No this isn't a connection issue.
Here is the latest behavior:
- after a TV restart, Apple Music started working fine for a couple of days
- audio from Apple Music spontaneously stopped a few minutes ago after it had been playing for a few hours
- no audio from TV+ either
- another restart
- audio from Apple Music started working again
- system tones (browsing menus etc.) work over mains
- still no audio from TV+
- another restart
- still no audio from TV+
- audio from other TV apps (e.g., CNBC, AMC) working fine
- apple music audio continuing to work (for now...)
- a recollection from a few weeks ago is that we had similar problems with HULU, i ended up bringing the remote HomePod into the TV room so that we could hear it. but then it started working again over the mains.
- as of right now, Apple Music audio works to the mains, other video apps' audio works to the mains, TV+ does not. all going the same HDMI. all work to the HomePods.
it seems that a system restart has some effect on the problem, but even. that can't seem to get TV+ working to the mains
I hadn't tried TV+ until today as I seldom watch it, so I don't know how long its audio hasn't been working properly
setup configuration:
HDMI video and audio output to home theatre receiver (Onkyo). this setup has worked flawlessly for years until now
2 remote home pod minis (which continue to work fine at this time, and always work even when the main TV audio goes out, never a problem with them)
audio output switching via the audio control panel on the Apple TV, amongst mains and 2 HomePods
thanks for your assistance