Apple TV (1080HD) - Macbook to HDTV Streaming Issues
I have a new Apple TV and stream from iPhones, iPads and various macs via AirPlay... and love it!

Two places I'd suggest you focus:


the operating system

upgrade to 10.8 (if you don't want to commit to ML, install it on a partition, thumb drive or RAM card and boot from there to AirPlay)
while not a principle cause of what you're experiencing, how much RAM does your MacBook have? If you have 4GB or less, upgrading to 8GB is a small dollar investment that provides a great return in speed.

the wireless router

are you experiencing slow or choppy wifi performance anywhere other than AirPlay?
does your MacBook Pro intermittently drop its wifi connection even when you have a full signal?
what wireless router(s) do you have, and how old are they?

just because it says G or N doesn't mean the wifi router is "any good" or supports all the protocols needed for AirPlay

how far is the wireless router from your tv and MacBook?

within reason, the closer the better




You call yourself a technophobe and moron, and I'm not here to dispute either of them (but I think you can achieve what you're hoping for!). My simple suggestion to resolve your problem: replace your wifi router with an Apple AirPort Extreme (less than $200) or AirPort Express (about $100).


I have used macs and iOS devices with a number of different brands of wireless routers, to limited success and happiness, usually defendant upon the age of the router. Older wifi gear does not support all the tricks and new technology Apple (and Intel) builds into the newer computers.
I've had the best success with Apple's AirPort Extreme or Express base stations... for working with both Macs and Windows boxes.

the AirPort Extreme let's you hook up a USB hard drive as a centralized TimeMachine backup disk for all your Macs backups
both the Extreme and Express let you attach a USB printer for remote printing



Either of the two routers are quick to set up, work with your Internet gateway, and should accomplish what you need. If you have an Apple store nearby, swing by and pick one up. You already have the software on your MacBook to configure it.

Good luck!