Bebias
Level 1 (1 points)

Q: How do I play music with the TV off?

With the previous Apple TV I connected the audio output to my sound system so I wouldn't have to leave the TV on to listen to music. How do I do that with the new Apple TV?  My sound system doesn't have HDMI input.

SInce that's a huge part of what I do with the Apple TV, I'm thinking of returning it If it can't do it.

Posted on Nov 14, 2015 2:36 PM

by Bebias,Solvedanswer
Bebias Bebias
Level 1 (1 points)
A:

I brought the new Apple TV back.  It is completely useless to play audio because it shuts down when the TV is turned off.  I tried with an HDMI audio splitter, but the splitter is transparent on the HDMI (for DRM) and as soon as the TV is turned off, the ATV shuts off.  I also tried using my old ATV as external speakers, but again the new ATV shuts down when the TV is turned off.  So if anyone hopes to use it for music think twice: you HAVE to keep the TV on.  That is unacceptable for me; I will not leave the TV on all day just to listen to music.  So I canceled my music subscription and returned the Apple TV.


As an aside, the Netflix app on the new Apple TV is really bad.  Not Apple's fault, and it might get better with time, but it was still another negative factor.

Posted on Nov 24, 2015 6:57 AM

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Bebias

Q: How do I play music with the TV off?

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  • by Bebias,

    Bebias Bebias Dec 1, 2015 9:39 AM in response to Protodd
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Dec 1, 2015 9:39 AM in response to Protodd

    Unfortunately the older ATV doesn't stream Apple Music (which was my main reason to update), and it doesn't run apps.

  • by Protodd,

    Protodd Protodd Dec 1, 2015 9:46 AM in response to Bebias
    Level 4 (2,069 points)
    Dec 1, 2015 9:46 AM in response to Bebias

    I don't understand?  I have an ATV 3 and I am able to stream music on it. Your correct that it doesn't have the App Store on the older ATVs. But that's where you the consumer comes in to weigh the pros and cons to see what works best for your personal setup.  I AirPlay from my iPhone to my ATV3 (in the bedroom) and change the audio output to my airport express which feeds my receiver And have my ATV4 in the living room. This allows me to play my personal music while I play games on the atv4...

  • by Bebias,

    Bebias Bebias Dec 1, 2015 4:43 PM in response to Protodd
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Dec 1, 2015 4:43 PM in response to Protodd

    I didn't say it couldn't stream music, I said it does not stream Apple Music; the new (ish) streaming service from Apple.  Yes, you can airplay from your iPhone, but that's a different story.

     

    If it works for you, I'm happy.  But the new ATV is useless for music only (since your TV needs to be on), so it is unacceptable for me.

  • by AndyL1966,Helpful

    AndyL1966 AndyL1966 Dec 13, 2015 9:16 AM in response to Bebias
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Dec 13, 2015 9:16 AM in response to Bebias

    So, you want to stream Apple Music via Airplay from ATV4 with your TV on standby right?

     

    Well to do that you need to turn off CEC: Settings > Remotes and Devices > Control TVs and Receivers > Off

     

    Otherwise ATV4 will sleep when the TV goes to standby.

  • by Bebias,

    Bebias Bebias Dec 13, 2015 9:19 AM in response to AndyL1966
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Dec 13, 2015 9:19 AM in response to AndyL1966

    The wording is a little different in the latest update, but you are right, it is related to CEC.  It gets a little more complicated though because if my TV has CEC enabled, the ATV4 setting turns itself on automatically.  So I had to turn the TV's CEC setting off, and now it works.

     

    Thanks.

  • by alobar,

    alobar alobar Dec 13, 2015 10:56 AM in response to Bebias
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 13, 2015 10:56 AM in response to Bebias

    I was here for another concern but wanted to share my experience :

    I just bought Apple tv 4th . when I turn off my tv ,there is a brief pause but it continues to play with tv off.

    my set up :

    apply tv is connected to Yamaha receiver via HDMI

    Samsung TV is connected to Yamaha receiver via HDMI.

