tvOS

What is tvOS?

An Apple TV is a media player appliance that connects to a display device, often a television, to play digital content from the internet or from within the internal network. Most commonly, it is used to share the screen of an Apple device (an iPad or MacBook) to a larger display.

Apple TVs are becoming more popular in schools as an educational tool, considered a cost-effective alternative to projectors and interactive whiteboards. Unlike projectors, Apple TVs are designed to be left powered on 24/7 once they are configured.

How do I use it?

There is a strict process for setting up Apple TVs to function correctly on the network. Please see the Resources section to see how to deploy Apple TV's.

What if it doesn't work?

The most commonly reported issue with Apple TVs is with AirPlay: that the Apple TV will drop the connection to an iPad/MacBook while screen sharing. The usual perception when this occurs is that the Apple TV itself is faulty. In reality, it is rarely a fault with the device but a result of one or more contributing factors:

Incorrect Configuration

The first thing to check is that the setup process has been followed (see above section). If it has not been completed in full it is not expected that the device will function correctly. If unsure if a device has gone through the correct process, it is safest to go through setup again to be certain.

Signal Interference

As the connection between an Apple TV and another device is wireless, the connection is prone to interference from nearby equipment. The most common instances where an Apple TV may be experiencing signal interference are:

  • The Apple TV is sitting behind the television it is connected to, out of view.

  • The Apple TV is in close proximity to a Wireless Access Point (WAP).

  • The Apple TV is in close proximity to an air conditioner.

  • The Apple TV is sitting directly on top of a projector.

Where an Apple TV is experiencing signal interference it will need to be moved away from other equipment to ensure a strong signal. This may mean procuring longer cables if necessary.

User Action

There are several scenarios in which Apple TVs will drop connection to a device as a result of user action:

  • If the connected device is put on hibernate for more than several seconds and then woken up, the Apple TV will not recover the connection.

  • If the user takes a connected device out of range (intentionally or otherwise) without properly closing the connection to the Apple TV. Not only will the connection be lost, but the Apple TV will not accept new connections from other devices until the Airplay function is restarted (Settings > AirPlay).

These scenarios are a result of the design of AirPlay, and currently the only solution is to educate staff on proper use of Apple TVs.

Other Issues

If you are experiencing a technical issue with an Apple TV and have eliminated the above factors as contributors, or if you are still unsure on the troubleshooting process, please contact the Enterprise Service Desk for additional support.

Resources: