ipsyd
Level 1 (97 points)
Apple TV

Q: Sluggish AirPlay frame rate

I use AirPlay to get streamed online football (from Australia, not available apart from internet streaming via browser) from my MacBook Pro (via 5MHz wifi) to my Apple TV, and then (via HDMI) to my big-screen TV. When the onscreen action is fast (i.e. 90%+ of the screen redrawn between frames), it becomes unwatchable on the TV because of dropped frames: by my estimate, it drops to 3 fps. The MacBook Pro video frame rate is significantly better, and watchable, so it's not a streaming issue, but an AirPlay problem. I'm using latest Mac OS, not sure about Apple TV. How can I improve the frame rate on the big screen?

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Aug 29, 2016 9:35 PM

by Winston Churchill,Apple recommended
Winston Churchill Winston Churchill
Level 10 (103,341 points)
Apple TV
A:
  1. Restart the Apple TV (Settings > General > Restart).
  2. Restart the Apple TV by removing ALL the cables for 30 seconds.
  3. Restart your router. (Also try removing it’s power cord for at least 30 seconds)
  4. Restart your computer.

 

If you are still having problems, try turning off bluetooth if it's enabled, also try using 802.11n for wifi if you are currently using either 802.11b or 802.11g. You might also try removing any other software related to screen sharing or streaming to remote displays that you might have installed at some time.


Additionally, the following article(s) may help you.

 

Troubleshooting AirPlay

Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections

Recommended Wi-Fi settings

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.

Posted on Aug 30, 2016 1:54 AM

Close
ipsyd

Q: Sluggish AirPlay frame rate

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Winston Churchill,Apple recommended

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Aug 30, 2016 1:54 AM in response to ipsyd
    Level 10 (103,341 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 30, 2016 1:54 AM in response to ipsyd
    1. Restart the Apple TV (Settings > General > Restart).
    2. Restart the Apple TV by removing ALL the cables for 30 seconds.
    3. Restart your router. (Also try removing it’s power cord for at least 30 seconds)
    4. Restart your computer.

     

    If you are still having problems, try turning off bluetooth if it's enabled, also try using 802.11n for wifi if you are currently using either 802.11b or 802.11g. You might also try removing any other software related to screen sharing or streaming to remote displays that you might have installed at some time.


    Additionally, the following article(s) may help you.

     

    Troubleshooting AirPlay

    Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections

    Recommended Wi-Fi settings

    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 Diana.McCall,Helpful

    Diana.McCall Diana.McCall Sep 5, 2016 10:53 PM in response to ipsyd
    Level 4 (2,815 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 5, 2016 10:53 PM in response to ipsyd

    Hi. I assume you're using mirroring, which generates a live video from the computer frame buffer and sends that to the Apple TV. It should work better if you use basic AirPlay, which simply sends the video URL to the ATV so the ATV can stream the video directly. You can do this by clicking on the AirPlay icon that appears in the browser video player, instead of using the one in the main menu bar.

  • by ipsyd,

    ipsyd ipsyd Sep 4, 2016 11:47 PM in response to Diana.McCall
    Level 1 (97 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 4, 2016 11:47 PM in response to Diana.McCall

    Thanks for the insight! It took me a while to figure out you meant to choose the "Use as separate Display" option in the AirPlay menu on my MBPro screen, then to use AirPlay menu on the Apple TV-connected TV to initiate the streaming – I think! I still don't fully understand what's going on, but it's working! Not perfect, but certainly watchable, and way better than before! Thanks!