Apple TV Slow to Load, Very Slow

On Apple TV, under Settings, iTunes Store, Video Resolution is set to Standard Definition.


I have two TV shows that have already been purchased and viewed.


We then went on vacation for two weeks and have now returned.


I bring up Apple TV, click one of the two shows I want to watch (doesn't matter which one, this happens with both), Click on Play.


It gives the on-screen message: "Accessing iTunes Store" - which I don't get, because I would have thought that the show is stored locally since it has already been purchased and watched, but anyway...


Then get the on-screen message "Loading"...for about 5 minutes or so.


Then on-screen message says "Ready to play in 46 hours 4 minutes." As I sit there dumbly watching the screen, that message changes to 17 hours, then 23 hours, then 34 hours...up and down... so I let it run like that all night.


Next morning..."Ready to play in 37 hours..."


I can't see how it would be a slow internet speed since all of my other laptops, iPhones, etc are able to connect to the local wireless network with 4 bars, no apparent slow down with them.


Is it possible that my ISP is specifically trying to slow down Apple TV?


Any body ever had this problem?


Thanks!

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Early 2013), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on Mar 5, 2014 5:13 AM

Reply
35 replies

Jul 6, 2015 12:26 AM in response to vazandrew

Navarro is correct the 8Gb is for buffering, the issues are not network related and to dismiss them that way indicates you should be asking for advice in this forum not giving it. I have an extensive network in my house with a 1Gbit fibre optic broadband so there is no shortage of bandwidth, the issues are with the ATV which is why we are going to see a new one very soon.

Jul 27, 2015 8:25 AM in response to Claude Crider

If you have Xfinity try changing the channel on your router. It is not hard for non-techies and explained on their site and in this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQNPEbA_lsg


The video also mentions a security setting that seems to work well with Apple. This solved the problem for me after trying every single fix I'd read about in support forums and talking to Apple numerous times. Streaming occurs very quickly now like it did back when I first got Apple TV.

Sep 11, 2015 9:31 PM in response to mike sanders3

Really? Criticizing someone for posting in July about no verification of a new ATV device. That's very easy to do two days after the announcement.

FYI, there have been rumors for the last couple of years about impending major changes to the ATV, those rumors were just put to rest two days ago.



Are we now required to be psychic before posting here? Maybe a better choice would be to READ the time/date stamp on postings before making silly statements.

Oct 12, 2015 8:41 PM in response to maggib

I am not an Xfinity user but as detailed in previous posts I have been having problems with slow performance from my Apple TV for some time. I finally found the solution.

Airport Extreme broadcasts on two channels simultaneously the 2.4 and 5GHz bandwidth, my network is extended by an Airport Express in the living room which means it can reach the Apple TV, the Apple TV was constantly picking up the 2.4 which was simply not fast enough for streaming either from the iTunes store or my iTunes library.

I reset Airport Extreme and Airport Express selecting the fastest channels for each bandwidth using the scan feature in Wireless Diagnostics, I gave both networks the same name and then added the appellation 5GHz by checking this box in the wireless setup. I now select that channel for the Apple TV and all my problems are solved, the 2.4 and 5GHz are available for all other computer and devices throughout the house and also for visitors.

After so many months a simple solution to a problem that was causing us grief at not being able to watch any of our shows or stream content from the store.

Hope this helps.

Jun 29, 2016 9:37 PM in response to Claude Crider

This problem happens to us periodically (right now in fact) "Ready to play in 30 minutes". I ran an internet speed test and have 60 Mbps up / 5 Mbps down so not an internet problem. This is a problem with Apple's inability to handle the load hitting its servers. Very frustrating and I gave up and tried Google Chromecast. Problem solved - movie loaded right away - demonstrating it's a problem with Apple's servers not my broadband connection.

Jun 30, 2016 9:58 AM in response to Diana.McCall

After not having a problem for a long time, I am back to having it. It should not be this hard to load a TV show and I am totally over it. I can watch Netflix in a few seconds through Apple TV, but shows I buy through iTunes are impossible. I can't wait to get a TV that is compatible with Amazon and forget this hassle. I should not have to read Apple Support forums all the time and try various fixes to watch a show. I should not have to try to decipher complicated posts about bandwidth though I appreciate people's suggestions.Though I have been an Apple user for many years, I find more and more that Apple is a pain. Its devices are fussy, and they don't work well with others.

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Apple TV Slow to Load, Very Slow

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