What is the maximum number of Apple TVs (3rd gen) you can connect to 1 Mac running iTunes?

Once again.

You can authorise up to 5 computers (not iOS devices) to share your iTunes account.

Apple TV 1's aren't Computers nor are they iOS devices, they have their own limit of 5 devices.

You can homeshare up to 10 associated iOS devices (including computers) from your iTunes account, although you can homeshare more iOS devices if they aren't associated.

Apple TV's aren't listed as associated devices in your account, but do use an association on a temporary basis if necessary.

You can demonstrate this last point yourselves, associate 10 devices with your account and try using iTunes match on an Apple TV.

Network related. The cop out of every Apple network problem. Well, it is NOT network related.

Then unfortunately I think you will struggle to find the solution to your problem, as you are most likely looking in the wrong area.

I spend many hours reading about and testing things on the Apple TV, there are a couple of bugs I'm aware of, but when it comes down to networking the only bugs I see discussed are from a small minority who seem to have difficulty excepting the situation. Ask yourself this, if there is a bug, why does it not affect everyone using the same hardware with the same software.

If you have doubts, take your Apple TV and your to an Apple Store (or even a friends house), but the Apple Store would be a more controlled environment) and check it out.

As I pointed out in my apple-censored reply, I am a software engineer fully capable of understanding these issues and I recognize poorly written software when I see it. Limitations should be clearly stated, not buried. You keep repeating the limitations as if they should be common knowledge so your argument lacks validity from the outset. Additionally, error messages should be clear and concise. Showing Cannot Connect... Is useless. I have seen better open source software. Apple apparently likes to censor criticisms of their products from the customer from which they have taken money. That is no surprise to me. Multiple ATV upgrade issues, the inability to provide useful error messages, and the very poor documentation of limitations are just a few examples of very poorly written software products. Customers should not have to put up with this. iTunes is notorious as being poorly developed and apple still has not provided a viable home media streaming product. No, iTunes is not a viable solution in that space. All that I can say is thank God that Apple is not putting out an integrated tv product. Given the performance of ATV, that product would be a dismal failure.

Oh....and you can drop the network issue thing. That is just redirection. my network has nothing to do with the software limitation that you keep pointing out. So, which is it? I have dozens of devices on my network including two wifi thermostats that are more reliable than ATV. So, again.....that points to ATV and iTunes, not my network.

BTW, look me up on LinkedIn John Spahn. Quantum corporation. Have a look. I am not an amateur, my friend. I develop device firmware for a living.

It's per account.

Macs utilise authorisations not associations

There is a limit of 5 for the first generation Apple TV, I didn't think that applies to later models, indeed you said you'd connected more than that yourself.

I don't believe that's correct at all, I and others have successfully connected more than 5 without an issue.

How Many Apple TV’s Can I Have.

LOL. Apple censored my reply because it was not "constructive". It was simply TRUE. Well. that is what I expect from CRAPPLE.

HHas anybody figured out this issue?

I still have this issue. It's very annoying having to quit iTunes, restart it just so I can use my Apple TV. It's been a few years, has anyone found a fix yet?

Then he needs retraining, I have many more devices using homeshare than that.

If you are using 2 factor authentication on an older device…

You should be able to append the code to your password and enter that (i.e. if your password is ABC and your code is 123, enter ABC123), however if this doesn't work it may be that you are running out of time using your authentication code and you may want to delay getting your code until the last minute or temporarily disable the 2 step verification/2 factor authentication, although it shouldn’t be necessary.

Get a verification code and sign in with two-factor authentication

WC - you seem to be the resident expert on all things ATV and iTunes - how best can I troubleshoot connectivity between a fourth ATV trying to connect to an iMAC. Any advice?

I've restarted home sharing

Reset ATV to factory defaults and reconfigured

Still works everywhere off and yes - I have multitude of authentications to my account

I did notice I got a two factor authentication notice when trying to connect the first time and approved - however the ATV did not prompt for resulting code - can I force that again?

I have 7 Apple TVs, and am only able to share my iTunes content with 3 of those devices, AND when I am able to connect to my iTunes library it is inconsistent at best. I spent 2 days at around this time last year, discussing this with one of the developers. He eventually concluded that the problem was that I was running iTunes with home sharing on a PC. So… I got SO frustrated that I went to Best Buy and spent $1500 on an iMac, only to find out if the problem still exists!!! This is ridiculous! After spending all the money that I did on the Apple TVs, and now giving Apple another $1500 the iMac I purchased to use as a data/movie/music server, it still doesn’t work!

There is no limit at 3, we have 8 in out house and don't encounter any issues, although It's not likely we have ever had 8 being used at the same time.

I'm not aware that a PC should be any different in respect of home sharing and would assume any issues you have are related to a poor network rather than any particular platform for iTunes, this is generally backed up by your statement that things are 'inconsistent'. Ifthings are 'inconsistent' or 'intermittent', always look to your network first.