roadglider2011
Level 1 (4 points)
Apple TV

Q: AppleTV & iTunes - incomplete library

I have a gen3 AppleTV (up to date on software) that shows my iTunes library (version 12.4.3.1).

I also have a family subscription to Apple Music.

Anything that I add to My Music from Apple Music displays & plays on my iTunes on the Mac.

However, none of that music appears in the library when viewed from Apple TV.

I can add music, but it isn't available via Apple TV like the rest of my music is. Very frustrating, since I though that was the point of Apple Music, so I could listed across ALL of my Apple devices.

I also have a FireTV and just may stop using Apple (iTunes & Music) for sharing my music throughout the house.

 

Anyone have a solution?

I have restarted Apple TV, my Mac, iTunes, signed in & out... no matter what I do, Apple TV only shows me part of my library.

Posted on Aug 6, 2016 4:21 PM

by turingtest2,Apple recommended
turingtest2 turingtest2
Level 10 (84,849 points)
iTunes
A:

Apple Music isn't supported on Apple TV 3.

 

tt2

Posted on Aug 6, 2016 7:05 PM

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roadglider2011

Q: AppleTV & iTunes - incomplete library

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  • by turingtest2,Apple recommended

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Aug 6, 2016 7:05 PM in response to roadglider2011
    Level 10 (84,849 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 6, 2016 7:05 PM in response to roadglider2011

    Apple Music isn't supported on Apple TV 3.

     

    tt2

  • by roadglider2011,

    roadglider2011 roadglider2011 Aug 7, 2016 2:23 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 7, 2016 2:23 AM in response to turingtest2

    What about it isn't supported?

    iTunes Preferences is configured with the iTunes media folder location .../Music/iTunes/iTunes Media

    One of the subfolders in iTunes Media is Music, and everything in there shows up on the Apple TV.

    There is a subfolder Apple Music & anything in that folder is not shown in my library on Apple TV.

    What is the difference between mp3 files in these two directories?

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Aug 7, 2016 3:33 AM in response to roadglider2011
    Level 10 (84,849 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 7, 2016 3:33 AM in response to roadglider2011

    Apple Music tracks are provided with DRM and limited playback rights. You can only play them while your subscription remains active. You can only play them using an authorized computer running iTunes 12.2 or later, an iOS device running iOS 8.4 or later, or an Apple TV 4. I think you can play Apple Music from iTunes on your computer, or an iOS device, with the Apple TV 3 selected as the speakers, but you cannot access Apple Music directly on the device.

     

    tt2

  • by roadglider2011,

    roadglider2011 roadglider2011 Aug 7, 2016 9:45 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 7, 2016 9:45 AM in response to turingtest2

    Thanks for the answer.

    So, if I understand correctly I would need Apple Match in addition to Apple Music to have the downloaded songs be free of DRM.

    Would they then appear with the rest of my library on ATV 3?

    I am not interested in buying an ATV 4 just to get this functionality.

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Aug 7, 2016 10:40 AM in response to roadglider2011
    Level 10 (84,849 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 7, 2016 10:40 AM in response to roadglider2011

    No, iTunes Match gives you access to personally ripped music on any device. Matched or uploaded tracks can then be streamed directly to ATV3 independent of the original library. Apple Music items still retain DRM and the more limited playback options.

     

    tt2

  • by roadglider2011,

    roadglider2011 roadglider2011 Aug 7, 2016 10:54 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 7, 2016 10:54 AM in response to turingtest2

    Wow.

    So even though I use an Apple TV & iTunes from a Mac & pay Apple monthly for a subscription to Apple Music & annually for iTunes Match, I cannot listen to music downloaded from Apple Music on my Apple TV in my living room?

    I am logged in to Apple Store & iCloud on the Apple TV.

     

    So tired of Apple's restrictions on what you pay for. Just don't understand this restriction.

  • by roadglider2011,

    roadglider2011 roadglider2011 Aug 7, 2016 10:58 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 7, 2016 10:58 AM in response to turingtest2

    Even more confusing is that my iPod can see & play the entire library, including those downloaded from Apple Music. I can connect my iPod to my stereo & play any song... so the DRM restriction is only enforced on select Apple products?

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Aug 7, 2016 6:57 PM in response to roadglider2011
    Level 10 (84,849 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 7, 2016 6:57 PM in response to roadglider2011

    Not really. You cannot download Apple Music to say an iPod classic, since it cannot check if your subscription is active before playback. An iPod touch can do this as it has wi-fi. I suspect ATV 3 could play Apple Music directly from Apple's servers if Apple were inclined to let it do so, but it seems they chose not to. If I recall ATV 3 can be used to AirPlay from another device or computer so it isn't impossible, just not quite as convenient as it is with ATV 4.

     

    tt2

  • by roadglider2011,

    roadglider2011 roadglider2011 Aug 7, 2016 7:40 PM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 7, 2016 7:40 PM in response to turingtest2

    I have 2 iPod Touch, 3 iPads, 3 Macs & 2 Apple TV ( gen 3). I can download songs onto all of the devices (except the ATV), disconnect from wi-fi and play all tunes - even those from Apple Music. I often use an iPod on the motorcycle & that works great.

     

    I see no logical reason why the Apple TV won't display & play everything that's in my library, including the music downloaded into the library from Apple Music. After all, the Mac & ATV have a wired, always on, fast internet connection. So, if checking a subscription was the issue... well, it would be a non-issue.

     

    And, yes, I can use AirPlay... but shouldn't have to. The inconvenience is that the music must then be controlled from the Mac that contains the library, which isn't in the living or family rooms.

     

    This is just another of Apple's unnecessary restrictions. Like authorizing computers in iTunes.

     

    I do thank you for taking the time to comment.

     

    Mostly I am just frustrated with Apple for the way they treat loyal customers.

    Their solution is that I need to buy another product for no real reason other than they want more money.