Rentals "Not Authorized" to play on AppleTV

All my iTunes purchased/synced content plays fine on my AppleTV.
Tried to rent a movie yesterday evening, and, after downloading, when going to play the movie, all I get is the message:
"Your Apple TV is not authorized to play this content."
I've tried logging in/out of my iTunes account on the AppleTV, to no avail.
Looks like something is screwed up with the rental DRM.

I had the same issue this weekend. I spent literally hours working through this issue. I wasn't authorized to play music or movies, yet could watch previews. I tried everything Apple suggested from calling their help to using the online support. I finally saw a random blog suggesting that I remove my WEP login security for wireless from Time Capsule, set-up the Apple TV (everything worked for the first time), then reinstate the security... lo and behold - it has worked perfectly since.
Good luck!

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I can't play a video I purchased on iPad through my AppleTV. ATV says it is not authorized to play that video. All other videos play fine via airplay. Help.

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Yes, I've done this. Even signed in and out and went through and disconnected and reconnected all related devices. All other video works over air play, but still comes up with apptv not authorized to play this content for this one video.

I bought movie on iTunes and when I try watch on AppleTV it displays "Your Apple TV is not authorized to play this content" What gives?

I bought movie on iTunes and when I try watch on AppleTV it displays "Your Apple TV is not authorized to play this content" What gives?

Welcome to the Apple Community.
Have you tried de/re-authorising your Computer.

"computer not authorized to play"

Just bought the G3S and it has messed up my itunes syncing.
It would not sync most of my apps. They are on my computer but don't transfer to my iphone.
Some video and music does not transfer saying that the computer is not authorized to play the items. This is also now happening with my AppleTV.
What to do?

My problem seems to have been resolved. Although I do have another question. I have an original iphone and a 3G in addition to my new 3GS. The two older phones are no longer used as phones but I would like to keep them up to date. Can I sync all three phones on the same computer?

Your apple tv is not authorized to play this content

I keep getting this error whenever I try to watch the movie I've rented on my Apple TV (1st gen).
"your apple tv is not authorized to play this content"
This is a rental directly on the ATV, no computer transfer involved.
So far I've rebooted the ATV, reset the ATV, rebooted my router (airport extreme) and my cable modem (Virgin media), removed and re-added my iTunes account on the ATV, checked the location is correct (UK), check all the ports are open and triple checked the internet connection (movie download and youtube work fine) and still no joy.
I've watched many many movies before without any troubles, 'til now that is.
I've not changed anything on my network or ATV since the last movie I watched sucessfully.
I'm running software version 3.0.2 on the ATV.
Anyone have any ideas what else I could try to fix this?
Cheers
Neil

I just got the same thing. ATV2 was working fine last week. Now I can rent movies but now I can't play them. Instead I get this ridiculous message YOUR APPLE TV IS NOT AUTHORIZED TO PLAY THIS CONTENT.
Have reset everything. Nothing works.
I bet the iTunes system is in the process of being upgraded to make ready for iPhone 4s and ios5 next week and the upgrades are screwing up Rentals.
I'll file for a credit for the unviewable movie. This is ridiculous. Just ridiculous.

"Apple TV is not authorized to play this."

Even though I'm iTunes sees my aTV and the aTV is set up on the same network as my computer ... all of a sudden when I select a show to be played it says "Apple TV is authorizing..." and after a while it turns to the little yellow triangle with "!" and says "Apple TV is not authorized to play..." This is very new and just happened today and no settings were changed since the last time something was played. Also, it never showed the "AppleTV is authorizing" with the little loading symbol before this started happening.
PLEASE HELP! I have reset the aTV to its factory settings, unplugged it, tried different networks and different iTunes (different computers)..... help, please!

I have been having the same issues as many have had. When I wanted to play ANY purchased content on my Apple TV it would not play stating that Apple was unable to authorize. After much frustration and several calls to Apple, we as I said WE figured it out. Here is the solution:
1. First make sure that the computer which has iTunes is Updated and You have properly authorized the machine. To test this try playing the purchased content on the Mac first. If it works then go to the next step.
2. Go onto the Apple TV, go into settings, then reset/restore FACTORY SETTINGS. This will take a while and we restore the machine back to the original settings.
3. Once prompted enter the access code onto your Mac under the Apple TV in the side bar.
4. Once this is completed... here is the important part... REGISTER the Apple TV and MORE IMPORTANTLY, use your CURRENT registration email that you used to purchase the content. THIS IT SEEMS IS WHAT APPLE USES TO CHECK FOR AUTHORIZATION. (I wish Apple would have said something about this)
You should be set to go!

Why does Apple TV says it is not authorized to play content sometimes when I use the iPad Remote?

Sometimes when using my Apple TV device with my TV off and trying to play music using the iPad Remote app, the app hangs and no music plays. When I turn on my TV to see what's going on there is a message suggesting the Apple TV is not authorized to play this content. Clearly, that is not the case and when I use the normal Apple TV remote to select the music, it plays fine. I use iTunes Match and generally stream my music from there on the Apple TV. I have both HDMI and optical connections to my receiver. Any idea why this could be happening? I would say it happens several times a week.

