TWalkerPolk
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Apple TV HD Rental Streaming Problem

I wanted to create this topic to ask if others are running into the same issues I am with streaming rented HD movies. I go to play the rented HD movie and am transferred to a screen that says "Loading...." for about a minute or two. Then, that message is replaced with one that says "Ready to play in [xxx] minutes"...with horribly long times listed (my movie was rented last night, and as of this evening, it shows "Ready to play in 232 minutes").

This seems like a MAJOR flaw with the Apple TV. I have no problem viewing YouTube, HD Netflix movies, HD trailers, etc. I have even been able to watch an HD TV show rental within about 5 mins of selecting it. Seems like there may be a major flaw in the streaming process for HD Movie rentals over the Apple TV.

If you haven't tested this yet (or if you have no issues), please post what is happening with your HD movie rentals.

TWP

Note: I have rebooted everything, used my Airport Express with the ethernet cord directly into the Apple TV, over wiFi, adjusted the distance between my router and the Apple TV. Nothing has worked.

Dell Laptop m1330, Windows 7

Posted on Oct 8, 2010 9:05 PM

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TWalkerPolk

Q: Apple TV HD Rental Streaming Problem

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  • by inshany,

    inshany inshany Dec 20, 2010 9:05 PM in response to TWalkerPolk
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 20, 2010 9:05 PM in response to TWalkerPolk
    I’m having the same issue with long wait times. This is after the latest (4.1.1) update that was suppose to fix this problem. It is very frustrating.

  • by cloud_pc,

    cloud_pc cloud_pc Dec 21, 2010 3:37 AM in response to inshany
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 21, 2010 3:37 AM in response to inshany
    Could netflix server be causing a bandwidth issue with apple tv? Since the limit the throttole on slower connections?

  • by newagemac,

    newagemac newagemac Dec 21, 2010 6:19 AM in response to garydicksonuk
    Level 2 (240 points)
    Dec 21, 2010 6:19 AM in response to garydicksonuk
    The above article is definitely worth reading if you're having problems streaming and you (or someone else) have ever changed your DNS server like many have.

    I tried to warn people in this thread earlier about using Google DNS, OpenDNS, and other DNS servers other than the one your ISP provides. Using them can cause havoc with streaming services that use Content Delivery Networks (like how iTunes uses Akamai) because you're not being connected to the servers closest to you.

  • by tomh1000,

    tomh1000 tomh1000 Dec 21, 2010 7:38 AM in response to newagemac
    Level 1 (45 points)
    Dec 21, 2010 7:38 AM in response to newagemac
    newagemac wrote:
    The above article is definitely worth reading if you're having problems streaming and you (or someone else) have ever changed your DNS server like many have.

    I tried to warn people in this thread earlier about using Google DNS, OpenDNS, and other DNS servers other than the one your ISP provides. Using them can cause havoc with streaming services that use Content Delivery Networks (like how iTunes uses Akamai) because you're not being connected to the servers closest to you.


    I am using my ISP's DNS and still have this issue. 10 hours to start watching a movie with ATV2 and only a few minutes with my old ATV. I find it hard to believe that there is no hardware or software issue with the newer versions.

    Tom

  • by rikithemonk,

    rikithemonk rikithemonk Dec 21, 2010 1:38 PM in response to TWalkerPolk
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Dec 21, 2010 1:38 PM in response to TWalkerPolk
    Update:

    Ok, this is ridiculous Apple needs to update their server or change their compression. Apple, Your loosing money. Im finding that Im not renting movies because I cant stand all the pauses and buffering. I never have any problems at all with netflix. When my Apple Streaming rental stalls, I can pull up my netflix and watch anything I want. I run a speed test and Im getting my full speed of 5 (Bright house) The built in Apple TV network test completes just fine as well. Ive been watching, or attempting to watch BBC America's Season 5 of Dr Who and its been a buffering Stalling mess. If HD isn't working then you need to offer SD as an option.

    Come on Apple, This thread is already 22 pages. How about a little feed back? Let us know whats going on. What can we do to help you straighten this thing out?

    Message was edited by: rikithemonk

  • by Kriegs,

    Kriegs Kriegs Dec 21, 2010 1:36 PM in response to tomh1000
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 21, 2010 1:36 PM in response to tomh1000
    I am having this problem using my ISP server and have recently experienced frustratingly slow downloads with AppleTV 2. I am not used to Apple beta testing products in the wild. I expect more from the company given how long I have supported them.

