Syncing versus streaming

I bought the apple TV with the larger hard drive but now I am questioning why.
I see no difference in streaming versus syncing. Is there a subtle advantage that I am missing. Its not like once synched you can delete the file from your itunes.
Can you?

I don't agree with that... To me being able to use ?TV independently of my computer means a lot more than 100$(or 100€ as it is in Europe).
It means, ?TV can play content without sucking the resources of my PC (iTunes + disk have to run).... also (at least with my setup) sometimes I'm able to see some bumpy movement when watching streaming video content...
I must say, that unfortunately I'm owner of 40gb and if I would be in position to trade the 40 for 160 with no extra cost(except of course +100$/€), I would do this without hesitation.
In other words, size does matter.

Similar Messages

Is it possible to sync AND stream from the same iTunes library?

Hi,
I am having trouble in setting up sync AND stream from the same iTunes library.
Config :
Mac OS - Latest update 5/6/09
iTunes - Latest update 5/6/09
Apple TV - Latest update 5/6/09
I am able to either sync OR Stream from my iTunes library but not sync AND stream from the same iTunes library
Let's say i want to sync :
Go to Apple TV > Settings > computer
Add Library (Not shared for Syncing)
Enter passcode in iTunes and select the items to sync
After sync is complete
You can see photo, music & video in My Photos, My Music & My Videos.
Let's say now my Apple TV is full
So like to stream some other content
Now
Go to Apple TV > Settings > computer
Add SHARED Library
Passcode is shown in apple TV but not able to Enter it in iTunes (click to set link is not there next to Apple TV item under devices)
To get that you have to right click the apple tv from the devices and select don't sync.
You will get a message saying that all content in apple TV will get deleted.
If you say yes then only the passcode screen for streaming is presented.
So i am not able to sync AND stream from the same iTunes library.
Any idea?

macanandapple wrote:
1. The checkbox for "show only synced content" should be unchecked
yes
2. No need to Add Shared Library
correct
3. After syncing is complete as per the steps said before, if i have to see a synced content i go to My Movies for streamed content i have to go to Shared Movies?
no... both synced and streamed content show up all together. there is no way to tell what content is synced or streamed when looking at it on the appletv. it is seemless as in there is no difference in how it is presented.
you also need to make sure you are using "custom sync" rather than "automatic sync", as you can't select the "show only synced content" box when using "automatic sync".

Sync and stream from the same library?

Hello,
Prior to upgrading to ATV2, I was able to access 'unchecked' items in my iTunes library from my ATV. This is the iTunes library that I am also syncing from.
This allowed me to stream items that I didn't want to sync.
I would do this by going to the 'sources' option and directly selecting my Mac Based iTunes library, rather than the ATV library.
With the new update, can you still stream unchecked items from the same iTunes library that you are syncing too?
If so how?
If not, I think this is a major let down???
Any help much appreciated.
FH

Depends on what you mean by unchecked.
If you don't check items in the sync options window (from device list) they won't get synced, but they will get streamed provided the item is checked alongside it's title in the main library window. If an item isn't checked alongside it's title in the main library window then it won't sync or stream.
All synced and streamed content from the same library now appears in a single list on the tv, namely 'my movies, my tv shows etc'. Only content from a secondary (streaming only) library will appear in a separate list on the tv, namely 'shared libraries'.

Ipod remote app and apple tv sync vs. stream problem

Have been using ATV 1st gen streaming from a shared itunes library for some time.
Now I want to use the ipod remote app and can make it work only if I sync content to the ATV. If I stream content to the ATV, the remote app says there is no content.
However, I can see (on my tv) and play the sync'd content using the white plastic remote.
*Does this mean the remote app works only with synced (not streamed) content on ATV 1st gen?*
(all itunes and ATV software is the latest)
Thank you.

