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If you enjoy television, watch streaming content such as Netflix, Amazon, etc., listen to music through your whole-house audio system or basically are a human in a civilized society, you probably are reliant on some form of streaming device to get you this content. This article focuses on how to fix your Apple TV if it misbehaves.
Apple TV not working? Try some of our video tutorials including:
How to fix your cable box and more...see below
Labor Day...YAY!!!! Sticky, hot weather with winds...BOOOOO!!! Did you know that upcoming weather like this causes havoc with your technology? These weather events often create problems with your cable box, Internet access and all things technology. Below are some tips to try if you have these types of issues while this weather is in town.
Spectrum app stop working? If you have a Roku, here's what's happening
Did your Spectrum app just stop working on your Roku device? Read on…This year, Roku and Spectrum sat down to the bargaining table to make a deal (I am making this up so this may not be a factual account and there may not in fact, be an actual bargaining table). The deal had to do with the Spectrum app and if it would continue to work on Roku devices.
Apparently the chief negotiator for one or both parties was out sick as they couldn’t come to a deal and now the Spectrum app no longer works on Roku devices. Oh NO! What’s a cord-cutter to do?
Do we hate Spectrum or Roku here? I don’t know for sure but my money is on Roku. If you’ve been using Roku to watch the Spectrum app, sending some complaints their way can’t hurt. In fact, it might cause the Spectrum app to magically show up again.
Got questions about how to proceed? AppleTV vs Roku? Roku vs AppleTV? Give us a call and let our San Diego technology experts help you to watch streaming TV again!
How to fix your Sonos system? See our link below that goes over the details!
We LOVE Sonos! It opens up a world of music options, provides multiple solutions to listen to audio in a surround sound, outdoor audio or with portable speakers and has fewer issues than anything else we’ve tested. However, just like anything in life, Sonos can have problems from time-to-time.
Watch the video with Grandmaster Will in the video above which details how to fix Sonos including:
These processes will work with all Sonos components including the new Sonos 2021 models like the Sonos PORT, Sonos ARC, Sonos PLAY5, Sonos BEAM, Sonos SUB and the Sonos ONE. Still can’t get Sonos to work or want to add Sonos to your home audio system? Let our San Diego Sonos experts point you in the right direction.
P.S. Got a Sonos system we didn't install? See our 2nd Sonos tutorial that goes more in depth on our Youtube page.
Sonos not working? Call us. Aire Theater Designs proudly serves all of San Diego County including the communities and cities of Central San Diego County which includes Del Cerro, Allied Gardens, Talmadge, Kensington, Hillcrest, Mission Valley, Fashion Valley, La Mesa, Lake Murray, Friars, North Park, Balboa Park, Clairemont, Kearny Mesa, Mission Bay, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Imperial Beach, Pt Loma and Downtown San Diego. We also gladly serve those in North San Diego County which includes Carlsbad, San Marcos, Vista, Elfin Forest, Oceanside, Olivenhain, Escondido, Encinitas, Cardiff by the Sea, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, 4S Ranch, Santaluz, Alta Del Mar, La Jolla, Poway and Rancho Bernardo. We aren't forgetting about our East County friends in El Cajon, Blossom Valley, Lakeside and Alpine. Need help in Murrieta, Wildomar, Temecula, Fallbrook or Bonsall...we're there too.
AppleTV4K problems? See below for AppleTV tutorials and tips
We’ve had a bunch of questions lately about how to use an AppleTV streaming device. Thanks to our star actor (and fantastic technician) Will, we’ve been able to put together some videos that go over common AppleTV questions. See links below to make your AppleTV behave!
How to add apps to AppleTV:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbzvbVULkYw&t=38s
Airplay vs Screen Mirroring? How to Airplay and how to screen mirror:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ECZ1C6OrEs&t=47s
How to fix AppleTV – Frozen AppleTV, apps not working or no sound on AppleTV:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MftqghBq7jQ&t=55s
These steps will work for most AppleTV4K or AppleTV streaming devices. Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to our channel if these videos help you make sense of today’s technology.
- San Diego smart home and streaming experts…Aire Theater Designs
Airplay is now available on Roku devices!
Airplay: "AirPlay lets you share videos, photos, music, and more from Apple devices to your Apple TV, favorite speakers, and popular smart TVs." (definition from Apple’s website).
Want to take something you’ve filmed on your phone and “zap” it to your TV? Use Airplay.
Want to play something on your 4K television from a website you’ve accessed on your iPad? Use Airplay.
Want to use your GIANT 123” TV as a monitor for your iMac laptop: Use Airplay.
As you can see from the examples above, Airplay is a neat feature that can provide a lot of utility and fun. In the past, Airplaying video content to your surround sound system was only possible through an AppleTV streaming device. There are many popular streaming devices on the market (Roku, AppleTV, Fire Stick, etc.) and this was one of the reasons that people would sometimes choose an AppleTV over a Roku in a “Roku vs AppleTV” challenge.
However, Roku has just added a feature that allows you to use Airplay through their newer devices. If you have a Roku Ultra, Roku Premiere4K (we sometimes call it “Roku Orange” as it has an orange box) and their 4K Stick, you can now Airplay to Roku without having an AppleTV streaming device!
Our technician Will was nice enough to film a video below showing how to do this. Check the link below. Thanks Will!
