2010 Apple TV: Can't see "Computers" after iMac/ATV sleep

You're right, when you quit iTunes and relaunch the home sharing icon does go away. I did not quit iTunes and just left it alone. I did just try to quit iTunes and relaunched and the Apple TV still finds my library. I don't know what the issue is. When I first the got my new ATV it was randomly working and not working in terms of finding itunes library but seems to have settled down and been working better over the last few days. Hopefully this will get sorted out soon.

I leave iTunes open all the time on my computer so I don't have to remember to launch it when I want to watch something...

I just tried turning off home sharing and then turning it back on without pushing done. I noticed that sharing did stay in the left column. We will see if after the devices fall asleep they stay connected. I still wish I could figure out why my Mac and original ATV keep trying to share IP addresses ever since I bought the new one.

Hey, that's strange, I noticed that as well.
Next, I'll try switching off ATV1, and see if that's interfering with ATV2.
Bob.

Wow, the problems with this new and "improved" Apple TV are laughable at best. There must be hundreds of posts about this same issue (iTunes library not showing up / or disappearing randomly from the COMPUTER tab on the Apple TV) already reported...within weeks of launch. I figured since Apple was taking this new Gen2 Apple TV "seriously"...that it would "work". I am going to call tech support, but am certain they will have NO idea (called them many times with the first gen Apple TV).

I tried the suggestion here of not clicking DONE when turing on the Home Sharing on iTunes. This indeed keeps the Home Sharing icon showing on the iTunes bar. Was thinking that this would maybe solve the issue (since it disappears if hit DONE when turning on Home Sharing)...but it does not. The icon is there, and my library is no longer showing "avail" on the Computers tab on the Apple TV. I can get everything working again by turning Home Sharing off, then back on...but that's certainly not an acceptable solution. I just can't see it being my wireless, since even when my library connection disappears...I can run a network test and everything checks out. Just seems there is a an issue with the Apple TV "talking" to iTunes.

I have the first generation Apple TV and have had problems with it disappearing from iTunes randomly...which has frustrated me to no end. At least with that one, there is a hard drive and once it finally syncs you at least have most of what you are looking for.

Simply unbelievable. I am sure that I am gonna get the "it's your wireless router, and since it's not Apple...we can't help" speech from tech support (heard this before). Amazing that these issues keep happening with this product.

I LOVE this product when it works, but it's maddening that it can never stay connected with my iTunes acct.

I've been messing with my setup all evening and can't seem to wrap my mind around it. All I am sure of is that when my iMac goes into sleep mode and comes back online my new Apple TV loses the shared library and the old Apple TV and iMac try sharing an IP address (if the old Apple TV is on- when it is off it's the same result- losing the library- for the new one). I tried streaming with the old tv versus syncing and thatched no effect. Ive messed with what machine shuts down first and it doesn't seem to make a difference. All I know is that something with the new atv has some play in messing with my old tv because I had never had this problem before. Gosh... the more I write the more confused I am. I'd call Apple but as the person in the previous post wrote it would be pointless. This needs to be fixed because its a hassle to re-start my computer every time I want to watch my content. Tonight I am not going to let my hard drive sleep and see what results I come up with- nonetheless it's not going to be good for my computer to never rest.

Robert, have you had any luck turning off ATV 1? Did you mean you also had IP address issues?

Yes, I'd noticed that the ATV1 and ATV2 were using the same IP address occasionally.
I haven't got around to turning it off yet, I'll try it today.
Bob.

Btw, I would (and have) phoned Apple Support.
If every person that bought ATV2 rang them, they'd have to do something......fast!
If no-one rang them, they'd think that everything was o.k.
Bob.

tried with two machines and Apple TV won't pick anything up, tried all suggestions but still nothing, this is rubbish! my blood is boiling now!

Me too, I've struggled with this for a week now..........and had no help from Apple!
If I thought Apple were not going to update the software, I would send it back, but they must do something soon, mustn't they?
Bob.

I tried leaving my iMac on all night... no luck. I woke up this morning to find that my library was once again missing. I'm ready for a software update already. I might just go back to using the old ATV until the issue is resolved.

What I can't understand it that some people don't seem to be having problems (see review here.......one of the comments at the bottom is mine);

http://www.pocket-lint.com/review/5058/apple-tv-2-2010-review

Bob.

I just got off the phone with an Apple rep who would only reply with a simple "Yes" to my every complaint. She advised me this is "how it's designed to work". After talking in circles, she agreed to forward my comments on as a complaint and a function request.

Apple basically wants us to keep our iTunes computers running 24/7 to prevent this from happening. Not only is this a security issue (albeit less so than with a PC), but it strikes me this is hard on the computer as well as a HUGE waste of energy. I do not understand why my Mac cannot recognize a request while in sleep mode, especially from an approved device on my home network. Also, why can't we run iTunes off a 2TB Time Capsule instead of the Mac? Seems ridiculous to me.

If they don't fix this within the week, I'll begin shopping for a replacement. Maybe something that allows me to surf the internet rather than restrict me to sites like Netflix, YouTube, and iTunes.

Strange -- for four days my Apple TV was working just fine. I've been going down to my basement to test it every morning after my post on October 6. This morning I saw my iMac listed, so I selected it and the Apple TV attempted to connect, but could not. I unplugged it. No iMac listed. I unplugged it once again -- back to working fine.

I unpacked my second Apple TV (after 4 good days on my basement ATV, I thought all was well and good!) and connected it -- no problems yet. I'll keep my eyes on both. Hopefully an update will solve all these problems. I remember having problems with my 1st generation for a few weeks and then it worked quite well (after an update, I suppose).

I have had many problems with this for about 2 weeks. I have had ATV1 (4 of them) since ATV started and have much experience using them in almost every concievable fashion.

When I first installed it found my MAC Pro first time but as others after the ATV slept it would not return. I restarted iTunes and home sharing once then it came back a second time however after it lost again there was nothing I could do to get it to return. I rest the ATV, then rest to factory default which go it to see the library but when I tried to load it would spin for few minutes and kick me back to the main menu.

I then dug into every possible facet of my network and MAC Pro, my network is fairly complex and has 3 routers, netscreen FW and 4 access points.

To put it simple I tried everything Network settings, Doorstop FW, Little Snitch and nothing seemed to correct the issue. As others have stated I could ping the ATV2 from my MAC but it couldn't load the library, I could see and use the homesharing with any other device iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Laptop.

I had about given up and then I thought, In iTunes preferences under sharing I had "share my library on local network checked. I wondered why did I need this in addition to Home Sharing? so I unchecked it......Rebooted PC, Rebooted ATV2 and it has been rock solid ever since.

The only thing to add is my server rus 8:00am to 1:00pm and auto shut down and restarts so I am running all the time. I do this to support the other ATVs anytime access without turning on the server. When it restarts the library on ATV2 comes right back.

I also noticed since I have 3 subnets that if I put the ATV2 on different subnet (Can still ping it) then it will not connect to the Home Share. Other devices seem to be able to do this.


Go Figure.....I will follow up if anything changes