This works for most:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3549547?tstart=60
Try locating a free TV Show episode in iTunes then 'buy' it on AppleTV 1.
We should not have to do this though.
They've forgotten about original AppleTV users.
AC

Not authorized to play content?

Using Apple TV 2.3.1 I can not stream a lot of my music to Apple TV. This is content I purchased from iTunes. Many songs will not stream and I receive the error "Not authorized to play on Apple TV"? This is highly frustrating? If the content is synced to Apple TV, I believe it will play but I would prefer not to sync the music. I have tried to de-authorize the computer and then re-authorize it to no avail. This should be a no-brainer? Any ideas why this happens???

muvanni wrote:
Also, I am sort of missing the point of the hard drive on the ATV. Why would anyone sync anything? Isn't "easier" to just stream from a computer? If I wanted to just sync music from that PC to ATV and then wanted to stream everything else after that, how would I do that?
Thank you in advance for your help..
people with only a laptop might not find it usefull to have to turn on the laptop to watch a movie on the appletv.
once content is sycned, you don't need to have your itunes library open to be able to play it.

ATv1 not authorized to play this movie.

I boought and downloaded tin-tin with my mbpro and sync'd it to my atv1 but it says it is not authorized to play this movie. What can I do?

Wow! Thanks AC! That did the trick! Sure is some wierd SW stuff going on in the background.
Apple's official reply was less than satisfying. As you can read below, they basically said the problem was with my ATV and not iTunes, so they would not offer any help other than direct me a fee based service or the open discussion forums. Clearly, the problem WAS with iTunes as it was their movie that came down funny.
Apple's reply to my request for help from iTunes Support:
Welcome to iTunes Store Customer Support. My name is XXXXX and I am glad to help you today.
I understand that the movie "The Vow" is unable to play on your Apple TV as you are receiving it is not authorized. I know you must be eager to have this issue resolved and resolving your issue is important to me.
I am extremely sorry to say this that your request for assistance has reached iTunes Store Customer Support, which answers questions about billing, customer accounts, downloading purchases, and iTunes Store content. Although this team does not offer technical support for Apple TV. I'm happy to guide you to some Apple resources that should help.
You can get lots of useful information on our Apple TV support pages, which are packed with instructions to help you use Apple TV and resolve issues:
http://www.apple.com/support/appletv
In Apple's public discussion forums you can read questions and answers provided by experienced users. You can also post questions of your own. Click the Apple TV folder on the Apple Discussions webpage under Digital Life:
https://discussions.apple.com/community/appletv/appletv
You may call our AppleCare technical support team. A technical Advisor will be able to tell you about Apple's complimentary and fee-based support. The technical Advisor can also assist you in determining what option might be most helpful to you in this case. To find the appropriate phone number, please visit:
http://www.apple.com/support/contact/phone_contacts.html
Another option is to describe your issue on our website. After you have described the issue on our website, you can arrange for an Apple Advisor to call you. You can receive a phone call now or you can make an appointment to have an Apple Advisor call you at a more convenient time. To explore this option, please visit Express Lane:
https://expresslane.apple.com/
Certain Express Lane Support options are only free during your Apple hardware product's complimentary support period or with an AppleCare Protection Plan.
If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us and we will be happy to assist you.
Have a nice day!
Sincerely,
XXXX
iTunes Store Customer Support

HT1745 quicktime not authorized to play movies rented from iTunes store

Rented 3 movies last night from the iTunes store. Download began and ended just fine. When I tried to view one of the movies, quicktime opened with this message: "QuickTime Player is not authorized to play “Clara's Heart.m4v”. In order to play this content, please open it with iTunes"
So, I tried to open with iTunes, and discovered that I couldn't.
Any ideas of what to do please? I would appreciate explanations in simpe english as I do not understand computer jargon. Thanks very much.

Try restarting your iTunes in 32-bit mode, as per the following document:
iTunes 10.4 for Mac: Older media files may require iTunes to reopen in 32-bit mode
Does the rental play then?

Why should the Apple TV download movies its its not authorized to play ?

Why should the Apple TV download movies its its not authorized to play ? If the Apple TV is not authorized, how come the itunes store still goes ahead to download anyway ?

You need to be a bit more specific here.
Surely you're not suggesting iTunes or AppleTv are downloading things you've not purchased and therefore not entitled to play.
If it's something you've bought then there may be an authorisation issue with iTunes, AppleTv which could be due to a glitch (reboot AppleTV) or local/distant network issues.

