[RKDinOKC]

Fired up the 4th Generation AppleTV. Setup DirectTVNow and messed with it a bit. The only thing that cable has that it doesn't is easily accessible Descriptions of the programs. The thing DirectTVNow has it that for most networks if you like a show that is a series you can go back to the first episode and watch the entire series. And if you missed when something was aired you can go stream it.

What a fiasco! Was watching the serials I keep up with on the Mac Mini. At the end of the first one i punched the menu button to go to another and POOF!! The menu button woke up the new AppleTV AND changed the source on the TV to the AppleTV input. THEN all of the buttons on the remote i had been using with the Mac Mini now operates BOTH the Mac Mini and the New AppleTV at the same time.

Not big deal right. Figure I just go to the AppleTV settings and unpair the remote I'm using for the Mac mini. Well...No Dice, there is no more menu option to manage the IR remotes on the 4th Gen AppleTV. It only lets you manage the new IR/Bluetooth Siri Remotes. ARRGH!

Googled around and finally found all the different remotes have remote based pairing keys. You can pair, unpair, and reset the remote code by pressing the menu button and either right, left or the center button respectively. But guess what, unpairing has no zero effect on the New AppleTV. The IR remote still operates the AppleTV. ARRGH!!!

So the first challenge was getting the AppleTV to ignore the IR remote for the Mac Mini. Finally found to give the pairing command from the remote to the AppleTV. It is supposed to show an icon in the corner of the screen when paired, but it never did. Then you cover the AppleTV so it can't see the IR signal and use the Menu and Center or Select button and the same time for 10 seconds resetting the remotes codes. Then you have to uncover the AppleTV and see if it still responds to the IR remote. Had to reset the codes several times for it to stop responding.

The next thing is to get the remote working with the Mac mini with the new codes. You start by covering the AppleTV again so it won't pair while trying to pair with the Mac mini. Since the Mac mini will no longer see the remote with the new codes you have to go to the Security settings under the System Settings force it to unpair with the old remote/codes. Then use the Menu and Right buttons to pair the remote with the new codes. Thankfully it flashes a linked graphic to let you know it has paired. Then uncover the AppleTV and test again to make sure the remote works the Mac Mini and NOT the AppleTV. If it still works both you have to start over and try again.

Oh and during all that the AppleTV unpaired itself with its IR/Bluetooth remote so I had to re-pair it to the AppleTV to get it to work again.

What a geek filled day...

And I haven't even tried to watch either Cox Cable or DirectTVNow on my iPhone. Both have Apps for that and now I have memory to install them. Would be convenient at times when watching something live and have to go to the other room for longer than just a commercial break. Like taking care of a computer issue while on Nightwatch.