Do I need an internet connection for Apple TV?

Hey I want to buy an Apple TV but before I do, I need to know does it require an internet connection to work? Or can it work without one?
The advertisement or information Apple gives me seems like it doesn't need an internet connection, I'm under the impression that if I buy one all I need is to connect it to my television then connect wirelessly from my iPad to the Apple TV device. Then I can begin streaming content to my TV via the Apple TV product.
However I came across a thing telling me I needed an internet connection in order for it to work, but where our televisions are, either the wireless internet is weak to nothing, and is unreliable from that distance, I want to be able to simply connect and play but now it seems Apple is misleading me on the capability of Apple TV.
I want to stream YouTube from my iPad to Apple TV, putting my iPad in a stronger range area and connected to Apple TV stream it... Or more importantly play content I have already on my device i.e. Video podcasts like IGN's Daily Fix, and stream it directly through the Apple TV onto my TV.
Please list all relevant information and requirements and capability I would have with Apple TV? I'm no where near an Apple store so I'll have to buy online so I want to make sure the product will work like they say it's suppose to.

I have the same issue and couldn't find an answer either. The problem is that the Apple TV requires an internet connection if you want to AirPlay internet content from your iPhone to the Apple TV, e.g. if the Apple TV isn't connected to the internet somehow, then Netflix or Youtube won't AirPlay from the iPhone to the Apple TV. I don't have a "house" internet connection currently, and when I bought my iPhone I was assuming I just can use my unlimited data plan to watch Netflix movies on the iPhone and AirPlay it to the big screen. No luck here, yet!!!
You can use the iPhone Hotspot and connect the AppleTV to that Hotspot, but I have a 5GB limit and that will be depleted with 2 movies or so, so that doesn't work either. I also can use the Hotspot to connect to my MacAir, which works great and 5GB limit is not the issue if you don't use it for movies, online gaming etc. But you could run into issues if you have to download big files, like updating the OS etc. That is something you have to consider when you are cutting the home internet.
I tried to somehow have the Apple TV use the Hotspot internet connection to just have access to the internet but use the iPhone unlimited data plan to stream movies, but the problem is that Apple TV can only connect to 1 WiFi network at a time and while it is connected to the hotspot, you can't connect to another network for AirPlay your content. Also, the ethernet port on the Apple TV (if used) will be prioritized and then WiFi would be turned off, ruling out the possibility to use ethernet and WiFi simultaneously to have one connected to the network using AirPlay and one using the Hotspot internet access. I believe the real problem is that the Apple TV needs internet access (for verification purposes???) while using AirPlay, and if there is no internet access through the network you are using for AirPlay, it might not work, at least I couldn't find a solution for it yet.
I was reading that with iOS 8 there might be a new feature that uses Peer-to-Peer technology between iOS devices and Apple TV, that might enable that you can connect to Apple TV with Peer-to-Peer and also connect it with the iPhone Hotspot for internet access (I would assume that the data amount from just being connected to the internet would be minor if the streaming data comes from the data plan itself from the iPhone).
That said, I can still stream content from my iTunes library to Apple TV, which is stored on my computer and doesn't need to be downloaded or streamed (Not the content I have purchased. Some folks mentioned bought content still needs internet access). So you can use your content you already have on the computer by using your local network. I hope somebody can give a solution to that problem! I was hoping to never have to deal with cable or telephone companies ever again, just using my mobile carrier, but I might be out of luck!
P.S: I also tried to connect my MacAir with the iPhone hotspot and then share this internet connection from the MacAir with my Apple TV. Didn't work either :-(

Similar Messages

Do you need an internet connection for airstream

i want to know if you need an internet connection for airstream on the (mini) Airport

No, an Internet connection is NOT required in order to use AirPlay with an AirPort Express Base Station (AX).

