Question about Apple TV from a new Apple convert

By Blind Adrenaline, 5 October, 2012

Forum
tvOS and Apple TV Apps
Hi all. My name is Che Martin and I've recently started using Apples products for the first time since losing my sight 11 years ago. I've got an iPad 3, a MacBook, and have ordered an iPhone 5 to replace my Android after getting terribly frustrated with the lack of accessibillity improvement on droid devices over the past two years. I'm really digging voiceover on the iPad, finding it tougher going on the Mac though, I just gotta find the right tutorials and all for the mac I think, and bear down and learn it. Anyhow, I'd like to be able to pipe audio from my iPad into my stereo system, which uses an older analog receiver. I've heard good things about Apple TV, but I have a few questions: 1. Can you convert the Apple TV output from digital to analog, for instance run a cable from the box to RCA analog? 2. Is there a way to get live broadcasts of sports events with ATV? I don't watch much TV at all, but I do have friends come over to watch sporting events. 3. Barring ATV, are there any gadgets that would allow me to send audio from the iPad to my receiver via bluetooth out? I like the concept of ATV, but if I can't get live sports, I don't think I would get a lot of use out of it, and might as well just use something that can convert the audio. Finally, one big reason I got the Apple stuff is to look into making apps for iOS. I own BlindAdrenaline.com , which makes games for the blind, but so far only for the PC. I'll be making a seperate post regarding my thoughts on publishing games for iOS later on, but just wanted to introduce myself to the community here and give kudos to the Apple Vis gang, , you folks have made a very good resource and I'm very impressed with your site and the way it is run, well done. Feel free to email me off list if you like at: blindAdrenaline@gmail.com Thanks in advance for any input. Che

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Comments

By DPinWI on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 - 02:26

Welcome aboard. If all you want to do is pipe audio to your home stereo system, Bluetooth may be a good option for you. I use a little headphone adator from Sony Ericson to do this and it works great. If I were only going to use it for this purpose, i'd get a dedicated, wall outlet powered model. But I also use it to run headphones, so therechargeable, portable one was a better fit for me. I've also thought about getting an Apple TV. I'll be interested in hearing what others with some experience with it might have to say.

By kieran l on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 - 02:26

If you want to pipe audio from your iPad to a sterrio system, you could use an AirPort express, which works wirelessly, and can be controlled through the app on your mac, or your iPad, and then you can pipe audio from your iPad to it, or iTunes on your mac. It works through your WiFi.

By David Woodbridge on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 - 02:26

Hi, I have 3 Apple TV's at the moment. One I use for work for doing presentations via my Macbook pro using Mountain Lion. The other two are at home: lounge for family and toy room for my boys. Next week we are about to get our 60 inch TV mounted on the wall and get our home entertainment system setup properly so all the audio sources (including the Apple TV) goes through our stereo system. One of the main things I like about streaming to the Apple TV either from my iPhone or iPad, is that it leaves VoiceOver on the device, so whilst watching a movie I can still be using my iPhone or iPad. Also means when my boys want to rent movies, I can browse and choose along with them. Besides watching movies and TV shows, I mainly use streaming radio and listen to my favourite podcasts. David

By Ivor123 on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 - 02:26

I've had my Apple TV for about a year now and I really love it; in fact, I watch it much more than I watch regular TV. I am a huge sports fan so I love the fact that NBA, NHL and MLB games are available through Apple TV. I really like watching archived games when I'm awake in the middle of the night.

By Borostar on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 - 02:26

I've had the Apple TV for 3 months now and only have used it for a couple of times. Apart from the Youtube app! It doesn't really have much of a use because the films aren't audio described and none of that MLB and the other American related stuff appeals to me as I'm in the UK. If they had content such as streeming Football in the UK then I would use the device much more. If anyone has any ideas about using Apple TV in a productive way outside of the US! then I would be interested to hear about it.

Are there any subscription based apps that would allow for the video as well as audio broadcasting of live NFL and/or american colege football games? Thanks for the info gang.

By Adam on Friday, November 23, 2012 - 02:26

Hi: I didn't "read" (listen) to any comments that addressed your question about going from digital to analog thru Apple TV. I am by no means an expert, but I can tell you what I've learned by speaking with others & from my personal experience. Apple TV uses a HDMI cable only and is all digital. According to several A/V installers & Apple reps. there is no way to convert digital back to analog. If you have a receiver/amplifier with a HDMI input & a HDMI output, plug a HDMI cable into the the Apple TV box, & run it to the receiver's "input" . Then use a 2nd HDMI cable & run it from the receiver's "output" to your TV's HDMI "input". You will then be set up to listen to everything on Apple TV thru the receiver/amplifier. At that point you can access your music (assuming it's in iTunes &/or on iCloud) or by using your phone, iPad, iPod Touch & "air play" to play the music on your device thru Apple TV & your stereo. If you don't want to or can't go thru the stereo, you can still hook up Apple TV to your TV (as long as you have a HDMI input) set & access the content thru the TV. If it's a newer TV, you should have some type of "simulated" stereo capabilities on the set. Therefore you will be able to access & listen to your music & other content as described above. However it may not be true stereo. I really enjoy Apple TV for the access to podcasts, accessing Utube (because i find it easier to navigate on Apple TV) & (occasionally) renting a old TV show or a current movie. I'm not a sports person so I don't use the MLB, NHL & NBA. However I hear it's pretty good. I don't know if Apple has plans to add the NFL though. And if you're a Net Flix user again i've heard that it's pretty accessible & user friendly when you access it thru Apple TV. All in all I think Apple TV is great for the visually impaired because it allows us access to content we (at least in the U.S.) can't get thru satellite or cable boxes or on a DVD/Blue Ray player. Simply because these devices don't have any accessibility (voice over, etc.) built in or available. Hope some of this helps. Regards, Adam