How to escalate ATV Home Sharing Problems to Apple?

I too am one of the many people that is having issues with Home Sharing between my AppleTV and iTunes. I am a relatively technically-savvy user, and I am unable to determine why this problem exists.
I have a mac mini that does nothing except serve iTunes to the home. The machine was purchased within the last year and a half, never goes to sleep, and is not connected to a display. The entire house is wired with Cat-5, so I have a direct connection between all of the machines in the house, and all devices like the Apple TV units that we own. The AppleTV is set to never sleep as well, so the working connection should remain in place.
The issue is that we have Home Sharing turned on in iTunes on the Mac Mini, and on the Apple TVs (mostly 3's, but a couple of 2's). After a period of time (couple of hours let's say) the connection breaks. When we go to the AppleTV and try to connect to the library, it shows as "loading" for an indefinite period. The only way to resolve the problem is to remotely access the iTunes library from another machine and double-click a file (like a movie for instance) and then the hanging-state on the ATV goes away and the files are available for play. Couple of hours later - same issue arises.
The problem is not at the computer level IMHO, b/c I setup another iTunes library on my Mac Pro to test, and the same issue arises.
The only thing that has changed in the last few months is software on the AppleTV. 2 versions ago, this issue arose and I began to research the problem, but a software update came from Apple and the issue went away. Since the most recent update - the problem appears to be back.
I have tried all options I could find - resetting my ID, setting the units to not go to sleep, researching and changes ipv6 settings, etc, and nothing keeps the connection in place.
I am an Apple supporter, and have clearly bought into the ecosystem. What I expect for my money is that the basics work consistently. An established connection between new devices that are directly connected should always work. Wondering what should be done to engage with Apple to advise of this issue that I and many other users seem to be having.

Hi Winston,
I appreciate your response. I will engage Apple via the link you provided.
If I were the only person having this issue I would tend to agree with you, but the same issue appears in a number of threads on the front page of this board. In addition, if I never had this working well, then it could be a user error issue. I haven't changed anything about my network recently - nothing. No new routers, no new settings, no new devices, nothing. Literally, I had this working well for like a year, then suddenly it wasn't (and coincidentally after an update). Then, suddenly it was working perfectly - after an update - and now suddenly it isn't - after an update. The only change in the whole chain is the software update, so tough to imagine its a network problem. In addition, I have a Western Digital Live device on the same network accessing my NAS, and it's working perfectly.
I'll use the link you provided. Thanks again.

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Home sharing problems since Apple TV update

Hello everyone;
I have a Apple TV 2, an iPhone 4S, an iPad 2 and a Macbook pro 17" on the same iCloud account. Syncing of data between the computer and two iOS devices has been rock solid. Kudos on this system architecture, it is exactly what I have come to expect from Apple.
I recently purchased the Apple TV2 - but am now past the warranty period - to stream music and videos to the stereo from my Macs, either the iPad or computer mostly. It has been an excellent digital sound source, since most of my music is encoded full quality.
For the past two years the performance of this system has been flawless. I have the Remote app for my iPad, which is an awesome way to control an Apple TV for music playing, since you can build the 'Up Next' menu really easily, and having the iPad keyboard for inputting passwords and search items in the youtube browser is very handy.
About three months ago my Apple TV requested an update. When it was done my home sharing network was not working, would drop out, would shut off suddenly and disconnect my devices. I searched the forums and all I could find was the suggestion to make sure iTunes and both iOS devices had the latest updates. Sounded a bit cliche, but reasonable, so that was done. Still no joy with the network. Could not get it to connect.
Found another link that recommended updating the firmware on the modem. Tried that, and voila, the home sharing was back. Didn't last though, the next time my Apple TV went to sleep, it was gone again. I realized the modem rebooting may have been what did it, so I tried it again, and voila, the home sharing was back… and stopped again after a while.
Now I have to reboot the router every time I want to connect and it doesn't last. This is a pain in the arse that disrupts everyone on it, and is flatly incompetence on the part of Apple to release an update that screws up the main reason anyone would buy their product. The Apple TV is half a device without streaming. It should be said that Netflix and the internet are perfect on the Apple TV throughout this whole ordeal, so obviously there's no problem with the internet, the wireless, or the hardware. It plays music and video perfectly through whatever source is available. It just won't home share with the rest of my stuff. Literally wile I typed this my iPad just lost its connection to the Apple TV while the remote app was shuffling my music in the background.
So this is my rant. I've been a happy Apple consumer and advocate since my first Powerbook 140 bought in 1991. It's been great to watch the evolution of this company, and I'm always impressed with the user experience they provide, until now. Purchasing an Apple TV was a no-brainer for me, since everything else was seamless, and originally that's exactly what it was until this update ruined it.
I tried to contact Apple for help, or to find a tech note that would lead me to the solution, and was told I'd have to pay for the call. They did this, not me, so why do I have to pay them to fix their mistake? Does a company have the right to ruin a product you've already purchased, then ask for money to help you fix it? That is a strange business practice.
If there's something I need to configure or reset, so be it, but where can someone find that out? Literally in 10 minutes of what should be an innocuous update, I have lost my music box through no fault or mistake of my own.
If there is someone from the Apple tech support community or genius bar on this forum I invite you to support your product and let me know if there's a solution to the problem Apple created. They've made their own product look like crap. This is very un-mac.
speakerman65