How to Airplay to Roku Video HERE
Got questions about which streaming device is best or why you should choose AppleTV vs. Roku? We install these things every day! Give us a call and let San Diego’s Roku experts go over the pros-and-cons with you.
During this strange time, we’re understandably getting more questions about computer and network health than ever before. We wanted to provide you with some technology health elements and troubleshooting tips. These are points that may help to cut down on frustration and make you more productive. This is somewhat of a long read but please check it out as we’re confident this can help now and in the future. See below:
Got an important Zoom or video call tomorrow on your computer?
Want Healthy web browsing?
Random tips and opinions
My computer stopped connecting to the Internet the other day. All of my other wired devices were working as well as my WiFi devices. Therefore, the simplest thing was to replace my Ethernet cable. TA-DA! My computer was working again! There was no reason that the cable should have gone defective…but it did. The point is that most problems are fixed by doing the simple stuff first.
We hope that this information helps you to become more Internet-savvy and that your devices behave. Need further help in San Diego with WiFi, computer troubleshooting or electronics...give us a call! NOTE: LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to our Youtube page below for future tips, reviews and information.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9T427K3ZMta3YAa6um_rsg/featured
Eero won't work with your new device? We've solved that one before.
Does Eero not work with your new:
Smart Bulb?
Solar system?
Security system?
Baby monitor or pet cameras?
Smart home technology?
Here's why it doesn't work and how to fix it.
UPDATE as of 2/3/2022: See our latest video HERE that illustrates this process.
Eero is great product and we love it. See the article HERE why it's one of our favorite offerings. HOWEVER, there are some limitations to Eero and it's why we also have better WiFi offerings for certain applications. Eero emits both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz wireless networks and the way their product works is that your device will "see" 5Ghz until you get out-of-range. At that point, connected devices "see" the 2.4Ghz WiFi network. As a refresher, 5Ghz is faster than 2.4Ghz but it doesn't propagate as far in space.
Here's the problem, many of today's inexpensive DIY devices are cheaply constructed or engineered and as a result, the initial set-up app (or sometimes the device itself) only operates on the 2.4Ghz band. In most cases when you are trying to set these devices up with Eero, you are in range of the 5Ghz network and not the 2.4Ghz network that the device can attach to. As a result, the app from your smart device may display "no network", "set-up failed", etc. You can fix this in one of two methods:
This is an issue that has perplexed MANY people. However, this is a simple one for us. Want help from network professionals? Call San Diego's WiFi and Eero experts!
Having problems with AppleTV?
Having issues with AppleTV? You're not alone? We've experienced a number of problems over the last 12-15 months with clients reporting that it takes some time to get picture and sound from their AppleTV devices. Here's some brainstorming, thoughts and a possible fix.
We are only getting these calls with the older AppleTV units (generation 3). The newer units are generation 4 and we haven't seen the same problems with these. If you bought your unit 2+ years ago, you may have a generation 3 model. If you have one of these, read on as these ideas may be pertinent to you.
DISCLAIMER: This is my own theorizing and isn't based on any fact or anything I've read...Apple, please don't sue me. BEGIN: I noticed problems started on my older Gen 3 AppleTV unit about 18 months ago. When I would turn on the system as I always did, instead of the Apple menus and icons for Netflix, Prime Video, etc. coming up after 5-10 seconds, I regularly had just a black screen. My TV and all other components, including the AppleTV were on...I just had no picture or sound. After doing some testing, I experienced that the picture and sound would normally come back on after I would repeat the TV input commands. This is normally indicative of an HDMI "handshake" issue where the components don't recognize each other and you have to do the equivalent of reaching out your hand again (in this case, the TV's hand) so the TV can communicate with the AppleTV. Once I would choose the correct input on the TV again, I almost always get picture and sound and my AppleTV is functional.
I think the Apple changed their protocol via a firmware update and this changed the way that the AppleTV communicates via HDMI. In turn, this made it so the AppleTV doesn't behave the way it used to. The reason I think this is that prior to 18 months ago, we didn't come across this problem. Now we see it very regularly with older AppleTV units and it happens with different brands of TVs and audio/video receivers. So what's the fix?
If you turn on your older AppleTV and you don't get picture or sound, give it about 10 seconds and then repeat the TV input command. This will reinitialize the handshake and you should be in business. If it still doesn't work, this could be a common power-cycle issue and this is typically fixed by unplugging the power from the AppleTV, wait 30 seconds and then plug it back in. Add one of our BOBs to make this simple.
Still have questions? Let San Diego's technology experts help you with your stereo, television and streaming device needs!
Netflix not working on Roku? See below
Roku and Netflix are 2 great products...until they stop working together. Did Netflix just stop working on your Roku device? They just did an update that screwed things up. If you're not getting Netflix anymore:
1) Try going to another service such as Amazon, Hulu, etc. This will let you know if there is a global Roku issue or if it is limited to Netflix. If you can get picture and sound with these other apps, go to Step 2.
2) Go to the "Home" screen, "Settings", "Display Type" and then take your Roku off of "Auto Detect" and choose another resolution. You should see options such as 1080p, 1080i, etc.
3) Once you make this change you should be back in business! NOTE: Some Roku units may have slightly different terminology. If you don't see the exact terms in #2, use the closest variant (ex: "Display Type" might be "Resolution").
Still need help getting Netflix working with Roku? Call us and let San Diego's technology experts help you with streaming, WiFI networks and today's technology.