Zwift, Apple TV and Mobile Link

ck101
ck101 Posts: 222
Hi

I have been using Zwift on the Apple TV with my iPhone SE running Mobile Link and Wahoo Kicker 2 & Bluetooth Cadence Sensors. I keep getting cadence dropouts and have had a total loss of all connections on occasion. I have changed my cadence sensor with no improvement.

My WLAN is stable as is my broadband. Thinking about changing the phone now, anyone any suggestions?

Thanks,

Con.
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Comments

  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
    Apple TV is crap. I ran an iPhone linked to Apple TV for a while, but the imaging was slow and suffered with drop outs. I now use an iPad with an HDMI connection straight into a large screen monitor. Imaging is instant and no dropouts. I can also site the turbo set up at the other end of the room (so I have work space to work on the bikes) without losing signal.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • ck101
    ck101 Posts: 222
    Have you tried the new zwift app for Apple TV? This is different to Airplay, I agree the graphics are second rate.

    The app is really top class apart from the issue I referred to.
  • ryan_w-2
    ryan_w-2 Posts: 1,162
    I have a top of the range iMac, new Apple TV, Samsung 4K TV and 70mb fibre.

    Still can’t use AirPlay to run Zwift.

    Haven’t used the app, will download tonight and see if it’s any better.
    Specialized Allez Sprint Disc --- Specialized S-Works SL7

    IG: RhinosWorkshop
  • alex222
    alex222 Posts: 598
    I run Zwift via Apple TV, with a Direto and HRM, and generally been perfect to me. Other day though I had to delete and re-upload the app as I could not see any other avatars.
  • Ryan_W wrote:
    I have a top of the range iMac, new Apple TV, Samsung 4K TV and 70mb fibre.

    Still can’t use AirPlay to run Zwift.

    Haven’t used the app, will download tonight and see if it’s any better.

    It is. Or, at least, for me it just works.

    Only takes two sensors though. So if you have, for example, a Neo, that's on sensor (doing power and cadence) and my second is the Wahoo HRM. If you want speed, cadence and HRM you have to hook one of them through the mobile app.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • ryan_w-2
    ryan_w-2 Posts: 1,162
    Think my Kickr does power, speed and cadence, or am I talking complete shit?

    Have my ANT+ power meter on my S5 which I use with my Garmin. Tend to find it gives a better / more consistent reading.
    Specialized Allez Sprint Disc --- Specialized S-Works SL7

    IG: RhinosWorkshop
  • Ryan_W wrote:
    Think my Kickr does power, speed and cadence, or am I talking complete shoot?

    Have my ANT+ power meter on my S5 which I use with my Garmin. Tend to find it gives a better / more consistent reading.

    No, sounds right. Essentially the Kickr is bundling up one set of data (the riding) and then you will be able to connect a HMR separately.

    However, only BLE. Not ANT+. So any ANT+ you want to use will be through your S5 and the Mobile App.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • frisbee
    frisbee Posts: 691
    Ryan_W wrote:
    Think my Kickr does power, speed and cadence, or am I talking complete shoot?

    Have my ANT+ power meter on my S5 which I use with my Garmin. Tend to find it gives a better / more consistent reading.

    The Kickr probably doesn't do cadence.

    I say probably because some people have seen cadence in log files and certain applications but it won't appear on screen in Zwift. Something is estimating current from other sensor reading.

    It also comes with a separate cadence sensor.
  • ck101
    ck101 Posts: 222
    Yes correct, no cadence from kicker itself, Wahoo are behind on this compared to the market. It hasn’t been a problem until Zwift developed the app for Apple TV with its 2 BLE connection limitation.

    8 posts in and no one has the same problem with Zwift Mobile Link.
  • I pair my cadence and hr monitor via the mobile link app using kickr 2 and Apple 4k, its not perfect and I usually have to restart the app to get everything working correctly, but once its working its great!

    I had to move my Apple TV box as it was suffering interference from the microwave which was in the utility room next to the garage, its been ok since then.
    Paracyclist
    @Bigmitch_racing
    2010 Specialized Tricross (commuter)
    2014 Whyte T129-S
    2016 Specialized Tarmac Ultegra Di2
    Big Mitch - YouTube
  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
    I've a Direto with Tickr HRM. Previously, I used Apple TV with a bluetooth dongle, but as posted, it was prone to drop outs and image hang ups. With the iPad and the HDMI lead I have no such problems with an instantaneous display and quality graphics.

    If someone has an iMac, why do you need Apple TV? Surely the bluetooth or ANT+ connection will work direct to your trainer and the image quality will be infinitely better.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • my iMac is in the study with the nice wooden flooring. My ATV is in the garage, with its foam flooring and the large TV.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • ck101
    ck101 Posts: 222
    Think i’ll switch back to a laptop with a hdmi / ipad until i get a new phone.
  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
    my iMac is in the study with the nice wooden flooring. My ATV is in the garage, with its foam flooring and the large TV.