I had variations of all the issues described after my firmware update to Apple TV software 7.0.2(6915) And all my iOS devices to 8.0.2. Had Home Sharing turned on on all devices and Apple TV. Initially AirPlay icon disappeared completely from Control Center but mysteriously appeared overnight. Prior to that I tried all standard Apple Support advice I can find including resetting my Apple TV which was really frustrating especially when it did not solve the issue. Even after AirPlay icon appeared this morning, I am not able to AirPlay my home screen from Control Center - every time I select AirPlay and turned on Mirroring, it reverted back to my iPhone. Even Remote App did not work though Home Sharing was turned on.
Then I tired this out of the blues - went to my iPhone 6 Photo Stream and selected a video clip I took and then flip up Control Center and then tried AirPlay and mirroring again to Apple TV and then everything started to work! All my other devices started working again as well. Remote App is able to connect and pair with AppleTV. Seems like Apple TV needed a jolt after firmware upgrade from some media app like Photo Stream. Very strange.
Hope this helps others on this thread. Most important of all, if there are any Apple support personals or engineers reading this, I hope this might help in troubleshooting this annoying bug and provide an important fix.
Don't mean to vent but I am a long time Apple fan since Mac Classic days and pretty much have everything Apple from computers, tablets, phones, to AirPort Extreme. I have always been bragging to my friends and family on how seamless and trouble free Apple products are but you can imagine how embarass I was when I had friends over for Thanksgiving and I was touting Apple TV/AirPlay until this happened under my very nose. This gave some an opportunity to brag about the competition. Apple please do us proud again - we still want to brag about you.

HT4352 How to edit my home sharing preference on apple tv

How do I edit my home sharing setting in my apple tv 2.

Go to;
-System Preferences
-Security & Privacy
-Firewall-Unlock to Make Changes
-Advanced
-Untick 'Log Out After XXX Minutes of Activity or Enter a Figure of Maximum Minutes You Think You Will Use Your Apple TV
-Click OK
-Relock
Issue Resolved
John B

How do I use home-sharing on the Apple TV?

I turned on home sharing on iTunes, but when I go to apple TV to listen to music or other things it says I have to turn it on in iTunes, which I already did. I even have the account associated with the TV for purchases. What else do I have to do?

go to home-sharing on Apple TV and type in your info as ask.
hope this help

Home sharing problem with Apple TV3

I have an Apple TV3 in my bedroom and an Apple TV2 in my living room. Both are presently connected to my wireless network. I cannot get home sharing to work with the Apple TV2, but it works fine with the Apple TV2.
I have tried everything I could think of. I exchanged the location of the 2 with the 3. Home sharing still works with the 2 but not with the 3. I have restarted many times and reset the 3. I have turned off and on home sharing both on my IMac and on the 3 and rebooted both several times. Nothing seems to work. Does anybody have suggestions?
Many thanks.

