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

Question

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

Answer 1

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