Homepod mini & TV "muting" issue

aabelcher wrote:

I use a pair of homepod minis in conjunction with the internal speakers in my TV. When I press the mute button on my Siri remote, only the TV speakers respond (through the IR on the remote I imagine). The homepod minis continue to function as normal. Is there a way to get the homepods to respond to the mute function as well, simultaneously?

I think you'll find that it's working as designed. Since your default audio output is set to be your TV's speakers, when you select the HomePod minis as supplemental AirPlay speakers, the volume control focus remains on the default audio output (the TV). Consider that most AirPlay connections are for listening in another room (hear the game while grabbing a snack in the kitchen, etc.), and most AirPlay speakers have their own volume control.

OTOH, if you deselect your TV's speakers (using the AirPlay config via Control Center), and select only the HomePods, your mute button will function. Better yet, if you set the HomePod minis as your default audio output via Settings > Video and Audio > AUDIO: Audio Output > DEFAULT AUDIO OUTPUT: [Select HomePods], I believe you'll actually get better Home Theater sound from the HomePod minis than they can do via a simple AirPlay connection.

I realize the 'minis don't support Dobly Atmos in this mode as the original HomePods do, but it seems their "computational audio" capability benefits from multichannel sources - better movie dialog from the center channel for example. NOTE/disclaimer: I'm speculating here based on my brief impressions from casual testing -- I don't have inside implementation info from Apple (nor am I aware if technical implementation details have been published).

I happen to have a decent soundbar under my TV and a stereo pair of HomePod minis in an adjacent area (open floor plan). I occassionally play music on both the HomePods and TV/soundbar at the same time. When I do this, I agree that unified volume control is a bit of a pain.

However, if not for the soundbar, I would place the HomePods on either side of the TV and set them as the ATV4K's default audio output (using the [e]ARC features of the ATV4K & TV), and just ditch my TV's internal speakers.

aabelcher wrote:

[...]

I have set them (the minis) as the default for now, which of course solves the muting issue. Perhaps a sound-bar might be in my future, but for the time being this functions well and achieves what I was looking for. Many thanks!

Good to hear. There's an increasing volume of articles, reviews & commentary about using a pair of HomePod minis vs. a soundbar... I gather the concensus is that they out-perform most similarly-priced soundbars ($2-300 range). Also, the computational audio does a surprisingly good job with a wide variety of content -- particularly on clarity of dialogue in movies. As a bonus, I also found the Siri commands for TV playback control ("Hey Siri, [pause | play | back-up 20 seconds | what did he say? | etc. ]" ) are pretty cool when I remember to use them. These are also available when your HomePods aren't the default audio output, but then you must be more specific to set context "Hey Siri, pause the [Apple TV name]". Oddly, I can't get the Siri remote mic button to behave the same way (it always wants to initiate a search).

My soundbar, a Sony HT-Z9F, retails for three times as much and does Dolby Atmos with the help of a wireless subwoofer and a pair of wireless rear speakers -- but if I'm honest with myself, the HomePod minis sound comparable at the volumes I typically use (and I'll admit that my ears are much older than they used to be :-).

Best of luck.

Hey aabelcher,

Make sure that audio output for your Apple TV is set to your HomePods, then test again. Instructions below are from Adjust video and audio settings on Apple TV:

1.Open Settings on Apple TV.

2.Go to Video and Audio.

•Audio output (Apple TV 4K): If you connect one or two HomePod speakers to Apple TV for home theater surround sound, all audio, including navigation clicks, is routed to the HomePod speaker(s). You can change this setting to other available speaker options. See Use Apple TV to play audio throughout your home.

•Audio output (Apple TV HD): You can choose to play audio through your TV speakers or AirPods, Bluetooth headphones, or another AirPlay speaker. See Use Apple TV to play audio throughout your home.

•Audio format: By default, Apple TV uses the best audio format available. You can change the audio format if you’re experiencing problems with playback. Select Audio Format, then select Change Format and choose either Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital 5.1, or Stereo.

If the same continues, make sure that your HomePods and Apple TV are up-to-date.

Update HomePod:

1.Make sure that your device is updated to the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS. 

2.Open the Home app. Select Home, then Home Settings > Software Update.

3.Select HomePod to turn automatic updates on or off. If there's a new update, select Update. Software Update will also tell you if your HomePod is already up to date, and show you the installed HomePod software.

Update Apple TV:

1.Go to Settings > System > Software Updates and select Update Software.

2.If there's an update, select Download and Install. 

3.Wait for your Apple TV to download the update. Don't disconnect or unplug your Apple TV until the update completes.

Take care.

Hey there, aabelcher! 

Thank you for posting in Apple Support Communities.

The Apple TV Remote in Control Center does not work with the HomePod.

The Apple TV Remote in Control Center works with Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, Apple TV (3rd generation), and AirPlay 2-compatible smart TVs only.

To learn more, check out the information found here: Set up the Apple TV Remote on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Kindest regards.