Does AppleTV cache photos?

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Level 1

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Does AppleTV cache photos?

Does the AppleTV cache photos somehow? I have tried to update my photo library (mostly by removing photos that I do not want in the screensaver rotation), yet the photos continue to appear.

It is my understanding that AppleTV requires iTunes to be running on a computer on my network (I'm using a Windows 7 computer). As of right now, I do not have iTunes running on any computer. If I go to Home Sharing on AppleTV (to view photos), it tells me that I have to have iTunes running somewhere.

However, if I go into the Screensaver option and hit Preview, my photos begin to appear (and change as expected). Furthermore, when the screensaver kicks on (after inactivity), I again have my photos.

If I go back to the Screensaver option, it shows "Dan's Library" next to Choose Photos, but if I go into the option, I can't choose that. It appears to not be available. Yet, the photos still appear.

I called Apple Support on this and was told the device does not cache content ... but something doesn't add up.

This has continued to happen after the recent AppleTV update.

Any ideas?

Apple TV (3rd generation)

Posted on Oct 3, 2012 12:58 PM

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Answer 1

danshap75 Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 3, 2012 1:56 PM in response to danshap75

So an update ...

I have disconnected my network cable and have no Wifi configuration set up. AppleTV tells me that it is not on a network.

Yet ... my photos still appear. So obviously the device is caching them.

So now the question remains ... how do I clear / reset the cache?

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Answer 2

vazandrew

Level 8

40,348 points

Oct 3, 2012 2:12 PM in response to danshap75

It does cache some photos used for the screensaver. If you want to flush the photos then choose a different source for the screensaver. You can only access your library when your computer is on, running iTunes.

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Answer 3

mmikuta

Level 1

8 points

Oct 27, 2012 11:04 AM in response to danshap75

It is actually more interesting when you have 2 Apple TV in seperate locations, one AppleTV does not have access to the source computer via HomeSharing. There is definitely a design feature that is not being advertised.

The AppleTV is caching all the photos to the cloud I think. Why? Because I have a non PhotoStream libary, that is just a HomeShared libary pointed to my AppleTV in one location. In another location -- halfway across the country -- my second AppleTV is displaying photos the same photos from the HomeShare libary that it is not connected to. The AppleTVs or course use the exact same user accounts. The "feature" is repeatable.

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Answer 4

Malignance

Level 5

4,511 points

Oct 27, 2012 11:39 AM in response to danshap75

It's all done in iCloud http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2596 Note iCloud stores the Photo Stream photos for thirty days. You need to remove the photos from Photo Stream in iCloud http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2607

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Answer 5

vazandrew

Level 8

40,348 points

Oct 27, 2012 1:11 PM in response to Malignance

It does not point to the cloud, more the internal cached photos as you can't access the former without an Internet connection.

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