Does AppleTV output 24/96 audio through HDMI port?

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Level 1

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Does AppleTV output 24/96 audio through HDMI port?

I have a several high definition audio recordings (24bit/96KHz) in Apple lossless format on iTunes. Does the new AppleTV support streaming those files to a receiver at without down-sampling them? It has been reported on this forum the TOSLINK output is down-sampled to 16bit/44KHz. I'm curious to know whether the AppleTV supports streaming 24/94 Apple lossless recordings to a receiver with full fidelity over an HDMI connection.

How about multi-channel recordings?

Hector

MacBook, Mac Mini, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Oct 4, 2010 12:17 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 4, 2010 4:05 PM in response to hdiaz55

As far as I have been able to determine, the AppleTV(v2) converts everything to 2 channel 16/48 over both TOSLINK and HDMI. That includes 24/96 Apple Lossless. It also includes 16/44.1 Apple Lossless. I tested 6-channel AAC, and only the front left and right channels were output over HDMI (as 2 channel 16/48).

If it is any consolation, 24/96 converted to 16/48 should sound better than 16/44.1 (which is what the old AppleTV did) since it is an even multiple and one simply has to drop every other sample.

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Answer 2

HeyJP

Level 4

2,400 points

Oct 4, 2010 4:12 PM in response to hdiaz55

Hector,

Can't answer definitively, but looking at the Apple TV2 tech specs on Apple's website, it says that ATV2 supports "...AIFF, Apple Lossless, Dolby 5.1 pass through"

As I understand, AIFF will allow 24/96 audio, so if the ATV2 spec is literally correct, it should pass it through. It definitely passes Dolby 5.1 through un-molested.

Not a definitive "yes", but no evidence of definitive "no" either.

Only worth a penny, not a full "2 cents worth".

🙂

Jim

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Answer 3

Oct 4, 2010 5:47 PM in response to HeyJP

I have a DAC between Apple TV2 and my stereo. When it locks on a sample rate a light lights.

With Airport Express playing all 44.1 lossless music the 44.1 light was lit.

Now with Apple TV2 playing the same music from the digital optical out the 48K light is lit. As mentioned above it must be upsampling every stored lossless CD from 44.1 to 48.

Is that a good thing? My DAC has it's own up-sample button which I believe doubles the incoming rate. So I guess I'm upsampling twice. Does anyone know if there are consequences? I can disable the button on the DAC. (I could also put the AEexpress back for music and use ATV for video only)

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Answer 4

Oct 8, 2010 7:02 PM in response to Eddie Strauss

I can confirm all streamed audio is converted to 16/48. My best guess is this allows for an easier lock when switching between PCM sources and Dolby Digital. Still, Apple ought to provide the option to maintain signal integrity via menu.

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Answer 5

hdiaz55 Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 9, 2010 10:33 AM in response to hdiaz55

Thanks for all your replies. Now here is a follow-on question:

How about the original AppleTV? Can it output 24/96 audio through its HDMI port?

I know on my Apple MacBook I can output 24/96 on the TOSLINK port by using the appropriate settings on the "Audio MIDI Setup" utility.

Hector

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Answer 6

dosers

Level 2

391 points

Oct 12, 2010 12:10 AM in response to Steve Martin7

Steve,
so there is no way to output 6 (or multi-) channel AAC intact to a receiver; either via multi-channel linear PCM, or converted to AC3? In other words, movies encoded in AAC multi-channel can't be played back in surround sound ?!

thx,
Dan

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Answer 7

Oct 12, 2010 2:50 PM in response to hdiaz55

Hector,

A hacked AppleTV gen 1 can make the same switch in Audio Midi Setup as your MacBook. See http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/Apple-TV-signal-now

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