s49
Level 1 (4 points)
Mac OS X

Q: ATV4 buffering

I know there are other posts on this subject but the latest posting is from over a month ago and I didn't find any solution to this problem so I decided to start a new thread.

 

I just bought an ATV4 using a gift card I got for Christmas. I was contemplating getting a ATV3 and using the money left over for a iTunes gift card to buy/rent some movies/apps but decided to get the newest version. Once I got it home and set up and started using it I immediately ran into problems with buffering when streaming from my laptop but didn't seem to occur when I played my movie directly from the ATV. I looked online and found numerous posts from others having the same problem. After reading the posts and finding no real answers I decided to try and update the software. I had an issue with my Dad's ATV, previous version, over the holidays and resolved it by updating the OS. So I did on mine, and sure enough there was an update available. Once I updated the OS and tested it, things seemed to be working. Then today as I was getting used to it more I turned on home sharing, something I didn't have turned on the first day. Then when I played a movie it began buffering again, both when played from my Macbook and when played directly from the ATV. I turned off home sharing and the problem seemed to go away but of course so did my music and photos I had shared.

 

So I am wondering if anyone has discovered a solution, or found the same issue I have with home sharing affecting the buffering of movies played on the ATV?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.2)

Posted on Jan 14, 2016 11:54 PM

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s49

Q: ATV4 buffering

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Jan 15, 2016 3:30 AM in response to s49
    Level 10 (104,526 points)
    Apple TV
    Jan 15, 2016 3:30 AM in response to s49

    Intermittent problems are often a result of interference. Interference can be caused by other networks in the neighbourhood or from household electrical items.

     

    You can download and install iStumbler (NetStumbler for windows users) to help you see which channels are used by neighbouring networks so that you can avoid them, but iStumbler will not see household items.

     

    Refer to your router manual for instructions on changing your wifi channel or adjusting your multicast rate.

     

    There are other types of problems that can affect networks, but this is by far the most common, hence worth mentioning first. Networks that have inherent issues can be seen to work differently with different versions of the same software. You might also try moving the Apple TV away from other electrical equipment.

     

    The following article(s) may help you.

     

    Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections

    Recommended Wi-Fi settings

    Sources of Interference

    Wifi Diagnostic Software (for Mac users)

     

    You may also find some help on this page, where I’ve collected some of the more unusual solutions to network issues.

  • by s49,

    s49 s49 Jan 15, 2016 1:44 PM in response to Winston Churchill
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 15, 2016 1:44 PM in response to Winston Churchill

    Would you suggest leaving my router, Time Machine, on auto for the channels, or dedicate one band for the ATV and put it on a specific channel? I only have the ATV, my iphone and Macbook on my wifi network. There is another network on the router coming into the house but I don't use it. Could having the time machine running off the cable router affect things?

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Jan 16, 2016 9:03 AM in response to s49
    Level 10 (104,526 points)
    Apple TV
    Jan 16, 2016 9:03 AM in response to s49

    I'd check to see which channels other networks that you can see use and try to use something different. Network will use several channels so you need to keep so many away. i.e. A network using channel 6 actually uses channels 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8, so you would be best to choose channel 11 which uses 9, 10, 11, 12 & 13.

  • by s49,

    s49 s49 Jan 16, 2016 8:44 PM in response to Winston Churchill
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 16, 2016 8:44 PM in response to Winston Churchill

    OK I used the wifi scanner built into OS and are using the recommended channels for my bands of wifi. I have my computer dedicated to 5ghz and my atv and phone on 2.4ghz. I will see if that helps with the speed.

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Jan 17, 2016 3:36 AM in response to s49
    Level 10 (104,526 points)
    Apple TV
    Jan 17, 2016 3:36 AM in response to s49

    All devices should be on the same network.

  • by s49,

    s49 s49 Jan 17, 2016 8:33 PM in response to Winston Churchill
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 17, 2016 8:33 PM in response to Winston Churchill

    After switching my computer to the 5ghz wifi I noticed it was significantly slower. So I put it back on the 2.4 wifi. But tonight I notice when I run a speed test my computer is around 20 while my apple tv is around 6. Not sure what else I can try. I am in the same room as the atv so signal can't be the difference.

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Jan 18, 2016 3:10 AM in response to s49
    Level 10 (104,526 points)
    Apple TV
    Jan 18, 2016 3:10 AM in response to s49
    I am in the same room as the atv so signal can't be the difference.

    It can.