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If you’re looking to watch a video on your Apple TV but don’t know how, there are two easy methods: AirPlay and VLC Player. AirPlay allows you to stream video from iOS and Mac devices to the Apple TV, while VLC Player can handle almost any type of video file. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to watch any video on your Apple TV.
Method 1: AirPlay
The easiest way to play videos on your Apple TV is through AirPlay. With AirPlay, you can play local files on your iOS device or stream videos from various websites and apps. To use AirPlay:
- On your iOS device, find the video you want to play and swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the Control Center.
- Swipe to the right to access the media controls, touch the Exit button (usually labeled iPhone), and select your Apple TV as the device to play it.
- After a few seconds, the video will appear on the screen.
Playing videos on a Mac using AirPlay is more complicated, and there may be lag and sync issues with higher quality videos. If you have a QuickTime-compatible video file, open it in QuickTime and select the AirPlay button in the media controls to choose your Apple TV as the output.
Method 2: VLC Player
If AirPlay doesn’t work or if you have a video file that’s not supported on iOS, try using VLC Player. VLC is a media player app that can handle almost any type of media file. Here are three ways to play videos on your Apple TV using VLC Player:
1. Local Area Network
If your Mac and Apple TV are on the same network, the easiest way to play videos on your Apple TV is to use your Local Area Network. To do this:
- Download and install Plex for Mac.
- Point the app to the folder on your Mac where you have video files stored.
- In the VLC app on your Apple TV, select the “Local Area Network” tab and choose your server.
- You’ll be taken to a list of available videos, which you can play without any issues.
2. Remote
If you don’t want to use a media server on your Mac, you can use the Remote feature provided by VLC Player:
- In the VLC app on your Apple TV, navigate to the Play screen and make a note of the two URLs provided (one is a local IP address and the other is a simple-to-read URL).
- Type one of the URLs in the web browser on your Mac and you’ll be taken to a page where you can drag-and-drop videos to play on your Apple TV.
3. Network Streaming
The most complicated method involves using an FTP or web server to stream videos to your Apple TV:
- In the VLC app on your Apple TV, select the “Network Stream” tab.
- Enter the URL of the video file you want to play (which can be quite long).
- Press OK and the video should start playing.
By following these easy steps, you can watch any video on your Apple TV using AirPlay or VLC Player. Enjoy!
FAQs
1. Can I watch videos on my Apple TV without using AirPlay or VLC Player?
Yes, you can watch videos on your Apple TV using other streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
2. Can I play videos on my Apple TV that are in a different language?
Yes, you can use VLC Player to play videos with subtitles or audio tracks in a different language. Make sure the subtitle file or audio track file has the same name as the video file and is stored in the same folder.