ATV3 trouble streaming over local network

[packgrad2000]

I have an Apple TV 3, streaming my iTunes library from a 2012 rMBP. It frequently has difficulty streaming over my local network, but I don't think my router/WiFi network is the problem, and here's why: When I go to stream a video or Airplay something from my iPhone/iPad, it typically works with no problems the first time, and you can see that it quickly buffers. However, when I go stream something else, it gets stuck and all of a sudden has problems streaming. This is true whether I'm Airplaying a video I shot on my iPhone or if it's just a low bandwidth video from my iTunes library. It will frequently play a few seconds and then get stuck and just stop buffering altogether (no more of the "white" buffering bar loading). When I restart my ATV, all is well again (usually). I don't think this is a problem with my WiFi because I've streamed 1080p content from the iTunes store and it quickly buffers it, but then when I try it for another video, it begins having problems. It seems to be a problem with the ATV itself since resetting it seems to work, and since it's a problem whether it's streaming from my Mac or my iOS device.

Any ideas? I was thinking maybe it could be a problem with the memory/buffer inside the ATV? It seems like it's getting full and not dumping it like it should, and so it doesn't have any more space to fill its buffer. I assume when I reset (actually I'm just restarting it, not resetting all settings) it, the memory (doesn't it have 8GB?) is dumped as well. Thanks for any help.

Another note: I have a friend who has (or had) an ATV2 with this exact same problem. He finally quit using it because he got so frustrated with it. So I know it's not just me, I just haven't found a solution yet.

 

[2010mini]

Are both the Apple TV and MBP connected via Ethernet or wifi? If wifi, switch to Ethernet and report back.

 

[packgrad2000]

Are both the Apple TV and MBP connected via Ethernet or wifi? If wifi, switch to Ethernet and report back.

Wifi. Don't have the Ethernet adaptor for my rMBP and I'm not spending $29 for something I don't need or use.

 

[niteflyr]

You might try an iTunes restore. Plug it into computer with USB and select ATV in iTunes and restore from there.

 

[2010mini]

Wifi. Don't have the Ethernet adaptor for my rMBP and I'm not spending $29 for something I don't need or use.

Then connect just the Apple TV by Ethernet. See if that helps.

Rule of thumb: all stationary device should be connected by Ethernet.

 

[lexvo]

This morning I downgraded the firmware of my Apple TV to 5.3 (I was on 6.0.2). This solved my problem!

I too had lagging playback, both from iTunes as well as for Airplaying a video from my iPad. Often the video or airplay just would not start.

With firmware 5.3 my ATV is again as fast as it used to be: videos start promptly, no waiting for the spinning disc and hoping the thing will start. It just works now

BTW, I am using a WiFi connection.

 

[lexvo]

(deleted)

 

[2010mini]

This morning I downgraded the firmware of my Apple TV to 5.3 (I was on 6.0.2). This solved my problem!

I too had lagging playback, both from iTunes as well as for Airplaying a video from my iPad. Often the video or airplay just would not start.

With firmware 5.3 my ATV is again as fast as it used to be: videos start promptly, no waiting for the spinning disc and hoping the thing will start. It just works now

BTW, I am using a WiFi connection.

I am on the latest Apple TV iOS connected by wifi and have no issues. What router are you using?

 

[lexvo]

I am on the latest Apple TV iOS connected by wifi and have no issues. What router are you using?

Yes, I am also thinking it must have some to do with my configuration. I have an Airport Extreme in bridge mode for WiFi and a Fritzbox main router provided by my ISP.

I have tried numerous solutions to get things to work, like reset router, restart ATV, restore ATV, restart iTunes, PRAM reset iMac, set fixed IPs, and so on. This downgrading to 5.3 at least works for me.

 

[citizenzen]

Then connect just the Apple TV by Ethernet. See if that helps.

Rule of thumb: all stationary device should be connected by Ethernet.

My Apple TV—which I've had for about a month—was connected via WiFi to an Airport Extreme and I was encountering issues with TV shows purchased with iTunes: long load times, occasional pauses during play. It was quite annoying.

Last night I bought an ethernet cable from Radio Shack and plugged it into the Apple TV and my last remaining port on the Airport Extreme which is connected via ethernet to the router.

The difference is night and day. Loading speeds have shortened tremendously, and I haven't had one pause during play.

Wifi is great for broadcasting a network to my iPad and iPod Touch. But if you're going to watch TV, I can attest to the fact that nothing beats ethernet.

