Apple TV doesn't work with HDMI Switch

I use this 5x1 switch from Monoprice and it works fine, switching 3 devices, which are then routed through my AV receiver's switch... Despite the convoluted hookup, I have not had HDCP handshake issues.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?cid=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&pid=2777&seq=1&format=2&style=

The nice thing about this switch is:

1. It works: no discernable loss in quality, switches relatively quickly, etc.

2. It's cheaper than many others, like Gefen, or even the Xtrememac (which is 4x1)

3. The remote has discrete buttons for each input, which is very helpful when setting up a universal remote like my Harmony 880. I can't tell from the Xtrememac picture if it's a direct input, or if you can only cycle through the inputs...

Good luck!


MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.9)

I had the same issue. Works without switch but not with. Tivo and other items work with my switch so it must be the A tv.

this is not an uncommon scenario.. with HDMI 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, and now 1.3 standards and different manufacturers with different levels of adherance to each standard, it is often times the case that you will find an incompatibility between a source / switch / display.

my only suggestions would be to try a different switcher... not a great suggestion, but the only thing that i think that could lead to results.

The Apple TV must work with HDMI switches as XtremeMac has created one based on the Apple TV.. I dont think it is shipping yet but here is some information:

http://www.xtrememac.com/audio/av_cables/switcher/

I have mine connected into a Pionner AV Receiver with 4 HDMI input and have no issue with swiching sources - I would have guessed that a switch would work the same way. What I can tell you is that when I do switch source to Apple TV it takes apox 30 seconds for the signal be be recognized and a picture to come up. This is true for both my PS3 and my Blue Ray Sony DVD Player as well...

Like a previous post, I use a Pioneer receiver to switch multiple HDMI components, sharing one HDMI port on TV. No problem w/Apple TV. You do have to be patient, my kids have complained it doesn't work only to have not waited 30 sec or so before 'switching' back to another component. If still no luck, cables are also advertised as diff levels of HDMI support - might be cheaper trying different cable combinations than getting a new switch or receiver.
Pics

My AppleTV refuses to work with the XtremeMac product. Some basic troubleshooting steps I tried were swapping cables, swapping ports, swapping devices (I have several HDMI devices), etc. From what I could determine, the switch and the cables are fine, while the AppleTV is the only HDMI device I have that exhibits problems. It only has issues when connected through the switch (but connects just fine direct to the TV). What's interesting, when I did a factory reset of the AppleTV, suddenly it displayed the Apple logo through the switch, but only for two seconds and then the signal was lost again.

What's interesting, when I did a factory reset of the AppleTV, suddenly it displayed the Apple logo through the switch, but only for two seconds and then the signal was lost again.

Sounds as if the switcher is not being recognized as a valid playback component so TV refuses to pass the video. I personally use the component outputs to avoid such problems since most of my iTunes media is SD anyway. Realize this may not be a desireable option for some. Only other possibility I can thnk of would be to wire the TV HDMI directly to the TV if a secondary HDMI input is available.

I bought an Impact Acoustics 5x1 HDMI switch. Like others on the thread, it works with my other HDMI equipment but not with AppleTV. Seems to be some sensitivity between the AppleTV and switches that isn't well documented.

well I'm using the XtremeMac HDMI switcher too and it only works sometimes.
usually a reboot of the AppleTV will fix it but for some reason today it won't work at all.
so I guess your mileage will vary with the XtremeMac HDMI switcher.

My Apple TV sends video just fine through my Xtreme Mac switch. However, it doesn't pass sound well, and I had to run a separate optical cable from the AppleTV to my home theatre receiver to get adequate volume.

I have tried Iogear 4-port HDMI switch w/no success. They sent an "adapter" which yielded no better results. I returned it and picked up Nexxtech (I think Circuit City brand) with no better results. Absolutely no video signal to my Samsung TV. BTW, I did try various HDMI cable combinations!

I anyone has a consistent, reliable alternative I would greatly appreciate it.

nightstorm wrote:
Just wanted to give my $.02 and say that I too have had no problems with my AppleTV running through the Monoprice 5x1 HDMI switch.

One more positive data point for the Monoprice 5x1 HDMI switch. I have one also, and it's been solid for all my HDMI sources, including the AppleTV. The price was great too.

I have experienced the same thing. I bought the xtremeHD switch and the accompanying cables from xtrememac (HDMI to HDMI and TOS Link). It only works after completely unplugging the power from the Apple TV. Everything else works perfectly fine through the switch and optical link. When it does work...the sound is inconsistent...the remote will remain paired to my computer no matter what I do...and I haven't been able to find an option to stream from the computer instead of syncing everything. Meaning it takes an hour to download a rented movie then an hour to sync it if I haven't purchased the rental from the Itunes store on board the Apple TV. I think the idea is fantastic, but I have had tons of hiccups with mine.

Just wanted to give my $.02 and say that I too have had no problems with my AppleTV running through the Monoprice 5x1 HDMI switch.