Connect your Remote App to your PC/Mac
Select Song
Select Play
Tap Full Screen icon(Album ARtwork)
Select "AirPlay" button
Selcect your ATV as the only Speaker
This way you can stream content to your ATV
This works with ATV II Aswell
I have both and could not stream FROM ATVII to my MAC/ATV I
But using MAC/PC as source and ATV as speaker makes it work fine with unsynced content

Fix for slow Apple TV sync or stream (port 3689 alert)

If you use Intego VirusBarrier X6, syncing or streaming to your Apple TV may be extremely slow or stop altogether. Your network connection may also be broken. The same may also be true with other virus protection or internet security software.
In many cases, you may receive an alert message saying: Check that any firewall software running on this computer has been set to allow communication on port 3689.
Here is how to modify your VirusBarrier Firewall to open port 3689. If you use other security products, you will need to check with the vendor for specific instructions.
1) In VirusBarrier X6, go to the Firewall section and set the Mode to Advanced.
2) Click the "+ icon" at the bottom left of the window. This will add a new "untitled settings" entry to the list on the left of the window.
3) Right click or control-click in the rules window (the blue and white striped area of the window). Choose "Insert Standard Set" and select whatever setting you were using before (for example: Client Only, Client Local Server, which is the default setting). This will insert the standard rules for that set.
4) Now you must create a new rule for the Apple TV. Click the + button (bottom left). The new rule window will appear.
-- You can name it anything you like, but something that tells you what the rule is for would be recommended. For example: Apple TV.
-- Set the source as "Local Network", the destination should already by "My Mac".
-- The 'Service' option is where you assign what service this rule applies to. However, there will not be an Apple TV option in the list. You must create a new service. Click the '+ sign' next to the services drop down menu. A "new service" window will appear. Name the service something appropriate for it's function (for example: Open port 3689), set the Protocol to TCP, click Single Port, and enter 3689 for the Port.
-- Leave the Interface set to Any, and make sure Allow is enabled.
-- Allow should be enabled, then click OK.
5) This new service you just created will now be at the bottom of the Rules list of your new "untitled settings". You MUST drag it to the top of the list (making it rule number 01).
6) Click the button next to your new "untitled settings" to activate them. Apple TV should now be able to sync (or stream) without problem.
Message was edited by: Meikle

I am having the same problem since upgrading to ATV 2.3 and iTunes 8.0.2.20 for a PC. Since people are having this issue with Mac iTunes, my guess is that it is ATV 2.x that's the problem. Everything stopped syncing as far as I could tell. Apple Support was totally unhelpful. Wanted me to pay for extended care even since I bought my ATV last year. Told me it was "buyer beware" with respect to updates, and that my only recourse was to role back to the factory default (version 1.1) - that is unless I wanted to pay for support. So I asked her if she'd heard of the problem, and she said no. Excuse me? What would I be paying for then? Why can't this company support the piece of junk software they just released??? They are shooting themselves in the foot because now that I've rolled back to 1.1, I can't buy the new content they're pushing from the iTunes store. I've never been this put off by a company and the false advertising that "it just works."
Message was edited by: Win on a Mac

Syncing and streaming from different itunes libraries on same computer

First, I came across a thread saying that it is possible to sync and stream from the same itunes library, but Apple technical support says this is not possible and the thread didn't explain how this is done. I know you can still stream music from a library that is synced with the ATV by using Airtunes, but you can't stream movies through Airtunes. If there's a way to sync and stream movies through the ATV from the same itunes library, can someone please let me know how to do it?
If this is not possible, does anyone know if it's possible to sync to one library and stream from another on the same computer? I tried this last night and for a second I thought it worked because my itunes was listed on the ATV twice (once as syncing and the other as streaming) but then when I switched back to the library that the ATV was supposed to be synced with, that library disappeared from the ATV and I lost all of the media on the ATV. (As a side note, when I started syncing again, the ATV showed that it still had all of the media on there, but itunes showed that there was nothing and started copying everything again - very annoying).
This is an issue for me because I only have one computer and all of my media on an external harddrive. I like having my music synced with the ATV but my movies will not fit on the ATV so I would prefer to just stream those rather than have to delete and add movies everytime I want to watch something different. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