In my smurfs village, every time i click on scaredy smurf, it says to come back later! and it says i need an internet connection for tracker smurf but i am connected to the internet! help!

i dont know what to do, please help

smurf village support site http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/smurfs-village/id399648212?mt=8

Do I need an internet connection to use my apple TV

I want to stream content from my computers to my Apple TV but I have no internet connection... is this possible? (I will eventually get a connection but I am on a waiting list).

You do need an internet connection for certain things - getting the time from network on startup, authorising things for playback from iTunes, rentals (obviously).
AppleTV 2 will not play back protected iTunes store content without an authorisation check over the internet which is barmy as the computer will play them fine. You may be ok with non-protected music or files you've added yourself.
Sharing to Apple TV2 from iTunes uses something called Home Sharing needing your iTunes store credentials to be entered - again this may need an internet check initially so might stop all media sharing working until successfully ok'd. You might be better waiting until you get an internet connection.
AC

If I purchase photoshop download do I need an internet connection to use photoshop or just for download?

I am thinking of purchasing photoshop and since it is only available now by download I would like to know if I just need an internet connection for download or would I need it for download and when I decide to use it?

If you buy the subscription model, you would have to have an internet connection, namely for the software to contact the mother ship at least one every month to reactivate itself and to take advantage of all the automatic updates.
If you buy the slightly older (but still sold by Adobe and its resellers), perpetual-license CS6, then you need the internet only for the initial download, and to update it periodically at your pleasure.

Do you need a internet connection to use youtube?

Do you need a internet connection to use youtube?

The only alternative would be to download the video from YouTube on your computer and then, presuming it's one of the h.264 videos (Flash videos will not work on an iPod touch), you could then probably load it onto your iPod and view it with the iPod needing to be connected to the Internet. But you still need an Internet connection for your computer.

HT1657 Once a rented movie is downloaded do I need an Internet connection to view it? For example can I download a movie and watch it on a flight?

Once a rented movie is downloaded do I need an Internet connection to view it? For example can I download a movie and watch it on a flight?

Please be aware of the movie rental's time limitation that you have 30 days from the time of rental to watch your movie, and once you start watching it, you have 24 hours to finish watching it. You may watch it as many times as you like during those 24 hours. It may be helpful to make sure the download completes successfully before you begin watching the movie.
Once the download is complete you can watch it without an Internet connection. However, an Internet connection to the iTunes Store is required to authorize playback or activate the 24 hours time-limit of movie rentals. This means, only during the starting of the movie. Once you have started playing the movie rental, internet connection is not required. You can play anywhere without internet connection.
For more information on movie rentals, you can visit:
iTunes Store: Movie rental frequently asked questions (FAQ)
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1657
Note: 24 hours time limit is for United States customer only, while 48 hours for other countries.

HT1657 do i need an internet connection to watch my movie. for example. i download the movie and when i am in the airplane can i watch it without an internet conneciton?

do i need an internet connection to watch my movie. for example. i download the movie and when i am in the airplane can i watch it without an internet conneciton?

Hello mckenna34,
Thank you for the question. If you have fully download the movie to your device, you can watch the movie offline as described in this discussion:
Can I watch my iTunes tv shows off line?
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5273762
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Best,
Sheila M.

HT1657 in order to watch the dowloaded movied do I need internet connection for it?

in order to watch the dowloaded movied do I need internet connection for it?

If you are purchasing the movie, then once the movie has completed downloading, an Internet connection will not longer be needed. That should apply to rentals as well, but people report from time to time that even after the rental has downloaded iTunes still asks to connect to the iTunes Store.
Regards.

HT1657 do i need an internet connection to watch a rental movie

When I rent a movie from itunes do I need an internet connection to watch it?

No you do not. To get more info about rentals, click on the link below for Rental FAQs.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1657
Cheers!

HT1657 do u need a internet connection to watch a rented movie?

Do i need a internet connection to watch a rented movie on my ipad?

