Apple tv

mago1 · ‎12-09-2015

Can anyone help I would like to purchase Apple tv and not sure what the difference is between Media streamer with HDMI & Network cable and media with HDMI & Optical cable. whick would be better

Mz iMac · ‎07-26-2014

Call the online Apple Store and/or visit your local Apple Store. The staff will be more than happy to assist you.

Or post in Apple's Apple TV forums. Experts are there waiting to help.

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."

glb613 · ‎03-09-2010

I use an optical cable to connect audio from my TV to my sound system. My TV doesn't have any other audio out connections. Be advised, you need to have that type of connection on your TV in order to connect the audio from your TV to Apple TV. Not all TVs have it. Look at the back of your TV and see if you can connect that way.

I have my older Apple TV connecting using the HDMI connection to my TV. HDMI has both audio and video signals. My Apple TV can connect using either but, I only have 1 optical cable connection on my TV and it's being used by my sound system. If I was buying a new Apple TV, I'd use the HDMI connection.

Katrin B · ‎03-27-2010

I purchased the latest AppleTV about a month ago at an Apple Store. I talked at length with a consultant there before purchasing, and I was made only aware of there being 2 different models in regards to memory not connectivity.

Set up was very easy, HDMI to TV, and then configuring it to your already exsisting WIFI network.

We use it a lot, esp to show off photos from a recent trip ( shared wirelessly via Photostream) and for movies from Netflix.

Goldengate8361 · ‎01-27-2014

Margo - I think the Apple TV is fine; we have it at work. I have amazons Fire TV and I LOVE it! I highly recommend Fire TV if you're in the market. Just thought u might like to hear my recommendation. Both are great products.

hckynutjohn · ‎06-15-2015

@mago1 wrote:
Can anyone help I would like to purchase Apple tv and not sure what the difference is between Media streamer with HDMI & Network cable and media with HDMI & Optical cable. whick would be better

Unless you plan on running the "Audio" from your TV to an "external sound system", you will not even be using the "Optical Out" connection. It primarily us used as a "direct source of sound" from 1 electronic component to another. Same is true of a "Digital Coaxial Cable Audio Output".

Before HDMI was introduced "Video Only" signals were were connected using 3-cable Component Cables and the sound(audio) had to be sent separately via: "Composite (RCA) cables/Digital Coax Cable or an Optical Cable. There also was a "Video Only called DVI" connection.

With HDMI both audio and video are transferred using just the 1 cable. I prefer single source transfer and that is what I use on all my surround sound systems, both of my present ones using both Optical and Digital(Coax) Audio outputs.

hckynut(john)

Lilysmom · ‎03-09-2010

@glb613 wrote:
I use an optical cable to connect audio from my TV to my sound system. My TV doesn't have any other audio out connections. Be advised, you need to have that type of connection on your TV in order to connect the audio from your TV to Apple TV. Not all TVs have it. Look at the back of your TV and see if you can connect that way.

I have my older Apple TV connecting using the HDMI connection to my TV. HDMI has both audio and video signals. My Apple TV can connect using either but, I only have 1 optical cable connection on my TV and it's being used by my sound system. If I was buying a new Apple TV, I'd use the HDMI connection.

@glb613, this is my set up also. LM

hckynutjohn · ‎06-15-2015

@glb613 wrote:
I use an optical cable to connect audio from my TV to my sound system. My TV doesn't have any other audio out connections. Be advised, you need to have that type of connection on your TV in order to connect the audio from your TV to Apple TV. Not all TVs have it. Look at the back of your TV and see if you can connect that way.

I have my older Apple TV connecting using the HDMI connection to my TV. HDMI has both audio and video signals. My Apple TV can connect using either but, I only have 1 optical cable connection on my TV and it's being used by my sound system. If I was buying a new Apple TV, I'd use the HDMI connection.

Gail,

I have only 1 "optical out" on my new 4k Samsung. My receiver is older and also has only 1 "optical in" that I can use. Now my audio/video system has these components: My TV that uses "optical out"/A receiver/DVR(Hopper from Dish Network) it uses "optical out"/3 D Bluray player that uses "optical out"/4K-3D Bluray player that uses "optical out".

I am able to run all 4 of these into my 1 "Optical In" on my receiver. I bought a 4-way "Optical In" Remote Switcher that has only 1 "Optical Out". It came with an IR remote control which allows me to switch to whatever component I choose to send to the 1 "Optical In" on my receiver. Works flawlessly and was a pretty cheap purchase.

hckynut(john)

hckynut(john)

Artemis · ‎01-11-2016

I am only speaking from experience my apple tv is fantastic. I love it. except the radiio and itunes. you cannot download pandora which is my favorite.

If you want jailbroken to stream media then get one on ebay. apple tv 3 box or 2 you cannot jailbreak the 4 and cannot download apps. on any of them. i think on the 5 you will be able to.

but the jailbroken ones on ebay is a 2 month cable bill, where you save is in the long run. you dont need to pay for netflix or hulu because jailbroken can stream about 1000 things. even newer movies. just have internet and cut the cord.

i have the apple tv 4 and a jailbroken amazon fire stick. i would definitely rather have gotten a jailbroken apple tv 3.

but its worth it. especially if you use apple alot and have stuff saved such as movies and things from itunes.

cord cutting is not really great if you still have to pay 10 a month for netflix and another 10 for hulu add in hbo and showtime for another 20 or so and your back up to your cable bills monthly charge.

ebay, jailbroken is the way to go.