use your Apple HomePod for a Dolby Atmos TV speaker setup
Apple’s HomePod good audio system’ biggest power are their superb sound high quality – a lot in order that they may also be an excellent speaker for TV and film viewing, not simply listening to music.
An added bonus is {that a} firmware replace final 12 months additionally brings Dolby Atmos to the Apple TV / HomePod occasion, as effectively.
When the HomePod Mini went reside, Apple additionally introduced ‘Residence Theater with Apple 4K’; whereby the unique HomePod can be utilized to type an immersive encompass sound expertise, with digital 2.1, 5.1, 7.1 and Dolby Atmos all out there.
You solely get that encompass sound motion while you’re watching reveals and flicks out of your Apple TV 4K, thoughts; you possibly can’t simply plug your HomePod instantly into your TV and get Atmos motion on the whole lot.
However, with Apple TV now supporting just about all the most important streaming companies – Netflix, Prime, HBO, Disney+, Hulu and extra – it’s a reasonably compelling providing
The brand new function is just doable on the unique HomePod because it boasts an array of seven beamforming tweeters; the Mini simply has two.
Nonetheless, that does not imply Mini homeowners miss out utterly. So long as you personal a third-generation Apple TV or later, you possibly can pair any HomePod – full measurement or Mini – through AirPlay and use it as your TV speaker.
Obtained a few HomePods? Fortunate you, you possibly can pair them up for some stereo magic on each the Atmos and non-Atmos setups.
This is do it…
pair HomePod together with your Apple TV
To get the HomePod and Apple TV arrange, first guarantee they’re each on the identical Wi-Fi community. It is because we’re going to be connecting them over Apple’s wi-fi protocol, AirPlay.
Additionally guarantee that the Apple TV’s AirPlay is on, by heading to Settings and tapping on AirPlay. Right here you’ll be capable of allow it (if it’s not already) and set community entry guidelines.
You’ll want to set the HomePod into the identical room, inside the Apple Residence app, because the Apple TV that you’re going to be utilizing it with and, if you wish to use a pair of HomePods, you may must have already created a HomePod stereo pair within the Residence app earlier than shifting onto the subsequent steps…
Now we need to get the HomePod related.
If it is the unique HomePod and you have finished all of the above, you may see a popup seem in your Apple TV’s show asking if you wish to “Use HomePod as TV Audio system?”
Choose Use as TV Audio system to activate house cinema audio.
If you aren’t getting the automated popup, otherwise you’re utilizing Minis then you definately’ll should manually configure your Apple good audio system for TV use:
- On the Apple TV, go to Settings after which Video and Audio.
- Scroll down to search out Audio Output.
- In Audio Output, you must see an inventory of all of the AirPlay audio system on the community. The HomePod will seem right here. Choose it and it ought to join in a second or two.
Now, as a result of AirPlay 2 flies past Apple’s personal partitions, you can pair different audio system to the Apple TV right here past the HomePod. Right here’s an inventory of the perfect AirPlay 2 audio system.
There’s a sooner manner…
Should you already know that AirPlay is energetic in your Apple TV, you too can carry up the audio menu by merely holding down the play/pause button when wanting on the house display screen.
You received’t be capable of entry different audio settings, but it surely’s a fast method to pair or unpair a speaker.
Apple TV HomePod setup: Issues
All that stated, there are some issues to think about first. Did you already splash your children’ faculty funds on an costly TV Hello-Fi system?
In that case, keep it up. The HomePod is a superb speaker, but it surely wasn’t designed for TV use. Even with that Atmos-boost, it is not ever going to rival a devoted TV speaker with Dolby Atmos, such because the Sonos Arc.
However for those who’re at present watching your TV with the audio system that come in-built, chances are high the HomePod or the HomePod Mini goes to do a greater job.
That could be notably true for those who’re dwelling in a smaller home or condominium with much less house for an even bigger sound system. Should you occur to maintain your HomePod near your TV – and personal an Apple TV, after all – we suggest getting them paired up.
New choices with the latest Apple TV 4K
The newest-gen 2021 Apple TV 4K field can really stream your whole TV’s audio to a HomePod, even while you’re not utilizing your Apple TV.
“With HDMI ARC or eARC turned on, your Apple TV 4K (2nd technology) can obtain high-quality audio from a supported TV after which play that audio by your HomePod audio system,” reads the official Apple help information.
This is how…
- Arrange your HomePod speaker(s) because the default speaker for Apple TV.
- Go to Settings > Video and Audio > Default Audio Output.
- Ensure HomePod is chosen.
- Beneath Audio Return Channel (Beta), select Play Tv Audio.
- Test that ARC or eARC is turned on.