Please be aware of the movie rental's time limitation that you have 30 days from the time of rental to watch your movie, and once you start watching it, you have 24 hours to finish watching it. You may watch it as many times as you like during those 24 hours. It may be helpful to make sure the download completes successfully before you begin watching the movie.
Once the download is complete you can watch it without an Internet connection. However, an Internet connection to the iTunes Store is required to authorize playback or activate the 24 hours time-limit of movie rentals. This means, only during the starting of the movie. Once you have started playing the movie rental, internet connection is not required. You can play anywhere without internet connection.
For more information on movie rentals, you can visit:
iTunes Store: Movie rental frequently asked questions (FAQ)
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1657
Note: 24 hours time limit is for United States customer only, while 48 hours for other countries.

Does AppleTV really need an internet connection

Just a quick question - does AppleTV really need an internet connection. I am really struggling with the same syncing problems that many people describe on these forums. AppleTV will show on my devices now and again, it tries to authorise with iTunes, syncs for a while and as long as it is connected and showing in the device list I can view any of my movies, TV programs or music on my AppleTV.
But for some unknown reason the Apple TV fails to sync properly, disappears from the devices list and then tells me that there is no content stored on my AppleTV. Very frustrating as you can imagine. Everything checks out - I have good signal strength, can browse the iTunes store and Youtube but the syncing just isn't working.
I have read about problems with the BT Home Hub that I am using for my wireless network and despite taking the recommend steps to open the relevant ports on the hub to allow my AppleTV and computers to talk to each other properly I encounter the same problems.
As a solution I was thinking that I could buy a wireless router and create a network that is separate from the network that I have for the internet and try syncing through that. I don't really want to spend money on a new router unless it is likely to solve the problem.
What do you think?

Thanks for all the comments guys.
Latest update: I decided to try it and have had some success. I acquired a basic Netgear wireless router and set it up in isolation from my BT Home Hub network. I used the basic settings wizard and let it do it's thing.
The AppleTV does show in my devices list however it does disappear randomly every now and again. Syncing has worked although for some reason I can only sync one item at a time - leaving me to have to repeatedly hit sync on iTunes, which is irritating but much less than not being able to sync anything at all. I have since dedicated my old iBook to the new network to act as my media machine.
Conclusion: I'm not sold on this as a solution but as I'm not bothered about accessing the internet through AppleTV it suits me for now. I just wish that I had not bothered with AppleTV and just got a MacMini. For all the hassle and the usability issues I would gladly have paid the extra £200 or whatever.
When it works the AppleTV is great but when it doesn't I just want to throw it out of the window.

Internet Connection - Your Apple wireless device does not have a valid IP.

I just bought an Apple TimeCapsule and set it up normally, following instructions to my Arris cable network on the Videotron provider here in Quebec, Canada. The TimeCapsule did appear as a wireless device on my MacBook Pro (after updating the AirPort software from the provided CD - as was instructed). I went through the whole installation process to obtain at the end this error:
Internet Connection - Your Apple wireless device does not have a valid IP.
The only provided instructions were to check the cable and then contact your Internet provider. Well it seems clear to me that if I contact my provider and say that the internet connection works fine directly on my computer, also fine through my "normal" wireless router but not with my new TimeCapsule, I won't get much of a response.
After a lot of research, a friend indicated the solution in my case.
You have to really reset the cable modem to convince it to start giving out IPs again.
To do this:
1. Unplug your TimeCapsule (possibly you might have to reset to factory defaults - see the documentation)
2. Unplug your cable modem
3. Reset your cable modem by pressing the reset button with a pen (or something) for several seconds.
4. Plug your cable modem back in and let it reboot/restart - until the lights are back on.
5. Plug in your TimeCapsule
Everything should now work and you can restart your AirPort set-up on your Mac.
Good luck!

My ISP is AOL. The service is DSL via a broadband modem. Somewhere during the setup process there appears to be a communicatiosn issue between the Airport Extreme Base Station and the DSL modem. When I hook the DSL modem directly to my iMac I can connect to the internet without any issues.
I tried the factory reset and the DSL modem reboot process described in other posts and seemed very close to success...until the internet setup step. That is where this issue first presented itself.