 

[packgrad2000]

This morning I downgraded the firmware of my Apple TV to 5.3 (I was on 6.0.2). This solved my problem!

I too had lagging playback, both from iTunes as well as for Airplaying a video from my iPad. Often the video or airplay just would not start.

With firmware 5.3 my ATV is again as fast as it used to be: videos start promptly, no waiting for the spinning disc and hoping the thing will start. It just works now

BTW, I am using a WiFi connection.

How did you downgrade to 5.3? Sounds like I should try this too.

 

[packgrad2000]

Then connect just the Apple TV by Ethernet. See if that helps.

Rule of thumb: all stationary device should be connected by Ethernet.

Here's the thing: Half the reason I bought an Apple TV and not one of the other many options out there was to be able to Airplay stuff from my iPad, iPhone, and Mac. In my house, the trouble and expense to wire up ethernet from my router to my ATV just isn't worth it. If it's only going to work over ethernet, and I can't Airplay stuff to it, I'll just go buy a Western Digital device and hook it up directly to my TV with my movie library, because from my friends that have one, it works pretty good with a small HD attached to it. But one thing it can't do is Airplay stuff like the ATV can.

Besides, it's not that my ATV is just slow or laggy. I live in a place with slow internet so I'm pretty patient when it comes to these things. The problem is it doesn't play at all after the first video.

 

[2010mini]

Here's the thing: Half the reason I bought an Apple TV and not one of the other many options out there was to be able to Airplay stuff from my iPad, iPhone, and Mac. In my house, the trouble and expense to wire up ethernet from my router to my ATV just isn't worth it. If it's only going to work over ethernet, and I can't Airplay stuff to it, I'll just go buy a Western Digital device and hook it up directly to my TV with my movie library, because from my friends that have one, it works pretty good with a small HD attached to it. But one thing it can't do is Airplay stuff like the ATV can.

Besides, it's not that my ATV is just slow or laggy. I live in a place with slow internet so I'm pretty patient when it comes to these things. The problem is it doesn't play at all after the first video.

Ok I think you are misunderstanding my post. Connecting the Apple TV to Ethernet has less to do with airplay and more to do with your internal network.

My Apple TV is connected via wifi. I airplay to it all the time with no issues. But movies I stream to it from itunes is located on my Mini that is wired. I did that to cut down on how much traffic my wifi has to handle.

It's not that I think my wifi network can't handle it. But since most days I have 3 other devices connected to my wifi at the same time. It made sense to have the Mini connected to Ethernet.

Also my Apple TV connected via wifi is helped by the fact that I have 2 APs in my house. So I have constant signal strength.


So.... Things you need to answer:
What wireless router are you using?
How far away from it are your rMBP and Apple TV?
What other wireless devices are connected to it?

 

[lexvo]

How did you downgrade to 5.3? Sounds like I should try this too.

First download a previous firmware version. Google will find, example sites are ipswdownloader.com and iclarified.com

Here are instructions:
http://www.imore.com/how-restore-2nd-or-3rd-generation-apple-tv-back-factory-settings-itunes

In step 4, you need to option-click on the Restore button. Then you can select the downloaded firmware version.

 

[rayward]

Yes, I am also thinking it must have some to do with my configuration. I have an Airport Extreme in bridge mode for WiFi and a Fritzbox main router provided by my ISP.

I have tried numerous solutions to get things to work, like reset router, restart ATV, restore ATV, restart iTunes, PRAM reset iMac, set fixed IPs, and so on. This downgrading to 5.3 at least works for me.

You might want to try putting your Fritzbox into bridge mode and shutting down its wifi, and use your AEBS as your router / wifi hub. I had a similar issue of poor ATV performance, but it went away when I did this. My Comcast modem was sitting right next to my AEBS, blasting out a wifi signal that I didn't need and interfering with my AEBS' wifi. Turning off the modem's wifi made all the difference.

Check out this thread for more detail.

 

[lexvo]

You might want to try putting your Fritzbox into bridge mode and shutting down its wifi, and use your AEBS as your router / wifi hub. I had a similar issue of poor ATV performance, but it went away when I did this. My Comcast modem was sitting right next to my AEBS, blasting out a wifi signal that I didn't need and interfering with my AEBS' wifi. Turning off the modem's wifi made all the difference.

Check out this thread for more detail.

Thanks. I already switched off the WiFi of my Fritzbox. And unfortunately my model Fritzbox can't be set in bridge mode.