought the Apple TV was only going to support 720P? I just set mine up for 1080i... Is this perhaps what we are all waiting so long for?
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James said 7:20PM on 3-22-2007
No...
The Apple TV itself can run many different resolutions, all the way up to 1080i. The problem is the *video files* it supports are only up to 720p.
So this means that the menus and your photos and screensavers and what have you will all run in 1080i goodness should you so desire, but the best video resolution you can get out of it is 720p.
That said, properly encoded 720p video looks quite good. If the iTunes store starts selling things in 720p, things could get interesting.
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Brandon said 7:47PM on 3-22-2007
how do you encode videos at 720p? Is there a good solution for ripping dvds and upscaling them? My appletv should get here soon, so I'm ready to start doing some cool stuff with it,
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jasonfiske said 8:01PM on 3-22-2007
Yahoooo, I Got mine!
It is pretty awesome.
Syncing is slooooow. Even with the new Airport Extreme.
Mines been syncing on and off for 4 hours. I got tired of waiting so I connected to a land line and that seemed to accelerate it nicely... but then I ran out of storage (I've got 8 movies) so I've still not gotten to see my photos and slideshows from iPhoto. This is pretty much why I bought the unit.
But it works very well. I've got it paired to stream from 2 other Macs and that is working quite well (even over the wireless).
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william said 8:07PM on 3-22-2007
did it not come with a manual??
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Ahmad said 8:25PM on 3-22-2007
it has a screensaver. that's hot.
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BitBoy said 8:49PM on 3-22-2007
I’m interested in using an Apple TV with my main stereo and TV system, and would like to be able to stream music to the Apple TV using iTunes, without always having to use the onscreen Apple TV interface. Does the Apple TV show up as a speaker source in the iTunes popup menu the same way the Airport Express does?
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David said 10:21PM on 3-22-2007
I have a flashing question mark. I've tried unplugging and waiting 10 minutes, as well as holding down the Menu and "-" buttons on the remote to reset the device, but I still have the flashing question mark.
Any ideas? I guess I may have to go stand in line at the Apple Store Tysons Corner, VA tomorrow.
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David Wilson said 10:55PM on 3-22-2007
I purchased an Apple TV at the Tysons Corner, VA Apple Store today, but after the unit powers up, I get a flashing question mark. I've tried unplugging, then waiting 10 seconds to 10 minutes as well as holding down the Menu and "-" buttons on the remote to reset the device, but still the flashing question mark.
I guess the device can't find the startup resources. Unless you all have ideas, its back to the Apple Store to stand in line at the genuis bar or to return the device to purchase another.
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KIMP said 8:47AM on 3-23-2007
I saw on a videoclip that it supports 480i.
Is that true??
Check out this clip:
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/apple-tv/first-video-setting-up-apple-tv-246124.php
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Dennis said 9:40AM on 3-23-2007
Just had a monster of a time setting it up for my dad in a rather complicated wireless environment. After everything is set and done, it does exactly what it is currently marketed as. I have a Mini for this piece of the puzzle at my house but this works nicely as a media aggregator when the extra juice isn't necessary. Now, what will the first firmware update bring?
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mdc said 11:32AM on 3-23-2007
I hit one snag last night when I was setting up mine.
* Plugged in the power
* Plugged in my HDMI cable
* Plugged in my optical audio
* Changed the channel on my TV to HDMI and stared at a blank screen.
Nothing would come up. The light on the Apple TV went from amber to white. I could reset it but nothing came up.
I unplugged the power from the Apple TV and replugged it in and it booted with video.
I guess you have to plug in HDMI before power? Or mine just had a hiccup. Either way, it synced itself and it's *awesome* :D
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MILE said 8:02AM on 3-24-2007
This may sound a bit dumb, but for the last few weeks I have been trying to find an answer to this question:
Is it actually possible to have an ad.hoc connection between an 802.11n enabled Mac and the Apple TV...?!? Or am I actually forced to dish out 200 more bucks for a new AP station...?!
Technically I don't see any reason for that...but can anybody here shed a little light on that, now that some people have their Apple TV installed...?! Thanks...
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bertfw said 12:41PM on 4-07-2007
I've had my AppleTV for a few weeks now, and it works great *WHEN* it powers up correctly. By "powers up" I mean, yes, I turn it off when I don't use it using the switch on the power strip. Anyhow, it seems like the big problem with the AppleTV is turning out to be that it cannot boot consistently - the flashing question mark! I usually have to reboot it a couple of times before it comes up correctly. Not so great Apple, this seems to be a common problem with ATV, maybe look into fixing that an add a power-off option while you're at it.
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