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Apple TV name followed by random number when using AirPlay

Hi, I've been having this issue for a while and it's getting on my nerves because I can't seem to find a reason and there's nothing on the internet.


Lately, whenever I use AirPlay, the name of my Apple TV in the drop-down list of devices appears like this:


User uploaded file


There's that annoying number between brackets following Apple TV, and I've no idea why it's there. Whenever I try to use AirPlay to stream a movie, I see 188, but when I stream audio I see '2', and some time ago, number 5 appeared; they keep changing. Right now, for instance, there is no number when streaming audio (just 'Apple TV'), but sometimes that annoying number will appear.


I see the number from either my Mac or my iPhone. And just in case it's important, my Mac is connected through ethernet to a Time Capsule, and the Apple TV is wirelessly connected to the TC.


I know it's something rather silly but what bugs me the most is not having the slightest idea of what that number is or why it appears. I want to get rid of it.


Thanks in advance.

AppleTV 2

Posted on Apr 5, 2012 2:12 PM

Reply
90 replies

Aug 6, 2012 9:26 PM in response to gusjc

I changed my Apple TV name to Living Room Apple TV but it still has the number following the TV identification in the mirroring window. It starts at no number then gains one number at a time. If I unplug the Apple TV electric plug, then plug it back in, the number disappears - then, sometime later, starts adding the number again. Doesn't affect the Apple TV performance, just an irritation.


User uploaded file

Aug 20, 2012 12:42 PM in response to gusjc

I am having the same issue. Everything works fine, but my Apple TV shows up with a (2) behind it for Airplay and iTunes.

I recently replaced my 2nd Gen Apple TV with a 3rd Gen Apple TV and sold my 2nd Gen to a buddy.

I have a feeling that somehow my MBP or Time Capsule based wireless network think there is a another Apple TV that may be turned off etc., and it has added my 3rd Gen as an additional unit. Just a theory.

I wonder how you teach your Mac or Timecapsule/Airport Express network that an Apple TV has left, never to return ?

Aug 20, 2012 2:51 PM in response to gusjc

I've seen it too.


I've often wondered if AppleTV IP address changes over time (restarting with DHCP IP allocation), but iPhone/iPad remember the same device name at a different address so think it's a similarly named duplicate AppleTV and append a number.


Annoying.


Hmm wonder if it has any relation to the Home Sharing issues some of us are seeing.


AC

Apple TV name followed by random number when using AirPlay

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