Apple TV for Zwift - explainer?

A) Yes it will

B) There's an issue with the number of Bluetooth channels Apple TVs can deal with, and one is reserved for the remote, so you might find you have to connect your stuff via the companion app on your phone. Someone does a HR strap (4iii maybe) that can also act as bridge.

C) Not sure on that one. Not had any problems running Zwift on an iPad.

So, can I get an improved experience with Apple TV?

There was a similar thread the other day.

Have you already got Apple TV or thinking of buying it?

I just use my iphone 11 and a lightening connection lead to my 32" TV. Thats with a Garmin watch on Bluetooth and Wahoo Kickr on Bluetooth. It cost about £10 for the lead.

Are your turbo trainer and HR strap bluetooth ?

C) I manage just fine to connect to the remote, my wahoo kickr and my bluetooth HRM but that's the limit and that is therefore not using my separate cadence sensor, only the wahoo kick all in one effect.
D) Get ready to want to throw that remote through the window, works just fine in the apple environment but as soon as you go into zwift it wont behave normally. Where you would think going up will move through that flow it wont, it'll move sideways and moving down doesnt return you very easily. So basically once you've started the ride/workout switch to controlling only via the companion app.

I can connect my direto and garmin HR strap to the appletv no problem.

I haven't been able to update the app (manually or auto) for some bizarre reason. It tells me to accept the new terms and conditions but you can't do this on the appletv apparently. So I just bring it into the house and reinstall it each time which is a massive pain in the behind.

Have you already got Apple TV or thinking of buying it?

Thinking about it.

I just use my iphone 11 and a lightening connection lead to my 32″ TV. Thats with a Garmin watch on Bluetooth and Wahoo Kickr on Bluetooth. It cost about £10 for the lead.

Can you explain more about this please? You are running Zwift direct on the phone yet seeing the visuals on screen with which lead?

companion app.

I thought this didn’t work iPhone to PC, if it does I’d love to know how?

Once your workout/ride is underway assuming both the iphone and macbook/laptop/ipad/tv are on the same wifi the companion app will chance and become 'in ride' view meaning you'll be able to turn etc etc.

I thought this didn’t work iPhone to PC, if it does I’d love to know how?

I thought the companion app talked directly to the server which then sends it back to your PC/other.

Has your existing PC got a solid state hard drive?

My 5 year old laptop went from struggling with Zwift (Almost bought an Apple TV...), to zipping along with an upgrade to an SSD hard drive. Cost me less than £80.

Can you explain more about this please? You are running Zwift direct on the phone yet seeing the visuals on screen with which lead?

Yes Zwift on the phone

A cable like this (this is just the first I clicked on on Amazon, I would check reviews etc)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lightning-Certified-Converter-Compatible-Projector/dp/B0BM4KRWXK/ref=asc_df_B0BM4KRWXK/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=641599373226&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15369990051395182426&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006973&hvtargid=pla-1979202385327&psc=1

plug an HDMI cable in to that in to the back of the TV. To be fair you need to power the phone at the same time through that adapter as it drains your phone batter using Zwift etc.

It does mean you have cables, but it is the cheapest way.

I have another question.

I have a stages SB20 smart bike. Do I need to look at a specific gen Apple TV to operate it?
I also run a HRM  so is there enough BT channels for it to work?

A cable like this

Ah ha! I have the Apple one already, I must have HDMI to HDMI somewhere in the house….

I thought the companion app talked directly to the server which then sends it back to your PC/other.

Don't think it is that simple. They always needed to be connected to the same local network. I used to get issues as the PC was on the 5g wifi while the phone toggled between 2.4G and 5G wifi channels.

@kryton57 why not turn the pc on outside your workout window and update then?

A) I’ll need it to connect to my iPhone hotspot, can it?

It will work but the problem you may have (I used my iPhone as a hotspot for Zwift when I used to have my setup in a spare office at work) is that you cannot then use the Companion app as it won't be on the same wireless network (annoyingly weird since the phone will literally be connected to the ATV or iPad in my case!!) The only workaround is to use another device (i.e. not the phone running the hotspot) to run the Companion app.

I have a stages SB20 smart bike.

have a look at the DCRainmaker review. He goes into some depth about it. Possibly not enough BT connections [I]but[/I] you can always use the Companion app on your phone for more.

Ah ha! I have the Apple one already,

Arse, it’s usb c and my phone is Lighting. Seems like a cheaper way to get around the update issue - and get Zwift in 43” HD - so I’ll jump on Amazon, thanks.

Is your iphone fairly modern? I imagine older ones may struggle with processing power?

@kryton57 why not turn the pc on outside your workout window and update then?

I could and do if I knew when the updates occurred, I never get notified. The issue is exaggerated that even with all power saving etc settings off on phone and pc, if I walk away and leave it the hotspot disconnect after a while, so I need to hang around, push the mouse and stop the phone locking. So it’s a faff finding 40 mins to hang around also

Is your iphone fairly modern?

it’s a 13 mini.