Sorry there was a typo in the last sentence of my first paragraph. It sould have read " I cannot get home sharing to work with the Apple TV3, but it works fine with the Apple TV2."
They are both using the same Apple ID for homesharing.
The TV2 has the name "Apple TV2" The TV3 has the name "Apple TV3".
I have tried restarting the router. I have just done this again and restarted the TV3, but I'm afraid it doesn't work.

I am having a problem with homesharing on my apple tv. The email address on my tv is different than what I am registered with. How do I correct the email address that is being displayed under home sharing on the apple tv?

Somehow my apple id email address under homesharing on my apple tv is different than that used for homesharing on itunes in my imac. I can't access home sharing on my apple tv because of this. Can you please tell me how to change it on the apple tv in order to get homesharing to work?

turn off home sharing on apple tv, then turn it on again, entering new credentials. Apple-TV works very reliably with home sharing unlike iDevices which don't

HT1600 How can I turn on home sharing on my Apple TV if I lost the remote?

How do you turn on home sharing on my Apple TV if I lost my remote?

You can not do anyting to ATV if you do not have the only device that controls it. You can get a replacement for $20.

HT202213 Home sharing problem: I have never set up home sharing but I feel I understand it. I recently (last 2 months or so) deauthorized, first time ever, all computers with my iTunes account. I am trying to set up home sharing but get iTunes says "You

Home sharing problem: I have never set up home sharing but I feel I the concept and how it works. I recently (last 2 months or so) deauthorized, first time ever, all computers with my iTunes account. I have 3 computers authorized. I am trying to set up home sharing but get iTunes says:
"Home Sharing could not be activated because this computer is not authorized for the Apple Id "#########@###.com". Would you like to authorize now?" I click "authorize" and get the next error " You cannont authorize more than 5 computers. You have already authorized 5 computers with this Apple ID. To authorize this computer you must first deauthorize one of the other computers."
Can someone help or shed more light on my problem?
Thanks,
Richard

Home Sharing is designed to work on your local network not across the internet/cloud.
Stuff is accessed under the Computers column where your local iTunes library on a local computer would appear.
Home Sharing would share your iTunes content (i.e. stuff stored in itunes on the computer, not in the cloud) with AppleTV or an iPad etc on the SAME network.
AppleTV2 will not be able to see itunes content on the work computer over the internet. It's not designed to. if the work computer was on the home network it would.
iCloud is in it's infancy and is not a mature product - iTunes TV Show purchases appear on AppleTV, but currently music does not unless you are subscribed to iTunes Match. I find this rather odd to be honest, along with the inability to buy music on AppleTV2. Movies purchased in iTunes are not authorised for iCloud viewing currently either.
Maybe it has something to do with iTunes Match 'getting in the way' - i think they assume you'll use that whereas you really want to be able to access Purchased music from the cloud without subscribing to itunes Match which is overkill for some.
AC

Multiple users, devices & Apple IDs in the house. Can we, and how would we, use Home Sharing?

We have three users in the house, each with their own Apple ID, using multiple mac/PC devices. Can we and how would we use Home Sharing to share music, apps, etc?

Do you have a computer. You can't share music or apps from one mobile device to another. To share photos you need to use photo stream shared albums.

How can I use home sharing between our iphones (create playlists from both accounts at once)

How can I use home sharing between our iphones, so that we can create playlists with songs from both of our libraries? We share a Macbook Pro (separate accounts) and each have the new iphone, but when I have my iphone and try to create a new playlist, I can only grab songs from one account. Is there a way to create a playlist using both accounts since we are sharing?
Does it have to be created within iTunes first on our Mac?

