Movies stored in iTunes wont load on ATV3

[chuntsman949]

Hello!!

So I am having a hell of a time since I updated my Atv. When I go to watch a movie from my library it never starts... it just buffers with the little white circle. Then when it finally loads it gives me only a little bit of data (grey bar) to watch then buffers about 5 mins into the movie, then it just goes back to the main menu... netflix works fine, so do rentals.. its just airplay from my library.

Any ideas? I am using an airport to connect my devices...

 

[chenks]

is the itunes host also wifi? if yes, it sounds like your wifi network is struggling with the amount of data. try connecting via ethernet to see if the problem goes away.

 

[mic j]

Hello!!

So I am having a hell of a time since I updated my Atv. When I go to watch a movie from my library it never starts... it just buffers with the little white circle. Then when it finally loads it gives me only a little bit of data (grey bar) to watch then buffers about 5 mins into the movie, then it just goes back to the main menu... netflix works fine, so do rentals.. its just airplay from my library.

Any ideas? I am using an airport to connect my devices...

Please clarify.

1) What generation of aTV to you have?
2) Has this only been happening since you updated to the latest aTV firmware and everything was fine with the previous firmware version?
3) What type of files are you trying to play, regular dvd or blu-ray?

 

[chuntsman949]

Please clarify.

1) What generation of aTV to you have?
2) Has this only been happening since you updated to the latest aTV firmware and everything was fine with the previous firmware version?
3) What type of files are you trying to play, regular dvd or blu-ray?

Hello, Sorry about that

1) Gen 3
2) Worse since the update, it would only happen once in a blue moon until now.
3) m4v 1080p files.

 

[mic j]

Hello, Sorry about that

1) Gen 3
2) Worse since the update, it would only happen once in a blue moon until now.
3) m4v 1080p files.

Sorry to keep asking questions but background is helpful in diagnosing the source of the problem. Were the source files dvd or Bluray? Are the problem files transcoded files (using something like Handbrake) or a remuxed file (using something like Subler) or both?

 

[chuntsman949]

Sorry to keep asking questions but background is helpful in diagnosing the source of the problem. Were the source files dvd or Bluray? Are the problem files transcoded files (using something like Handbrake) or a remuxed file (using something like Subler) or both?

That I am not to sure about... they come labeled Itunes just like the movies I have purchased on Itunes and even have the HD tag w/ movie artwork ETC

 

[chenks]

i refer you to my first reply.

 

[mic j]

That I am not to sure about... they come labeled Itunes just like the movies I have purchased on Itunes and even have the HD tag w/ movie artwork ETC

Ok. Assuming you are on a Mac, you can take a shot at the problem.
1) Download Subler (free).
2) Open the file in Subler.
3) Save the file (use a different file name).
4) Once the file is saved. Go to the file pulldown again and select "Optimize".
When it's done optimizing, add it to your iTunes library and see if it plays ok.

Edit: Chenks suggestions is a good one if you have the ability to use ethernet rather than wifi. If you don't have that ability or prefer to use wifi for other reasons, try the above as it improves the way the aTV handles wifi streamed files.

 

[chenks]

Ok. Assuming you are on a Mac, you can take a shot at the problem.
1) Download Subler (free).
2) Open the file in Subler.
3) Save the file (use a different file name).
4) Once the file is saved. Go to the file pulldown again and select "Optimize".
When it's done optimizing, add it to your iTunes library and see if it plays ok.

let's do some basic troubleshooting first before attempting to play with the files.

the OP hasn't answered my question yet about basic connectivity troubleshooting.

 

[mic j]

let's do some basic troubleshooting first before attempting to play with the files.

the OP hasn't answered my question yet about basic connectivity troubleshooting.

I don't disagree with your approach. But, if everything is fine with an ethernet connection, you are left with the option of 1) using that type of connection to solve the problem, 2) rework your wifi system with different equipment/location,etc, or 3) optimize the file to improve streaming ability so the current wifi will handle it. It takes maybe 15 minutes to optimize a file to see if that works. If it doesn't work then you know you have to do either option 1 or 2 above.

I have had this problem.

 

[chuntsman949]

i refer you to my first reply.

