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Home Sharing Video Freezing (ATV4)

rkieru

rkieru

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 10, 2015
65
88
I've recently run into an issue with my ATV4 streaming video via Home Sharing. Essentially what happens (as the title suggests) is that the video will freeze frame or start stuttering (showing 1 frame every 10-15 seconds). Meanwhile the audio continues without issue.

I have been able to resolve the issue temporarily by restarting the AppleTV, which makes me wonder if it isn't just some sort of software issue or perhaps my HDD is running out of space (Though the device suggests that space is not an issue).

Here are some basic details of the setup:
  • Wireless Connection
  • Router and Home Sharing device are upstairs
  • Apple TV is downstairs (strong signal)
  • Issue can occur regardless of TV show, format, or quality
  • Restarting the show NEVER fixes the issue; Restarting the device ALWAYS fixes the issue
Anyone else experiencing this?
 
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One of the older, flat AirPort Extreme's running Firmware 7.6.4.
 
rkieru said:
I've recently run into an issue with my ATV4 streaming video via Home Sharing. Essentially what happens (as the title suggests) is that the video will freeze frame or start stuttering (showing 1 frame every 10-15 seconds). Meanwhile the audio continues without issue.


Anyone else experiencing this?
Click to expand...



Yes. I'm having exactly the same problem. It's not constant, but it's ever since upgrading to the latest operating system release for AppleTV. It's completely random. It will work well for a day or two, then the video will start to stutter while the audio comes through perfectly. The only thing that fixes it, is to restart the AppleTV.

A few things, unlike you, my AppleTV is connected with Ethernet, not wifi. So I'm doubtful it's a problem with "connection".

It might just be a coincidence, but it seems to me, it's a problem with the OS itself.
 
I am also having the exact same problem. Only started happening since the latest tvOS update. For me to it seems to happen randomly every few days. Restarting the Apple TV does fix it. But also opening the app launcher and closing the Home Sharing app has fixed it for me to. Hopefully Apple will fix this problem soon as possible.
 
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I realise the previous comment was not for me, but I use an AC router and connect the Apple TV by AC. Other than this Home Sharing issue since the latest tvOS update, wireless AC has worked great for me!
 
DarkIcarus said:
I realise the previous comment was not for me, but I use an AC router and connect the Apple TV by AC. Other than this Home Sharing issue since the latest tvOS update, wireless AC has worked great for me!
Click to expand...

Yeah... I agree with Satcomer that it's probably time to replace my router regardless. I just looked up the serial number and it's an AirPort Extreme 802.11n (4th Generation) ... which dates it around 2009!

That being said; if the issue were exclusively to do with my routers ability to transmit data fast enough, I should be seeing this with streaming services like Netflix, HBO Go, Vudu (via the PlayStation 4 of course), etc ... which I don't.
 
I doubt its fully to do with your set up. As you said your PS4 works fine and that only has wireless N. I do find that AC works better and buffers faster. However I to have a few wireless N devices which also work fine. I would say the problems with Home Sharing at present seem to be due to the latest tvOS update. But it wouldn't be a bad thing upgrading to AC at some point in the future.
 
DarkIcarus said:
I doubt its fully to do with your set up. As you said your PS4 works fine and that only has wireless N. I do find that AC works better and buffers faster. However I to have a few wireless N devices which also work fine. I would say the problems with Home Sharing at present seem to be due to the latest tvOS update. But it wouldn't be a bad thing upgrading to AC at some point in the future.
Click to expand...

I heard that at least with older Apple TV devices if the Mac your sharing from has IPv6 turned off! Check to see if this still helps!
 
Im using an ATV4, ethernet connection into latest airport router, and a macbook on AC doing home sharing.
Im having the same problem with videos either stuttering/becoming jeky even when the buffer is filled up or where the buffer does not fill at all.
Restarting the ATV fixes problem, I'm not sure but i think its only occurring when I choose things to play manually rather than letting the ATV4 work its own way through a series (autoplay).

Have reset&updated ATV4, no change, will try clean installing Macbook tomorrow and update people.

Not sure when this all occurred because I remember watching 12+eps of NCIS in a row with no issues back on the precious ATV os.
 
DarkIcarus said:
I doubt its fully to do with your set up. As you said your PS4 works fine and that only has wireless N. I do find that AC works better and buffers faster. However I to have a few wireless N devices which also work fine. I would say the problems with Home Sharing at present seem to be due to the latest tvOS update. But it wouldn't be a bad thing upgrading to AC at some point in the future.
Click to expand...

