Q: after update to version 4.4 optical out not working

My situation is most like Shane.

I have 1 Apple TV connected via the HDMI output to a Marantz AV receiver, and the optical output from the same Apple TV is connected through a DAC to a Russound amplifier so that I can stream audio from my iphone or ipad to rooms throughout my house.  This worked perfectly until the update to 4.4.0, and no improvement with 4.4.1.

When I activate the Apple TV through the AirPlay on my iPhone, and the AV receiver is off (ie. the HDMI output is not being used) and try to stream music through the optical out only, I get nothing, at first.  Then I can toggle between music playing on my iphone and the ATV, and after 1 or 2 toggles, I'll get static hissing, and in the background in poor quality, I can hear the original intended music.

But here's the part that matches Shane... when I turn on the receiver (ie. activate the HDMI), all of a sudden, the optical output works perfectly, and the hissing dissappears.  I can at this point turn off the receiver, and the optical output continues to work properly until the ATV is turned off again.  Of course, having to turn on the receiver in my living room defeats the whole purpose of having a muti-zone system connected to the ATV.

I've tried changing the audio settings, including Dolby setting to no avail.

Hope Apple corrects this.  I had a sweet setup before!  My wife thinks I should just buy a boom-box. Sure would be easier, but not nearly as cool/nerdy!

1. Do you hear the beeps and bonks for the user interface?

No

2. What is your setting in Settings > Audio & Video > Dolby Digital?

Auto

3. Does changing that setting have any effect?

No

4. Is your Apple TV plugged via HDMI directly into a TV?

No

4b. If not, what is the manufacturer and model of the device the Apple TV is connected to via HDMI?

Marantz SR-7001 AV-Receiver

I have the Apple TV connected to the AV receiver using HDMI and to a DAC using TOSLINK There is an analog connection from the DAC to the receiver (obviously). When I try to play music through the DAC, it stays silent, when I switch to the HDMI connection to works. Once I haved switched to the HDMI connection, I can switch back to the analog connection, and also get music there. The optical out works until the ATV gets into sleep mode and wakes up again.

I file a complaint to apple support and was ecalated to tier 2. They took down information and called me back a day later confirming that it is indeed a bug.

The solution would be out on the next update.

Meanwhile I was asked to keep plugging in a TV. I replied stating since I take the aTV all over the place, carrying a TV as well is not practical...

this is a very good new, thanks a lot. now should be clear that atv is intended to work also without a tv :)

Updated to 4.4.2 today, and it still does not work.  Crossing my fingers for the next update based on the last few posts.

The nice folks at the Norfolk VA Apple Store swapped my 4.4.2Apple TV for a new one made with 4.3. It worked super until it discovered the update and applied it. Bad Apple!

Firmware update  4.4.3 (Nov 17 2011) has fixed this, I have now verified.

I can confirm this.... updated to 4.4.3 today, Apple TV plays music again without TV connected.

4.4.3 is close, but still not as good as 4.3 for my optical out situation.

To recap...

I have 1 Apple TV connected via the HDMI output to a Marantz AV receiver, and the optical output from the same Apple TV is connected through a DAC to a Russound Multizone amplifier so that I can stream audio from my iphone or ipad to rooms throughout my house.  This worked perfectly until the update to 4.4.0.

When I activate the Apple TV through the AirPlay on my iPhone 3GS, and the AV receiver is off (ie. the HDMI output is not being used) and try to stream music through the optical out only, I get nothing, at first.  Then I can toggle between music playing on my iphone and the ATV, and after 1 toggle it works perfectly with the newest update. But with 4.3, it used to work without toggling between phone and ATV.

Please fix.

The latest update still doesn't work for me.  The TV is always "connected" but I have to switch it on to get the optical audio out to work. :(   What did you do to get it to work?  I also still get audio drop-outs despite a good wifi signal.

Paul

I installed the 4.4.3 update on both Apple TV2 on Saturday. I've had success with iTunes to Apple TV2 to Cambridge DacMagic. This Apple TV connects to the Cambridge via TosLink and is headless. Music arrives via AirPlay or from my iTunes library on a Mac Mini (thick Intel). The HDMI cable is not connected. The second is HDMI connected to a Panasonic TV with TosLink to the Cambridge's second TosLink input. It has played iTunes and TV HDMI audio without issue (well, once I switch inputs by hand). The TV and Apple TVs are set up with Dolby Digital off.

I noticed that 4.4.4 was released.  Has anyone tested to see if this fixed our optical audio problem?  4.4.3 didn't work for me.

I just reverted all of my headless Apple TV 2's to 4.3 and everything is fine.  I'll probably just keep them at 4.3 from here on out.

I just updated and it did not fix the digital optical out issue for me.  I'm surprised more people haven't screamed at Apple about this.

same here. nothing fixed.

I updated to 4.4.4 and now I can't get the airplay function on my ipad2?