ATV and my mbp

[ankhseeker]

The scenario is this. We rent houses for a week at a time. Most have flat panel tv's. Does an apple tv need to be on a network to work? What I want to do is to plug the ATV into the TV and broadcast movies from my MBP to it and then to the TV. Maybe I am just thinking about this too hard. I don't have an ATV at this time, but would get one if this idea works. Since my MBP doesn't have a HDMI jack, I thought that this might be a viable solution? You guys have a better one? I am all ears and thanks!

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Which MBP do you have? I see you listed some specs in your profile, but the identifier A1286 applies to a lot of different MacBooks. If it has a Mini DisplayPort, you can get an adapter. Here's an example:
Belkin 4K Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Cable (4 m/13 ft.) - Apple Store (U.S.)

Otherwise, yes, the Apple TV would need to be on a network. You have to authorize "Home Sharing" with your iTunes account to stream anything from iTunes. And that connection apparently has to be more or less persistent. Despite having long ago authorized my ATV for Home Sharing, we had an internet outage that lasted 2 days and the ATV wouldn't connect to my iMac on my home network.

 

[ankhseeker]

It is a Macbook 5,3 I think it has a mini port. Is that the one between the thunderbolt 800 and the usb port?
Sounding like a cable is in order, but I was hoping for something easier.
On another subject, I bought this unit used. Can I use the apple remote with this machine? I would need to buy one.
Thanks!