Audio Output

[oneteam]

After updating to 14.2 I do not see any speakers listed under Default Audio Output, the only option available is TV speakers. I have three airplay speakers available, before updating I was able to select any of them.
The speakers are available I my network as I can see them them on my other devices.
Has anyone seen this issue?

 

[mallbritton]

In the Home app at least one HomePod has to be in the same ”room” as the Apple TV. They also need to be on the same subnet. And all devices must be on the 14.2 release.

 

[oneteam]

In the Home app at least one HomePod has to be in the same ”room” as the Apple TV. They also need to be on the same subnet. And all devices must be on the 14.2 release.

All airplay speakers are in the same network, same subnet and properly working from my idevices and other Apple TV’s not on 14.2. They are not HomePods. These speakers were listed under Audio Output prior to 14.2.
Apple must have changed something in tvOS 14.2 regarding default audio Output

 

[chabig]

I don't think 14.2 offers the option to make AirPlay speakers the default audio output. But you can manually AirPlay to them, and the AppleTV should remember that selection.

 

[oneteam]

I don't think 14.2 offers the option to make AirPlay speakers the default audio output. But you can manually AirPlay to them, and the AppleTV should remember that selection.

Very frustrating that they removed this option on 14.2. It was working perfectly fine prior to 14.2.

It’s probably a way for apple to push the sale of HomePods, many people will end up thinking that a HomePod may be needed.

I figured out that I can select any of my airplay speakers by press and hold the tv button on the remote then select airplay or by selecting the audio top menu when something is playing. As far as the Apple TV remembering it, it’s a hit or miss.

 

[chabig]

Very frustrating that they removed this option on 14.2. It was working perfectly fine prior to 14.2.

This is a new feature of 14.2. It did not exist in earlier tvOS versions.

https://www.reddit.com/r/HomePod/comments/jakgz1

https://www.reddit.com/r/appletv/comments/joonz6

HomePods can now be set as default audio output through Apple TV???

That’s correct - you select that option and the only thing listed is the tv speakers and not my stereo HomePods. You can manually select them from the airplay menu as always but not set as default.

forums.macrumors.com

 

[oneteam]

This is a new feature of 14.2. It did not exist in earlier tvOS versions.

This is not a new feature. Again, I’m not talking about HomePods. The option to select different speakers under Audio Output is available on my Apple TV on 14.0

 

[chabig]

Thanks for the picture. That looks like the AirPlay 2 interface. In 14.2, default output is not done through an AirPlay 2 interface. Either Apple restricts default output to HomePods, as you suggest, or there is a technical reason--perhaps this:

tvOS 14.2: Apple TV 4K + HomePods now support Dolby Atmos, game audio

Apple has released tvOS 14.2 for Apple TV & HomePod

www.flatpanelshd.com

 

[oneteam]

Thanks for the picture. That looks like the AirPlay 2 interface. In 14.2, default output is not done through an AirPlay 2 interface. Either Apple restricts default output to HomePods, as you suggest, or there is a technical reason--perhaps this:

tvOS 14.2: Apple TV 4K + HomePods now support Dolby Atmos, game audio

Apple has released tvOS 14.2 for Apple TV & HomePod

www.flatpanelshd.com

I noticed that on 14.0 the menu option is called Audio Output, it lists all my available and compatible airplay speakers; on 14.2 the option is called Default Audio Output but it only lists HomePods in the same room where the Apple TV is locate (not sure why the HomePod must be on the same room as the Apple TV).

On 14.2 the option to select an airplay speaker is somewhat hidden under Airplay.

I've been testing and it seems that after turning on the Apple TV, it remembers the last airplay speaker selected; audio went back to TV speakers only in one test of 4 tests I did.

 

[ipedro]

Only appears to work on AppleTV4k + HomePod. I have stereo paired HomePods but my Apple TV is gen 4, not the 4K, and the menu is missing. That doesn’t make any logical sense because I do use my HomePods as my TV speakers and they work perfectly. All I’m missing is the option to make them default so it doesn’t switch back to the TV for audio.

 

[oneteam]

Only appears to work on AppleTV4k + HomePod. I have stereo paired HomePods but my Apple TV is gen 4, not the 4K, and the menu is missing. That doesn’t make any logical sense because I do use my HomePods as my TV speakers and they work perfectly. All I’m missing is the option to make them default so it doesn’t switch back to the TV for audio.

Can you select the HomePods from the Airplay menu or from the Audio menu on the top drop down (while something is playing)?
I found out that, by selecting a speaker or HomePod in any of these ways, it will remain as default speaker. However, Apple TV will revert back to tv speaker if you use said speaker or HomePod with other sources (iPhone, iPad, etc.)

 

[ipedro]

Can you select the HomePods from the Airplay menu or from the Audio menu on the top drop down (while something is playing)?
I found out that, by selecting a speaker or HomePod in any of these ways, it will remain as default speaker. However, Apple TV will revert back to tv speaker if you use said speaker or HomePod with other sources (iPhone, iPad, etc.)

Yes. That’s what I do and yes, when I use the HomePod from another source, the Apple TV reverts to the TV speakers. Excluding this from the Apple TV gen 4 makes no sense since it clearly works. It’s just the menu that’s missing.

 

[zkap]

Before updating to tvOS 14.2., the default audio output for my Apple TV 4K was the Amazon Echo Plus that's sitting right next to the Apple TV. Now after the update whenever I put the Apple TV to sleep, it disconnects from Amazon Echo and when I wake it up again, it does not automatically connect to the Echo, instead it has the TV as the audio output until I go to Bluetooth settings and connect to the Echo.
Before the update, it would always automatically connect to the Echo every time I would wake the Apple TV. I hope this is not intended behavior because it's very annoying to have to connect every time so I definitely won't be doing it. If that's the case, I am selling the Echo and I'll just use the default TV speakers. I had planned on buying a HomePod Mini as the Echo is not a good experience, but if this is intended behavior with 14.2. to push users to buy HomePods exclusively, then I guess the HomePod Mini is out of the question, as well.

 

[oneteam]

Before updating to tvOS 14.2., the default audio output for my Apple TV 4K was the Amazon Echo Plus that's sitting right next to the Apple TV. Now after the update whenever I put the Apple TV to sleep, it disconnects from Amazon Echo and when I wake it up again, it does not automatically connect to the Echo, instead it has the TV as the audio output until I go to Bluetooth settings and connect to the Echo.
Before the update, it would always automatically connect to the Echo every time I would wake the Apple TV. I hope this is not intended behavior because it's very annoying to have to connect every time so I definitely won't be doing it. If that's the case, I am selling the Echo and I'll just use the default TV speakers. I had planned on buying a HomePod Mini as the Echo is not a good experience, but if this is intended behavior with 14.2. to push users to buy HomePods exclusively, then I guess the HomePod Mini is out of the question, as well.

I use an Airplay 2 speaker as my audio output for my Applet TV 4k. The speaker stays connected after the Apple TV wakes up. HomePod mini should use airplay 2 to connected to apple tv.