missed a very important step necessary to achieve this, in the summary tab in iTunes there is a check box... "show only synced items".. if you uncheck that box then unsynced items will will appear on the appleTV menus and when you click on them they will be streamed... this gives you the sync and stream from the same library part of what the OP wants.
the other part of the puzzle is to let items inside and outside of the iTunes Folder exist in the iTunes library... the library is file that contains all the files that you see in itunes... files don't need to be in the iTunes folder to be in the itunes library though..
the trick here is that when you drag the files from your external (the ones you don't want on your computer) and into iTunes... press option as you drag and the files will be added to the iTunes library (a reference/path to them really) but the files will not be copied to the iTunes folder... when iTunes looks for that file (to play it directly or to stream or sync to appleTV) it looks at the reference and says.. hey i can get this file here (on your external) and goes and fetches it.
on a PC you press SHIFT as you drag into iTunes so the item(s) don't get copied to the iTunes folder.. no OPTION key on PCs.
Message was edited by: tmartine

Syncing and streaming to the same iTunes

Appletv works great...but I want to sync and stream from the same iTunes...is this possible. I want to be selective about what I sync to the HD but be able to access any media in iTunes via a stream...is this possible?
iMac Core Duo Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Appletv works great...but I want to sync and stream from the same iTunes...is this possible. I want to be selective about what I sync to the HD but be able to access any media in iTunes via a stream...is this possible?Yes it is. Simple set up your "sync" preferences in iTunes as you probably already have. Then access the "Sources" area of your TV device. Under this menu you should see both your "Named TV" device, as well as, your "Named iTunes Library" at the very least. Simply select whichever you wish to access at a given time and select it. NOTE: This option appears to default back to the "synched" TV device whenever you open "Sources" so always "reselect" the streaming iTunes Library when you want to stream content and have opened this option.

HT1143 1st Generation AppleTV no longer syncs only streams

I still use a 1st generation appleTV in my son's playroom. We also use it for travelling to places that does not have internet access, so it is imperitive that we have movies on the hard drive and not streaming. Within the last few months we have lost the ability to sync movies, music etc. It shows up in our iTunes but as streaming only without the ability to change anything within iTunes. There is a tab in Tunes that will allow us to "share" photos from iphoto, but no movies tab and no guage showing hard drive space used.
It must have something to do with the latest software update? Is my appleTV with 160gb hard drive incompatible now?
We have recently updated the appleTV software (up to date) and have the new iTunes 11.1 and are running OSX 10.8.5 on our computer.
I found a slight workaround that I can use, but is time consuming. On my appleTV, I search for the movie I want to "buy" in the itunes store (that I have already purchased), and it tells me that I have already purchased the movie and then proceeds to download it to the appleTV. BUT It is so much easier to just sync!
Any help would be appreciated. I have a hard time believing that apple would just remove software functionality / compatibility of the 1st gen appleTV, even though it is old.....

Thanks for the great tips.
I do have a question I hope you can answer. When I turned on "Sync" between my 1st Gen AppleTV I lose "Streaming". When I turn on "Streaming" I lose "Sync". Do you know if the AppleTV is only able to do one or the other and not both?
I did a search on Apple in this article:
iTunes 11 for Mac: Play items in your iTunes library using Apple TV (1st generation)
and I found the following note:
If your Apple TV (1st generation) is synced with an iTunes library, it’s already set up for streaming. (When Apple TV is synced, it appears in the Devices pop-up menu near the top of the iTunes window.)
From the note above, I would guess that the AppleTV can function with both Sync and Stream at the same time but I can't seam to get it to work like that.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

How to setup Sync and Stream for Different Photo Libraries?

