Apple TV at Marriott?

[Serina]

How do you use an Apple TV at a MVC? We’ve had problems getting it to work. Thanks!

 

[bbts]

We have successfully used an Apple TV at MVC properties. After connecting the Apple TV to the TV (you need your HDMI cable), you need to contact the Internet help line (the front desk can either give you the toll-free number or connect you). Once the tech is on, you need to go to the settings menu on your Apple TV, and provide them with the MAC number for your connection. The tech then locates your Apple TV on the WiFi system and will activate your device for the number of days you are staying at the property. It only takes a few minutes, and you should then be all set for the duration of your stay.

 

[Serina]

bbts: Thank you! That’s very helpful information.

 

[dioxide45]

The problem is with authenticating the device on the network without a browser since many networks require either a passcode or your name and room number. We have used our Amazon Firestick at several properties pretty easily, mainly because it has a built in web browser. Something that AppleTV lacks.

 

[bazzap]

We have successfully used an Apple TV at MVC properties. After connecting the Apple TV to the TV (you need your HDMI cable), you need to contact the Internet help line (the front desk can either give you the toll-free number or connect you). Once the tech is on, you need to go to the settings menu on your Apple TV, and provide them with the MAC number for your connection. The tech then locates your Apple TV on the WiFi system and will activate your device for the number of days you are staying at the property. It only takes a few minutes, and you should then be all set for the duration of your stay.

We have had a similar experience.
We have used our Apple TV successfully at several MVC resorts, but it has needed the help of the local IT team to complete the connection process.

 

[bbts]

The problem is with authenticating the device on the network without a browser since many networks require either a passcode or your name and room number. We have used our Amazon Firestick at several properties pretty easily, mainly because it has a built in web browser. Something that AppleTV lacks.

Yes, without the help of the Internet help desk (a toll-free service all MVC properties appear to utilize), you cannot activate the Apple TV for the reason noted by dioxide45. And when you call the front desk, don't let them send someone to the room to help. Only the tech from the Internet help desk can activate the port (remotely) that the Apple TV requires to access the Internet. Hope it works for you.

 

[Dean]

How do you use an Apple TV at a MVC? We’ve had problems getting it to work. Thanks!

You can call the internet help and see if they will manually authentication it. I've had 2 resort where they would and 2 where they wouldn't with MVC. The last 2 times I tried, they both said it was against their contract with the resort to do so. I continue to travel with a travel router that I can use as a wireless access point. That gets me past this issue as well as the resorts where they limit the number of internet accesses you can have. If you can get a browser to work (Safari) on the Apple TV, that will do it also.

 

[dioxide45]

You can call the internet help and see if they will manually authentication it. I've had 2 resort where they would and 2 where they wouldn't with MVC. The last 2 times I tried, they both said it was against their contract with the resort to do so. I continue to travel with a travel router that I can use as a wireless access point. That gets me past this issue as well as the resorts where they limit the number of internet accesses you can have. If you can get a browser to work (Safari) on the Apple TV, that will do it also.

There is no Safari browser on the Apple TV, thus the reason the OP has had the problem in the past.

 

[Dean]

There is no Safari browser on the Apple TV, thus the reason the OP has had the problem in the past.

Actually there is one available but it's not native.

 

[dioxide45]

Actually there is one available but it's not native.

Based on everything I have read, there isn't even one available in the Apple TV app store. It seems there is a way for a browser to be added, but probably not something most novices would undertake.

 

[Dean]

Based on everything I have read, there isn't even one available in the Apple TV app store. It seems there is a way for a browser to be added, but probably not something most novices would undertake.

That's correct but there is one available.

 

[NYFLTRAVELER]

I’ve used a fire tv stick without issue.

 

[n777lt]

If Apple TV works like Roku stick, the IT guys will use the MAC address to set up the authentication. If you need to use a browser interface to make it work, it may (but doesn't always) work for you to connect your phone or laptop via wifi to the Apple TV/Roku, and can use the browser on the phone/laptop to accomplish authentication, then connect the Apple TV/Roku to the Marriott wifi - I've been doing this for years and never had IT refuse to help in the US or abroad. (The Marriott front desk people who have to give you the IT phone number did sometimes say "You can't do that" but gave me the IT number anyway, and IT never balked.) Now that many Marriott properties offer "Internet TV" I have little need for the Roku, but I bring it just in case. (Also the travel router, which I use not to exceed the device quota, but to get a better signal)

 

[Serina]

Thanks for all the tips and advice. Very helpful!

 

[Steve Fatula]

Internet TV isn't good enough for us (but likely is for many). Evenings after dark we usually are in the room. When we have those free times are are resting after a long day, we might watch TV. We watch DVR stuff from our house in the room. Internet speeds at these properties seem to be real good and we never have any bandwidth issues. We just find it handy. While we use Apple TV's exclusively at home, we find a small roku device more suitable for easily watching in the room. Smaller footprint, runs the necessary apps, and, can be connected to "hotel" wifi without involving IT almost always.

 

[drlee]

We have also connected our iphone directly, thus using the inroom wifi, without authorization. Can stream most things, and show pictures on the tv. Direct tv doesn't allow streaming via hdmi, but most secondary apps do (discovery, fox, cbs, etc.)