New Apple TV - HDMI Connection question

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › New Apple TV - HDMI Connection question

manta

249 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#68374 20-Sep-2010 17:34

I'm thinking of ordering an Apple TV but before I do so I'd like to know the answer to the following:

The Apple TV connects via an HDMI cable to my HD TV (which luckily has a spare HDMI port) and will then output the sound thru my Home Theatre system (which is already connected to the TV by an HDMI cable). The question is: Will I need to have the TV on in order that sound gets passed thru to the Home Theatre system, or will the sound get passed thru anyway, even with the TV off; I don't really want to be switching on the TV every time I listen to music since I can do all the controlling from the iPhone remote app.

jaskarn

97 posts

Master Geek

#382378 20-Sep-2010 17:46

I doubt your TV will allow the audio to pass thru, the Apple TV has an optical audio out port which you could connect directly to your home theatre system.

manta

249 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#382433 20-Sep-2010 19:48

Awesome; I've never used optical audio before but I've checked and my home theatre unit has an opitcal in socket so problem solved, thanks Jaskarn!

corksta

2405 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 382

Trusted

Subscriber

#382454 20-Sep-2010 20:56

All the HDMI inputs on my receiver are full, so I have optical audio from the Apple TV to the receiver, and HDMI from the ATV to the TV. Works well and will allow you to output music without requiring the TV to be switched on.

jaskarn

97 posts

Master Geek

#382492 20-Sep-2010 22:18

No problems manta,

Have you ordered it yet? im quite keen on getting one especially because of the new AirPlay feature. Surprisingly its $99 in the us and $169 here? Apparently their adding some levies on top now so its such a huge difference.

Regarding the iTunes content- rentals, etc, I wonder what line speed we need here in NZ to get the content playing quickly. In the US they say it'll play within a few seconds.

corksta

2405 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 382

Trusted

Subscriber

#382496 20-Sep-2010 22:21

As soon as I rent a movie (720p) it's ready to play after just a few seconds as well, never has to buffer either.

minofgeek

39 posts

Geek

#382528 20-Sep-2010 23:06

You may consider just connecting the Apple TV through your HT receiver to your TV as I'm sure Apple have enabled audio AND video across the HDMI, thereby allowing you to not use the optical audio connection (which is fine and same in quality if the soundtrack is dolby digital). Simplifies the connection, which was the whole idea of HDMI!

The Ministry of Geek Podcast

Contemporary technology musings from a couple of dazed and confused Kiwi geeks.

Subscribe to us on iTunes or from our blog.

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

manta

249 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#382590 21-Sep-2010 09:39

minofgeek: You may consider just connecting the Apple TV through your HT receiver to your TV as I'm sure Apple have enabled audio AND video across the HDMI, thereby allowing you to not use the optical audio connection (which is fine and same in quality if the soundtrack is dolby digital). Simplifies the connection, which was the whole idea of HDMI!

Thanks but as mentioned above I'll often want just music and then won't want the TV on.

@corksta Thanks

@jaskarn Yes, I have ordered it. Delivers 18 Oct.? It is a bit more pricey than in the US, but not as huge difference once GST is factored in. I think the line speed will be OK (for me here in Chch anyway) but not sure about the bandwidth - I'm pretty near my limit each month anyway!

corksta

2405 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 382

Trusted

Subscriber

#382720 21-Sep-2010 15:12

Also bear in mind that the US prices do not include sales tax. In California for example, it's 8.25% which makes the price US$107.17 or about NZ$147, so the price here isn't too bad at all.

reven

3748 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 874

Trusted

#382724 21-Sep-2010 15:15

i just hope i can get netflix on it, not sure how it will determine what apps to show/hide. im hoping that by just connecting it to a VPN it will show up.