Roon / Apple TV Loony Tunes

[Boomzilla]

Yesterday, my stereo rig worked. Today, I tried to set up my Apple TV-3 for video and now Roon can't see the Apple TV as an endpoint any more!

The whole sad story:

I bought a used Apple TV-3 as an endpoint for Roon. I got the version 3 instead of the version 4 because the 3 had a TOSLINK optical output that I could use to feed my AVR. The chain of destruction includes:

Roon server residing in my computer room Mac mini with external HDD containing music library.
The mini feeds an Ethernet cable to my living room where (at least, previously) the Apple TV was seen as an endpoint by Roon server.
The Apple TV's TOSLINK optical out feeds my AVR.
The system is controlled by Roon Remote on my iPad. All devices are on the same WiFi network (except for the Mac mini - Apple TV connection that is hard-wired Ethernet).

I never did get the Apple TV set up for video - the previous owner's Apple ID is still in there, and I can't find any way to exorcise it. So now, the Apple TV is useless - no music streaming and no video streaming.

Ideas?

Thanks - Glenn

Postscriptum - One option is to buy a Roon Nucleus and just get rid of the Mac mini, the Apple TV, and the Ethernet connection. But the new Nucleus isn't available until this Summer and costs $500 (sans drives). Another option is to ditch the Apple TV and replace it with a (cheap) Wi-Fi streamer. Suggestions?

[AudioHTIT]

Apr 13, 2024 19:54:33 GMT -5 Boomzilla said:

…
I never did get the Apple TV set up for video - the previous owner's Apple ID is still in there, and I can't find any way to exorcise it. …

Can’t help with Roon, but you’re saying this option isn’t available or doesn’t work?

Reset or restore your Apple TV (3rd generation) or earlier
* On your Apple TV, go to Settings > General > Reset.
* Choose one of these options: Reset All Settings: This option resets your settings, including your accounts and configurations. ...
* Keep your Apple TV plugged into power until the reset process finishes.

[Boomzilla]

Tried it three times so far - no go. My Apple amigo just replied via email - he suggests disconnecting the device from the internet and then doing the reset again…. We’ll see.

[AudioHTIT]

Apr 13, 2024 20:22:52 GMT -5 Boomzilla said:

Tried it three times so far - no go. My Apple amigo just replied via email - he suggests disconnecting the device from the internet and then doing the reset again…. We’ll see.

I have three of them (Gen 3s), and did a reset on one of them about a month ago, don’t remember if it was on the network or not.

[ttocs]

Apr 13, 2024 19:54:33 GMT -5 Boomzilla said:

. . . . the previous owner's Apple ID is still in there, and I can't find any way to exorcise it. So now, the Apple TV is useless . . . . 

The Apple ID is the issue. It makes Apple products unusable for other users until the Apple TV is removed from the list of Managed Devices by the owner of that Apple ID.

The removal process that I believe you are in need of is here:  support.apple.com/en-us/118412

If something goes wrong prior to the original owner removing the Apple TV from Managed Devices, then it can take up to 90 days for the Apple TV to be usable by another Apple ID.

[Boomzilla]

Apr 14, 2024 7:49:56 GMT -5 ttocs said:

The Apple ID is the issue. It makes Apple products unusable for other users until the Apple TV is removed from the list of Managed Devices by the owner of that Apple ID.

The removal process that I believe you are in need of is here:  support.apple.com/en-us/118412

If something goes wrong prior to the original owner removing the Apple TV from Managed Devices, then it can take up to 90 days for the Apple TV to be usable by another Apple ID.

I think you may be right, ttocs - I've had that issue with previous Apple devices - I had to show the Apple Store the receipt of purchase for that device, and then they could delete the previous owner's Apple ID and allow me to set up mine. Today's a Sunday, and the Apple Store will be crowded, but I'll drop in tomorrow and see what they can do for me WITHOUT the original receipt (maybe nothing, but I've been able to sweet talk them before AND they know me for decades as a business customer).

Postscriptum - It's now Sunday morning. I tried my Apple amigo's suggestion to try rebooting the Apple TV without it being connected to the internet. And? Seems to have worked! I can now enter my username and password for all of the services.

OTOH - Roon STILL can't see the Apple TV as a destination. Used to work fine. Now? Nothing! I've posted the situation on the Roon forums. Hopefully, someone there can figure it out.

Thanks - Glenn