just got my apple tv 160 today and im syncing some of my tv shows so i can watch them on the big screen and it is taking FOREVER! i started the sync about 6:30ish EST earlier tonite and 3.5 hours later is has transfered a total of 2 gigs of video. its coming from my imac using AEBS wireless with almost perfect signal strength, whats the deal?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Slow sync
- Thread starter hauss316H
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
G or N???
Also Id recommend using an ethernet cord and doing your first sync wired...
This will depend on your router, how close it is to the Apple tV (signal strength)
I agree that it would be best to plug it directly into the router.
I agree that it would be best to plug it directly into the router.
One of the things that surprised me is how long it takes to copy files from one wireless machine to another, like the Apple TV.
What happens, is that you use half of your wireless bandwidth to copy to the AEBS, and half to copy out to the 2nd machine (or Apple TV). In effect you get half of your wireless throughput.
When you copy to a second machine that is connected to your AEBS via ethernet, you will see your full wireless bandwidth for the file transfer - in effect doubling the speed, and cutting the transfer time in half.
If you connect BOTH computers to ethernet, then the transfer will be MUCH faster.
What happens, is that you use half of your wireless bandwidth to copy to the AEBS, and half to copy out to the 2nd machine (or Apple TV). In effect you get half of your wireless throughput.
When you copy to a second machine that is connected to your AEBS via ethernet, you will see your full wireless bandwidth for the file transfer - in effect doubling the speed, and cutting the transfer time in half.
If you connect BOTH computers to ethernet, then the transfer will be MUCH faster.
Usually you need a hub or a switch between two computers, but you could try a crossover cable. You may also be able to use a regular cable, since I'm pretty sure the Mac ethernet ports will automatically switch. You will need to assign both devices fixed IP addresses on the ethernet interfaces in order for this to work. Use something like 192.168.1.1 for the Mac, and 192.168.1.2 for the Apple TV.
If your AEBS is the 802.11n version, it has a built in four port switch. How about plugging both computers into your AEBS via ethernet? You don't have to mess around with IP addresses this way, since the AEBS will probably assign them for you.
If your AEBS is the 802.11n version, it has a built in four port switch. How about plugging both computers into your AEBS via ethernet? You don't have to mess around with IP addresses this way, since the AEBS will probably assign them for you.
On the Mac side, you will use the Network Control panel, on your Apple TV, you will use the Network settings.
Make sure you know what your current settings are, on both your Mac AND the Apple TV.
Use an ethernet cable to connect your Mac to your Apple TV. Ideally you should use a crossover cable, but a straight through cable MIGHT work also.
Open the network control panel on your mac. Click on the Built in Ethernet on the Left. Change the "Configure" drop down to "Manually", and enter an IP address of 192.168.1.1. Click Apply. This will give your ethernet interface a local IP address. Use the Airport icon in the menu bar to turn off your airport. Now you should only have network connectivity on your ethernet connection.
On your Apple TV, go under "Settings/network", and select "Configure TCP/IP". Select Manually, and enter an IP address of 192.168.1.2.
Open Terminal (in Applications) on your Mac and at the command prompt, type this command:
ping 192.168.1.2
You should see lines repeating that say something like "64 bytes from 192.168.1.2...". Press CTRL-C to stop the display. This means you are now networked over the ethernet cable. You can close the terminal.
If you don't get any repeating response, then you have a network configuration or connectivity issue. Check your cables and IP addresses.
Once you can ping the Apple TV from your mac, launch itunes and see if you can sync your library. It should go much faster, since it is now going over the ethernet.
When you get your library copied, then unplug the cable, and put your Apple TV network settings back, and put your Network Control panel settings back. Finally turn on your airport from the menu, and see if you can get back on the internet from your mac.
Launch itunes and see if you can see your Apple TV.
I know this probably sounds complicated, if you haven't done much (any?) networking before.
Just make sure you have your original settings, so you don't mess up your existing connections when you are done...
Make sure you know what your current settings are, on both your Mac AND the Apple TV.
Use an ethernet cable to connect your Mac to your Apple TV. Ideally you should use a crossover cable, but a straight through cable MIGHT work also.
Open the network control panel on your mac. Click on the Built in Ethernet on the Left. Change the "Configure" drop down to "Manually", and enter an IP address of 192.168.1.1. Click Apply. This will give your ethernet interface a local IP address. Use the Airport icon in the menu bar to turn off your airport. Now you should only have network connectivity on your ethernet connection.
On your Apple TV, go under "Settings/network", and select "Configure TCP/IP". Select Manually, and enter an IP address of 192.168.1.2.
Open Terminal (in Applications) on your Mac and at the command prompt, type this command:
ping 192.168.1.2
You should see lines repeating that say something like "64 bytes from 192.168.1.2...". Press CTRL-C to stop the display. This means you are now networked over the ethernet cable. You can close the terminal.
If you don't get any repeating response, then you have a network configuration or connectivity issue. Check your cables and IP addresses.
Once you can ping the Apple TV from your mac, launch itunes and see if you can sync your library. It should go much faster, since it is now going over the ethernet.
When you get your library copied, then unplug the cable, and put your Apple TV network settings back, and put your Network Control panel settings back. Finally turn on your airport from the menu, and see if you can get back on the internet from your mac.
Launch itunes and see if you can see your Apple TV.
I know this probably sounds complicated, if you haven't done much (any?) networking before.
Just make sure you have your original settings, so you don't mess up your existing connections when you are done...
could i just use an ethernet cord from my imac to apple? and its wireless N
There isnt an ethernet out from your wireless router?
You can just bring the Apple tv to ur router and connect them, let the thing sync ur whole library overnight and then move the aTV in the morning. The intermittant syncs will operate very well over wifi
Thats a good suggestion - but maybe bring your router to the Apple TV and Computer since they are in the same room. It might be alot easier than messing around with your network settings and a cable, if you aren't comfortable with that...
You guys are making this TOO HARD
For my first sync I just plugged in an ethernet cable from my desktop and pluged it right in the back of the apple tv. I didnt have a crossover cable long enough so I just used a 50ft normal cable. I didnt change any setting on the desktop or apple tv. The apple tv found the mac desktop and let me set up the sync. My desktop would still connect to the internet over wifi so I just leave that cable pluged in and sync to the apple tv when ever I add a lot of data (like a whole season of a tv show) If the apple tv and your computer are close enough this is the best way to do the first sync. If I misunderstood what you were trying to do sorry but just didnt want you to sit down and start messing with things you didnt need to mess with.
For my first sync I just plugged in an ethernet cable from my desktop and pluged it right in the back of the apple tv. I didnt have a crossover cable long enough so I just used a 50ft normal cable. I didnt change any setting on the desktop or apple tv. The apple tv found the mac desktop and let me set up the sync. My desktop would still connect to the internet over wifi so I just leave that cable pluged in and sync to the apple tv when ever I add a lot of data (like a whole season of a tv show) If the apple tv and your computer are close enough this is the best way to do the first sync. If I misunderstood what you were trying to do sorry but just didnt want you to sit down and start messing with things you didnt need to mess with.
Thanks for this info! I guess because both computers are connected to your router/DHCP server over wireless, the server is handing out IP addresses to your wired point to point ports as well. Interesting. I've always assumed DHCP only works on a given port that is directly connected to a DHCP server.
-steve
-steve