The phone camera below, the users' eyes up... It feels like I am trying to talk to someone at a bar while they're watching the game.
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Belkin Releases MagSafe Mount for Using iPhone Camera With Apple TV
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I have a newer one. I can only pair it with one phone and even then it only works some of the time. Usually just doesn’t connect or won’t start.
Or test the actual use case by calling someone.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
I don't know what to say. It has worked for me every time I've wanted to use it.
I suggest doing some experiments. For example, get a buddy to help and start a FaceTime call on the phone (only- no AppleTV involved) and put your iDevice in the same spot with TV on like you are doing an AppleTV call. Then chat for a while to verify that FaceTime in the same position with TV on works fine on the phone alone. That can help mostly rule out the phone and focus the likelihood of the issue on the AppleTV.
Maybe restart the AppleTV and test again if the above test works fine. Sometimes AppleTVs need a restart (I suspect accumulated bug effects). I restart mine at least about once each month.
If you have more than one iDevice, try the same with another device to see if it too will have trouble. If not, take a closer look at the first iDevice settings, etc.
In short, attempt to narrow down exactly WHERE the problem lies. Then a simple fix my resolve it.
Wasn't there a rumour a few years ago that FaceTime would have an algorithm that makes it look as if the eyes of the person speaking were looking straight at you, even if that person was looking at the screen? The rumour just vanished?
That’s already built into iOS, but I’m not sure if it does on tvOS.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
I've often wondered if Apple would put a camera at the top & bottom of a screen... or perhaps left & right... could some kind of algorithm from both sources create the illusion of looking head on without a camera hole dead center? It seems plausible but there's probably a flaw with that (beyond the added cost of camera #2). Of course, if this required a notch or second island, I'd be completely against it.
That #31 option is apparently iPhone only... as it is not available on my iPad.
It's pretty damn thing (SONY Bravia). I'm not sure it would be able to hold without making contact with the screen, which I would never go forOh no, the notch has infiltrated tv's now.
But seriously, is the bezel on your TV that thin?
Yeah. That's the bit I'm confused by. It looks identical to what I already have. But for more money.
Are we missing some added feature?
Edit: Went to the Belkin website and the mounting arm is slightly different. But I'm not sure the alternative design warrants a $10 premium when the other version works just fine...
Apple TV Mount: https://www.belkin.com/iphone-mount-with-magsafe-for-apple-tv-4k/P-MMA010.html
Monitor Mount: https://www.belkin.com/iphone-mount-with-magsafe-for-mac-desktops-and-displays/MMA007btGY.html
The monitor mount is also "out of stock" on their site. So, it seems like they simply tweaked the design of the same mount and are going to charge us $10 more for the pleasure of doing business...
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Ah, thank you, its doesn't seem to be available on macOS or iPadOS, nor in Landscape mode. But it does look quite good on Portrait in iOS when you hold the phone straight ahead; I will have to keep that in mind. Would be nice to have it in macOS when using Continuity Camera.
It doesn't. It's stays running as long as you're using Continuity Camera.
$50 is crazy. I’ll just lean my phone against the TV. This doesn’t even charge.
Was going to say, I’ve printed a couple of these that work great. I use FaceTime on my Apple TV weekly. Links to my 3D models below if anyone wants them.
Apple TV FaceTime stand by bigtallguy
FaceTime stand/dock for use with Apple TV on tvOS 17. Designed for the iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max with silicone case. May fit other iPhones as well but have only tested on iPhone 15 Pro. Made the vertical supports just wide enough to not get in the way of the camera array on the iPhone 15 Pro while...
www.thingiverse.com
iPhone 15 Pro Stand for FaceTime on Apple TV by bigtallguy
FaceTime stand/dock for use with Apple TV on tvOS 17. Designed for the iPhone 15 Pro with silicone case. Added a notch cutout for the cameras. Two files uploaded - one with an Apple logo and one without - same size stand for each.
www.thingiverse.com
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I don't think this is really a problem when Center Stage (or whatever Apple calls it) is enabled. It works very well to zero in on the participants and adjusts well when people move around. Audio also hasn't been a problem in our case - I have the iPhone set up on the TV stand and we are sitting about 8-10 feet away. The person on the other end can hear us loud and clear.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
I believe you are not quite understanding what I'm describing. Motion has nothing to do with it at all. If camera is positioned low, it will likely look like "you" are looking ABOVE the heads of those on the other end. If it is posted high (top of set), it can look like you are looking BELOW their heads (like at their chest). This is simply optical physics- like any photo of video where the person is not looking right at the camera. Look a little left, right, up or down of the lens and it will look like you are looking right, left, down or up to the viewer of your photo/video on the other end.
