I had this problem and used to have a problem with airplay dissappearing too.
It was an issue cause by the IP address not renewing after wake. Everything now has a manual ip address assigned and works hunky dorey
Sadly I'm now in the same boat as everyone else. After updating my server and AppleTV's now I get disconnected from home sharing after inactivity for a while. Not sure what's going on or how to fix it. I think it has something to do with configuration of the server but I can't be sure of that.
Anyone have any ideas? I tried setting every device on the network to fixed IP addresses with DHCP renewing every 365 days. Still no luck.
It's not that Airplay is disappearing, I have this problem too, iTunes 10.6.3 running on a physical server running Windows 2008 R2 (also does it on OS 10.7 and 10.8 DP4) where you can watch fine, go out for a hour or so, come back, click the shared library and it just spins saying 'connecting to ....'
The only way to get it to wake up is by closing iTunes and re-opening it. IT's very very very annoying, especially when your mother is ringing you asking why her iPad or Apple TV won't play 'Biggest Loser' ha!
I've resorted to disconnecting the Apple TV and using the PS3 with PS3MEdia server pointing to the iTunes library until Apple fix this fundamental flaw.
One workaround I have seen on the net is to have something playing on a continuous loop. I can't do this as the server doesn't have a audio card in it.
My ATV was still under warranty, so I had mine replaced and it works (almost) flawlessly. Do you still have the option of replacing it?
It's not that Airplay is disappearing, I have this problem too, iTunes 10.6.3 running on a physical server running Windows 2008 R2 (also does it on OS 10.7 and 10.8 DP4) where you can watch fine, go out for a hour or so, come back, click the shared library and it just spins saying 'connecting to ....'
The only way to get it to wake up is by closing iTunes and re-opening it. IT's very very very annoying, especially when your mother is ringing you asking why her iPad or Apple TV won't play 'Biggest Loser' ha!
I've resorted to disconnecting the Apple TV and using the PS3 with PS3MEdia server pointing to the iTunes library until Apple fix this fundamental flaw.
One workaround I have seen on the net is to have something playing on a continuous loop. I can't do this as the server doesn't have a audio card in it.
I stand corrected, I'm still having the issue. This is rediculous, this issue has been going on for way too longYou know I had this issue for the longest time. It was definitely either something to do with iTunes or bonjour because it happened from whatever device I was trying to access my share. I got so frustrated I switched to Roku and used Plex. A few months later (recently) I decided to see if the problem still exists. To my surprise I no longer have the issue. Not sure which update fixed it, but I feel your pain.
I never had a problem until I got an ATV3. I took my old ATV2 and put it on another TV and the ATV3 as my main. Now I get this problem on the new ATV3, but also the old ATV2! Doesn't make any sense why I'd get it with the old ATV2.
Then again, maybe it wasn't the ATV3 . . . . shortly there after my iTunes server (ATV1 with Tiger on it (I think it's tiger)) died and I had to put a new hard drive in it, meaning a whole new install of the OS and iTunes. I wonder if something went wrong there.
You updated the ATV2 didn't you? That might be it. For me, it was rock-solid once I'd switched to Ethernet, then broke again with an ATV update. I've had the device replaced, and it's been great since. But I am a little nervous every time I update the new ATV2.
I'd be willing to try this. Do I have to have iTunes playing something or can I open an audio file in VLC or something similar and just have it loop? I'm running Windows Media Server 2011, latest iTunes 64-bit version, manual IP on all network devices, DHCP reservations set on the router, and an Apple TV3 with the latest update connected via Cat6 Ethernet.
It's NOT the Apple TV..........
When you can't access homesharing you can't access it from 1) another iTunes desktop software, 2) iPhone / iPad 3) Apple TV .... it's purely the `server` part of the iTunes home sharing system.
I have a very similar issue .. resetting iTunes fixes it 99% of the time, I got sick of running up and down the stairs to fix it I created a script that can be launched from Safari on an iOS device (or any browser capable device I'd imagine) to do this for me, details here:
http://monty77uk.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/vanishing-itunes-library-anyone-2-2/
M
I have a very similar issue .. resetting iTunes fixes it 99% of the time, I got sick of running up and down the stairs to fix it I created a script that can be launched from Safari on an iOS device (or any browser capable device I'd imagine) to do this for me, details here:
http://monty77uk.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/vanishing-itunes-library-anyone-2-2/
M
I've been having the problem of losing the ability to control iTumes on my MacPro via the IOS Remote App. I also cannot then access iTunes items from my Apple TV.
I've found that I can get the sharing restored by turning off Home Sharing (from the iTunes Advanced menu) and then turning it back on. It's a less destructive workaround than toggling iTunes off and on but still a pain.
I'm taking your concept in a different direction (not using that server side app). Seems like it will work. Will report back
No luck. I made a webpage (locally served) and tried to use a php script to trigger an applescript to restart itunes. There were security issues getting the applescript to kick off. I ended up trying your tutorial. It works, but I'd rather not have to use it.
Anyway, I assigned my machine a static IP address and made a DHCP reservation for it on my extreme router. I also disabled sleep on my apple tv. I haven't had any dropouts since these changes. It's been a few days so far. Not sure which change was the fix or if it's going to act up again.
Just stopping by to let you know I still have not had any dropouts after those changed. Problem solved for me.