Q: Home Sharing drop out with Apple TV2

Frank L wrote:

 

What update? I just checked for updates on AppleTV and iTunes and it says everything is up to date.

The update is for Airport Extreme / Express / Time Capsule

Reading broadens your mind ...

Lupunus

Well looks like I'm still having the problem. After about 4 hours of content it dropped again.  Shoot!  Let's go Apple fix this thing!

Before you all storm Cupertino to burn Apple at the stake, did you even look at the solution I linked above???

In short: If you have a dual-band router, give your 5GHz band a separate network name, then force both your computer running iTunes and your aTV onto the 5GHz network.

the problem is not wifi related, I have the same on a GigaB wired network. Maybe the problem is on Itunes and not Apple TV, but the fact it's resolved by rebooting the Apple TV box could indicate the "restore connection after broke" on the Apple is to simple. I am still amazed Apple is not acknowdge the problem. Many customers buy this cheap device and get a bad experience with Apple.

I'm glad your solution is working, Helicon Twist 2008. Prior to the ATV OS update to 4.4.2 my ATV2 was working perfectly too--provided I connected it via Ethernet and blocked the ATV WiFi from connecting to my WAP. So, perhaps just the teensy-weensiest bit less than perfection.

Since the update to 4.4.2, it still doesn't work properly on WiFi, failing to reconnect after lengthy sleeps. It works on Ethernet, but now I have to switch the AirPlay connection off and on again to get any sound to my amplifier. Other posts in the Apple discussion forum point to OS 4.4.2 introducing a problem to the optical audio output. (see https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3391154)

Surely the point demonstrated clearly by this forum is that the ATV2 doesn't work as advertised. There are enough posts reporting drop outs on home sharing and reports of solutions which work for some but not for others for this to be a simple problem of lots of us failing to configure things properly. In any event, nowhere that I've seen does Apple tell buyers that the ATV requires a dual-band router to work properly. Indeed the company boasts that one can buy its products, take them home, plug them in and they'll work. This one doesn't. It's a pity because, having had it work well (even if not quite as advertised), I reckon it's a good product.

On the evidence available, there is a software problem somewhere between iTunes and the ATV. I hope Apple will get around to fixing it sometime soon.

Regards

Seems rather odd that iTunes did NOT drop before the last two rounds of updates, I'm glad that you found something for your issue but there are several mentions on the board stating that they are hard wired or do not have dual band router or used the same hardware before the last two updates. Both of my ATV2 worked as advertised on the same single band router before the last 2 rounds of updates and it has also been stated on these discussions that this was the fact for many others. So, therefore I do think it is a software issue that Apple isn't taking or wanting to take seriously. Come on man, I had to turn the wi-fi sync off for my iPad and iPhone is pure non-sense just to get the home sharing to work part-time.

Since the 4.4..update I have  been following this thread with the same problems, of home share drop out. I have tried everything thats been put forward on this forum ..still no joy, Had my ATV updated instore at Apple store. Still the problem persists. Please Apple SORT THIS OUT...                  Frank L I know how you feel

Running 4.4.2 in ATV and expected iTunes 10.5.1 to clear up the problem of not seeing the library over Wi-Fi. This worked for me: Turn off Sync over Wi-Fi to all devices. Apparently there is some problem between iTunes and ATV that usurps the W-Fi connection with potential sync function such that other uses are blocked. YMMV, of course.

Im on windows & running apple tv2 wireless...Have been problem free for over a week..I changed my settings by going into network & sharing,click on change adapeter settings & right click on local area connection & clicking on internet protocol version 6 & disable it,then restart your computer & itunes and its fixed...Hope this helps someone...It worked for me

But it didn't work for me. I could no longer see the Airplay connection to the ATV from iTunes.

There are innumerable 'fixes' for this problem posted all the way through this discussion. Some work for some but not others; none works for everyone. This highlights for me that there is a problem with the ATV2, iTunes or home sharing that Apple must address. Either that, or provide clear instructions on how to set-up the ATV2 so it will work as advertised.

I'm basically happy running the thing over an ethernet connection, although the problem of the sound not working until I turn it off and on again persists.

I fully agree with. I have ethernet wired house and have the same issue as others - lost connections between Itunes and Apple TV. Hence don't think it's related to WIFI stuff at all. Apple, please start communicating to YOUR customers.

Torben

I have just updated my ATV to 4.4.3...... might as well have not bothered. The home share problem  exactly the same 5 minutes play if I am lucky, then NOTHING.... APPLE seems to be rotten at the core.  Please sort this out the Christmas season is coming should I Look forward to a solution. or just bin my ATV?

So I too have been having the home sharing problem.  Not really a fix but a solution, I subscribed to itunes match so all of my music is in my "cloud" and streams seamlessly now.  I had never had a problem with viewing my TV shows, movies, or netflix...  Had to pay for it but it works...

I did two things that solved the problem with my setup (Apple TV 2 latest update/Windows Vista/iTunes 10.5.1.x/D-Link WBR-2310 wireless router) : reverted to IPv4 (disabled IPv6) on Windows Vista and plugged back my old Netgear Router RP614 v2 + Wireless Access Point WG602 v2.  Not sure if the IP version or the previous wireless router was the problem but Apple TV nevers drops the Home Sharing anymore.  Good luck. 

Interesting.  A few comments:

- The latest update to AppleTV and iTunes did *not* solve my problem either.

- I too am using a Dlink router, and from some reading on this forum and the Dlink forums, I'm wondering if Apple and Dlink products don't like each other for some reason.  Still, replacing this router isn't an option for me - it's fairly new and works GREAT with everything else I throw at it.

- I may try disabling IPv6 as a test, but I don't view disabling a network protocol as a real solution - more of a workaround.  I'd much rather leave the newest protocol enabled in case it is needed.

- iCloud might be a solution for some, but I have a couple videos that won't upload (not supported apparently), my library artwork is all messed up, I can't use my smart playlists, etc.  Needs a *lot* of work before its anywhere near where playing from my library directly is.