Apple TV: Home Sharing keeps blacking out

Question

Apple TV: Home Sharing keeps blacking out

I seem to have a common problem but I cannot find a solution in any of the threads.

I have an Apple TV (black), bought this year so I guess 3 gen. It is ethernet wired to Apple Extreme.

Apple Extreme is connected by wi-fi to iMac.

As with others, every now and then the screen flickers and either recovers or blacks out and defaults back to Apple TV home screen. This happens during movies, TV shows and when listening to music (with iPhoto library forming screen saver).

The general theme of threads is that Apple knows it is an issue.

Is there a solution?

This problem seems relatively new; is it the result of a software upgrade?

Many thanks

Apple TV

Posted on Sep 16, 2013 4:43 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 16, 2013 4:47 AM in response to blackcomb greens

Sounds like an HDMI issue to me. Try another cable, make sure it's seated correctly at both ends, try the Apple TV with another TV.

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Answer 2

Sep 16, 2013 4:59 AM in response to Winston Churchill

I can give it a go but why would the problem emerge only after several months?

I had the same set up with my Apple TV gen 1 and just swapped in the new Apple TV 3 in July.

It was working fine until about ten days ago. Then I read the threads stating it was a known software upgrade issue but I could not find a solution.

Thank you

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Answer 3

Sep 16, 2013 6:00 AM in response to blackcomb greens

I have spent the last 6 years in this community, often on a daily basis, I'm not aware of any such known issue.

Cables behind TV's are often damaged by vacuum cleaners etc, I'm not saying this is the cause but demonstrating how issues can arise after a period of full interrupted and error free performance.

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Answer 4

Sep 16, 2013 3:46 PM in response to Winston Churchill

Try

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3956960?answerId=18406315022#18406315022

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3100266

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3856446

These are just a sample. The problem exists and within these threads (and others) suggest a software issue following an iTunes and / or Apple TV upgrade.

Anyhow I will check the wiring at the weekend; they are inaccesible which does not suggest (to me) external inteference.

Thank you

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Answer 5

Sep 20, 2013 5:19 AM in response to blackcomb greens

Only one of those links relates to the issue you are having and there is no evidence it's the Apple TV in that one. It's up to you whether you accept what I'm saying, I can only suggest that if you continue to look in the wrong area for your problem, you won't find a solution.

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Answer 6

Sep 27, 2013 7:15 PM in response to Winston Churchill

Checked cabling and they are fine.

Picture (TV Shows) still blacks out from time to time.

When streaming music (with iPhoto as screen saver) it cuts out frequently.

Any other ideas?

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Answer 7

Sep 27, 2013 7:24 PM in response to Winston Churchill

This thread has similar problems to mine:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2776955?start=0&tstart=0

In addition to drop outs / blacking out the TV picture is also becoming distorted / severely pixilated. I unplugged (from the mains) the ATV and this helped. But black outs continue.

Is it just a duff unit; only purchased un July but problems are recent.

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Answer 8

Sep 28, 2013 11:43 AM in response to blackcomb greens

It could be a duff unit I guess, but it isn't an inherent issue with the Apple TV or the current software, it has all the hallmarks of an HDMI issue.

Have you tried another cable, checked you aren't using a standard HDMI cable or tried the Apple TV with another TV.

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Answer 9

Sep 28, 2013 4:50 PM in response to blackcomb greens

Is there anyone out with any other ideas?

I discount cabling; the cabling worked fine for years with ATV1 and for the first two months of my ATV3. I cannot see how a cable would suddenly fail. (It is not unplugged or even touched as it is located behind the AV cabinet.

I think it is a trip back to the Apple Store.

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