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Can I use ATV without the internet?

J

Jonesy85

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 28, 2008
67
0
I have the internet, but it's mobile broadband, so I have to use my macbook to get online. Can I just download all my stuff onto my macbook through itunes, then transfer it over to appletv? The reason I ask is because I don't really like buying the physical copies of music, movies, or tv shows anymore, but I want the easy option of watching these on my tv, rather than just my macbook. Also, I'd like to be able to take my collection to a friends house whenever we want to watch some of my movies, without burning them to a disc.

Would appletv be the most simple option, or is there a fairly cheap connector I can use to hook my macbook up to a tv and have a nice picture quality? If appletv has a much better picture quality, then I'd rather go with that.
 
Jonesy85 said:
I have the internet, but it's mobile broadband, so I have to use my macbook to get online. Can I just download all my stuff onto my macbook through itunes, then transfer it over to appletv? The reason I ask is because I don't really like buying the physical copies of music, movies, or tv shows anymore, but I want the easy option of watching these on my tv, rather than just my macbook. Also, I'd like to be able to take my collection to a friends house whenever we want to watch some of my movies, without burning them to a disc.

Would appletv be the most simple option, or is there a fairly cheap connector I can use to hook my macbook up to a tv and have a nice picture quality? If appletv has a much better picture quality, then I'd rather go with that.
Click to expand...

Yes, you can have the ATV just sync or stream from your itunes on your computer. If your ATV is not online, you will not have access to the itunes store via the ATV. You will also not be able to stream podcasts (again, just download them to your computer and stream).
 
dmm219 said:
Yes, you can have the ATV just sync or stream from your itunes on your computer. If your ATV is not online, you will not have access to the itunes store via the ATV. You will also not be able to stream podcasts (again, just download them to your computer and stream).
Click to expand...

OK thanks. Is the appletv the best way for me to view my itunes library on my tv, or is there a better way?
 
Hmm, didn't think of that. I could take it to a friend's house and update it there. Will the initial set up be any problem without the internet?

Also, I can't hook the atv up to an old tv that just has the 3 prong, red, white, and yellow inputs can I?
 
rWally said:
I'd say it's probably the easiest way.
Click to expand...

that's all due to preference. then again you could plug up a computer (whether it be a Mac or not) and drop in a VGA/DVI/Display Port/whatever to RCA/HDMI/DVI and be perfectly happy.


but there are other threads (many many many other threads) for discussing that (i.e the 300 Mac mini vs ATV threads.)
 
michael.lauden said:
that's all due to preference. then again you could plug up a computer (whether it be a Mac or not) and drop in a VGA/DVI/Display Port/whatever to RCA/HDMI/DVI and be perfectly happy.


but there are other threads (many many many other threads) for discussing that (i.e the 300 Mac mini vs ATV threads.)
Click to expand...

This sounds more in line with what I need. As long as hooking my macbook up to the tv still has nice picture quality, I'll be happy. By nice quality I mean DVD or better.
 
Jonesy85 said:
The reason I ask is because I don't really like buying the physical copies of music, movies, or tv shows anymore, but I want the easy option of watching these on my tv, rather than just my macbook.
Click to expand...

How will you get that content, if you don't have Internet ? Copy them from a friend etc. ?
ATV has the advantage that is is very portable, but you still need to get the content on it.
 
Jonesy85 said:
Also, I can't hook the atv up to an old tv that just has the 3 prong, red, white, and yellow inputs can I?
Click to expand...

Technically no. Apple does not recommend it which is why the specs say connect via component (red, green, blue + sound) or HDMI. Someone will probably come and say you can with a hack, but it sounds like you just need a cable to connect the computer to the TV. If you tell us what Macbook, and TV you have, I'm sure someone can show you a proper cable/adapter. It'd be much cheaper than the ATV. You can always expand later if you love it.
 
Jonesy85 said:
Hmm, didn't think of that. I could take it to a friend's house and update it there. Will the initial set up be any problem without the internet?

Also, I can't hook the atv up to an old tv that just has the 3 prong, red, white, and yellow inputs can I?
Click to expand...


Yes you can, there is no physical hack needed, check out my video tutorial at http://www.thecheapgeek.org/2009/03/24/161/

I use this everyday for my bedroom TV and it works great.
 
Jonesy85 said:
This sounds more in line with what I need. As long as hooking my macbook up to the tv still has nice picture quality, I'll be happy. By nice quality I mean DVD or better.
Click to expand...

the ATV can only put out 720p right now... your MacBook can put out 1080p...
 
i too had the same question the OP had but does anyone know if i can use ATV-stream to Airport Express without internet connection?

i use my iphone remote app to play music out in my garage on saturday afternoons while doing the household chores but i have to leave my macbook powered up....after a couple of hours my macbook gets real hot so i would like to just hook up the ATV to stream to the airport express..

thanks in advance..
 
TheCheapGeek said:
Yes you can, there is no physical hack needed, check out my video tutorial at http://www.thecheapgeek.org/2009/03/24/161/

I use this everyday for my bedroom TV and it works great.
Click to expand...

Cool, thanks for the video.

Right now I watch movies two ways. I have netflix, which is great for watching movies I'm not sure I want to buy. Then, if I really like a movie, I buy it on blu ray, but that gets expensive. I like the idea of all my media being digital, so iTunes is really great for that. It saves me room and money, and I just really like Apple products. But it seems like the atv should be getting updated pretty soon, so maybe I should just wait.

I'm torn between sticking with blu ray, or going all digital. I see advantages to both. Thanks for all the help, everyone.
 
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