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Apple TV keeps telling me to Authorize my computer.

I'm repeatedly being told to authorize my computer to play a purchased movie. I've done that several times, no go. I've updated, restored and rebooted to no avail. Any suggestions?

Apple TV, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Sep 30, 2011 6:48 PM

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Oct 2, 2011 5:32 PM in response to Alley_Cat

Well an AVT1 is basically a modified version OS X running an actuall iTunes library, and another computer actually runs itunes. In those cases, they are all authorized and can play w/o talking to apple.


The AVT2 is pretty much PURE streaming. It only has 8GB of storage to buffer something while you watch it. I think because it's not actually storing it, Apple is taking some extra step to make SURE the content is authorized...


TBH it's sort of silly.. my iphone and ipad2 can stream from iTunes with no internet connection present... and an ATV2 is just a modified version of iOS. So I really don't understand the extra level of caution Apple is placing on the ATV2. TBH, it's REALLY annoying.


The ammount is bugs the ATV2 has is really starting to get annoying


1) iTunes Libraries vanish, and don't come back until either a) the ATV2 is rebooted, or b) you have to restart the iTunes computer or the Bonjour service. This happens to me about 1-2Xs a DAY


2) ATV2s love to corrupt themselves. I have 2, and every few months they boot back up with only ONE menu choice, GENERAL, and they have to be plugged back into iTunes, erased, and re install the OS


3) Apple's Time servers are JUNK or the ATV2 is REALLY bad about setting its time. 50% or more of the time the ATV2 can not set the time properly on boot up (even if you don't have a firewall, and all your router settings are perfect). I've tried shoving an ATV2 in the DMZ, and that doesn't help the time issue.


I have too many purchased Apple contect to switch to another TV streaming service.. so I'm sort of stuck with apple. But I just may either buy a CHEAP mac mini or a very very cheap windows laptop and shove itunes on it... yeah it may cost more... but then all of the ATV2 issues are gone as iTunes to iTunes streaming works very well.

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Oct 2, 2011 5:46 PM in response to kfallow

Just subscribing to follow this, and add my name to the list of those having this issue. Downloaded Terra Nova today, and cannot watch it on my ATV2. All other content works, even older TV shows from a few years ago, but I keep getting the authorize issue with anything new. (TV shows only).


Really hoping this is cleared up, like, NOW!

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Oct 2, 2011 5:52 PM in response to g_j_b_

g_j_b_ wrote:


For crying out loud, can we please stop with the "Me too" posts?


Apple has issues. We need Steve Jobs back. Until one or the other is fixed, use AirPlay.

Airplay doesn't work for me, or a few others in this thread as I was reading through it.


You paying for the bandwith that you feel the need to post that in regards to me too posts?


Get over it.

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Oct 2, 2011 5:55 PM in response to Rotlex

Rotlex wrote:

Airplay doesn't work for me, or a few others in this thread as I was reading through it.


You paying for the bandwith that you feel the need to post that in regards to me too posts?



I'm paying for the bandwidth to receive "me too" reponses.


Define "doesn't work."

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Oct 2, 2011 6:05 PM in response to g_j_b_

g_j_b_ wrote:


For crying out loud, can we please stop with the "Me too" posts?


Apple has issues. We need Steve Jobs back. Until one or the other is fixed, use AirPlay.


The "me too" posts are VERY needed as apple responds to problems both by phone calls and outcry's on the forums... I know. I used to work for Apple out of their offices just south of Sacramento, CA.


So the more "me too" posts that are made, the more of a fire it lights under Apple.


For some people, the Airplay work around isn't working (where you tell iTunes to play something directly on the ATV2s). Mine suffered from this problem earlier. My iTunes wouldn't see ANY off my ATV2s. I had to tell the ATV2s to re DL the OS, and re-install. Now I can Airplay something to an ATV2, then use the atv2 remote to control it. When done, I have to go back to my desktop if I want to watch something else.

