HomePod Anyone Use A Pair of The Big HomePods and Apple TV As Television Speakers

[papbot]

I’ve just set up a pair of new HomePods, the large ones, and my Apple TV, latest 4K version, to be my tv speakers replacing a soundbar. Everything appears (sounds) to be working well. The only oddities I’ve noticed is a bit of an audio (lip) sync issue between someone speaking on the tv and the dialogue coming from the pods. It’s noticeable but not too distracting.

Another thing I see is that there seems to be a large jump in volume changes from whatever remote I use. Using the tv speakers or the previous soundbar, volume could be adjusted in small increments. When volume numbers appear on the tv screen using the Pods, they change in 5 unit increments. Not really much of an issue.

This morning when first turning on my cable box and tv there was no audio for a few seconds but as soon as I used the volume control on one of the remotes the audio came in. It’s almost as if it was necessary to wake the system up. Any other things to look out for or any tips to use?

 

[haralds]

I have a Vizio Soundbar with a subwoofer, but I find a pair of Original Homepods to be superior when used with my AppleTV.

I use the AppleTV Remote to turn on the system. Occasionally I have to press the volume key to wake up the sound.

 

[papbot]

Occasionally I have to press the volume key to wake up the sound.

Thanks. That’s what I found when everything was off overnight. It wasn’t until I pressed the volume key that the audio came through. Turning the tv and cable box (Fios) off and on intermittently during the day doesn’t require doing that.

Are there any specific settings that you would recommend?

 

[ScrumpyDaniel]

I’ve just set up a pair of new HomePods, the large ones, and my Apple TV, latest 4K version, to be my tv speakers replacing a soundbar. Everything appears (sounds) to be working well. The only oddities I’ve noticed is a bit of an audio (lip) sync issue between someone speaking on the tv and the dialogue coming from the pods. It’s noticeable but not too distracting.

Another thing I see is that there seems to be a large jump in volume changes from whatever remote I use. Using the tv speakers or the previous soundbar, volume could be adjusted in small increments. When volume numbers appear on the tv screen using the Pods, they change in 5 unit increments. Not really much of an issue.

This morning when first turning on my cable box and tv there was no audio for a few seconds but as soon as I used the volume control on one of the remotes the audio came in. It’s almost as if it was necessary to wake the system up. Any other things to look out for or any tips to use?

I do, and have done since 2021. The lip sync issue is annoying. For me I have to have my TV set to Game Mode, and run Wireless Audio Sync on the Apple TV, but even then its not 100% perfect and some apps that do not use Apple's player suffer major sync issues. I also have to have Match Frame Rate turned off as it ruins the lip sync even further.

 

[papbot]

I do, and have done since 2021. The lip sync issue is annoying. For me I have to have my TV set to Game Mode, and run Wireless Audio Sync on the Apple TV, but even then its not 100% perfect and some apps that do not use Apple's player suffer major sync issues. I also have to have Match Frame Rate turned off as it ruins the lip sync even further.

I’ve always had that match frame rate off, so I haven’t seen the issue worsen. I was previously using a soundbar that used HDMI cables to connect to my TV. Initially, I had my Apple TV and Fios cable box connected to my TV. That resulted in terrible lip sync issues. I was able to correct it by connecting the two boxes to the soundbar first; it had two HDMI inputs. That eliminated almost all audio sync problems, although on some content or broadcasts, there was some minor lag noticeable if you went looking for it. With the HomePods and Apple TV, there’s no way to connect directly to the pods. But I’ve noticed that on most live broadcasts, such as local news, there is minimal lag; on recorded content and on certain TV (cable) channels, it varies. Right now I’m watching the live Today show on my local NBC affiliate, and there is little to no lag. For the most part, I can ignore it, and fortunately, my wife is far less anal than I am, and she never notices any lag.

The soundbar I was using began to have electronic issues with the HDMI connections, so I began looking at possible replacements. Everything that I felt would be a suitable replacement cost about twice what the HomePods and Apple TV cost and took up less room, which my wife likes.

 

[MistrSynistr]

Use the audio calibration in the settings with your iPhone. I may of had a problem on one of my AppleTVs with that lip synch issue and I turned match frame off I believe and fixed it.

I have 3 rooms with HomePod mini stereo pairs to Apple TVs and 1 with the big HomePods stereo Paired.

 

[papbot]

I may of had a problem on one of my AppleTVs with that lip synch issue and I turned match frame off I believe and fixed it.

Thanks, that match setting is on the Apple TV, and I’ve always had it off. Years ago, when I had read advice to turn that on, I tried it but found that it caused issues for me so I’ve left it off since then.

With the settings I have now I’d say the lip sync issue is fairly minimal. And it varies by network and content. My wife doesn’t notice it at all and I’ve gradually stopped looking for it.

 

[papbot]

One thing that we both like and what somewhat surprised us that’s unrelated to our tv, is being able to request Siri to play a radio station. We have a couple local stations that we like and just saying “Siri play station xyz” gets them playing immediately. It says that the station is provided by Audacy but we’ve never used the service, nor do we have the app. Anyway that’s one thing we couldn’t do with our soundbar.

 

[papbot]

I’ve just recently run into an issue with audio from tv broadcasts (Fios tv) that appears to switch from left to the right pod with the volume changing on its own. Has any one run into something like this? I have restarted all devices.

 

[TonyC28]

I have a Vizio Soundbar with a subwoofer, but I find a pair of Original Homepods to be superior when used with my AppleTV.

I use the AppleTV Remote to turn on the system. Occasionally I have to press the volume key to wake up the sound.

I used to have a pair of OG HomePods for ATV output and I liked it, except for the volume glitch that I hope has been resolved by now. Now I'm using a Sony HT-A7000 with subwoofer and I can't help but thinking the HomePods produced a better sound. The sound seemed "bigger", if that makes sense. I'm tempted to go back. Anyway, nice to see someone else who thinks the HomePods produce better sound.

 

[papbot]

Occasionally I have to press the volume key to wake up the sound.

I have to frequently do this as well. Particularly when I ask Siri to play a radio station.

Now I'm using a Sony HT-A7000 with subwoofer

That’s one the soundbars I had considered as a replacement but as you know that combo is almost twice the price of the HomePods plus ATV.

 

[TonyC28]

I have to frequently do this as well. Particularly when I ask Siri to play a radio station.

That’s one the soundbars I had considered as a replacement but as you know that combo is almost twice the price of the HomePods plus ATV.

It definitely isn't cheap, which makes it really sting when I am remembering the HomePods sounding better.

 

[papbot]

It definitely isn't cheap, which makes it really sting when I am remembering the HomePods sounding better.

It shouldn’t sting too much as there is greater fine tuning that can be done with the Sony, as well as the subwoofer. The HomePods just can’t duplicate all that. I had a Samsung HW-QR80 which is comparable to that Sony. If I hadn’t started having electronic problems with it, I wouldn’t have gotten the HomePods, or would have, but for another purpose than home theater. The Samsung allowed adjustment of the top and side firing speakers as well as the center ones, and also came with a subwoofer. I had considered replacing it with the Sony when I started having problems but I already had the Apple TV and adding the HomePods was very appealing for the price In comparison. If both systems were at the same cost I think I would take the soundbar. It also would depend on the area or room you have all this set up in. Although my wife has really liked not having that big block of soundbar in front of her all the time.