I've just installed an Apple TV, but I'm having a strange issue with connecting with Airplay: I have a PC running iTunes, and an iPhone 3GS. Everything has newest software. Problem: If I connect the Apple TV via LAN cable, I can stream to it from iTunes, but not from the phone. If I connect it via Wifi, I can stream from both iTunes and the phone perfectly. Shouldn't I be able to stream from the phone, even though the Apple TV is connected via cable? (I could of course just go with the wifi connection, but I'm trying to keep as much as possible cabled, for reliability).
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Strange Airplay behaviour
- Thread starter Otto J
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
No. Airplay works strictly through WiFi. If you are cabled, then the ATV isn't on your WiFi network and therefore is not available to be streamed to.
Don't worry about being wireless. I have been with my ATVs for 4 years now with hardly an issue.
The ATV needs to be on the same local network as anything else you want to AirPlay from, but it doesn't matter at all whether the ATV or any other device are connected wirelessly or by wired Ethernet (except of course that an iOS device can only be connected wirelessly).
This sounds like a router problem -- like the router is restricting traffic between the wired and wireless parts of the network. If you can, check the local IP addresses of the iPhone, PC and ATV and make sure they're all on the same subnet. Maybe if someone has the same router as you, they might be able to help.
I had not heard this about mixing wired and wireless devices. I guess it makes sense in theory but apparently in practice it doesn't work? Or at least for this specific setup?
Have you seen this work yourself? Perhaps, since its called 'Air'play it only 'wants' to feed media to WiFi-connected devices on the network?
Have you seen this work yourself? Perhaps, since its called 'Air'play it only 'wants' to feed media to WiFi-connected devices on the network?
Same here, it's almost always the router which is the culprit in these cases. A good quality gigabit router is a must. ISP offerings are frankly pathetic.
I've made some changes over the last few days due to the arrival of my new 3TB Time Capsule, but I now run two wifi networks.
The ATV is connected to my Draytek router which is connected to an fibre optic modem.
Smart TV sits on that router now too, but have moved everything else over to the TC to take advantage of the higher frequency for my iPhone and iPad.
I've used my ATV2 wirelessly as well and it worked fine....It's just close to the router so cabled it in.
