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Level 1

1 points

WARNING - Apple TV 5.2 update - AVOID!!!

I had a lot of problems getting Apple_TV_3 + itunes to work 100% reliably. Eventually I built a totally new server, used static ip's and I DID get a stable system that ALWAYS worked as expected re itunes home sharing -> Apple_TV.

Home sharing to iphone/ipad was hopeless (via music/video apps), the circle spinner would go for 10+ mins without listing the media. I therefore ran TVersity on the server and using the AirPlayer app on iDevices can play media fine so no longer use the build in apps, unless for media local to the device.

Since updating to 5.2 all appeared to be working well, however if Apple_TV has not been used for a few hours and I run the remote app, I CAN initially use the control part of the app, BUT pressing computer says "turn on home sharing blah blah blah..." If I then hit the button to list the devices, the updated ATV device is NO longer shown. However my OTHER Apple_tv (still on 5.1) IS still there, even though it has been sleeping for days. Both were 100% reliable before this.

I've done a Reset on the updated Apple_TV and set it to sleep after 15 mins and will monitor progress. I've downloaded the 5.1 ipsw, I hope Apple are STILL signing it. I'll test for another day or two but it it happens again I'll downgrade. If YOU have a stable system I would advise NOT upgrading to 5.2.

Does someone know what ports to block on router to stop the ATV checking and therefore relentlessly prompting you to upgrade, that's the only reason I upgraded to stop the messages.

Lastly since buying into apple-technology 2.5 years ago for the sole reason of anticipated reliability as though I have the ability I do not have the time to endlessly jump through hoops to make devices work as intended I have become very disillusioned. Unfortunately Apple seem to be just as hopeless as everyone else, re reliability, do they test anything?

Apple TV, iOS 5.1.1

Posted on Feb 3, 2013 9:28 AM

62 replies

Feb 11, 2013 3:06 PM in response to Winston Churchill

Generally no. But if the ATV uses an FPGA and there is a flaw in the circuity, a firmware flash could reveal the flaw. Or it could just be coincidental. In any case, all the trouble started immediately after the update to 5.2. and downgrading to 2 previous versions of the firmware provided no improvement. Just got off the phone with Apple support. They agree the hardware is bad and are shipping a new one.

OneJim

Level 1

0 points

Feb 13, 2013 3:07 PM in response to ConvertApple

All software glitches affect some and not other users. Arguing on the basis of one user's experience is pointless. All systems are not identical.

Clearly, 5.2 has serious problems for some users which will only be remedied by an upgrade.

I just wish there was a way to go back immediately to the last version.

I fear we'll have to wait for when HBO GO gets added to Apple TV to get the other corrections however.

lemppari

Level 1

9 points

Feb 14, 2013 6:57 AM in response to ConvertApple

I have exactly the same problem. After Apple TV goes to sleep it won't connect to home sharing without a reboot. Also iPhone cannot connect AirPlay to it before rebooting.

Feb 16, 2013 7:39 PM in response to ConvertApple

I lost Home Sharing after updating to v5.2. I spent 12 hours today and also paid for Apple phone support. I was scheduled to go to an Apple Genius Bar fo further testing, but I just got it to work. It was not the router. I'm using Ethernet but this should help WiFi users as well.

My Solution:

On your Mac, open "System Preferences" > "Network".

Select "Ethernet" (or "Wi-Fi") and click "Advanced..."

Change "Configure IPv6:" from "Automatic" to "Link-local only".

Suddenly, Home Sharing began to work between Apple TV and my iTunes.

I'm not sure what changed in v5.2 or IPv6, but this was the answer for me.

Feb 18, 2013 8:24 AM in response to ConvertApple

The only issue I have with the update, so far at least is that the screen using airplay from my iMac to ATV went from perfect to horrible. I have tried every concievable screen resolution permutation available to me on the iMac, the ATV AND the television itself and nothing works. When streaming via Apple or Netflix all is well. Streaming via Airplay from my iMac using any of the software on that is now functionally useless. And, of course, the mini USB cables that i have do not even fit into the ATV....some weird wide one?? What?? I can't even downgrade, I have to go buy yet another cable. Not impressed!!

Feb 18, 2013 9:12 AM in response to Christopher Scroope

Apparently the cable is common with non-Apple mobile phones. I borrowed one from a coworker to back-rev the firmware. The cable worked fine, although back-reving the firmware didn't bring my WiFi back to life. The replacement ATV sent by Apple did though. Word of warning if you send an ATV back to Apple for replacement: I specifically asked the phone tech if I needed to send back the remote and power cord or just the ATV unit by itself. He replied "you need to send back a complete product." So I did. Guess what? Got the new unit with no remote or power cable with it. Do NOT send back anything except the raw ATV if you're getting a replacement.

Feb 19, 2013 5:52 AM in response to cameronproaudio

Thanks, I'll have to try to find a cable from somewhere. I am buying an ATV 2 from a friend next week, maybe I won't need to bother but good to know. Thanks.

rlu929s

Level 1

15 points

Feb 22, 2013 7:24 AM in response to ConvertApple

I will add that I've had these same issues myself. Mine would rarely connect to the latest iTunes on my Win 7 box. Was working fine before update. When it would connect I'd get the spinning thing for a long time. It took forever to buffer video. One time I let it sit for over an hour and it finally started playing.

