The new Apple TV is one of the hottest gifts of the holiday season. I own one and simply love it. Perhaps more tellingly, the entire household loves it. Apple TV is the best way to stream Netflix movies and TV shows to our main television, the iTunes store has enough new movies to save trips to the video store, and Apple TV is the easiest way to stream media from my computer, iPad and iPhone to the central television and household AV system. It’s simply fantastic to have instant access to ninety years of movies in one central location.
Plus (and this is my own conjecture based on nothing but speculation), I think eventually some form of app store will come to Apple TV—potentially making it possible to stream media from more sources, as well as play games, show weather and news, etc.
Enough accolades for the Apple TV. This Mac treat concerns the small aluminum remote control that comes with Apple TV. Compared to the massive remotes that most AV systems ship with, the Apple remote is refreshingly simple and easy to use device. However, it is just one more remote to manage amongst a pile of other remotes that many people have in they’re living rooms. Fortunately, it is possible to pair other remote controls that you’re already using for your TV or DVD player to control Apple TV. That’s because most of those remotes have an AUX function that can be used to control third party devices. Here is a support article that explains how to do this:
A few people have already written in because they’ve lost the remote that shipped with their Apple TV. You can buy a new one for $19 by clicking here and then use this Support article to pair the new remote with your Apple TV:
Own an iPad, iPod touch or iPhone? The best replacement remote control/addition to Apple TV (by far) is the free Remote app from Apple. It turns your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch into a remote control. Wherever you are in your house, you can control your computer’s iTunes library and your Apple TV with a tap or flick of a finger. Click here to read about this and download it for free:
Apple says:
Remote lets you control the iTunes library on your Mac the same way you play music or video on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Fast-forward, pause, and rewind. Choose a song, shuffle an album, or skip to the next track. Even create Genius playlists. Album art looks amazing on the large iPad display and stunning on the vibrant iPhone 4 and iPod touch Retina displays. And if your Mac is sleeping, Remote wakes it up so you can access all your digital media on iTunes.
So just remember—if you ever lose the Apple remote that came with Apple TV, just use the Remote App control on iPad, iPod touch or iPhone until you can replace it.