benyben

Q: Buying an AppleTV just to stream Apple Music to my home theater - wise?

Hi everyone.

 

Family registerated to Apple Music.

 

We have a home theater setup in the living room (receiver is 2-3 years old).

 

We currently plug via AUX to the iPhone's headphone jack to get Apple Music playing on the speakers.

 

I suggested getting an Apple TV (cheapest one that works),  connect it to the receiver (I am not sure how though), and then stream the music (?) wirelessly.

 

1. Is this a wise solution?

 

2. Is this what's called AirPlay?

 

3. Is AirPlay high quality?

 

4. Is the iPhone actually sending the music via the WiFi connection, or is this more like Chromecast where just the link is sent?

 

Thank you so much!

iPhone 5s, iOS 9.3.1, null

Posted on Sep 22, 2016 3:14 AM

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Q: Buying an AppleTV just to stream Apple Music to my home theater - wise?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by vazandrew,Helpful

    vazandrew vazandrew Sep 25, 2016 4:32 AM in response to benyben
    Level 6 (19,185 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 25, 2016 4:32 AM in response to benyben

    If you are just going to stream audio then its better to get an airport express, which supports AirPlay.

  • by Rysz,Helpful

    Rysz Rysz Sep 25, 2016 4:37 AM in response to benyben
    Level 7 (20,934 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 25, 2016 4:37 AM in response to benyben

    With Apple TV 4 you can access Apple Music and/or your iCloud Music Library directly via your internet connection (wired or wireless). You can also stream your files from your Mac. Either way, your iPhone doesn't need to be in the middle of this process. The connection between ATV and your home theater is via an HDMI cable, so your equipment should be fine, but check if you have a spare HDMI jack on the set.

     

    1. Yes. At $150 dollars, you also get the flexibility of potentially using it for more than just music playing.

         See this link for an overview http://www.apple.com/tv/

    2. AirPlay is for streaming/mirroring from your computer or your iDevices. For ATV, it's just one of the methods

         of getting media.

    3. Generally as good as the original; lesser quality if the Wi-Fi signal is poor.

    4. In AirPlay mode, the entire media is sent; when ATV is connected to the internet or computer, the iPhone is not needed.

  • by benyben,

    benyben benyben Sep 25, 2016 4:37 AM in response to vazandrew
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 25, 2016 4:37 AM in response to vazandrew

    Thanks vazandrew. Isn't Airport Express a more expensive solution?


    Apple TV goes for about $50 on eBay for the 3rd gen. A brand new one I think is $69 from the Apple store.


    Also, I am so out of my element here. Airport Express connects to the receiver? Via what connection?


    Thanks

  • by benyben,

    benyben benyben Sep 25, 2016 4:38 AM in response to Rysz
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 25, 2016 4:38 AM in response to Rysz

    Thanks Rysz. Very informative. I appreciate this.

     

    I was considering the 3rd gen, less expensive, APT. I am assuming your answer still applies (:

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Sep 25, 2016 4:46 AM in response to benyben
    Level 10 (104,146 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 25, 2016 4:46 AM in response to benyben

    Users have experienced differing results when trying to use the Apple TV for audio only. Some have found it works well, others have found that they need to have the TV on to get audio and others have found they need the TV on to start off with, but can turn it off when the audio starts playing.

     

    I suspect these variations result from the type of connection that the TV offers and therefore may vary according to the make/model of TV.


    If you merely want to play music from your phone to a home theatre set up, you are by far best using Apple's solution for audio only which is the Airport express.


    You really don't want to be paying more for the Apple TV which may not actually work properly for you unless you have another reason to purchase an Apple TV.

  • by Rudegar,

    Rudegar Rudegar Sep 25, 2016 4:48 AM in response to benyben
    Level 7 (28,783 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 25, 2016 4:48 AM in response to benyben

    many people report it muting if not getting handshake from the tv being turned on so if that is a general thing it would only work when your tv is on in which case the airport express would be the better option or even an older iPod touch connected to the receiver

  • by vazandrew,

    vazandrew vazandrew Sep 25, 2016 8:53 AM in response to benyben
    Level 6 (19,185 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 25, 2016 8:53 AM in response to benyben

    I don't believe Apple sells the 3rd generation anymore, and it is more of a tv connected solution at any rate. The airport express has an optical port as well as analogue and also supports airplay