Apple TV -> Onkyo Receiver -> HD TV = FAIL

Question

Apple TV -> Onkyo Receiver -> HD TV = FAIL

Is this particular setup supposed to work? We just moved into our new home (brand new construction) and we got hardwired surround sound with an Onkyo receiver and since all signals these days are digital everything runs through the Onkyo. The cable box and the DVD player plug directly into the Onkyo and only a single HDMI cable runs into the TV. No other cables plug into the TV.
The Apple TV doesn't even show up but when we plug it directly into the HDMI port on our bedroom TV it works just fine.
Anyone else successfully set this up in their house?

iMac G5, Mac OS X (10.5.7), Comcast ethernet connection

Posted on Dec 23, 2010 5:12 PM

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Answer 1

DShelbyD

Level 1

9 points

Jun 4, 2017 8:31 PM in response to Laine Lenoir-Anderson

Is 6.5 years later too late to say what worked for me? I have a new Onkyo TX-NR656. I set up my previous gen (3rd, I think -- NOT the latest) Apple TV with an HDMI to the STRMBOX connection on the receiver, checking with the Initial Settings setup process that the Apple TV icons could be seen on my TV without changing the input on the TV formerly used to watch AppleTV. I failed to actually try playing anything, so when I hit "Play" on Netflix a few days later, I got sound. But the receiver automatically switched to AirPlay - and I got no picture. After many efforts focused on tinkering with the receiver, I finally fixed the issue -- in the Apple TV: Settings --> AirPlay --> Speakers (at the bottom). The check mark was on my receiver. I changed it to "Apple TV," which is counter-intuitive, and that fixed the issue I was having. Now I have both picture and sound using STRMBOX on my receiver.

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Answer 2

Dec 25, 2010 12:48 PM in response to Laine Lenoir-Anderson

This may not help you but, yes, to answer your question. I have what sounds like an identical set up with no problems.

You may need to share more info about yur set up. Are you sure you are directing your onkyo receiver to the right hdmi port where the apple tv is assigned? I even have a logitech universal remote running it all with no problems.

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Answer 3

Chenks

Level 5

7,435 points

Dec 25, 2010 1:29 PM in response to Laine Lenoir-Anderson

i have an onkyo amp and my appletv has no issues.
appletv > onkyo > tv (all HDMI).

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Answer 4

tgibbs

Level 1

70 points

Dec 25, 2010 2:58 PM in response to Chenks

I have my Apple TV running through a HDMI switcher (because I'd already used all of the ports on my receiver) and then an Onkyo receiver. So far, it has worked smoothly.

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Answer 5

ufookoro

Level 1

15 points

Dec 27, 2010 2:52 AM in response to Laine Lenoir-Anderson

I purchased the Onkyo entry level receiver. My config are as follows:

(1) Oknyo Output (HDMI) to HDTV
(2) ATV 1 HDMI to Onkyo Receiver HDMI Input1
(3) WDTV HDMI to Onkyo Receiver HDMI Input2
(4) FreeSat HDMI to Onkyo Receiver HDMI Inout3

I had to also disable TV Control in the Onkyo menu as it was switching all over the place.

All working perfectly

Regards

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Answer 6

reddoc

Level 1

0 points

Feb 15, 2011 3:47 PM in response to Ramblinmanva

You sound like you may be able to help me...I am using the ATV through HDMI into an Onkyo receiver. For some reason I get no picture even when the input is active and properly assigned. I also use a Logitech remote and it switches all my other components perfectly but for some reason the ATV which is running to HDMI 2 input never gives me a picture(except for once randomly). Do you have any suggestions?

I did try running the ATV directly into the TV using HDMI and it worked fine.