The short answer: because Home Sharing isn't designed for sharing apps, and apps aren't designed to be shared.
The longer answer: Think of it like this...
You download some music in iTunes. With Home Sharing, another user can listen to it by streaming it over the network. But the data itself is on your computer. If you turn off the computer or take it off the network, the other user can't access it.
But if you send another user the app, they aren't just streaming the data- they installed it on their iOS device. Because they weren't the one that purchased it, such a transfer could easily be considered "piracy" or "stealing," and nobody likes that (least of all, Apple).
When iTunes sees this app, it obviously recognized it, as if saying, "Hey, how did you get this app on your device, if I have no record of you purchasing/downloading it from the iTunes store?"
post edited to correct spelling errors

How do i use home sharing with the new itunes 11?

i just updated the itunes and usaully I use homesharing between my two laptops but with this new update I only know how to sign into homesharing using it is the diffucult part.

Morning Saintine,
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
Home Sharing enables you to stream or transfer music, movies, TV shows, apps, and more among up to five authorized computers in your household. To do so, you will need to Turn on Home Sharing on each computer using the same Apple ID.
Understanding Home Sharing
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3819
Hope this helps,
Mario

HT202213 How do I, using Home Sharing, move songs from my wife's itunes library to mine, so that I can download them on my iphone5?

If I understand what I'm reading about Home Sharing, the same Apple ID must be used to share itunes music between different iphones....but we each have or own separate Apple ID. Am I understanding this correctly? How do we share the music in our libraries.

Just copy the files across the network, via a USB flash drive, or external hard drive from one computer to the other.
Keep in mind the computer must be authorized to play the content which means your computer will need to be authorized for your wife's iTunes account.

How can I configure Home Sharing to work through a consumer VPN service?

I recently purchased a year subscription to a VPN service know as Private Intenet Access (PIA). With this VPN executable program connected to it's servers, my data is "filtered" through it behind the router. The router IS NOT configure with the vpn so I can controll which devices use the VPN. Addiotionally, if I want I can configure the VPN as a proxy instead of just running the program ( i would use the proxy for mobile devices).
My question is this: Is there an efficient way to configure iTunes and/or Apple TV3 in order to be able to use PIA while home sharing. I notice, often times that home sharing on the Apple TV will not read the Windows maching that has home sharing enabled through iTunes. But other machines work fine. Sometimes, depending on the "order" of the networks I connect to home sharing will work from the particular machine.
for example:
I can connect to the internet if I connect to my wifi and then enable the VPN (PIA) but cannot home share. However, if I connect to PIA then connect to the Wifi, it will work witout an issue.
The real issue is that when the Apple TV and pr PC go to sleep these connecting can wake up connecting in a different order.
I can only think to perhaps manually enter in the proxy info supplied by PIA to Apple TV. But there are not real instructions on how to do so.
I know this question is broad and scattered, but I am hoping that someone out there has had or having the same issue with some kind of resolution.
I've chatted online with PIA reps and they aren't entirely Apple savy. So here I am.
Any help in the right direction is greatly appreciated!!
-Cheers

check out these links:
Troubleshooting security software issues
Troubleshooting Home Sharing
and, last but not least, see this discussion concerning bonjour being the culprit.

HT3819 How do I get home sharing to work?

I've tried everything and it stubbornly refuses to obey my wishes. My mother's computer is a mac and mine is a pc. We have two different itunes accounts but are using my account to attempt to create a home share. We are on the same network, use the same router, and no firewall is blocking communication between our computers. Yet, no matter how many times I turn home share off and on...IT DOES NOT WORK! Can someone please help us?

Hello Octava,
It sounds like you have already tried a majority of these steps, but I would recommend reviewing the article below.
Troubleshooting Home Sharing
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2972
-Griff W.

How do I setup home sharing on my new ipad

How do I setup home sharing on my Ipad ? I just installed an Apple TV and want to display content. Thanks

Once sharing is set up for both devices, go into the Music or Video App, and look for the Air Play icon .
Tap it to get a list of devices you can send content to, one should be your Apple Tv.
Tap it to select it and start plaing anything you want. It should show up on the Tv.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4437
If you want to stream content from your computer, then setup Homesharing there, and then use the "Computers" Tab on the Aple Tv menu screen to access the shared library.

How to escalate ATV Home Sharing Problems to Apple?

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