Adding AppleTV to T@B 400 television

new2nu

(I hope I'm posting this in the correct forum.)

I would like to add an AppleTV to the television in my T@B 400 Boondock but the TV only has one HDMI port and it is currently occupied by the connection to the stereo. My question is: would a simple HDMI splitter be sufficient for adding the AppleTV? I want the AppleTV so I can use AirPlay from my iPhone, iPad, or MacBook Pro.

Grumpy_G

No, a splitter distributes a single input signal to multiple outputs. You'd need some sort of switch to select from multiple inputs to a single output. In any case, do you actually use the HDMI from the "entertainment unit" ? In my older T@b it's merely a standard definition DVD player straight from the 1990s. I have my media player connected to the TV and don't use the entertainment thingie at all. 

RTWCTS

Try using the HDMI port on the Jensen. We use that with our iPad through an Apple digital multiport adapter.

Marceline

new2nu said:

(I hope I'm posting this in the correct forum.)

I would like to add an AppleTV to the television in my T@B 400 Boondock but the TV only has one HDMI port and it is currently occupied by the connection to the stereo. My question is: would a simple HDMI splitter be sufficient for adding the AppleTV? I want the AppleTV so I can use AirPlay from my iPhone, iPad, or MacBook Pro.

As @Grumpy_G said, you would need a switch. I haven't used one so I can make any specific recommendation, but here's a review:https://www.lifewire.com/best-hdmi-switchers-4134646

Instead of AirPlay, I use the Apple multiport adapter (only the official adapter will work for Netflix and other DRM content) but that doesn't solve the 1 HDMI port problem.

jbajor

I run my Apple TV on a 12v to 110v inverter (sign wave) and run into hdmi input on Jensen. Works great!

Horigan

If you have an older 400, you can't get access to the back of the Jensen, easily.  What we started doing was unplug the Jensen HDMI from the back of the TV, plug in the Apple Multiport connector, connected to the phone, send video to the TV through that network and provide audio via Bluetooth to the Jensen.  We've since got a switch, but haven't used it yet.

new2nu

I appreciate all the advice. Sounds like I need a switch. I don't use Netflix or any other streaming service. I just want to put a device's screen up on the TV using AirPlay. 

Foobar

The ‘23 T@B 400 has an HDMI port on the Jensen AV receiver which you can select as a source for the TV - is there a reason you want to plug in directly to the TV?

Foobar

If you have to go the switch route, this is what I use and have not run into any issues with using an Xbox One, PS5, PC, Mac, Roku Ultra, Google Chromecast, or Apple TV:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08V4NDP6K

new2nu

Foobar said:

The ‘23 T@B 400 has an HDMI port on the Jensen AV receiver which you can select as a source for the TV - is there a reason you want to plug in directly to the TV?

None at all. I just want to do what's simplest. If plugging into the Jensen will work then that's what I'll do. I just wasn't clear on how the TV and stereo are connected. I'm new to this setup. 

elbolillo

new2nu said:

I appreciate all the advice. Sounds like I need a switch. I don't use Netflix or any other streaming service. I just want to put a device's screen up on the TV using AirPlay. 

We connect an iPad with a USB-C to HDMI cable to the Jensen Radio unit and it displays great on the TV. 

new2nu

elbolillo said:

new2nu said:

I appreciate all the advice. Sounds like I need a switch. I don't use Netflix or any other streaming service. I just want to put a device's screen up on the TV using AirPlay. 

We connect an iPad with a USB-C to HDMI cable to the Jensen Radio unit and it displays great on the TV. 

That's all I need to be able to do, including with a MacBook Pro. I will be able to experiment in detail later today.

kevenv

I used this with my firestick, same idea as with Apple TV:

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07SR1S2JL?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

new2nu

kevenv said:

I used this with my firestick, same idea as with Apple TV:

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07SR1S2JL?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Would you believe I have one of those on my Amazon list? 

krsmes

I hacked our AppleTV to bypass the power supply and run it on 12v.  

Similar to this https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HACVYvhG2q4

I mounted it permanently above the 3-way fridge behind the Jensen (works because the remote is RF and not Infrared and doesn’t need line-of-sight to function). Routed the HDMI cable to plug it into the Jensen and mounted power switches for both the Jensen and AppleTV

 It works well. 

JohninMissouri

 Here is my AppleTV mount next to Jensen.  Used a very short HDMI cord from the Apple to Jensen's input.  Purchased a mount for the Apple and used 3M Super adhesive tape. I have yet to permanently place the power cord.  Will likely purchase a longer power cord and route thru cabinet to bed cubby.  Use my cell phone to provide WiFi signal.

new2nu

krsmes said:

I hacked our AppleTV to bypass the power supply and run it on 12v.  

Similar to this https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HACVYvhG2q4

I mounted it permanently above the 3-way fridge behind the Jensen (works because the remote is RF and not Infrared and doesn’t need line-of-sight to function). Routed the HDMI cable to plug it into the Jensen and mounted power switches for both the Jensen and AppleTV

 It works well. 

Looks interesting. I will check out the video. Thank you!

new2nu

JohninMissouri said:

 Here is my AppleTV mount next to Jensen.  Used a very short HDMI cord from the Apple to Jensen's input.  Purchased a mount for the Apple and used 3M Super adhesive tape. I have yet to permanently place the power cord.  Will likely purchase a longer power cord and route thru cabinet to bed cubby.  Use my cell phone to provide WiFi signal.

I love the minimalist look; quite in line with the T@B. This looks like what I'm after. Thank you!

rcarlson1957

You'll need an HDMI switch. We use a 3 port HDMI switch for our setup. A port for Apple TV, a port for a microcomputer (about the size of an Apple TV) and a port for Apple Lightning/HDMI adapter for iPhone/iPad. Rarely use the Apple TV unless we have very good cell coverage (with iPhone personal hotspot or MiFi) and/or camp WIFI. So normally download a bunch of shows off streaming services for offline viewing to our iPhone/iPad. Works great and don't have to worry about having any kind of signal but recently some streaming services (Netflix and Amazon Prime) no longer support the Apple lightning/hdmi adapter to TV but do support computer to TV setup so we use the microcomputer for those situations. 

new2nu

rcarlson1957 said:

You'll need an HDMI switch. We use a 3 port HDMI switch for our setup. A port for Apple TV, a port for a microcomputer (about the size of an Apple TV) and a port for Apple Lightning/HDMI adapter for iPhone/iPad. Rarely use the Apple TV unless we have very good cell coverage (with iPhone personal hotspot or MiFi) and/or camp WIFI. So normally download a bunch of shows off streaming services for offline viewing to our iPhone/iPad. Works great and don't have to worry about having any kind of signal but recently some streaming services (Netflix and Amazon Prime) no longer support the Apple lightning/hdmi adapter to TV but do support computer to TV setup so we use the microcomputer for those situations. 

I don't actually plan to use the television for actually watching television, but I plan to use it as a larger monitor for my MacBook Pro, iPhone, and iPad Pro. 

rcarlson1957

new2nu, then you just need an HDMI cable to your TV and an HDMI adapter if your MacBook doesn't have one  and a lightning to HDMI adapter for your iPhone/iPad Pro. I ran one out the TV and down inside the wall and ran it out to side of bed.