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Answer 7

Feb 16, 2011 3:44 PM in response to Laine Lenoir-Anderson

I dont have an answer as such. I also have a similar setup, the difference being that I do not have the other two hdmi inputs. The only thing that I noticed is for example if i am watching a movie and i turn the tv off, the sound also goes off. In other words, the music doesn't continue streaming through even thought the amp and apple tv2 is on. I would therefore ensure that the other hdmi inputs are turned off when you are using apple tv2 especially since you are getting random output signals.

Further on the above, if i stream music only through apple tv2, then it will come through, only if the streaming contains video and audio, does the tv need to be on with the onkyo amp. Good luck.

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Answer 8

Jul 14, 2011 6:55 PM in response to kap_australia

I would be keen to know how you set up your amp. I have the Onkyo TX-NR609. When I turn off the TV, any sound from the Apple TV2 I have goes off - even if it's simply music. The other devices (Sky Box, PS3) are unaffected.

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Answer 9

Jul 18, 2011 3:14 PM in response to kap_australia

@kap_australai, I reported this as a UI Issue (a subset of bug) and Apple responded that it was a known issue and on their bug list to do. Try again when there is a new update.

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Answer 10

Mar 20, 2012 1:06 AM in response to Laine Lenoir-Anderson

I just purchased a new Apple TV (March 2012) and have it connected with the HDMI cable to my Onkyo TXNR807 and then HDMI out to the TV and I get a "no signal" message. it is not the cables or the HDMI ports, since other devices (such as my cable box) work and the Apple TV works when connected directly to the TV with an HDMI cable.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. thanks!

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Answer 11

Mar 20, 2012 11:32 AM in response to Shaneisaac

Shaneisaac,

I had strange flickering image with my ATV 3 connected to a Sharp LCD via an HDMI switch box - same idea as the switch in a receiver...

The solution for me was to go into the ATV settings and change the resolution from "Auto" to 1080p 60 Hz.

Seems that there was some challenge handshaking with the TV to determine what resolutions it really accepted; forcing the ATV to output a specific resolution did the trick.

(Connecting the ATV 3 directly into an HDMI port on the Sharp TV worked fine in Auto ... but I need the HDMI switch as the older rmodel TV doesn't have enough HDMI inputs.)

HTH,

Karl

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Answer 12

ctg8tor

Level 1

0 points

Aug 12, 2012 8:03 AM in response to Laine Lenoir-Anderson

We have the same situation - Apple TV into an Onkyo receiver into our Panasonic Viera TV. Continued to get the NO SIGNAL display on our receiver. After unplugging and replugging and resetting and swapping cables for the umpteenth time I gave up and just walked away from it....and after approximately two minutes the receiver finally got the signal straightened out and everything kicks in and displays perfectly. Totally reproducible - so every time we want to watch our Apple TV or stream iTunes it's now a "given" that we have a two-minute "boot up" time. Had also previously changed the Auto setting to the 1080p setting as well but no difference. Still reading and waiting for a better solution...

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Answer 13

Aug 12, 2012 8:38 AM in response to ctg8tor

I'd open a support ticket with Onkyo. They are definetly not supposed to do it - mine doesn't. There were a couple of models, especially last year, that had a BOATLOAD of negative reviews from apparent firmware issues - perhaps your's is one of the "lucky" ones? What model is your Onkyo? I'll post mine when I get home...

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Answer 14

ctg8tor

Level 1

0 points

Aug 12, 2012 8:52 AM in response to Eric Eskam

Onkyo TX-SR606 - according to the Onkyo web page, there are no firmware updates for this model.

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Answer 15

Aug 12, 2012 8:58 AM in response to ctg8tor

I didn't say they fixed the issues :) I just noticed because some newer Onkyo's with more ports and features were on sale at Newegg, and I need a reciever for my basement so I figured I would upgrade the living room and move my existing one to my basement. Then I read the reviews on some of the models that were on sale - oh my! I did some broader searching and there were pretty much universal complaints - it shook me quite a bit for Onkyo - I have two of their recievers and have had nothing but positive experiences with them so it was disturbing to say the least.

I'll get my model as soon as I can...

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