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Soba1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 16, 2009
230
57
The main reason I want an Apple TV is because I can mirror my device. I have a Pureflix subscription so it would be simpler to mirror from me Apple devices. I’m also looking to get rid of Hulu because if I connect to another TV other than my home TV it counts as a service change and u only get three of those a year

My questions are
Without any subscriptions will I be able
to stream local channels

If I should take my Apple TV to another location will I be able to get my same services at another location

Does Apple itself offer any subscriptions.

Thanks
 
Locals require a subscription, Hulu Live, DTVNow, etc. Or, you can get an HD Home Run or Tablo to connect to an antenna and stream locals from these boxes to ATV app.

Location depends on services. For most, they don't care where you are. For DTV now, location is used to control access to some content. Same with MLB, etc.

Apple does not currently offer subscriptions, though the TV App on ATV does have some limited content and rumors are they will eventually have some sort of service.

As for Pureflix, keep in mind there are two ways to airplay content to ATV. Mirror will generally display content on ATV in the same format as the device, so it will look like a large iPhone display. Airplay from within apps will show the full screen view of the content. If the Prefix app supports Airplay, you can use the latter from within the app and it will be a better experience.
 
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Locals require a subscription, Hulu Live, DTVNow, etc. Or, you can get an HD Home Run or Tablo to connect to an antenna and stream locals from these boxes to ATV app.

Location depends on services. For most, they don't care where you are. For DTV now, location is used to control access to some content. Same with MLB, etc.

Apple does not currently offer subscriptions, though the TV App on ATV does have some limited content and rumors are they will eventually have some sort of service.

As for Pureflix, keep in mind there are two ways to airplay content to ATV. Mirror will generally display content on ATV in the same format as the device, so it will look like a large iPhone display. Airplay from within apps will show the full screen view of the content. If the Prefix app supports Airplay, you can use the latter from within the app and it will be a better experience.

Thanks and I did notice a Pureflix app in the App Store
 
as tech warrior said, for the local channels, get a HDHomeRun (link)
make sure they say "works with antenna" as some models are cable only.
there are different options, with different numbers of tuners, so pick what makes sense for you

get an HD antenna - go here for help selecting an antenna, and seeing what channels will be available where you are

if you have cable service at the house (even if you're only paying for internet) you might be able to get the local channels off the cable, and not need the antenna, as a test, plug the cable into your TV, and scan for channels, see what you can find. it entirely depends on your provider.
the "works with antenna" should also work for pulling these unencrypted channels off the cable.

if you do have a cable subscription with TV channels, you can get the HDHrun prime, and a cable card from your provider, this will allow you to watch most of your subscribed channels on any device.
you will not be able to watch any fox owned cable networks (fox news, sports, Nat Geo, among others) or HBO
for me, showtime does work though.

The HDHomeRun will need to be placed close to your antenna or cable hookup, it also will need an ethernet connection back to your router.

on the aTV, get the "channels" app (link)
this functions just like a cable box, you are able to select and watch live TV, as well as pause while you're watching.

if you want the ability to record programs when you're not home, or record one as you watch another.
there's a subscription option for channels ($8/mo or $80/yr), although you will need a computer with storage powered on all the time for this to work.

There is also a channels app for the phone (separate purchase from aTV app) that will allow you to watch live TV, or connect to the DVR if you've got that setup.

also with DVR subscription, you can connect to your home DVR with either the aTV or phone app away from home, if you've got the bandwith
 
There is also a channels app for the phone (separate purchase from aTV app) that will allow you to watch live TV, or connect to the DVR if you've got that setup.

While Channels is an awesome app for AppleTV and totally worth the cost, the free HDHomeRun app for iOS is good enough for iPhone/iPad viewing. I find it a bit stingy that after paying $30 (back when I got it) for the Channels tvOS app, they won't make it universal. Good app, good company, but bad pricing strategy imho. Thus, for iOS, the free HDHomeRun app is plenty good enough.
 
While Channels is an awesome app for AppleTV and totally worth the cost, the free HDHomeRun app for iOS is good enough for iPhone/iPad viewing. I find it a bit stingy that after paying $30 (back when I got it) for the Channels tvOS app, they won't make it universal. Good app, good company, but bad pricing strategy imho. Thus, for iOS, the free HDHomeRun app is plenty good enough.

I installed it and love it. I have to get used to it coming from the amazon fire stick but I really like it. I giving YouTube TV a shot
 
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