Center Stage doesn't fix this. That is about somewhat tracking people moving around a bit or fitting more people nearby into the frame. CS is a great feature too but it's for a different want/need for FaceTime & similar.
The audio issue I offered had to do with somewhat solving the problem by putting more distance between camera (iDevice) and person being shot. Get far enough from the camera and the other end won't be able to see that you are apparently looking up above them or down below them. But as one adds distance, they likely jeopardize audio... just like shooting any video and getting FAR from any camera.
Doubt this? See it first hand by trying the simple selfie test I offered: start shooting some video and prop the iDevice up against the bottom of the set. Look at the center of the screen like you are having a FaceTime call with someone. Then, put the iDevice over the top of the screen. Again, look at the center like you are having a FT call. Then watch the video you've made and notice where your own eyes seem to be looking.
Still doubt it? Have this kind of FT call and ask those on the other end to capture the video to send back to you to "show me what this looks like to you." Then you'll very easily see what I'm describing.
To completely solve this issue, the most ideal placement of that camera is basically about dead center of that TV screen- thus the ideas I offered. Anywhere else and your video is going to capture you seemingly looking NOT at the people on the other end but in the opposite direction of whichever side of the screen the camera is placed... not dramatically opposite but also not at them, as if you are having the chat with them in person.
Center Stage doesn't fix this. That is about somewhat tracking people moving around a bit or fitting more people nearby into the frame. CS is a great feature too but it's for a different want/need for FaceTime & similar.
The audio issue I offered had to do with somewhat solving the problem by putting more distance between camera (iDevice) and person being shot. Get far enough from the camera and the other end won't be able to see that you are apparently looking up above them or down below them. But as one adds distance, they likely jeopardize audio... just like shooting any video and getting FAR from any camera.
Doubt this? See it first hand by trying the simple selfie test I offered: start shooting some video and prop the iDevice up against the bottom of the set. Look at the center of the screen like you are having a FaceTime call with someone. Then, put the iDevice over the top of the screen. Again, look at the center like you are having a FT call. Then watch the video you've made and notice where your own eyes seem to be looking.
Still doubt it? Have this kind of FT call and ask those on the other end to capture the video to send back to you to "show me what this looks like to you." Then you'll very easily see what I'm describing.
To completely solve this issue, the most ideal placement of that camera is basically about dead center of that TV screen- thus the ideas I offered. Anywhere else and your video is going to capture you seemingly looking NOT at the people on the other end but in the opposite direction of whichever side of the screen the camera is placed... not dramatically opposite but also not at them, as if you are having the chat with them in person.
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Wall shelves, media consoles or even a coffee table can serve as a surface for an inexpensive phone stand - it doesn't have to be a kickstand on the back of a phone case (which tilt the phone upwards, not downwards), it could be a simple stand which can cost as little as 5 bucks.
My point is this product is very over priced for what it is and there are better alternatives. Wireless chargers be it magsafe or otherwise make great stands too.
… sounds good but iPhone must be the 12 or higher.I found a really great little mount that works on my TV, iMac and even MacBook:
SODI Continuity Camera Mount for Desktop Monitor & iMac - iPhone Webcam Mount for MacBook with Mag-Safe Compatible, Tilt for Desk View, Magnetic Phone Stand for iPhone 15/14/13/12, Mac OS Ventura
SODI Robot-model Continuity Camera Mount for iMac Transform your Phone into a high-quality webcam for your Macbook or iMac with the SODI Robot-model Continuity Camera Mount. This magnetic camera mount provides a sturdy and secure attachment to your Phone. The materials used are scratch-free and d...www.amazon.com
The larger body of it anchors it to a TV or desktop monitor (and will stand upright on a table) Then for a MacBook, you pop out the smaller part with the magnetic mount and just use that. Been using for a couple weeks now and it's really quite nicely made. Everything else I'd found were single-purpose mounts like this dumb Belkin thing, meaning you were supposed to buy a separate one for each device.
FaceTime over Apple TV is pretty fun. The Center Stage feature follows you around the room, and will even reframe if a second person enters the frame.
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I grabbed my iPhone > Settings > [top] tabbed my name > Devices > AppleTV > the general info states the version
I bought the version of this for monitors, and it’s way too thick for modern OLED TVs. Oh well, because at least for me, mounting within 12 inches of the bottom of the TV works best.
The model I have is a solid mount, but they are still charging way too much. If it was cheaper, I would have bought all three. Instead, I’m waiting for a more affordable version.
The model I have is a solid mount, but they are still charging way too much. If it was cheaper, I would have bought all three. Instead, I’m waiting for a more affordable version.