    Guess I'm lucky as my set up is in a large integral tandem garage. 40" display monitor picked up for £40.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    I run Zwift on a MacBook - with airplay via apple tv onto a 60'' 3d plasma !! its awesome...but wife complains I get in the way when she's watching corrie !
  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
    I run Zwift on a MacBook - with airplay via apple tv onto a 60'' 3d plasma !! its awesome...but wife complains I get in the way when she's watching corrie !

    Why are you using Apple TV? Download the app to the MacBook, link the MacBook to the TV via an HDMI lead and off you go. It seems that you're adding another means for connection unnecessarily.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • ryan_w-2
    ryan_w-2 Posts: 1,162
    Downloaded the app and all is running flawlessly, however, my trainer (Kickr) wouldn’t adjust resistance when going up hills etc?

    Anyone else has this issue?
    Specialized Allez Sprint Disc --- Specialized S-Works SL7

    IG: RhinosWorkshop
  • ck101
    ck101 Posts: 222
    Bit the bullet bought a hdmi cable and Apple hdmi connector (not cheap). Connected to my iPad Pro running Zwift, it’s not giving me wide screen 16.9 but 4.3, a known issue not specific to Zwift but not too bad either.

    Most importantly the Bluetooth is rock solid with no drop outs.
  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
    Ck101 wrote:
    Bit the bullet bought a hdmi cable and Apple hdmi connector (not cheap). Connected to my iPad Pro running Zwift, it’s not giving me wide screen 16.9 but 4.3, a known issue not specific to Zwift but not too bad either.

    Most importantly the Bluetooth is rock solid with no drop outs.

    This is the one I use.

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lightning-MAOZ ... hdmi+apple

    Cheaper than the Apple one and I get full screen.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
    Ck101 wrote:
    Bit the bullet bought a hdmi cable and Apple hdmi connector (not cheap). Connected to my iPad Pro running Zwift, it’s not giving me wide screen 16.9 but 4.3, a known issue not specific to Zwift but not too bad either.

    Most importantly the Bluetooth is rock solid with no drop outs.

    Double post gremlins
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • ck101
    ck101 Posts: 222
    Yep you were right, wasn’t sure from your post if you were running the Zwift app on the phone with Airplay (which is awful) or the mobile link and the Zwift app on the Apple TV. The latter is excellent and preferable to the HDMI setup if it was not for the Bluetooth drop outs.
  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
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    Ck101 wrote:
    Yep you were right, wasn’t sure from your post if you were running the Zwift app on the phone with Airplay (which is awful) or the mobile link and the Zwift app on the Apple TV. The latter is excellent and preferable to the HDMI setup if it was not for the Bluetooth drop outs.

    Zwift app on the ipad linked to the monitor with the HDMI cable shown elsewhere. Zwift Mobile Link on phone. Did a group ride yesterday and I was the only one of us not to suffer with drop outs. Doubly frustrating for them going up Mountain 8.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • I believe an update has just become available for Apple TV, May help with any issues?
    Paracyclist
    @Bigmitch_racing
    2010 Specialized Tricross (commuter)
    2014 Whyte T129-S
    2016 Specialized Tarmac Ultegra Di2
    Big Mitch - YouTube
  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
    The new Apple TV has Zwift installed on it, but is better with the 4K version. As far as I know, version 4 and below don't have Zwift so you are reliant on airplay from an iOS device, which is problematic.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • Gen 4 and above of Apple tv run Zwift.
  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
    jimmurray wrote:
    Gen 4 and above of Apple tv run Zwift.

    Yes stand corrected.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • ryan_w-2
    ryan_w-2 Posts: 1,162
    Fixed my issues with a software update on the turbo.

    Shall be on tonight baiting sprinters...
    Specialized Allez Sprint Disc --- Specialized S-Works SL7

    IG: RhinosWorkshop
  • ck101
    ck101 Posts: 222
    Latest update on this issue;

    Upgraded to latest version of Zwift App on Apple TV & upgraded my phone to the latest iPhone 8. Just did an hour on Zwift with zero dropouts. Result!

    I suspect its the App and nothing whatsoever to do with the phone.

    Hopefully there’s no software updates coming down the tracks that messes it all up.

    Well done Zwift people. :D
  • ryan_w-2
    ryan_w-2 Posts: 1,162
    Zwift working perfectly for me too on 4K Apple TV.

    SO much of an improvement over screen mirroring / airplay.
    Specialized Allez Sprint Disc --- Specialized S-Works SL7

    IG: RhinosWorkshop
  • rdt
    rdt Posts: 869
    Out of interest, has anyone bought an Apple TV who doesn't already have an iDevice?

    I'd read somewhere recently that some Zwifter who did this had to go into an Apple Store to get it up and running because without an iDevice they couldn't perform some aspect of the registration/setup.

    Sounds like a load of bo11ox to me, but wondered nonetheless. I don't have an iDevice but do have an existing Apple ID....