I've read through most posts, but still can't get ATV to both sync and stream photos.
On my MBP I have my iTune library with music, movies, etc. I also have several iPhoto libraries for each year ('05, '06 '07, etc). I initially set up ATV to sync to my MBP iTune Library and my iPhoto '07 iPhoto library and everything went fine. Even if ATV->source->my music->photos, I get the photos streamed fine.
The question is how do I stream the other iPhoto libraries? If I go into MBP-> iTunes->Devices->ATV->Photos and deselect sync, I can't select any other Photo Albums and lose the ones I just sync'ed. If I try ATV->source->my itune lib->connect to new iTunes->sync #, but then when I go to MBP-> iTunes->devices->ATV there is no window to insert the # to stream.
What am I missing? Usually Apple is very logical, but this has me stumped. Basically I would like to sync and store my music on ATV, but be able to stream different photo libraries, the photos don't have to be stored on ATV. If I could sync some and stream others that would be better.
Can anyone give me a step-by-step on how to do this? I must be missing a step somewhere. Thx

Welcome to the  Discussion Forums.
It's debatable whether you could ever sync and stream photos from the same library. tv v 1.1 gave that impression because it showed photos in a synced source and a streamed source when the source was the same library. However as they were effectively the same photos it was never really clear what was happening.
Now that synced and streamed content is in the same menu under v 2.0 it really doesn't matter. If your itunes library is synced to your tv then you must sync your photos, if your itunes library is stream only then you must stream your photos.
Moving on, because this doesn't actually address your problem, which is that you want to sync or stream multiple iphoto libraries from the same itunes library. Well you can't, although you have a couple of workarounds.
If you must have multiple libraries, then you could open additional user accounts, stream the itunes libraries in those user accounts and allocate a single library to iphoto under each user account. This is quite messy if you have more than a couple of libraries and will not work with more than 5 libraries, which you may well have if you are working by years.
Your second option and I don't think you'll like it too much is to put all your photos in one library. To be honest I'm not really sure why you split your photos up as you do, I would have thought that iphoto was more than capable of coping with photos from all years.

Apple TV Won't Sync or Stream

Hi,
I'm having problems syncing or streaming to Apple TV from my new iMac. Once the setup number has been entered into iTunes to start streaming nothing happens. Every time you press sync, the button goes gray for a second and then goes back to normal.
I have just tried syncing the Apple TV to my MacBook Pro to see if the problem was with my Airport Extreme but that worked fine.
Both Macs have the same firewall settings: 'Allow All Incoming Connections', but one works, one doesn't.
Does anybody know how to fix this? Is there a setting on the iMac that I have overlooked that might be the cause of this?
It is strange how Apple TV shows up fine in iTunes but it cannot sync!
I have tried the usual things like restoring Apple TV, repairing permissions etc.. and the iMac networks wirelessly with the MacBook Pro fine.
Any help much appreciated! Thanks

Review this article, it will answer your questions:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1143
If Apple TV shows up in the device list, in iTunes, then you don't have to do the connection thing again. Likely, you are not understanding the difference between "pairing" & "sharing".
You can only "pair" with one computer at a time (which syncs the Apple TV and computer- and options then show up for this in iTunes, when you click on the Apple TV)
You likely, have set up that particular computer to "share", that means you can only stream from that computer. If you turn on your laptop, and open iTunes, then go to your Apple TV, you will see a new option pops up, called "shared movies" & "shared Tv shows"... this is all being streamed from the laptop, if you are sharing (of course, computer has to be on & iTunes has to be open).
Everything from the "My Movies" & "My TV shows" is content from the computer that is "Paired"- likely your iMac, in this case.
Syncing and streaming are two completely different things, handled very differently in iTunes & on the Apple TV.
You can only "Pair" or sync one library at a time, where you can add or "share" up to an additional five libraries.
Hope that helps...