I tried all the suggested fixes without formatting and going back to 5.1.1 including formating back to 5.2 and probably happening right away.

Per advice here I downloaded 5.1.1 and upon getting it back and connected it IMMEDIATLY saw my home share and started working 100% fine. There is for sure a problem with 5.2.

The only issue I have now is that I have kids that use these and they will most likely inadvertaly hit update now at some point and I'll have to re-wipe.

Any suggestiongs on blocking ports or URL to stop the update messages. I'm fine with 5.1.1. I just want it to do what I bought it for......PLAY MOVIES LOL!

Feb 25, 2013 9:21 AM in response to rlu929s

Hi all,

For what it's worth - I was able to fix my Apple TV. I upgraded to 5.2 and it bricked it, it was stuck on the "What's New" page for a while, I couldn't get out of it no matter what I tried doing. The LED would blink when I used the remote, but nothing would happen. Then eventually the What's New screen went away, and it just kept cycling between restarting and getting stuck on the main screen. All the while it wouldn't respond to anything I did with the remote. The LED light would blink, but nothing would happen.

Then I did a restore following these instructions (with one exception see below) and everything works fine now: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4367

Except, I couldn't get the Apple TV to show up in iTunes as a Device at first following their instructions. Eventually, I was able to and here's how I did it:

Plug in the micro USB cable to your Mac
Plug in the power to the Apple TV
This is when it should show up in iTunes according to Apple's instructions. But it doesn't
Unplug the power and then plug it back in right away
Then it showed up for me

Hope that helps

bdcorrie

Level 1

0 points

Feb 26, 2013 6:04 PM in response to whatheck

This worked for me, thanks...

Mar 1, 2013 2:07 AM in response to bdcorrie

seems that i found a "workaround/solution" for me.

my ATVs played my iTunes content fine.

after the ATV goes in sleepmode it lost my iTunes Share on ATV - as soon as i restart the box it went back and worked fine.

If i send the ATV via menue to sleep and instantly wake it -> lost connection to iTunes........

yesterday i restored the iOS again.

I entered all needed options - but i left one option untouched : DHCP

in my network ALL devices have a static IP (in past my ATVs too).

Then it works fine -> go to sleep -> wake up -> all there 🙂

put manually to sleep and wake up = fine 🙂

entered my Static IP :

works :-)

send to sleep and wake up -> Share to iTunes broken! 😐

it seems that the static IP in ATV iOS is buggy 😮

hope that helps some people here

ryanp83

Level 1

8 points

Mar 1, 2013 7:09 AM in response to ConvertApple

I recently updated to the lastest software version on my Apple TV (latest model) and since then a good portion of my movie files have serious audio sync issues. I also just updated to the latest version of itunes on my Mac Mini. I am using home sharing to share my movie collection. All of the movies play perfectly on my mac mini without any audio sync issues but when i try them on my Apple TV its horrible and unwatchable. Any ideas? Is there a way to roll back to a previous software version on the Apple TV? Please advise. Also, all of my movies are legit ripped copies of DVD's and Blu Rays that I own. The issue is happening to random movies some HD and some SD. going to try to go back to 5.1.1

ConvertApple Author

Level 1

1 points

Mar 1, 2013 8:43 AM in response to rlu929s

re rlu929s "Any suggestions on blocking ports or URL to stop the update messages."

Facing same problem of the update nag screen (and NO option to disable this very annoying feature and google no help). I did the obvious thing:-

ATV->Settings->General->Network->Ethernet->Configure DNS->Manual->IP Addr = Changed to be unused address ie (192.168.001.255 in my case = 1 higher than the real address, so easily changed back if required).

Now this means you cannot access ANY internet from ATV but local shares are fine, (note if you ever reboot ATV (I don't), it will hang trying to set the clock until you hit button). In my case, as I rarely use internet via ATV it is no real loss, compared to the annoyance of the nag.

If/When ATV3 is jailbroken I would do so for only that one tweak to disable updates. I already have a pi with xbmc I don't use as XBMC is STILL too flakey for non-geeks to use in homes IMHO.

I will NEVER update ATV again, not unless Apple lent me another one first to try out. No way is my existing working system being corrupted again, wasting hours and hours of my time. The whole reason I bought ATV in first place was to NOT waste time, otherwise I'd have bought an Android device and doubtless wasted weeks of my life configuring and fighting with it, I know what I'm like!

Mar 1, 2013 8:46 AM in response to ConvertApple

Change your dns to 8.8.8.8 and try again

PNutts

Level 1

5 points

Mar 15, 2013 9:30 PM in response to ConvertApple

I am also having problems with AirPlay and Home Sharing after upgrading. I called AppleCare and they weren't able to find a solution. I restart ATV3 whenever I want to watch a movie from iTunes or send something to it via AirPlay. I didn't update my ATV2 and it still works like a champ. <sigh>

WARNING - Apple TV 5.2 update - AVOID!!!