AppleTV - Airplay2 - Hi-Fi Audio

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AppleTV - Airplay2 - Hi-Fi Audio

Hi there,

I am using 2 AppleTVs on the network (to the switch via ethernet) and air-playing via 2 amplifiers that I have sent in the two rooms.

What is the most stable way/simple/reliable way to use airplay? Having the AppleTV in the room itself or together with all the IT equipment (made an IT rack in the garage) and accessing them via the wifi?
What are the difference of Airplay and Airplay 2?
In the other two rooms I only want to stream the Audio (no TV there). So mainly music via spotify/apple music etc. What is the best way to do this? good to do with AppleTV or other Apple devices to use instead?
I use some Hi-Fi dedicated amplifier for the advanced Hi-Fi setup in the living room. When playing movies with AppleTV what is the best way to get the Audio signal directly from AppleTv to amplifier?
For the Audio part is there a big difference between versions of AppleTVs?
Any accessories recommended to use with AppleTv from Apple or other to make the best use of the AppleTV?
Can android phone play to Airplay?

Thank you so much all for any advice! all the best

Posted on Apr 16, 2023 12:31 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Urquhart1244

Level 10

146,668 points

Apr 16, 2023 2:52 PM in response to keepitsimple8

Apple TV wants to connect to a screen through HDMI, so it would be best to have it in the same room as the screen. Also a stable, strong network connection, without much interference is needed.
AirPlay 2 facilitates multi-room audio (for music/audio-only sources). AirPlay 2 can use the room and zone designations of HomeKit. Certain (video) content can require AirPlay 2 as minimum AirPlay version protocol. AirPlay system requirements - Apple Support
HomePod speakers are designed for use with Apple Music, even standalone. Also Pandora, Deezer, TuneIn Radio, iHeartRadio in the US. When streaming from iPhone or iPad, then any audio source, including Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, etc.
If the amp has HDMI-in and HDMI-out, then connect as ATV→amp→TV, or ATV→TV→amp. Either way will work.
All Apple TV 4K models support 2.0/5.1/7.1/Atmos. Prior models do not support Atmos.
A computer on the same network with local music files, to stream through Apple TV using Home Sharing may be nice.
Not officially … wink, wink.

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Answer 2

Apr 16, 2023 2:46 PM in response to keepitsimple8

What is the most stable way/simple/reliable way to use airplay? Having the AppleTV in the room itself or together with all the IT equipment (made an IT rack in the garage) and accessing them via the wifi?
- I'm not sure what you mean by "together with all the IT equipment," but I don't see how you'll gain anything by making the chain more complex. Directly to your AppleTV should be fine
What are the difference of Airplay and Airplay 2?
- Airplay 2 allows you to stream to multiple devices simultaneously, has some Homekit specific features, and relies less on the original device. I believe that the original protocol streamed everything locally from the device itself. With Airplay 2, the receiver can go online and grab the stream directly which should provide better performance.
In the other two rooms I only want to stream the Audio (no TV there). So mainly music via spotify/apple music etc. What is the best way to do this? good to do with AppleTV or other Apple devices to use instead?
- If all you want to do is stream audio, you should be fine with a Homepod
I use some Hi-Fi dedicated amplifier for the advanced Hi-Fi setup in the living room. When playing movies with AppleTV what is the best way to get the Audio signal directly from AppleTv to amplifier?
- What does the amp support? Do you have a received connected to it? The easiest thing to do would be to connect the AppleTV directly to it. If that isn't an option, something like the Belkin SoundForm Connect could work.
For the Audio part is there a big difference between versions of AppleTVs?
- No.
Any accessories recommended to use with AppleTv from Apple or other to make the best use of the AppleTV?
- Not necessarily. It really depends on what you are looking for. In general, I would look to use it with your existing gear.
Can android phone play to Airplay?
- It is technically possible (there have been phones released by HTC for example with Airplay Support), but it's unlikely that you'll be able to find a good way of making it work.

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Answer 3

Apr 17, 2023 1:17 PM in response to keepitsimple8

Thank you guys for all the details...

1) My idea was to keep all the ATV in the garage within the AVIT rack and using one of thos eyecatcher for the IR control, so that all the rooms have just the min equipment around.

2) ok

3) ok that I agree. But what setup to be able to see the films on an iPad (no need to install a TV/don't want to in some of the rooms) and listen to the Audio via the an already present Hi_FI system/Amplifier etc.?

maybe using HDMI audio extractor or any other better option/solution?

4) Thanks no the amplifier I am using are new but a bit traditional from Hifi perspective and wondering what is the best option out there to sned them audio with good quality...

5) for the Belkin SoundForm Connect, I Airplay to it ? And then audio to the Ampli? I see it has no HDMI in.

6) yes pc sound nice. just wondering if there is any other devices that allow you much more flexibility in to use the apple tv in different ways... kind of a total open question but hei...

7) ok

thanks so much guys!

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Answer 4

Apr 17, 2023 1:19 PM in response to keepitsimple8

And any easy way to manage AppleTVs when you have 4/5 around ? instead of connecting to every single one for settings etc but having one interface where you can control/configure etc all in the same place? such a new product and so not practical too as soon as you use more than 2/3 in a home setting...

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AppleTV - Airplay2 - Hi-Fi Audio

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