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It allows you to use the Homepods for all the tv audio (and connected devices), not just with the apple tv. You´ll also need a TV with an ARC/EARC HDMI port for it to work.

Thanks much for the explanation- that sounds like a cool feature indeed. I wonder if there’s much lag with the signal going from the tv to the atv then via wifi to the Homepod.
 
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It allows you to use the Homepods for all the tv audio (and connected devices), not just with the apple tv. You´ll also need a TV with an ARC/EARC HDMI port for it to work.
Point of clarification: originally I read that as ONLY eARC. Lately in the last few weeks, I've seen it works with ARC. My TCL has ARC but not eARC and I've got dual OG's paired to my 1st gin 4k. I wanted to see if swapping out to the new 4k unit (with new remote) would grant me OG HomePod audio for everything on that TV and not just the Apple TV input.
 
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Would you know what this earc feature over Homepod does? Sounds interesting!
If you have the original HomePods or HomePod minis, connect your Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) to your TV's ARC or eARC HDMI input and go to Apple TV's settings to enable eARC feature. HomePods will output audio from your TV's built-in apps as well as all sources connected to it.

Here's Apple's support article.
 
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We've been tracking Apple product and accessory deals for Cyber Monday 2021 today, and now Woot is offering a solid discount on the previous generation 32GB Apple TV 4K. You can get this device in new condition for just $99.99 if you're an Amazon Prime member. Note that this sale will last for one day only.

2017-apple-tv.jpg
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

The sale price is listed as $109.99, but Amazon Prime members who log into their account on Woot can take an additional $10 off, knocking the price down to $99.99. Although this is for the older 2017 model of the Apple TV 4K with the original Siri Remote, it's a great entry level price point for Apple's set-top box. This model was priced at $179 when it was the latest generation.



The biggest differences between the 2017 and 2021 Apple TV 4K lie in their internals, with the 2021 model getting an update with Apple's A12 Bionic chip vs the 2017's A10X Fusion chip. Still, the 2017's performance will be enough for most people, making Woot's offer today a great idea for holiday shoppers. If you want a deeper comparison between the two models, read our Buyer's Guide.

Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.

Article Link: Cyber Monday: Original Apple TV 4K Drops to $99.99 for Amazon Prime Members
It's lacking the $60 2nd gen siri remote. So it's just barely a bargain.
 
At the start of the year I bought a used AppleTV 4K (Before the launch of the new one) for really cheap because the guy said it was "broken" since it didn't had the controller, and so was "impossible" to use it without expending big money on a new one. Keep in mind a new one here is 450USD equivalent, just the controller alone is 120USD. and I paid the equivalent of 89USD just for the box, 360USD less than the market price for the 64gb one. and used it normally by doing the initial setup wia ethernet cable and using a iphone as remote. don't see a need to upgrade performance wise, especially given the prices and how lucky I was on this deal, anyway, later I bought the new remote, didn't have the older one to compare, but i like this one a lot, better than using the iPhone to control, at least.
 
I cracked mine in what I thought was the most harmless fall ever, it wasn't even 40cm and boom, cracked glass.
This just happened to me yesterday too! It was about a 30-40cm fall and it shattered as if I threw it down with full force. I did pick one up on the Woot deal and grabbed a few of those silicone cases. I'd rather not spend $60 on a new remote. The remote still works weirdly enough, maybe I can stick a screen protector on it with the silicone case and save my thumb from being shredded.
 
Point of clarification: originally I read that as ONLY eARC. Lately in the last few weeks, I've seen it works with ARC. My TCL has ARC but not eARC and I've got dual OG's paired to my 1st gin 4k. I wanted to see if swapping out to the new 4k unit (with new remote) would grant me OG HomePod audio for everything on that TV and not just the Apple TV input.

Yeah, it will work with just an ARC port as well. You can proceed now. ?
 
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Thanks much for the explanation- that sounds like a cool feature indeed. I wonder if there’s much lag with the signal going from the tv to the atv then via wifi to the Homepod.

No perceivable lag even when playing games. Very impressive.

Keep in mind that the feature is still labeled as a beta on the apple tv menu, so the ocasional hiccup (disconnections, white noise), can happen from time to time. But generally it works pretty well.
 
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These were $79 at Walmart a few weeks ago. Picked up a couple more (5 in the house + a spare now).
 
Nobody will agree with me, but I still prefer the older remotes.

Just use the remote built into iPhone then. My first Apple TV was the one with the new remote and I don’t understand how anyone could stand the old one. Would be nice if the new one supported everything the old one did, but that enormous touchpad was an enormous mistake in my opinion.
 
I wished I knew about this deal, I would have purchased at least one, maybe two.

These were $79 at Walmart a few weeks ago.
That is crazy. Was it online or in the store?

Exactly. No one wants the old model, especially with that remote.
I don't love the Siri Remote, but there isn't anything wrong with the A10X model, especially at that price.

The A10X is basically on par with the A12. The biggest difference is the remote and the price.

I still play a lot of games on the Apple TV, so having the Siri Remote 2 wouldn't work out very well, as a lot of games do not work with it.
 
Just use the remote built into iPhone then. My first Apple TV was the one with the new remote and I don’t understand how anyone could stand the old one. Would be nice if the new one supported everything the old one did, but that enormous touchpad was an enormous mistake in my opinion.

Good point, I often use the iOS software remote on either iPhone or iPad as it’s nicely built into the control Center and it also adjusts the volume on my sound bar.
 
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