HT4356 Do I need an Internet connection to AirPrint?

Do I need an Internet connection to AirPrint from an iPad 2, I only have 3G at home and no home broadband.
I have been told as long as I have a router and iPad and printer connected to it, it will AirPrint, is that correct?

The Apple Support Communities are an international user to user technical support forum. As a man from Mexico, Spanish is my native tongue. I do not speak English very well, however, I do write in English with the aid of the Mac OS X spelling and grammar checks. I also live in a culture perhaps very very different from your own. When offering advice in the ASC, my comments are not meant to be anything more than helpful and certainly not to be taken as insults.
It has to be a wireless airprint printer. It's a different story if you are connecting the printer to the router by USB.

Sporadic Rotating Loss of Internet Connection for Just Some Devices

Hi,
We've been having a problem where one or two of our devices (phones, laptops, iPads, Apple TV) lose internet connection for 10-30 sec at a time, while the others are fine.
As best as I can tell it's a full loss of connection, not just something running very slowly due to us pushing the bandwidth limits. I've experienced the latter elsewhere and this manifests very differently. It will instantly and fully disconnect a person from an online game or drop a skype call without the accompanying prolonged lag or distortion of bottlenecked bandwidth.
It happens at all times of day, and does not seem related to our peak times of bandwidth usage, nor the general public's peak times of usage.
We should have enough bandwidh for our usage, and usually we do. Our system is 25/25 Mbps and during our peak use at most we would probably have 1 laptop gaming, 1 HD video stream, and 2 non-HD streams. However, like I said before, the problem seems unrelated to overall bandwidth usage. The same problem occurs even at midnight when our local usage is minimal.
Overall we have 6 laptops, 5 phones, an iPad, 2 microcell signal boosters, and Apple TV, in total connected to the FiOS. We have a property with tenants where the signal is distributed via 3 WiFi routers and one direct ethernet cable to my laptop, and one to the Apple TV.
It happens on devices that are both connected through the WiFi (wife's laptop, phones, iPad) and ethernet (my laptop, Apple TV). It can happen with devices that are a few unobstructed feet from the WiFi router. However, it anecdotely seems to happen more on our phones than laptops.
My hunch is it is something outside our local network. This is because our equipment and usage has basically remained unchanged over the last couple months. (We got one new microcell tower for a different carrier, one new wifi router, but overall same # of people and patterns of usage.) And yet the problem seems to be getting worse. Back in probably early November I don't remember this problem occuring at all.
My second best guess is there are more devices connected to the network than it can handle simultaneously, and it rotates which gets kicked off. Maybe this was occuring before but we didnt realize it.
My third guess is it has to due with signal interference with the various WiFi routers and microcell boosters. However, this seems less likely since it also affects devices connected via ethernet cables.
Any thoughts or advice is much appreciated! Thanks!
-Ned

Ok, so in the mean time we decided to upgrade our service so I've only tried this solution now.
My problem though now is I can log into 192.168.1.1, then give my verizon admin password, and then set my channel preference. That seems fine for changing the main network input and wifi router (call it A).
However, we have another wifi router (call it B) which is fed from A via a cable. I cannot figure out how to change B's wifi channel. Therefore I worry if we have only switched A, since A feeds B (as well as the 2 microcells) they will all still be on the same channel and therefore still interfering with each other.
I have tried www.routerlogin.net (and .com) as written on my netgear router and I get "http://searchassist.verizon.com/" telling me "Sorry, We could not find www.routerlogin.net". I have also tried logging into wifi router B via all the 192.168.1.X addresses I see listed on the Verzion account when I log in via 192.168.1.1 (in total I tried all the 192.168.1.[1-24] options).
Thanks for the help!

Do I need an internet connection for Apple TV?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for