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Oct 2, 2011 6:25 PM in response to The Ryan

Ha- ha, that reminds me of when my son was about 2 and he used to LOVE underwater shows like Jacques Cousteau. He kept asking me to make the fish come back on the TV. (That was a LONG time ago, before I had a VCR, so no, I couldn't make the fish come back. We read a lot of books then 🙂)

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Oct 2, 2011 6:32 PM in response to g_j_b_

g_j_b_ wrote:


Rotlex wrote:

Airplay doesn't work for me, or a few others in this thread as I was reading through it.


You paying for the bandwith that you feel the need to post that in regards to me too posts?



I'm paying for the bandwidth to receive "me too" reponses.


Define "doesn't work."

Doesn't work = Paid content, TV shows, through an ATV 2 gives a not authorized to play content\authorize your computer message. Said content plays fine on primary computer, as well as 2 other computers on the home network. Attempt to use airplay from primary computer and push it to ATV2=same not authorized message.


So basically. It doesn't work. Simple enough?

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Oct 2, 2011 7:00 PM in response to jbpdx

Anyone reading this thread should ignore the above post by jbpdx. The problem has nothing to do with email addresses changing, or different Apple ID's, or whatever jbpdx is talking about (he's referring to what we all know which is that the itunes store ID that bought the content must be the same as the current ID desiring to play the content).


The current problem is the following. If you go to "computers" on your ATV2, select your itnes library, and attempt to play any purchased content, it won't. It tells you that you need to authorize the computer hosting the itunes library that you are trying to play off of. The computer is, in fact, authorized, and you are consistent with your itunes store ID's (sorry jbpdx), so the message asking you to authorize the computer is completely erroneous.


Yes, this is very frusterating. With the amazon cloud player available, and amazon's cloud storage available, etc. . I hope that Apple gets their act together. A lot of problems lately that are trying my patience (and I'm a Apple-head).

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Oct 2, 2011 7:03 PM in response to thevanner

Out of curiosity, for those of us having this issue, are your Apple ID's also a Mobile Me ID? Meaning the email associated with Mobile Me? And if so, is you Apple ID actually a .Mac address, so @mac.com as opposed to the @me.com?

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Oct 2, 2011 7:06 PM in response to thevanner

An album I bought on iTunes 2 months ago with my current ID (=email address) plays on AppleTV. Songs I bought several years go when I had a different ISP, which was my Apple ID at that time, do not play. I get the unauthorized error...

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Oct 2, 2011 7:11 PM in response to tincha

Don't worry, we go through plenty of books too. At certain times though, she wants to see something on the TV. Movie trailers for nature documentaries (African Cats is the hands-down favourite) are perfect (except for parents who get to watch them hundreds of times).


I happened to mention to her there was a show with airplanes and she wanted to see it.

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Oct 2, 2011 7:20 PM in response to kfallow

Current status of this problem, as I see it:


Songs purchased from iTunes WILL stream and play on ATV2

TV shows " " " WILL NOT " " "

Movies " " " WILL NOT " " "



This is all based on my current itunes store ID, the one associated right now with the itunes store, being the SAME as the one used when I purchased the content. I think that all this discussion about different itunes ID and mac.com etc. . is distracting from this current issue which began Friday night.

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Oct 2, 2011 7:35 PM in response to kfallow

Thevanner, you're correct. My mistake. I went and checked that album and it wasn't bought thru iTunes. I bought it direct thru Paul McCartney website. So yes, anything I've bought from iTunes is not playing on AppleTV ...

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Oct 2, 2011 7:58 PM in response to jbpdx

to jbpdx - I must admit, when I re-read my post, I did feel bad that I might have taken my frusterations with Apple and this problem out on you I think! Sorry about that! I am frusterated with Apple, and didn't mean to "beat up" your post. After all, we are all trying to deal with the same problem. - regards

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Oct 2, 2011 8:13 PM in response to kfallow

It all seemed to start Friday night. Even my AppleTV remote was screwed up. Thought the battery was weak. Had to use the iPad Remote app to do anything on the TV. But I reset the box today and at least the remote's working again. Now wondering how Apple will notify any of us when they fix this mess?

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Apple TV keeps telling me to Authorize my computer.

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