Zwift Chat

[theboxers]

Is anyone here using Apple TV? Prefer it to pc / lap top set up?

I think I need something dedicated to turbo but don’t know which way to go

My brother uses the 4k version for his zwifting. Only problem is the 3 BT channels. One is taken by the remote so if you want/need a HRM, cadence or power meter you need a ant+ to ble bridge/combiner. CaBle or 4iiii HRM will do the job of providing enough channels for trainer power, trainer control, HRM and cadence. Once setup correctly it works without any problems afaik (I'm the sw/he support person for them when they have issues).

The first few times are confusing but once you get used to it it is a breeze.

Gplama has a video for the cable

 

[Del C]

Thanks very much for all the info so far. Much appreciated.

Brusgaard do you think running your set up improves reaction time between you putting power down and Zwift responding?

Regarding the guys on Apple TV. It does seem like the cheaper option. Although the bricking thing sounds a pain... is there a specific version I should be looking at? I’m assuming I don’t need much memory if I’m only using it for Zwift.

@BurningLegs has covered pretty much everything I was going to say.

I've had no problems running Apple TV with my TACX Neo.

The main reason I went for this is that I can leave it in the garage and its there waiting to go. I don't have to carry my MacBook out and reconnect the Broadband, HDMI and power cables each time. It also auto-updates, so I never have to wait for an update to be installed when I go out to ride.

If you go this route, the recommendation is to go for the newer 4k version. It's graphics are a bit better and its compatible with a 4k TV, if you use one and when Zwift get round to rendering images in 4k, which they don't right now.

You will need to get yourself a Bluetooth HRM if you don't already have one. I use the Wahoo Tickr, but there are other options.

gplama covers the pros and cons of using Apple TV, explains the Bluetooth connectivity and compares it other options (including MacBook) here:

https://gplama.blogspot.com/2017/11/zwift-on-apple-tv-full-to-z-user.html

 

[<Tommy>]

My brother uses the 4k version for his zwifting. Only problem is the 3 BT channels. One is taken by the remote so if you want/need a HRM, cadence or power meter you need a ant+ to ble bridge/combiner. CaBle or 4iiii HRM will do the job of providing enough channels for trainer power, trainer control, HRM and cadence. Once setup correctly it works without any problems afaik (I'm the sw/he support person for them when they have issues).

The first few times are confusing but once you get used to it it is a breeze.

Gplama has a video for the cable

Can’t you use the companion app for the extra Bluetooth or am I getting it wrong?

 

[<Tommy>]

@BurningLegs has covered pretty much everything I was going to say.

I've had no problems running Apple TV with my TACX Neo.

The main reason I went for this is that I can leave it in the garage and its there waiting to go. I don't have to carry my MacBook out and reconnect the Broadband, HDMI and power cables each time. It also auto-updates, so I never have to wait for an update to be installed when I go out to ride.

If you go this route, the recommendation is to go for the newer 4k version. It's graphics are a bit better and its compatible with a 4k TV, if you use one and when Zwift get round to rendering images in 4k, which they don't right now.

You will need to get yourself a Bluetooth HRM if you don't already have one. I use the Wahoo Tickr, but there are other options.

gplama covers the pros and cons of using Apple TV, explains the Bluetooth connectivity and compares it other options (including MacBook) here:

https://gplama.blogspot.com/2017/11/zwift-on-apple-tv-full-to-z-user.html

It makes sense to me too Del. It sounds like @Brusgaard has the ultimate set up but I don’t think I need it if I’m just using Zwift.

 

[Brusgaard]

Thanks very much for all the info so far. Much appreciated.

Brusgaard do you think running your set up improves reaction time between you putting power down and Zwift responding?

Regarding the guys on Apple TV. It does seem like the cheaper option. Although the bricking thing sounds a pain... is there a specific version I should be looking at? I’m assuming I don’t need much memory if I’m only using it for Zwift.

