I have my Apple TV HDMI routed to my receiver and my TV is on the monitor output of the receiver. When I start to stream music from my home computer via the “Computers” app and then turn the TV off, the Apple TV pauses my music. I have verified the TV does not have the control via HDMI turned on. I cannot find any setting in TVOS that indicates it might help solve this issue. Any suggestions?
Apple TV HD, tvOS 13
Apple TV is a media streaming device and requires connection to a TV. It is not possible to use it for purely audio, and as explained it is functioning as expected. The unit itself does not have any audio, that is dependent on the audio output device (i.e. internal TV, receiver, soundbar).
One can invoke a screensaver or slideshow while listening to music on ATV. However, if they don't want the TV on then it's best to use another device.
Feature request has been submitted. Thanks again for explaining your responses.
JMHO thought, the ATV is not working as expected as the audio is coming from the ATV and not the television. But guess that is not how the ATV works. :(
Hello,
This would need to be your wiring setup:
Apple TV <-> HDMI <-> Sound Receiver <-> HDMI <-> TV
RBitSlayer Said:
”[...]my Apple TV is connected to my receiver and my TV is on the monitor output of my receiver. With that setup, my music is paused when the tv us turned off.”
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TV is the Default Sound Output:
Set your external speakers as the sound output.
Elsewise, it is working the way it should.
Guess I am a bit confused. There is only one option for audio output and that is HDMI. Even when I deselect it, the automatically reselects it. My receiver is my sound output not the TV. It should not matter if the TV is on or not to stream music from my ATV. I can see your reasoning if my TV speakers were used for output of audio, but that is not the case. What am I missing?
BitSlayer Said:
"Guess I am a bit confused. There is only one option for audio output and that is HDMI. Even when I deselect it, the automatically reselects it. My receiver is my sound output not the TV. It should not matter if the TV is on or not to stream music from my ATV. I can see your reasoning if my TV speakers were used for output of audio, but that is not the case. What am I missing?"
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HDMI is for both Audio and Video. If it is being reselected, then that is all that you have plugged into your TV.
The Apple TV has its own GUI (Graphical User Interface. So, if you want to play music, then you would need to use AirPlay. Elsewise, the Apple TV is "going to sleep".
Use This: AirPlay from Apple TV
Note: Your Receiver needs to meet that requirements for using AirPlay and which speakers are supported.
OK, maybe I need to be a bit more specific. I have an ATV box, not a full TV. My ATV is connected to my receiver via HDMI, so yes, it is supplying both audio and video to my receiver. My receiver has a pair of speakers attached for the audio output. The actual Samsung TV is connected to my receiver via the monitor output of my receiver. It is not in the audio path of the ATV in any way. With that being said, there is my confusion as you say it is working as expected when my Samsung is turned off, the ATV should pause audio playback. At that point, the TV is not needed for video output as I am only streaming audio to my receiver, not the TV. Not trying to be curt or testy, just trying to explain why I do not fully understand your responses.
BitSlayer Said:
"Apple TV pauses music when TV is turned off: [...]there is my confusion as you say it is working as expected when my Samsung is turned off, the ATV should pause audio playback. At that point, the TV is not needed for video output as I am only streaming audio to my receiver, not the TV. Not trying to be curt or testy, just trying to explain why I do not fully understand your responses."
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No. If the Television (or other video/audio output device) itself is off, then the audio output from the Apple TV is intermittent, and will just go dead and stop from there.
The only workaround I've been able to do is use my energy saver button on my television.
So, that means that there is no error here --- the Apple TV is operating as it should --- not audio from itself.
OK. I understand your response. Does not make sense from an overall perspective though as the Television is only a video component and has nothing to do with audio. I guess Apple has decided that since the primary function of the ATV is video, the TV is an integral component. For me that sucks as I do not want my TV on when just listening to music.
I will try that to see if it works. Thanks.
BitSlayer Said:
"[...]I guess Apple has decided that since the primary function of the ATV is video, the TV is an integral component.[...]"
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Provide Feedback to Apple:
Pain though it is, provide Apple some feedback on this, letting them know what features you think should be added to the device.
So...
BitSlayer Said:
"Feature request has been submitted. Thanks again for explaining your responses. JMHO thought, the ATV is not working as expected as the audio is coming from the ATV and not the television. But guess that is not how the ATV works. :("
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Look into an Energy Saver Button:
You are welcome. And Thank you for leaving the feedback. The more they (their engineers) hear about this, the more they will know what their customers expect, and what to include in models to come.
Note From Above Reply: See if your television has an energy saver button on it. If you don[t know, take a look at the manufacturer's Web site, and it will tell you on a download manual, I'm sure.
A media streaming device is defined as: "A streaming media player is what connects your television or home theater to the Internet and allows you to stream video and music from online services". In this case, the ATV is only fulfilling half of that definition. Audio only is also media and that is what is missing on the ATV, the ability to stream audio without the requirement of a television. The answer of buy another device is pretty lame when there are others that want this functionality as well. Why not tell Apple that this is what their user base wants and hopefully they will add that capability.
The key being that it is connected to a television and it allows one to stream audio, as long as the TV is active. The Television is a requirement and it cannot function independently of it. The unit itself has no built in audio output, that is routed via HDMI, if the TV is off then that transmission stops. As such it is fulfilling exactly what it is intended to do.
You are asking something that is not possible, hence suggesting use of another device is very apt. There are many receivers that allow for streaming music directly, and Apple has the HomePod for that purpose.
You can give feedback, but that will not change anything related to what is already on the market. However, you can believe what you want.
The key for an ATV to stream AUDIO is to have it connected to a receiver, NOT a television. The ATV absolutely has audio output built into it; hence, its ability to stream audio, DD, etc. and that output is via HDMI. The possibility of streaming audio without an active TV is VERY doable as it is a software settign within the ATV that checks checks the state of the feedback from television and then pauses the playback. Not that difficult. So, if you don't have any constructive comments, keep them to yourself.
Yes, that is my setup. As stated in OP, my Apple TV is connected to my receiver and my TV is on the monitor output of my receiver. With that setup, my music is paused when the tv us turned off.
Apple TV pauses music when TV is turned off
