How to: Force-sync a first generation Apple TV with iTunes 12

Hi Kristin,

I have been searching for a solution to the same problem for a while, and just stumbled across your post. Funnily enough, while I was preparing to use your workaround, I stumbled upon something else... in iTunes 12.0.1.26, go to File > Devices > Sync "Apple TV"... this forces the sync that we so much need to do from time to time!

I certainly couldn't find that before, but can't confirm if it's a new addition or just me being blind since iTunes 12 came out.

Kind Regards,

Garry

Thanks Dudereeno and well said.

I eventually got to watch my downloaded series through ATV1, this worked when I clicked to buy each episode from ATV and Apple Store told me I'd already purchased it, "do you want to download now?". Yes!!!!

Really appreciate finding this post, as it is still a problem for those of us using the ATV Gen 1. We use it for music now, but same issue. With your guidance, I just added a podcast to the ATV list, which forced the sync. Then I took it away again.

Sigh. D@mn, Apple. Getting tired of this stuff just going away...

Thanks, Kristin.

Hi Kristin. You sound like you know a lot about Apple TV generation one. I'm hoping you can help me. All I want to do is display home photos on the TV via Apple TV synced with iPhoto. Right now there doesn't seem to be any recognition of the Apple TV by my 2009 MacBook Pro (updated to ios 10.9.5). In other words, the Apple TV does not show up in devices and there is no little Apple TV icon on the iTunes page (I thought maybe I could re-introduce my laptop to the Apple TV but don't know how to do that without the little icon). I can use either ethernet or wifi if that matters. Can you guide me on this? Thank you for any insights. Margaret

Hi, I appreciate your help and I have tried everything you suggested (and more) but with no success. The computer just does not seem to be recognizing that the ATV is there. No little icon. To answer your questions, yes - the ATV had been synced with my computer and it used to work. I can’t help think that the upgrade of computer software is preventing the connection. I have cancelled all previous connections on the ATV, and in fact, I put the ATV back to factory settings and started from scratch. I can use the ATV (movies, You Tube, etc.) but when I go to the screen that gives the passcode to connect to iTunes there is no icon thus no connection. Under “file” when I go to Devices there is none listed. I’ve double checked that the ethernet cable is secure, and the network on both is the same (though the IP addresses are not exact?). I’ve also checked that the network is working by playing some You Tube. All seems to be okay with the ATV. I’ve turned my computer off and back on each time just in case. Can you think of anything else I can try? Should I try to revert to an older version of iOS? Thank you for your time and trouble.

I actually have completely given up on this and am completely disappointed with Apple support on the issue. I've decided just to plug my iPad into the TV and show photos, play music, etc. from there (not quite the same but it does the job). This should make Apple happy cause I had to buy the HDMI adapter to go from iPad into TV. Even when they're non-responsive I'm still adding to their profits. Argh.

By “disconnecting the Apple TV from iTunes (via the Apple TV Settings menu) then reconnecting” will the ATV keep my music or will I lose it? The ATV menu states that “Disconnecting the iTunes library will remove any iTunes content that has been synced with your computer”.

Most of the music is no longer on the PC that I synced with the ATV.

I can sync with ATV1 however it doesn't appear to take any notice of what is checked (ticked) and what isn't.

I've been trying for 3 nights now after downloading Series 2 House of Cards on iTunes on my Macbook Pro.

It always syncs other content but not the episodes I've selected, I've tried various settings with custom and auto sync, also toggled the 'prevent apple tv from syncing automatically' in preferences to no avail.

I'm currently trying 'automatically include all episodes of tv shows' under 'sync tv shows' and waiting for all my shows to sync again, even the ones that are already synced!

I'm so over this Apple, it's uber complicated!

Netflix is about to launch in Australia, bring it on.

If anyone has any thoughts on how I can finish watching the series i purchased please let me know.

thanks

J

I too have a first generation apple TV. Seriously superior to the newer models. I too have been through all of the grief suffered by other users of the first generation ATV. This is purely and simply Apples unwillingness to support old platforms when they have new ones. For a while last year it was fixed, then lo and behold here we go again. I even had to take my ATV to the apple store when I tried to reset it to factory settings (thinking erroneously, that this would solve the problem - it didn't). Now I can't get my library to synch TV shows and episodes unless I download them directly to the ATV (and then fight with apple to get my money back since I've already purchased the shows).

Considering now flawlessly everything IOS synchs between phones, iPads, iPods etc etc etc, Apple could easily fix this but they won't.

Jeff, I'm having the exact same problems you've described. I have all of the content I purchased available on all of my iOS devices for download from the cloud, but I have to PURCHASE anything I want to see on my ATV1 again, it doesn't show as purchased already. THEN each time I have to go and file a complaint with the apple store to get it reversed. MY most recent problem is that the synch that my laptop IS doing has removed TV series I've already purchased and am watching on the ATV This is ridiculous. Don't waste your time buying the new apple TV. I had one of those too in our bedroom - it stores nothing and plays over wifi (poorly - stopping and starting). I gave it to my son in California. Netflix is great. I viewed the entire house of cards seasons up to current. It's a great show.