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MacBookAir and TV

J

jacqueg

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 15, 2014
39
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Hi folks, I have a MacBookAir mid-2013 and a SamsungSmartTV. No cable package.

I have subscriptions to Hulu and HBONow, which I watch on the MBA. I'd like to watch them on the Samsung though.

I am thoroughly confused by everything I read, I don't know why, but I just don't grasp it. Can someone walk me through this?

Specifically

1) Do I need an AppleTV for AirPlay/screen mirroring? Is there another device and/or software - hopefully cheaper than an AppleTV - that would do the same thing?

2) What would give me better picture, an HDMI cable or AirPlay?

3) I have a DVD player hooked to the HDMI (MHL&DVI) port. If I connect the MBA and TV via HDMI cable, it only seems to work if I hook it up to the same port, which means I must manually switch the cables if I want to switch between the DVD player and the MBA. Meanwhile, the other HDMI (STB) port sits there unused. Is there a way around this?

Thanks for your help!
 
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If you have a Smart TV, there's no need to confuse things for yourself by trying to use the MBA. All you have to do is install the Hulu and HBO Now apps on your TV and log in with your account credentials. Doing this is not only easier for you, but it's a better experience overall. :)
 
Thanks guys!

JohnDS, I downloaded Mirror Mac. I had to start and restart the TV, the laptop, and the router, but once I did that, everybody introduced themselves to everybody else, and seem to be getting along fine. I also had to download an audio driver, but Mirror Mac tells you how to get this, and it plugs itself right in. Although the stream does stutter once in a while, because I don't have the world's fastest internet, and I believe my router fights with my neighbor's router. But I really appreciate the larger screen and the better sound quality!

I'm also interested in the Hulu and HBONow TV apps. TJWilliams, I went to the Apple store and could only find a Hulu app, and that one says it is for installation on a computer. I don't understand how this can be transferred to being on my TV, and I couldn't find an HBO app for the TV at all. I went to both websites, and I couldn't see where to find an app for the TV. How do I do this?
 
As I said above, you have to download the Hulu app using your smart TV, not using your Mac. Read the Samsung manual on how to operate the smart TV and add apps.

There are detailed instructions on how to do that here: http://www.samsung.com/us/appstore/app/G00000057007-compatible

but make sure you check the compatibility list first because not all Samsung SmartTV's are compatible with the Hulu app.
 
Drat,my TV is not compatible.

Oh well, the mirroring is working OK.
 
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