Sorry if this is the wrong bit to reply to but just wanted to tell you that I have a AC 2.4 & 5ghz setup at home - ATV4 connected to the most recent Airport router (the one with a 3tb drive inside for file share/time machine) via ethernet, and my home sharing macbook on AC 5ghz, iPhone using AC 2ghz but thats not home sharing or anything and I have the same issues.

Buffering is fast, very very fast infact but even with the whole thing buffered I still have the stuttering problem. Does seem to be related to the TVos update as before I was binge watching things and never had an issue.

I wonder if the buffer in the ATV is at fault, perhaps when its full it isn't emptying and once you've watched enough to fill it just , for example, 10mb is left and that is all that can be refilled with new data. Would explain why a restart works to cure it and why it comes back again after a certain amount of shows which = data is watched.

I dunno. I ramble. I just wish there was a dedicated restart button on the remote :)))))

I have firmware reset & updated the ATV4 and also clean installed mac os so we will see if that helps. I know it won't, Im sure it won't, but atleast I tried :p
 
cjhessing said:
Sorry if this is the wrong bit to reply to but just wanted to tell you that I have a AC 2.4 & 5ghz setup at home - ATV4 connected to the most recent Airport router (the one with a 3tb drive inside for file share/time machine) via ethernet, and my home sharing macbook on AC 5ghz, iPhone using AC 2ghz but thats not home sharing or anything and I have the same issues.

Buffering is fast, very very fast infact but even with the whole thing buffered I still have the stuttering problem. Does seem to be related to the TVos update as before I was binge watching things and never had an issue.

I wonder if the buffer in the ATV is at fault, perhaps when its full it isn't emptying and once you've watched enough to fill it just , for example, 10mb is left and that is all that can be refilled with new data. Would explain why a restart works to cure it and why it comes back again after a certain amount of shows which = data is watched.

I dunno. I ramble. I just wish there was a dedicated restart button on the remote :)))))

I have firmware reset & updated the ATV4 and also clean installed mac os so we will see if that helps. I know it won't, Im sure it won't, but atleast I tried :p
Click to expand...

It's the ATV4 software. Apple still needs to fix this. Nothing we can do but wait for them to fix it or if they plan on fixing it.
 
slapppy said:
It's the ATV4 software. Apple still needs to fix this. Nothing we can do but wait for them to fix it or if they plan on fixing it.
Click to expand...
I have a feeling if it gets fixed it will just be a happy coincidence lol. That or they know about it and do intend to fix it but won't advertise the fix in the list at release...that would be to admit there was a fault in the first place ;)
 
cjhessing said:
I have a feeling if it gets fixed it will just be a happy coincidence lol. That or they know about it and do intend to fix it but won't advertise the fix in the list at release...that would be to admit there was a fault in the first place ;)
Click to expand...
OH yeah I can see that happening because if you try to post that question on Apple Support site nothing is wrong. It's all your fault and you need to go test it with several friends locations because its your fault no matter what. lol
 
cjhessing said:
Sorry if this is the wrong bit to reply to but just wanted to tell you that I have a AC 2.4 & 5ghz setup at home - ATV4 connected to the most recent Airport router (the one with a 3tb drive inside for file share/time machine) via ethernet, and my home sharing macbook on AC 5ghz, iPhone using AC 2ghz but thats not home sharing or anything and I have the same issues.

Buffering is fast, very very fast infact but even with the whole thing buffered I still have the stuttering problem. Does seem to be related to the TVos update as before I was binge watching things and never had an issue.

I wonder if the buffer in the ATV is at fault, perhaps when its full it isn't emptying and once you've watched enough to fill it just , for example, 10mb is left and that is all that can be refilled with new data. Would explain why a restart works to cure it and why it comes back again after a certain amount of shows which = data is watched.

I dunno. I ramble. I just wish there was a dedicated restart button on the remote :)))))

I have firmware reset & updated the ATV4 and also clean installed mac os so we will see if that helps. I know it won't, Im sure it won't, but atleast I tried :p
Click to expand...

I am pretty sure its software related. Hopefully the next tvOS update will fix it. Unless its on the Mac end with Home Sharing since the last OS X update was the same time. Either way, I just hope it gets fixed soon because its very annoying when your in the middle of watching something and it just freezes.

