Will the remote work if the Apple TV is hidden ?

[FrenchPB]

Hey guys,

I'd like to buy two Apple TVs in the near future : one for the kitchen, one for the master bedroom. Both TV are on the wall, and I'd like to know if the Apple TV can work well if the box is hidden behind the TV.

I'd like to find a way to add an Apple TV to each TV without having to see a cable and the little blox near the TV that are well integrated in my house, on the wall without any apparent cable.

Thanks.

 

[GGJstudios]

Apple TV: Basic troubleshooting

If your Apple Remote isn't working with Apple TV

Make sure the IR receiver on the front of the Apple TV isn't blocked.

OS X Mountain Lion: About the Apple Remote

The Apple Remote operates on an infrared (IR)-based transmitter, and works with Apple devices that have an infrared receiver. If the remote has an unobstructed line of sight to the receiver, it can function at distances of up to 30 feet.

 

[Phil A.]

The little remote supplied with them probably won't work as it's Infrared and needs line of sight, but the Remote app on an iPhone or iPad will work fine.

 

[FrenchPB]

Thanks for your quick replies. I'm not sure how I'll be able to add an Apple TV to a TV that is fixed on the wall. Maybe I could find a way to fix it horizontally, right under or over the TV, so that the remote would have a direct line to the box.

Has anyone ever done something like that with their setup ?

 

[GGJstudios]

Thanks for your quick replies. I'm not sure how I'll be able to add an Apple TV to a TV that is fixed on the wall. Maybe I could find a way to fix it horizontally, right under or over the TV, so that the remote would have a direct line to the box.

Has anyone ever done something like that with their setup ?

You could try something like this: Logitech Harmony®

 

[FrenchPB]

Also, could I use a Mac Mini as a Home Theater PC hidden in a closet ? Would the wireless keyboard and magic trackpad work ?

 

[GGJstudios]

Also, could I use a Mac Mini as a Home Theater PC hidden in a closet?

Of course. The mini makes a great home theater system server.

Would the wireless keyboard and magic trackpad work?

If they're not too far away, sure. Bluetooth has a limited range, but doesn't require line of sight. You could also control the mini from another Mac via screen sharing, or from another computer locally or remotely via something like TeamViewer. Also, if you use Plex to manage and deliver content, you can control it from your iPhone.

 

[A2DY]

I have my Apple TV behind my tv (sits nicely in the space the wall bracket takes up) and the remote works fine.

I have it with the "front" of the box facing down on the bottom of the TV as close to edge as it can be without being visible. Never has any issues with the IR remote not working.

 

[woodynorman]

I have my Apple TV behind my tv (sits nicely in the space the wall bracket takes up) and the remote works fine.

I have it with the "front" of the box facing down on the bottom of the TV as close to edge as it can be without being visible. Never has any issues with the IR remote not working.

This.

I have mine mounted to the wall behind the TV. You can just barely see it. Works great

 

[marzer]

Also, could I use a Mac Mini as a Home Theater PC hidden in a closet ? Would the wireless keyboard and magic trackpad work ?

Do you have an iPad? My mac mini is also in a storage closet. I use Remote HD and find it much more convenient than a real keyboard and trackpad. It also has other functions like VNC that allow the mini to be easily operated as a headless computer.

 

[warvanov]

Put it behind the TV facing upwards and put a mirror on the ceiling (if you don't already have one, *wink wink*).

 

[pwfletcher]

You can bounce the beam off of hard surfaces but will need a repeater if it is in a cabinet ...

 

[FrenchPB]

I have my Apple TV behind my tv (sits nicely in the space the wall bracket takes up) and the remote works fine.

I have it with the "front" of the box facing down on the bottom of the TV as close to edge as it can be without being visible. Never has any issues with the IR remote not working.

This.

I have mine mounted to the wall behind the TV. You can just barely see it. Works great

How did you guys fix it to the wall ? I'd like to do it as cleanly as I can.

 

[woodynorman]

3m double sided tape

 

[marzer]

How did you guys fix it to the wall ? I'd like to do it as cleanly as I can.

This outfit has gotten good reviews over the years for their apple product mounts:

http://store.h-sq.com/tvtray-hsq-tvtray-x/dp/504

 

[ckorhonen]

I have my Apple TV attached to the back of the TV using velcro, remote works a treat since the IR signals bounce off the wall and back at the Apple TV.