    ..gary

  • by vazandrew,

    vazandrew vazandrew Dec 21, 2010 2:00 PM in response to rikithemonk
    Level 6 (19,303 points)
    Apple TV
    Dec 21, 2010 2:00 PM in response to rikithemonk
    Apple doesn't read these forums. What is your actual speed? There are many factors to consider. You can turn off HD if that's not working for you.

  • by Troutstreamguy,

    Troutstreamguy Troutstreamguy Dec 21, 2010 2:04 PM in response to TWalkerPolk
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 21, 2010 2:04 PM in response to TWalkerPolk
    I spoke to Apple today and the apple employee asked me if I really wanted them to troubleshoot my ISP?
    I got the feeling apple sees this as an ISP problem and not theirs. I agree it may be an ISP issue, but at least let me know what to tell my ISP they need to do.
    The rep on the phone seemed astonished that I would complain about taking 59 hours to watch a movie when its not apples fault. Everything else works on my network, youtube, windows streaming media for work, video conferencing, and itunes.
    Come on apple, maybe AppleTV works in your opinion, but it doesn't work with my ISP connection and nobody can tell me why.

    Either support your customers and help them with their ISP or start making the AppleTV round so we can at least get a good game of hockey out of it.

  • by Troutstreamguy,

    Troutstreamguy Troutstreamguy Dec 21, 2010 2:08 PM in response to vazandrew
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 21, 2010 2:08 PM in response to vazandrew
    But we bought a device advertised as being able to rent HD. So why, if we met all the system requirements turn off HD.

    Thats kind of like telling me not to take anymore long trips in my brand new car because it breaks down on long trips. Wrong we would expect the manufacture to fix it or tell us what the cause is if it isn't their fault (bad gas)

  • by vazandrew,

    vazandrew vazandrew Dec 21, 2010 2:11 PM in response to Troutstreamguy
    Level 6 (19,303 points)
    Apple TV
    Dec 21, 2010 2:11 PM in response to Troutstreamguy
    Maybe it's throttling from your ISP, if you're using wifi that could be causing problems, placement. There are many things to consider.

    It does work for many people, so it's just a matter of narrowing down why it isn't with your network.

  • by vazandrew,

    vazandrew vazandrew Dec 21, 2010 2:12 PM in response to Troutstreamguy
    Level 6 (19,303 points)
    Apple TV
    Dec 21, 2010 2:12 PM in response to Troutstreamguy
    I was referring to the poster who wanted an SD option.

  • by Lucaappletv2,

    Lucaappletv2 Lucaappletv2 Dec 21, 2010 3:14 PM in response to tomh1000
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 21, 2010 3:14 PM in response to tomh1000
    Today I took my unit back to the store and they replaced it with another unit with the original OS 4 on it. I connected the new unit and made sure I did not get any latest software update on-line and now everything is back to normal. Movie preview is instantaneous. Rented a movie, took less than a minute to load instead of 11 hours! I am not using any Google server as some have suggested, just my own local ISP. My conclusion is the OS 4.1.1 (latest update) screwed up the unit probably affect Netflix as well. I would suggest anyone that has this streaming/downloading issue make an appointment online with Genius Bar and ask for an exchange. DO NOT UPDATE software on ATV 2!!!!!!!!

  • by Lucaappletv2,

    Lucaappletv2 Lucaappletv2 Dec 21, 2010 3:23 PM in response to TWalkerPolk
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 21, 2010 3:23 PM in response to TWalkerPolk
    People, please do not over think it's your ISP, or turn off HD etc. In my case, it's the update to 4.1.1 that screws it up. Just exchange for another ATV2 unit and do not do any UPDATE (stay with 4.0) and you will be very happy. See my previous post.

  • by vazandrew,

    vazandrew vazandrew Dec 21, 2010 4:23 PM in response to Lucaappletv2
    Level 6 (19,303 points)
    Apple TV
    Dec 21, 2010 4:23 PM in response to Lucaappletv2
    I am on the latest software and it's fine, so it can't simply be the update. Now maybe in some cases it will be but everyone's situation is different and you have to look at all the factors.
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