Not Authorized to Play this selection

I have a couple of issues...
First, on several occasions, I get the "Not Authorized to Play" message on music, photos, movies, & TV shows that have been synced to the Apple TV from my ITunes. Some of the time, I can access the same file & sometimes not. I've tried restarting the AppleTV, returning to Factory Defaults, etc. It just seems to be moody about whether it will allow me to do such things or not.
Second, sometimes the "photo" option is available, and sometimes not... The slideshow is set up for "photos" & will play the photos whether or not it is listed as an option in the menu. However, I am only "authorized" on occasion to view the "library" album of my photos and that is only when the Apple TV decides to give me the option of photos in the main menu.
Any suggestions?

I'm a bit puzzled by the intermittent authorization thing... But the photo option sometimes in the menu and sometimes not... That suggests to me that you may, possibly, misunderstand the Sources menu... Now, I may be completely wrong, so no insult intended...
Many users of this device seem to be getting confused by the Sources menu. In that menu are listed the content sources available, starting with Apple tv (tv) at the top, followed by your sync host (indicated by double chain link icon), then all the stream hosts... When you go to the Sources menu and select tv, that enables the playing of content already sync'd. In this resulting set of content menus at the top level, you will see the Photos pick is there, assuming iTunes is set to sync photos.
Now, go to the Sources menu and select your sync host (the one with the double chain link icon). Look at the top content menu now, and you will not see the Photo pick present. That's because streaming photos is not currently supported, and hence you'll only see it in the tv menu set.
Also, you say that the slideshow it setup and will play even if you don't see the pick in the menu... What you are seeing is the screensaver that is set for Photos. Once you choose Photos for the screensaver in the Setup menu, it will pick them up regardless of currently selected source (host).
Whew... Now, am I barking up the wrong tree? If so, never mind...

HT204291 All of sudden apple tv will not play my tv shows/movies on itunes. It says "The connected display is not authorized to play protected movies."...

All of sudden apple tv will not play my tv shows/movies on itunes. It says "The connected display is not authorized to play protected movies.
Can anyone help I have just bought alot of movies and tv shows and want to watch them with my family not just on my ipad!!!
Not sure why this has just started happening. have been using apple tv with my ipad for months and now it comes up with this error...
THanks

Firstly restart the AppleTV, secondly check the HDMI lead and if possible swap for another or another HDMI input - sounds as though AppleTV thinks the TV is not HDCP capable.
AC

I purchased a movie on iTunes, but it will not play on my Apple TV1. It says the Apple TV is not authorized to play this content.

I purchased a movie on iTunes, but it will not play on my Apple TV1. It says the Apple TV is not authorized to play this content.

Annoying isn't it.
This seems to have started at the end of October and may be some kind of 'authorisation expiry' on the original unit that needs updating.
Solution include:
Purchase something on the AppleTV1 itself with DRM (a free TV Show episode might be an idea if yiou can find one).
Remove the connection to itunes by removing the iTunes library from AppleTV's Computers>Settings menu, then add it back again.
Remember this will wipe synced content from the AppleTV if AppleTV1 is syncing (My Movies/TV Shows etc) as opposed to streaming (My Shared Movies etc) from that itunes library. In theory direct purchases on AppleTV that have never transferred to itunes might survive the 'wipe for a clean slate for a new sync' process that happens when you remove a sync library but don't risk it and right click on the AppleTV Device in itunes, choose Transfer Purchases if there are any prior to resetting the AppleTV Computers entry and readding the library. If AppleTV is streaming only it's very quick to remove the libarry and re-add it as there's nothing to sync when you re-establish the connection - it works I've done it. Purchasing a protected music video on my other AppleTV1 which was synced also worked.
Good luck
AC

Apple TV not authorized to play rented movie

My Apple TV and movie rental experience has been hellacious!!
So now, the movie I rented from my iMac is finally in my rented movie list on my Apple TV (after struggling to figure out that you can't watch a rented movie while Apple TV is synching???). However when I attempt to play it, I receive the message "Apple TV is not authorized to play this content". I'm not sure how it's even possible that the movie would be on my Apple TV but not playable!!
This is the problem with DRM: it takes down too many legitimate users. And Apple has seriously bungled the whole movie rental thing.
HOW HARD IS IT TO LET PEOPLE WATCH MOVIES THAT THEY HAVE PAID TO VIEW?????

patrick breitenbach wrote:
This is the problem with DRM: it takes down too many legitimate users. And Apple has seriously bungled the whole movie rental thing.
HOW HARD IS IT TO LET PEOPLE WATCH MOVIES THAT THEY HAVE PAID TO VIEW?????
Entirely agree, a few months back I had to rebuild my whole iTunes library from scratch as part of 'troubleshooting' a similar authorisation issue, and none of the steps in the help page actually helped!
Then strangely one day the problem files just played - I have a sneaking suspicion that sometimes Apple's authorisation servers play up or are unavailable as having jumped through hoops as instructed I simply had a library that had lost all custom tags/thumbnails added to my own non-iTunes store content and still couldn't play the problem files.....then one day they just worked.
AC

Rentals "Not Authorized" to play on AppleTV

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