Apple TV won't sync or stream from iTunes

Ok, I've seen numerous threads with numerous fixes for syncing issues. I just bought this unit,lightly used. It setup fine, it sees my wireless network and does show up in iTunes 8.1. It just gives me the old firewall 3689 apple tv not responding crap and doesn't sync or stream iTunes. I've tried all the fixes I seen listed; I've even tried turning off my firewall (Doorstop) and turning off the security in my wireless network. nothing has worked at all. What is going on with this Apple? I love the ability to download TV and movies and really love the quality and concept but I want to be able to stream and/or sync content from my iTunes as well. Anyone have any other solutions? I have the latest software updates in Leopard and iTunes, etc. Thanks. Jon

I believe so. Under Settings on the Apple TV I cancelled my computer and then readded it with a new passcode. It recognized the Apple TV in my iTunes right away and it says 'when you click ok it will automatically sync' but nothing happens.

Syncing AND streaming from one computer

I admit, I'm an Apple novice; however, I'm doing my best to catch up! Just got a 40GB ATV for xmas and have synced up all my music but thinking about just streaming my video content. Is there a way to keep all my music synced but stream the video or is it an "all or non" type situation?

Hi There,
I have the same setup (40gb ATV) and have all of my music sync'd and stream all of my video.
You need to select the ATV in your iTunes devices list (on the left hand side). On the "Summary" tab, click the "custom sync" button, and make sure the "show only the sync'd items.." checkbox is empty. On the "Movies" tab, everything should be blank, on the "Music" tab you can choose what you want to sync. Once your ATV has sync'd again, all should be fine.
If you want to avoid a long list of video files, you can create video playlists in iTunes, and then turn on "all" playlists under audio/video settings on the ATV.
Don't forget that to stream, you need your iTunes library open at all times.

AppleTV won't sync nor stream

In the past two days, my AppleTV has stopped syncing and streaming. It keeps mentioning opening port 3689 on the firewall - which i did and that didn't help.
I've finally disabled all firewalls....still won't connect. PLEASE HELP!!
I've even restored the AppleTV. I was running itunes v7.5 but rolled back to v7.4.
For an FYI, only thing new added to system is iPhone.....makes no sense to me....

Hi - suggest you review your sync options for music into Apple TV in iTunes. It's possible to set a range of options from all your library to a single artist, most recent etc. You'll need to see AppleTV as a device, click on that and select the music tab.

ATV does not sync or stream.

Hi I`m running OS 10.6.4, ITUNES 9.2.1. Itunes library on external HDD. Brand new IMAC, bought 2 days ago. Just changed from my PC to a Mac. Decided to go clean and have a fresh start, so I just created a new library on my mac by adding my old movies and music files from my HDD to a new itunes library on my mac. Fine until here, the movies and music appear on my itunes. Went back to my ATV, broke the link with the old library, and reconnected with the new one. ATV appears perfectly on Itunes sidebar. But now, it doesn't sync or stream at all. I get sometimes the Port XXX msg, but I'm not able to configure it on this OS. pls I need help, as I´m also new to mac settings.

Trader, you have a lot of new stuff going on all at once. It might be worth going back to the simplest configuration and starting from there. Disconnect your external drive and build a simple iTunes library with a couple of songs and a movie on the iMac and try to sync it with the ATV. If that works, the problem most likely lies in the way you have set up iTunes. There are several post here about that, including one from Winston Churchill that takes you to tips on his web site (http://web.mac.com/gartside1104/ATV/Index.html). If it doesn't work, you'll have to try the advice here about iTunes 9.2 issues (and I can't help you there as I did not update from 9.1.1).
Good luck!

Where the heck is the AppleTV 2 instructions for sync and stream?

I can't find any info on sync and stream in Apple TV's setup manual and there's no manual for How to Use. Can someone point me to the right link?

There's not alot of info for sync and stream. Pointer the ATV to a Mac initially produces the sync(user can sync only one itunes library). It streams also as long as the files are in the itunes library and the itunes program is open(can be minimized) and the Mac is not sleeping. Up to five other Macs can stream but not sync. You can tell that feature by the amount of tabs available in the ATV column of itunes.

Syncing versus streaming

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