Apple TV 2 has big problems homesharing - fixes? firmware update needed!

You don't even need to transfer them to the iPhone or iPad (though that also works but is allot more work).

Just disable home sharing in iTunes and start playing the video there. Simply select the Apple tv from the control panel of your video and it should play without errors..

I found both work arounds yesterday - I used the remote app on my iPhone 4 to send it from the iTunes library to the ATV2 and going to iTunes on the media server (running Windows 7 home premium) and sending it tot he ATV2 as well. I had issues with home share connectivity prior to the latest ATV2 update but after the update it now drops home share in the middle of a TV show or movie. I am hard wired gigabit network between the Windows 7 media server and the ATV2.

Homesharing to ATV3 is now working for me.

My ATV3 was connected via an ethernet cable to router. My MacbookPro with my iTunes library was connected via WiFi to the router. With this configuration homesharing dropped out every 5 to 10 minutes.

Now I have connected my MacbookPro to the router with an ethernet cable...and...it all works just fine. It has been OK for 24 hours so far with no loss of connectivity for audio or video.

This workaround may not work for everybody, but it might save you pulling your hair out until a fix arrives.

Cheers, Jim

I think I have narrowed to issue down to iTunes since I just tried to connect my Apple TV 1 (software 3.0.2) and it sees the library, but then drops it. This one is wireless connection. I can go to the media server and send a program to the ATV1, but you can't go the other way where you get the file off the server from the ATV1. Interesting thing I can connect to libraries on Apple computers (my son's Mac Book Pro) and the connection seems stablebut I did not check it for an extended period of time.

Spent some time with support on phone this weekend and of course they said they had never heard of this problem. Suggested a few things to try (reboot airport, make sure firewall is off or check settings, had me toggle energy saving settings from where they were (never) to something else and then back.

Beyond that they suggested a new iTunes database ro trying a new user (neither will happen as the hassle is greater than the problem).

They have escalted and my case is still open so we'll see....

jeff, don't know if you have been reading my posts. I don't know what level of tech support you reached, but trust me Apple is aware of the problem. I have spoke with top level, Network/WiFi Support, App Support and ATV support. All have pointed to iTunes 10.6.1. I even spoke yesterday with a iCloud top level support fellow named Mel on a different issue and he assured me that Apple would be well aware of this problem.

IT IS NOT

The ATV's (any model) both my ATV2 and ATV 1080 drop the Home Sharing

Airport

Routers

IP Settings

Renewal Settings

Not the OS

Home Sharing is a function of iTunes and this is where the issue lies.

At this point I am not wasting any more of my time. Apple has always been a good company, I have been a loyal Apple Guy since my first Apple II and first 128K Mac. I know it is frustrating and the Apple world of today is just so big it takes longer to get to these issues. My hope is that they will learn something from this and take more time to do their R&D before they release these updates that don't work or break what was not broken!

The best we can do right now is call your AppleCare support if you have it and voice your dissatisfaction with a streomng message "APPLE FIX THIS NOW"

Floyd

Thanks very much. I think he said tier two was where my case was heading. I will keep after them.

Long time user here as well. I find it depressing when things like reinstall the OS or start a new user are suggested in an initial phone conversation - too many users would follow that advice unaware of the pain that will cause and amount of wasted time.

Jeff

Floyd.....i guess you didn't read my prior posts in which I point out that I have NOT updated my iTunes. I am still using iTunes 10.5.3. It wasn't until after I updated the Apple TV software that the Homesharing issue ( among others) started for me. So obviously iTunes 10.6.1 is not the real issue here.....albeit it has issues of its own, which is why I'm not using it.

Maybe the problem is the way itunes deals with the software on appletv, because home share seems to work on my ipad, while it drops out on appletv.

Actually I did see your post. My problem started right after I updated to 10.6.1 and I had not updated my ATV Firmware. In fact that was one of the things my first call to Tech Support asked me to do, Update my Firmware on ATV and I must admit that made matters worse. But Homesharing dropping started way before I updated my Firmware.

Here is more, my daughter is running iTunes 10.5.3 and HAS updated her ATV Firmware to the latest version and her Homesharing works fine. So where does this leave us?

I don't know, that's up to Apple. However i will try to downgrade iTunes.

I turned off IPV6 and mine is now working

were did you switch off ipv6? router, atv imac/itunes?? or all of the above?

cheers

emiel

Terminal commands on Mac:

networksetup -setv6off Ethernet

And/or

networksetup -setv6off Wi-Fi

an update:

ipv6 didn't make a difference.

switching from ethernet to wifi on the ATV did the trick, airplay and homesharing work for almost a day now.

cheers

emiel