I have an Intel iMac with one ethernet port and an Apple TV, which is connected to my TV and stereo. My internet is provided by way of an ethernet cable. Is it possible to run an ethernet cable to the AppleTV (in order to stream my music and movies) and still have an internet connection? Can I use an ethernet hub? Thanks in advance for any help and I understand that this is kind of a dumb question.
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Apple TV Connected Via Ethernet
- Thread starter DonLafontaine
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It depends on your modem. If it's functioning as a router, then you can just get a hub. Otherwise, you would need a router (wireless or otherwise - I suspect wireless would be the best).
One easy way to check is to look at your iMac's IP address. If it's a local net, it probably would be a "192.x.x.x" address. That would mean your modem is the router. You can then just connect a hub - but, that would entail running a cable to your
tv.
I would look into getting a wireless router. Unless you have good reason to use cables, they are a PITA (having gone the "go up in the attic and find wall, drop cable, put box in wall, etc." route a couple of times). Most can be setup as a bridge, so you would be covered in either case (it can be your router or, if your modem is the router, a bridge).
One easy way to check is to look at your iMac's IP address. If it's a local net, it probably would be a "192.x.x.x" address. That would mean your modem is the router. You can then just connect a hub - but, that would entail running a cable to your
tv. I would look into getting a wireless router. Unless you have good reason to use cables, they are a PITA (having gone the "go up in the attic and find wall, drop cable, put box in wall, etc." route a couple of times). Most can be setup as a bridge, so you would be covered in either case (it can be your router or, if your modem is the router, a bridge).
Thanks for the advice, gr8tfly, I will take a look at my setup tonight and take into account your thoughts.
Thoughts on which router to get....
If you're looking to get a simple router if this is indeed the what you need, look at the Airport Express base station. Your Apple TV is 'N' and so is the Airport Express. You haven't specified which iMac you have, but its fairly new, chances are that it's 'N' too, so would be fairly quick at synching content wirelessly
I bought one for my sister and I've got the Airport Extreme base station, both are stupidly easy to set up and they perform great!
pac
If you're looking to get a simple router if this is indeed the what you need, look at the Airport Express base station. Your Apple TV is 'N' and so is the Airport Express. You haven't specified which iMac you have, but its fairly new, chances are that it's 'N' too, so would be fairly quick at synching content wirelessly
I bought one for my sister and I've got the Airport Extreme base station, both are stupidly easy to set up and they perform great!
pac