ATV for a Macbook Air Owner

[chayes]

I was wondering if my fellow Apple users are Macbook Air owners?

I wish I could use my Macbook Air to hook to my TV and play video's directly, but until they make a Thunderbolt to HDMI cable, it looks like I'm stuck till Mountain Lion comes out when I can Airplay from my Air to an ATV.

Other than using the ATV for Airplay, I am currently disappointed the Apples pricing/definition of movies in iTunes and don't believe I will be purchasing any movies from itunes.I would expect 3.99 for HD movies at 1080P but for 720p I'd rather pay a dollar less on Vudu.

Also, where is Hulu and Vudu? Why doesn't the Apple TV have them? I'm surprised that ATV doesn't have any sort of "App" store to add Apps such as Hulu to stream from ATV

 

[simsaladimbamba]

You can use any MDP to HDMI adapter:

Mini DisplayPort (MDP) / Thunderbolt

Mini DisplayPort is the current digital standard on all current Macs to transfer video to an external display or TV. It has been introduced in 10/2008 with the release of the Unibody MacBook and MacBook Pros and has gradually been adopted on all other Macs.
MDP is capable of transmitting video, and since 2010, audio too. MDP is a miniaturised version of DisplayPort. It is also license free and can support resolutions of up to 2560 x 1600, which Mini DVI and Micro DVI are not able to do.
Since 2011, all Macs come with a Thunderbolt port, which is meant for fast data transfer and also as means to connect to an external display device to mirror or extend the Mac's screen.

To learn more about Thunderbolt (TB) and its compatibility with Mini DisplayPort (MDP): Introducing Thunderbolt​

MDP adapters and cables can be bought online from:

Apple Online Store (or the physical Apple Store)

• MDP to VGA adapter
• MDP to DVI adapter
• MDP to Dual-Link-DVI adapter
• Moshi Mini DP to HDMI Adapter with Audio Support adapter

Monoprice

• Mini DisplayPort + USB to Dual-Link DVI adapter
• Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter
• Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter
• Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter
• Mini Displayport Male and USB Male/Toslink Audio to HDMI Female Converting adapter
• Mini Displayport Male and USB Male Audio to HDMI Female Converting adapter - *NOTE* Will only support 2 channel stereo. Will not support 5.1 Dolby Surround like the above adapter.

• Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cables
• Mini DisplayPort to VGA cables
• Mini DisplayPort to DVI cables
• Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cables
• Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cables

Also of interest: "What is "Mini DisplayPort"? Is it an industry-standard? How is it different from or better than Mini-DVI and Micro-DVI?"
​

You can stream from the Apple TV the content stored on your MBA or accessible on your MBA's iTunes.

No need for AirPlay yet, though it seems to make it a lot easier.

 

[JUiCEJamie]

I was wondering if my fellow Apple users are Macbook Air owners?

I wish I could use my Macbook Air to hook to my TV and play video's directly, but until they make a Thunderbolt to HDMI cable, it looks like I'm stuck till Mountain Lion comes out when I can Airplay from my Air to an ATV.

Other than using the ATV for Airplay, I am currently disappointed the Apples pricing/definition of movies in iTunes and don't believe I will be purchasing any movies from itunes.I would expect 3.99 for HD movies at 1080P but for 720p I'd rather pay a dollar less on Vudu.

Also, where is Hulu and Vudu? Why doesn't the Apple TV have them? I'm surprised that ATV doesn't have any sort of "App" store to add Apps such as Hulu to stream from ATV

Do you have an iPad? the only thing I can think of would be to get an app on an iPad that acts as a second monitor. Then mirror your iPad to your ATV?

 

[kolax]

I wish I could use my Macbook Air to hook to my TV and play video's directly, but until they make a Thunderbolt to HDMI cable, it looks like I'm stuck till Mountain Lion comes out when I can Airplay from my Air to an ATV.

All you need is a MiniDisplay Port to HDMI adapter. Can get one for around $20. There is a MiniDisplay Port to HDMI cable too, but they aren't too easy to get a hold of.

I have a 5m HDMI cable and a MiniDisplay Port to HDMI adapter. Works a great.

For video use, Thunderbolt is Mini DisplayPort.

 

[chayes]

All you need is a MiniDisplay Port to HDMI adapter. Can get one for around $20. There is a MiniDisplay Port to HDMI cable too, but they aren't too easy to get a hold of.

I have a 5m HDMI cable and a MiniDisplay Port to HDMI adapter. Works a great.

For video use, Thunderbolt is Mini DisplayPort.

I did not know the Thunderbolt port was ALSO a Minidisplay port.

/facepalm.

 

[kolax]

I did not know the Thunderbolt port was ALSO a Minidisplay port.

/facepalm.

Yeah, that's how you can daisy chain a collection of external hard drives, speakers and displays all from one port. I'm glad Apple kept the Mini DisplayPort connector for Thunderbolt, I'd imagine if they had changed it, Thunderbolt to HDMI adapters would be far more expensive than Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapters.

 

[urkel]

Also, where is Hulu and Vudu? Why doesn't the Apple TV have them? I'm surprised that ATV doesn't have any sort of "App" store to add Apps such as Hulu to stream from ATV

Hulu? Vudu? Streaming content from computer? Sounds like a PS3 would be a good solution for you.

 

[chayes]

Hulu? Vudu? Streaming content from computer? Sounds like a PS3 would be a good solution for you.

I have an Xbox 360, much better than a PS3.

But if I have an ATV, I'd much rather just use that for when my wife and I are doing Airplay/watching movies and leave the Xbox just to gaming.

 

[PhoenixMac]

or you can jailbreak it and look at the thread on how to get Hulu, it works amazing!

 

[Spencie]

For airplay from Mac to Apple TV, you could use airparrot.