Airpods slow video streaming

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Level 1

117 points

Airpods slow video streaming

I have some videos (mp4) in my iTunes library, on my Mac Mini. I stream the video, via our in-home WiFi, between the Mini and my iPad. The iPad is playing the video in the 'apple'TV app, using 'Home Sharing'.

I find that the video plays smoothly when I simply view/listen on the iPad, i.e., the sound coming through the iPad's internal speakers.

However, when I turn on bluetooth (on the iPad) and connect my Airpods, the video plays for 4-8 seconds and then stalls, buffering (small buffering spinner), until I hit pause then play in the aTV app. This continues over and over, every 4-8 seconds. If I disconnect the Airpods (I don't even need to turn off Bluetooth, just put the Airpods away) then the video resumes smooth playing on the iPad.

I've seen some articles that say that WiFi interferes with Bluetooth. Is that the problem? Clearly I won't be able to turn off WiFi since I need that to use Home Sharing. What's the advice for this situation?

iPad mini 5 Wi-Fi

Posted on Oct 1, 2019 12:30 PM

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Answer 1

MoonJ.

Community Specialist

Oct 3, 2019 3:08 PM in response to keriah

Hello keriah,

Thanks for posting to the Apple Support Communities.It appears the Wi-Fi for the iPad will buffer videos over Home Sharing if the AirPods are connected. I'll be happy to help.

Here are some suggestions:

There are some items when connected that can cause wireless interference. This link will explain some of them: Resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless interference - Apple Support
If you haven't already, be sure to back up then update the iPad to the latest possible version: Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
If it's already on the latest version, restart the iPad: Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

If you're still having issues, reach out to the Apple Support team here: Contact Apple Support

Best regards.

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Answer 2

keriah Author

Level 1

117 points

Oct 4, 2019 1:51 PM in response to MoonJ.

Both the iPad and the Mac with the iTunes Library (Home Sharing source) are on the latest revs. Each is restarted daily, and the router is off overnight. So all devices should have been 'fresh' first thing in the morning.

I ended up doing a 'reset' on the AirPods and maybe that fixed it. IAC, I left things alone for a day, and the next morning the playback was better. It's interesting to learn that the AirPods and Home Sharing aren't really playing nice (bluetooth+wifi+home sharing combo). I had noticed the frequent buffering but had chalked that up to the router being pokey.

If this persists I guess I'll just go back to one of my other bluetooth headsets for this video viewing and hope that Apple gets this streaming combination working together in some future release. Otherwise, the AirPods are a dream when playing back other combinations (e.g., audiobooks stored on my phone), which is how they should be working.

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Airpods slow video streaming

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