Likewise, not the freezing, but with the stuttering i've also had that with the NOW TV app since the last tvOS update. However, I realise the NOW TV app is a pile of crap anyway. But thought i'd mention.
 
4/25 Update

I ended up purchasing an AirPort Time Capsule to replace my old '09 Base Station. The old router was getting along in life so it was time to stuff it office closet anyway... Alas, while the new device is snappier and has a better range than I could have hoped for, it does not address the issues mentioned above.

That being said, DarkIcarus' solution of simply restarting the Home Sharing app works perfectly and is (of course) much faster than restarting the entire ATV4. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the process, I've outlined them below:
  1. Press the 'Home' Button twice in rapid-succession and then swipe right-to-left
  2. An iOS-inspired tabular list of applications should appear
  3. Navigate to the Home Sharing app and swipe down-to-up
This force-closes the app and when you go back in the frame rate issue seems to be resolved (at least temporarily).
 
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rkieru said:
4/25 Update

I ended up purchasing an AirPort Time Capsule to replace my old '09 Base Station. The old router was getting along in life so it was time to stuff it office closet anyway... Alas, while the new device is snappier and has a better range than I could have hoped for, it does not address the issues mentioned above.

That being said, DarkIcarus' solution of simply restarting the Home Sharing app works perfectly and is (of course) much faster than restarting the entire ATV4. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the process, I've outlined them below:
  1. Press the 'Home' Button twice in rapid-succession and then swipe right-to-left
  2. An iOS-inspired tabular list of applications should appear
  3. Navigate to the Home Sharing app and swipe down-to-up
This force-closes the app and when you go back in the frame rate issue seems to be resolved (at least temporarily).
Click to expand...

I can confirm this, I've been quit/restarting the home sharing app on ATV every so often (as I change seasons or shows) and haven't run into this issue again. It is much faster than a restart and doesn't make you feel quite so much that your £100+ gadget is really just a broken paperweight.
 
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I've been reading about these issues all over the net. It's not isolated and seems like a lot of people have these issues. My ATV3 is fine. My new ATV4 is stuttering hell. I've tried with ethernet and wifi. The only fix is to pull out the AC cord and plug it back in if that helps anyone. Apple needs to sort this out.
 
musio said:
I've been reading about these issues all over the net. It's not isolated and seems like a lot of people have these issues. My ATV3 is fine. My new ATV4 is stuttering hell. I've tried with ethernet and wifi. The only fix is to pull out the AC cord and plug it back in if that helps anyone. Apple needs to sort this out.
Click to expand...

You should read the entirety of this thread - pulling out the AC cord is probably the most ineffective means of solving the problem. Just force close and re-open the Home Sharing app...
 
The Mad Hatter said:
That's why I love using my Harmony remote... it has a 'reboot' button for the ATV. ;-)
Click to expand...

That's a nice feature... though I could see someone getting upset fat-fingering and accidentally restarting the device. That being said restarting the ATV is not necessary to resolve this issue. As I noted above, all you have to do is close the Home Sharing app, which is done by the following:
  1. Press the 'Home' Button twice in rapid-succession and then swipe right-to-left
  2. An iOS-inspired tabular list of applications should appear
  3. Navigate to the Home Sharing app and swipe down-to-up
IMO Apple needs to come up with a better way to access the tabbed list of apps, but otherwise this is a pretty fast and fairly simplistic solution.
 
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Has anyone noticed if the latest update (9.2.1) has resolved this issue? So far it all been good for me, however I have not watched for that long yet.
 
rkieru said:
I've recently run into an issue with my ATV4 streaming video via Home Sharing. Essentially what happens (as the title suggests) is that the video will freeze frame or start stuttering (showing 1 frame every 10-15 seconds). Meanwhile the audio continues without issue.

I have been able to resolve the issue temporarily by restarting the AppleTV, which makes me wonder if it isn't just some sort of software issue or perhaps my HDD is running out of space (Though the device suggests that space is not an issue).

Here are some basic details of the setup:
  • Wireless Connection
  • Router and Home Sharing device are upstairs
  • Apple TV is downstairs (strong signal)
  • Issue can occur regardless of TV show, format, or quality
  • Restarting the show NEVER fixes the issue; Restarting the device ALWAYS fixes the issue
Anyone else experiencing this?
Click to expand...
I have the same issue, which started I would say in the last three weeks. ATV4 is hardwired. This issue does not occur on my ATV3, also hardwired.
 
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