i guess it answers my question. which leads me to think i kind of didn't ask the right question or the full question. ;/ is there any way i can play content from my computer on the apple tv when it's off, or not? (sorry about not being clearer the first time btw)
if its not on that means there is no network to stream over and then no airplay and if itunes isnt on, that means your atv hasnt got a library to stream from ...