    Previous apple tv acted the same way. a brief pause upon tv turn off then continued playing...

     

    I hate the tv light and i wanted to play directly from the remote. I have not read much posts but issue is that I used to see my music when I connected to previous apple tv on Remote App. so I could play my music on apple tv without  turning on tv. Now the remote app only shows the swipe screen . I can't get to see the music anymore. I have to turn the tv on to select music. that's step backwards on the new generation.  very annoying.

  • by Danno100,

    Danno100 Danno100 Dec 14, 2015 4:54 AM in response to alobar
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 14, 2015 4:54 AM in response to alobar

    I have no problem using a HDMI splitter and turning the TV off to continue playing music through my amp with my ATV4.  As another poster stated, when the TV is turned off there is about a one second period when the sound goes off, but then it continues.  The same break in sound happens with the amp is turned on as well.   

  • by klaascuvelier,

    klaascuvelier klaascuvelier Dec 14, 2015 5:03 AM in response to Danno100
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 14, 2015 5:03 AM in response to Danno100

    Which HDMI splitter do you have?

  • by Danno100,

    Danno100 Danno100 Dec 14, 2015 6:37 AM in response to klaascuvelier
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 14, 2015 6:37 AM in response to klaascuvelier

    I have used 2 splitters and both worked fine.  One was the RocketFish and the other was Monoprice.  The Rocketfish claims to be 4K compatible. 

  • by alobar,

    alobar alobar Dec 14, 2015 6:54 AM in response to klaascuvelier
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 14, 2015 6:54 AM in response to klaascuvelier

    if you are running through an amp , you don't need a splitter

    you need 2 standard HDMI cables .

    1-Apple TV  to Amp IN

    2-Amp OUT  to TV

  • by Danno100,

    Danno100 Danno100 Dec 14, 2015 10:31 AM in response to alobar
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 14, 2015 10:31 AM in response to alobar

    The issue with running your Apple to an Amp and then your TV is that your amp must be on to use the TV.  What if you want to watch TV without using the Amp?  I do that for TV shows, but for movies I prefer big sound.  My Amp does not pass through video and audio when not turned on.  I didn't think any Amps did.  The BB guy told me none do.

  • by alobar,

    alobar alobar Dec 14, 2015 10:49 AM in response to Danno100
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 14, 2015 10:49 AM in response to Danno100

    when I say amp, i refer to recievers .all most all recent receivers let tv go through. Most new ones 4K and 3D let through.

    New TV's have multiple HDMI cables.

     

    I run all my inputs, ( cable , apple tv, dvd etc through receiver, ) then only one HDMI goes to Tv. Turn off TV sound. recieve all from receiver/audio system.

    change the input on receiver to switch between inputs.

     

     

    in case your tv and receiver are not recent,  you are right. Please ignore my comment. But i thought any receiver with an HDMI capability let signal through.

  • by Danno100,

    Danno100 Danno100 Dec 14, 2015 2:29 PM in response to alobar
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 14, 2015 2:29 PM in response to alobar

    I believe I tried that with my newer receiver (Pioneer) but it did not pass through the HDMI in to out unless the receiver was turned on.   Then I went to BB to buy a new receiver and the staff said no receivers pass HDMI out unless turned on.   If they were wrong, the store lost out on a $500 sale!   That is when I tried my splitter.

  • by TomasPfe,

    TomasPfe TomasPfe Jan 2, 2016 8:34 AM in response to Bebias
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Jan 2, 2016 8:34 AM in response to Bebias

    And it is getting worse... Not even in december updated iOS Remote App can't control Apple music libraries on ATV4! It provides only simple navigation control. Absolutely no chance to bring up old good window with artist, albums, playlists etc... That is making playing music from ATV4 without TV on even less comfortable... Shame on Apple - that (un)functionallity looks like some kind of Google betas

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