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Xfinity Options on AppleTV

B

BrianJ844

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 8, 2009
73
2
Houston, Tx
I was looking into getting an AppleTV and I assumed there would be a Stream Xfinity app for the AppleTV but there isn't (is there?). Is it possible to AirPlay the Xfinity app from a iPhone to the AppleTV? Can you AirPlay while streaming Xfinity from a MacBook Pro? While streaming Xfinity isn't the main reason for the AppleTV, I am just trying to get the streaming device that makes the most sense. Last question, is there any issue logging into say the Watch ESPN app on the AppleTV using my Xfinity subscription.

Thanks,
Brian
 
I haven't tried to AirPlay any Comcast app content to the ATV in a few years, but IIRC, Comcast blocked AirPlay on the iOS app, but you could AirPlay it from a browser on a Mac (an most likely a PC too).

I am not sure if this is still the case.
 
You might want to look into this
https://getchannels.com/
I am currently using xfinity login to watch channels. The only drawback of this are:
No Viacom channels (Viacom wants Xfinity to pay for each customer to authenticate tv everywhere)
No premium channels (just authenticate their individual apps)
 
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Roku, which is now owned by Comcast, is the only platform that supports the Xfinity stream app for display on a big screen TV. They have been pretending for over a year that an ATV version is just over the horizon but most people aren’t holding their breath. To save myself from renting another Comcast box I bought a $35 Roku and installed the Xfinity stream app... it works pretty well. As for airplay, no, that’s been disabled in the iOS versions of the stream app. Even a direct HDMI connection from an iOS device won’t work. I believe the last time I tried to AirPlay from a Mac was unsuccessful as well.
 
Last edited:
Longkeg said:
Roku, which is now owned by Comcast, is the only platform that supports the Xfinity stream app for display on a big screen TV. They have been pretending for over a year that an ATV version is just over the horizon but most people aren’t holding their breath. To save myself from renting another Comcast box I bought a $35 Roku and installed the Xfinity stream app... it works pretty well. As for airplay, no, that’s been disabled in the iOS versions of the stream app. Even a direct HDMI connection from an iOS device won’t work. I believe the last time I tried to AirPlay from a Mac was unsuccessful as well.
Click to expand...
Does the Xfinity app on roku support OnDemand?
 
Longkeg said:
Roku, which is now owned by Comcast, is the only platform that supports the Xfinity stream app for display on a big screen TV. They have been pretending for over a year that an ATV version is just over the horizon but most people aren’t holding their breath. To save myself from renting another Comcast box I bought a $35 Roku and installed the Xfinity stream app... it works pretty well. As for airplay, no, that’s been disabled in the iOS versions of the stream app. Even a direct HDMI connection from an iOS device won’t work. I believe the last time I tried to AirPlay from a Mac was unsuccessful as well.
Click to expand...

Huh? I don't think so
 
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Comcast most definitely doesn't own Roku.

Regarding Apple TV support, it seems possible that the Xfinity app will come to the Apple TV in the future, pending negotiations:

https://www.lightreading.com/video/...he-apple-tv-/a/d-id/749217?mod=article_inline

Xfinity is supported by Apple's TV provider single sign-on system, so using apps included in a subscription should be very easy. But of course you can't access Xfinity on demand and other Xfinity-specific features without their app.
 
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Rigby said:
Comcast most definitely doesn't own Roku.
Click to expand...

Well that was the rumor floating around one of the Comcast forums. I guess you can't believe everything you read on the internet. Who'd of thunk it!

As i was doing the research I should have done before posting I did find this tidbit: The Roku version of the Xfinity Stream app is officially in Beta and has been for quite some time. It's currently free. It's being speculated that when it comes out of Beta testing Comcast will charge for it.

And yes, the Roku version I have supports On Demand and even lets you schedule recordings, which the iOS versions don't.
 
Rather than having just one Comcast app for all services, you have to use your Xfinity authentication for each individual service app. But some services are not supported for streaming via Xifinity and if you want them you have to purchase them separately.

Typical Comcast mess.
 
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Rigby said:
Comcast most definitely doesn't own Roku.

Regarding Apple TV support, it seems possible that the Xfinity app will come to the Apple TV in the future, pending negotiations:

https://www.lightreading.com/video/...he-apple-tv-/a/d-id/749217?mod=article_inline

Xfinity is supported by Apple's TV provider single sign-on system, so using apps included in a subscription should be very easy. But of course you can't access Xfinity on demand and other Xfinity-specific features without their app.
Click to expand...

Xfinity does NOT support single sign on, which is a big problem I have with Apple TV. You can select Xfinity in the Apple TV settings but it doesn’t do anything and you still need your phone to authorize your apps
 
Vegerot said:
Xfinity does NOT support single sign on, which is a big problem I have with Apple TV. You can select Xfinity in the Apple TV settings but it doesn’t do anything and you still need your phone to authorize your apps
Click to expand...

single sign on still requires a secondary device after the initial set up. I have used Optimum, directtv and Xfinity. All do the same.... works the first time, then requires a secondary device to log in.
 
2010mini said:
single sign on still requires a secondary device after the initial set up. I have used Optimum, directtv and Xfinity. All do the same.... works the first time, then requires a secondary device to log in.
Click to expand...

According to the Apple, Comcast Xfinity does not support Single Sign On with the ATV.

TV providers that let you sign in on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV - Apple Support

Apps that support TV Provider Authentication might differ between iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS, and also based on your provider.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
 
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2010mini said:
You might want to look into this
https://getchannels.com/
I am currently using xfinity login to watch channels. The only drawback of this are:
No Viacom channels (Viacom wants Xfinity to pay for each customer to authenticate tv everywhere)
No premium channels (just authenticate their individual apps)
Click to expand...

I’m also using Channels and love it. The coax jack in our living room is nowhere near where we wanted the TV, and Comcast doesn’t offer a wireless box. At least not at the time we started with this setup. But, I got a cable card from Comcast for $10 and have it plugged into an HD HomeRun Prime box, and then use Channels to watch Comcast. You can sign into Channels with your Comcast account now, too, but that’s still in beta. Channels has a DVR option which works well with your own hard drives plugged into a computer. I’ve got my MacBook Pro in a dock with a bunch of drives connected.

Also, when I went to the Comcast store to get a cable card, they asked me what I was going to use it for, and I told ‘em. I said I wouldn’t have to do this if Comcast/Xfinity would just come out with their own streaming app with a complete channel guide setup (like Channels), and I was told that it’s due to limitations on Apple’s end, not theirs. I told them that’s ridiculous because I’m going to be doing that with a different app. He told me good luck lol
 
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