There is some lag between putting power down and Zwift reacting, but I guess it's within 1 or max 2 seconds. If I stop pedalling, my watts (and speed) go to zero very quick, at least compared to the Direto, which allowed me to coast for a few seconds. On my Neo it feels more like hitting the brakes than just coasting. Real world experience would probably be somewhere in between.

Yes the ATV4K is the cheaper option, but also a VERY limited one. AFAIK only FullGaz and Zwift runs on it, very limited BT channels, not possible to upgrade memory, graphics or anything else. But I guess coming from a Mac you are used to limited options and all sorts of dongles/adaptors etc. to make things work.

The 32GB version should be just fine for Zwift and the odd other app you might install on it.

 

[Del C]

Can’t you use the companion app for the extra Bluetooth or am I getting it wrong?

Yes you can.

The gplama video covers that as well

 

[Del C]

There is some lag between putting power down and Zwift reacting, but I guess it's within 1 or max 2 seconds. If I stop pedalling, my watts (and speed) go to zero very quick, at least compared to the Direto, which allowed me to coast for a few seconds. On my Neo it feels more like hitting the brakes than just coasting. Real world experience would probably be somewhere in between.

Yes the ATV4K is the cheaper option, but also a VERY limited one. AFAIK only FullGaz and Zwift runs on it, very limited BT channels, not possible to upgrade memory, graphics or anything else. But I guess coming from a Mac you are used to limited options and all sorts of dongles/adaptors etc. to make things work.

The 32GB version should be just fine for Zwift and the odd other app you might install on it.

All the limitations @Brusgaard identifies are correct.

But in the end what matters is what you use the ATV for. If it's just running Zwift and you need a cheap and effective environment that means you don't have to carry your laptop out for every session, then the 4kATV is pretty hard to beat for cost and performance.

If you want to run other simulator Apps other than Zwift or Fullgaz, its limited as @Brusgaard says.

The only minor irritation I have with the ATV is the remote is pretty clunky, but it does the job.

 

[JuhaL]

I have a ATV 4k 32GB and video runs perfectly, i haven't actually ride with ATV so i don't have experience about that. I agree what @Del C said remote is clunky, might be good idea use companion app as well to do some controls.

 

[Randyberlin]

Is anyone here using Apple TV? Prefer it to pc / lap top set up?

I think I need something dedicated to turbo but don’t know which way to go

I set up an iPad with screen mirror app to an Amazon fire TV stick. I bought the fire tv stick for $14 and the app was $2.
I also have a cheap laptop with an HDMI port and a mini mac that is my regular set up.

 

[theboxers]

Can’t you use the companion app for the extra Bluetooth or am I getting it wrong?

I'm not sure TBH. I had to get him going in stages as he lives the other side of London and I couldn't be there to tea h him when I was learning myself how to do it.

 

[JuhaL]

I have read that to ATV you can connect 3 Bluetooth devices and to companion other Bluetooth devices.

 

[theboxers]

I have read that to ATV you can connect 3 Bluetooth devices and to companion other Bluetooth devices.

Yes that is correct. However one of the devices will be the ATV remote. The trainer is 2 devices, the power/output readings and the trainer control channel.

 

[JuhaL]

Yes that is correct. However one of the devices will be the ATV remote. The trainer is 2 devices, the power/output readings and the trainer control channel.

How about cadence sensor, is that integrated to trainer control channel or is that trainers 3rd device?.

 

[LBHIFI]

Looks like a pretty good turnout for tonight's TT - 13 signed up for the "fun"so far...

Had a terrible IRL TT yesterday. Car slowing me down for the first 2 K’s, then took a wrong turn and only found out after another 2 K’s when the road ended in a T-section, rather than the roundabout I was expecting .
Can you guarantee nothing like that will happen tonight ?

 

[JuhaL]

Had a terrible IRL TT yesterday. Car slowing me down for the first 2 K’s, then took a wrong turn and only found out after another 2 K’s when the road ended in a T-section, rather than the roundabout I was expecting .
Can you guarantee nothing like that will happen tonight ?

You mean that same car appears in Zwift? .