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How to Stream vs Sync?
- Thread starter haze
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I tried that, my dad said he didn't have anything that says sources. How does he get to that menu on the AppleTV?
Check that he has:
1. Connected his ATV to his network (wired or wireless)
2. He has the Mac/PC on which his iTunes library running, with iTunes open.
3. He has paired his ATV with iTunes on the Mac/PC.
Instructions on how to do all of the above are on the previously-linked page and the other ATV support pages if he hasn't done one of them. If he has done all of the above, his PC/Mac iTunes library should be showing up on the ATV under "My Movies" or whatever.
On Apple TV’s main menu select Sources (I believe it's in the Settings menu).
- to Stream: select Connect to New iTunes
or
- to Sync: select Syncing
Make sure in iTunes, on the Apple TV Summary page that he does NOT have the option checked called: Show only the synced items on my Apple TV.
This is assuming that he has Custom Sync selected (as that option isn't available if Auto syncing is selected).
-Kevin
This is assuming that he has Custom Sync selected (as that option isn't available if Auto syncing is selected).
-Kevin
If you are set up to stream, there are no syncing options. Just a tab for Summary and one for Photos.
Wow you're totally right. I hadn't looked at my settings since I set it up. The right way is to go to Settings > Computer then choose Add Shared iTunes Library.
Sorry for the previous, false info.
You do realize that, that page is a little bit out dated.
There is no sources in the menu what so ever even in the settings.
If you go to Main Menu > Settings > Then Computers, you can set the option there, but this is to only sync your libray for viewing i have yet figured to download the acutual songs from my laptop to my atv.
There is no sources in the menu what so ever even in the settings.
If you go to Main Menu > Settings > Then Computers, you can set the option there, but this is to only sync your libray for viewing i have yet figured to download the acutual songs from my laptop to my atv.
So here's how I understand it to work:
1) The ATV can be linked to one computer at a time. This link is done through Settings -> Computers and choose the first option to Link to iTunes. This link allows for you to sync (copy) content over to the ATV. Any content that is synced to the ATV is copied to the internal HD on the ATV.
In syncing you have 2 choices:
Automatic Sync: This will copy content for you, filling your ATV hard drive with content
Custom Sync: This will allow you to choose what content you want synced to the ATV.
Now in either case, whatever you don't sync to your ATV, will be available to stream automatically.
For example, if I have 10 movies in my iTunes library on the computer I have linked to ATV....I can sync (copy) 2 of those movies to the ATV itself. These movies are now available to the ATV even if my iTunes isn't running. However, if my iTunes is running, the ATV can see and stream the other 8 movies.
The one thing to keep in mind is that when you first setup the ATV and link it to an iTunes computer, it will be set to Auto sync and will start copying content. You can select Custom and hit apply to change this. Also click on the stop arrow in the top display in iTunes to stop the copying.
2) The ATV can access up to 5 shared iTunes libraries at once. This is also set in Settings -> Computers, choosing the second option to Add a shared library.
For shared libraries, you don't get the option to copy or sync anything to your ATV. The content will be shown in your ATV, however, the computer with the iTunes sharing needs to be on, and iTunes itself needs to be setup to share it's library across the network.
For most people, their main setup is probably going to be Linked to an iTunes computer. This is the best of both worlds (other than photos). As I understand it, photos can only be streamed via the Shared option, not the linked option. Under the linked option, you must sync photos to the ATV.
You cannot have an ATV setup to Linked and Shared to the same computer running iTunes at the same time.
This make sense? Let me know if this isn't correct.
-Kevin
1) The ATV can be linked to one computer at a time. This link is done through Settings -> Computers and choose the first option to Link to iTunes. This link allows for you to sync (copy) content over to the ATV. Any content that is synced to the ATV is copied to the internal HD on the ATV.
In syncing you have 2 choices:
Automatic Sync: This will copy content for you, filling your ATV hard drive with content
Custom Sync: This will allow you to choose what content you want synced to the ATV.
Now in either case, whatever you don't sync to your ATV, will be available to stream automatically.
For example, if I have 10 movies in my iTunes library on the computer I have linked to ATV....I can sync (copy) 2 of those movies to the ATV itself. These movies are now available to the ATV even if my iTunes isn't running. However, if my iTunes is running, the ATV can see and stream the other 8 movies.
The one thing to keep in mind is that when you first setup the ATV and link it to an iTunes computer, it will be set to Auto sync and will start copying content. You can select Custom and hit apply to change this. Also click on the stop arrow in the top display in iTunes to stop the copying.
2) The ATV can access up to 5 shared iTunes libraries at once. This is also set in Settings -> Computers, choosing the second option to Add a shared library.
For shared libraries, you don't get the option to copy or sync anything to your ATV. The content will be shown in your ATV, however, the computer with the iTunes sharing needs to be on, and iTunes itself needs to be setup to share it's library across the network.
For most people, their main setup is probably going to be Linked to an iTunes computer. This is the best of both worlds (other than photos). As I understand it, photos can only be streamed via the Shared option, not the linked option. Under the linked option, you must sync photos to the ATV.
You cannot have an ATV setup to Linked and Shared to the same computer running iTunes at the same time.
This make sense? Let me know if this isn't correct.
-Kevin
Yeah note my post above yours. Here's the proper link.
If you choose to sync (or "pair") rather than stream ("share"), your music will be physically copied to the Apple TV once you set up which music to sync in iTunes.
What this doc fails to make clear is that when you "pair" your ATV to iTunes on a computer, you aren't forced to ONLY sync. You can stream as well. Whereas the opposite is not true. If your setup for "share", that's all you can do. There is no option to sync content.
On the summary tab of the ATV in iTunes seems to be the only place where Apple seems to mention this (see attachment below).
While they only say this under the Automatic section, I find it true for the Custom Sync option as well. Any content not synced is available via stream as long as the host iTunes is running.
-Kevin
Attachments
And make sure you pick only SHOW SYNCHED CONTENT or else even when you shut down itunes it still shows your original itunes library and not just synched content.
If you pick Show only Synced content on my Apple TV, they you lose the ability to stream anything from iTunes.
-Kevin