My problem is that my router is in a diff room so hardlining is out of the question.. all the netflix stuff works just fine... but when i stream from my MBA or IMAC I have a connectivity issue... some times the little circle goes for ever then shoots me back to the main menu


the video host is on WIFI to answer your question

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

That I am not to sure about... they come labeled Itunes just like the movies I have purchased on Itunes and even have the HD tag w/ movie artwork ETC

How did you get these files if you don't know if they are handbraked or remuxed from BD or DVD?

chenks suggestion is a good one. I don't think he's making a permanent suggestion- just something to test (to rule out a wifi issue). If you have a long ethernet cable hook it up temporarily (run it from the one room to the other) and see if it solves your problem. This one simple test would rule out a number of things. If the problem persists, it's probably not wifi based (if you do this test). You can't use "but Netflix works" to rule out a wifi issue as odds are high that those Netflix files are not as demanding as those 1080p local files.

Do any of those 1080p videos work just fine on your TV3 or are they all doing this?

Open one of the problematic ones in Quicktime on your computer. In the Window menu, choose "Show Movie Inspector". Copy the information from "format" down into your reply. Odds are good that this will reveal the problem.

Try pulling the plug on your TV3, wait about 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Did that solve the problem?

Try closing iTunes completely then restarting it. Did that solve the problem?

When I've experienced your problem, these last 2 fixed it for a while. I've noticed that if I add new videos to iTunes without closing it and restarting, it will sometimes do what you are describing.

 

[chuntsman949]

How did you get these files if you don't know if they are handbraked or remuxed from BD or DVD?

chenks suggestion is a good one. I don't think he's making a permanent suggestion- just something to test (to rule out a wifi issue). If you have a long ethernet cable hook it up temporarily (run it from the one room to the other) and see if it solves your problem. This one simple test would rule out a number of things. If the problem persists, it's probably not wifi based (if you do this test). You can't use "but Netflix works" to rule out a wifi issue as odds are high that those Netflix files are not as demanding as those 1080p local files.

Do any of those 1080p videos work just fine on your TV3 or are they all doing this?

Open one of the problematic ones in Quicktime on your computer. In the Window menu, choose "Show Movie Inspector". Copy the information from "format" down into your reply. Odds are good that this will reveal the problem.

Try pulling the plug on your TV3, wait about 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Did that solve the problem?

Try closing iTunes completely then restarting it. Did that solve the problem?

When I've experienced your problem, these last 2 fixed it for a while. I've noticed that if I add new videos to iTunes without closing it and restarting, it will sometimes do what you are describing.

It happens on all of my movies... I downloaded these files from demonoid... they play fine on the computer... I will do these checks and possible fixes once I get home and check on the apple tv... I am sorry I dont know more about file types and such, I am kind of a newbie when it comes to this

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

generally, a computer is going to have much more graphics playback horsepower than an TV. That they play on the computer just fine strongly implies it's one of the other issues. They are probably encoded for computer playback (beyond what an TV can handle). If you do that Quicktime, Show Movie Inspector suggestion, we'll probably see the problem in the data you copy & paste.

 

[Ccrew]

I downloaded these files from demonoid... they play fine on the computer...

Ummmmm Yeah.

 

[chuntsman949]

Ummmmm Yeah.

please elaborate? was never a problem until the firmware update came through...also this happens with movies i purchase from itunes store


to all others, i will try that trouble shooting and get back with yall

 

[Otago Lad]

please elaborate? was never a problem until the firmware update came through...also this happens with movies i purchase from itunes store


to all others, i will try that trouble shooting and get back with yall

I think what Ccrew is saying is that you have pirated these files and if so that is a clear breach of copyright. The vast majority of people who use this forum either rip DVD/BR files or download legally from iTunes.

It is difficult to give advice to someone on how to make their illeglly acquired m4v files play on the aTV as potentially that is assisting a criminal endeavour.

 

[chenks]

The vast majority of people who use this forum either rip DVD/BR files or download legally from iTunes.

sure they do

of course ripping DVD/BR is also illegal in the US as per the DMCA.

 

[ljonesj]

ok hook the hosting computer up to the router hardlined ethernet cable as i think its a wifi issue coming from the update of frimware on the apple tv as u said the legal purchased itunes movies are also having this problem

 

[Otago Lad]

sure they do

of course ripping DVD/BR is also illegal in the US as per the DMCA.

Well if they do download illegally are they going to be as blatant as the OP in admitting it .

Under the DCMA (other countries are more lenient) it might be "letter of the law" illegal however there is growing evidence that the courts still want to uphold the "Fair Use" policy:

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2011/10/judge-suggests-dmca-allows-dvd-ripping-if-you-own-the-dvd/

I would be very surprised if the authorities took action against an individual whose digital movie collection contained only legally purchased digital copies or rips of DVD/BR's that they owned and still had possession of.

Downloading from a bit-torrent site on the otherhand is just wrong and deprives artists, film-makers etc. of reward for their work and although I accept the pricing model is wrong two wrongs don't make a right