Apple TV 4

[Darrian]

Hi everyone?

I'm wondering if someone can shed some light onto my problem please?

I'm using an Apple TV 4 (purchased less than 1 week ago, latest Apple TV Software update). Which is connected to my PC (Win7 and the latest iTunes version, Home Sharing), via two Cat5e cables and a FritzBox 7390 Modem/Router.

Viewing my HD TV Shows (via iTunes 1080p) there's significant buffering/stuttering?

Through the Apple TV 4, I reduced the resolution back to 576p. There has been an improvement but; the buffering is still occuring.

Given that everything is running through cables etc, with more than enough capability so as there be no bottlenecking, I'm at a loss as to understand why?

The more I research, experiment and try to fix my issue; the more I think the problem resides with my Apple TV 4?

I really would prefer to fix my problem, as opposed to go on a "bash Apple TV 4" crusade. As that isn't going to help me whatsoever?

If anyone else has some thoughts or similar experiences, as to what they did/didn't try, please feel free to contribute.

Regards.

Darryl.

 

[MacManiac76]

Are you loading the TV shows on the Apple TV using the Computers app that is on the home screen of the Apple TV?

 

[Darrian]

Are you loading the TV shows on the Apple TV using the Computers app that is on the home screen of the Apple TV?

Hi MacManiac76.

No...I haven't been using the Computers App on the Apple TV Home Screen. I was using the iTunes TV Shows App (I think it's called).

I just did a quick run through then, using the Computers App. At 576p, then at HD 1080p, both played flawlessly.

I'm more than happy to acknowledge it was my operating of the Apple TV 4, which is / was potentially the issue.

To all of the people who're having a similar issue to me, I wonder if their answer resides with-in using the Computers App?

So...thank-you very much for that piece of information. As I can assure you; I could not find the answer anywhere, in spite of my searches.

So; once again...thank-you.

I'm not too sure how I can "pay it forward" but; let me know if you think I may be able to assist you with something.

Regards.

Darryl

 

[MacManiac76]

I just found out the Computers app necessity yesterday myself. If you load anything using the TV app or iTunes Movies or iTunes TV it is always going to stream over the Internet, never from your local computer. You have to go into the Computers app to use Home Sharing for the content to stream locally.

 

[HDFan]

The ATV4 app store has Speedtest. The first thing I do when I encounter a stuttering/buffering issue is to run Speedtest to see if I have sufficient bandwidth. If I drop below 30 Mbps streaming 1080p blu-ray .m2ts content with losses audio via my Plex server I'll start seeing stuttering/buffering.

Interesting enough I have 2 ATV4s. The one which is hardwired tops out on Speedtest at ~94 Mbps. The one which is wireless and is upstairs runs ~150 Mbps! So I have something in my hardwired network that is slowing things down.

 

[Beerstalker]

Like MacManiac76 said, when you use the TV app you are streaming those shows/movies/etc from Apple's iTunes servers over your internet connection.

When you use the Computers app you are using home sharing to watch the shows/movies/etc off your local computer running iTunes.

If everything works great using the Computers app, but you have buffering/stuttering/pixelation issues when using the TV app you need to be looking at your internet service provider or router. Who is your internet service provider? What speed internet service are you supposed to be getting? The Speedtest App mentioned above would be one way to check your speed, but some internet service providers mess with those tests to report higher speeds than what you are actually getting on other sites.

 

[roidy]

Interesting enough I have 2 ATV4s. The one which is hardwired tops out on Speedtest at ~94 Mbps. The one which is wireless and is upstairs runs ~150 Mbps! So I have something in my hardwired network that is slowing things down.

The ethernet port on the ATV4 is only base 100 so the maximum speed you will ever get is 100Mbps where as the ATV4's Wifi is 802.11a/b/g/n and ac which supports speeds anywhere from 54Mbps to 600Mbps depending on which version your router is.

So generally you will get faster speeds on Wifi and there is likely nothing wrong with your wired network.

 

[Alrescha]

from 54Mbps to 600Mbps depending on which version your router is.

A point of order: on 100 Mb Ethernet you can really get 100 Mbps. You have given the signalling rate of Wi-Fi here, and you never attain that in the real world. Half that figure is more realistic. Otherwise the statement is true, in that it is possible to do better with Wi-Fi than 100Mbps these days.

A.