This is disappointing to me. The Echo can control FireTVs. The Google Home can control Chromecast. Apple’s smart speaker can’t control their own streaming box?
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How to Use Your HomePod as a Speaker for Your Apple TV
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I'm not sure this makes sense, are you comparing it to the Apple TV? The Apple TV can hear you fine given that remote is an arms length away, and it cannot be set off by a voice command. If you mean the TV audio itself cannot set off the HomePod by accident, that's not something I expect to be an issue or the HomePod would have trouble with many potential customers lifestyles.
Apple TV also reduces the volume of audio when you are using the microphone for Siri.
While it doesn't cover iOS remotes, you can teach your Siri remote to do volume control via IR for virtually any device. The other stuff — handsfree Siri, one fewer AirPlay target, and being better than TV speakers — feel like minor benefits at best, and personally would not be worth trade off. Much better, always connected audio, that is compatible with any of your home theatre devices vs. not having to use your hands or decide which AirPlay device to select.
Of course do what you like or works best for your life, but it really seems like mediocre solution that has it's share of hassles.
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Yes you can use the remote to control volume. You can also pause and resume Apple TV video content (once it’s playing) using Siri via the HomePod.
The number of people complaining about the limitations of their use as TV speakers is...funny. You need to invest in proper home theater speakers, not HomePods. Use them as intended, as wireless smart speakers for music.
My 7.2.4 setup does it’s job and my HomePods will do theirs.
My 7.2.4 setup does it’s job and my HomePods will do theirs.
I would buy a HomePod if it could fully control my Apple TV. Back in 2013 I could use my Kinect with my Xbox One to pause, play, search, etc in various streaming apps. Not sure what is taking Apple so long. Using the remote for Siri is clunky and the problem is the remote always disappears so I just use my phone which takes a while to open up and connect each time.
A while back I was considering buying a HomePod to replace a broken sound bar. The problem is that I wouldn’t be able to get audio out of my Nintendo Switch or NES & SNES classic. I also have an Xbox One but I use headphones with that most of the time and it’s usually downstairs. It’s too bad the HomePod doesn’t have an audio input or that would have made it worth buying for me. It’s going to be a while before everything is wireless.
A while back I was considering buying a HomePod to replace a broken sound bar. The problem is that I wouldn’t be able to get audio out of my Nintendo Switch or NES & SNES classic. I also have an Xbox One but I use headphones with that most of the time and it’s usually downstairs. It’s too bad the HomePod doesn’t have an audio input or that would have made it worth buying for me. It’s going to be a while before everything is wireless.
I just wish it would handle 2 homepods like it handles 1 pair of airpods. And treat the left homepod like the left airpod, etc. And when connected to to the apple tv, and outputting sound from the apple tv, keep the siri part of the homepod intact.
And i wish it could be connected by bluetooth to my tv. Please apple , open it up a little.
And i wish i could have one connected experience across all my idevices when using siri. Don’ t want to press the siri button on my apple tv remote to use siri, i want to be able to tell the siri speaker what i want to see on my apple tv, or on my ipad /iphone /mac/watch. Like : hey siri, watch spiderman on the the apple tv, het siri show directions to a certain place on my iphone, etc.
And i want siri to automatically detect what device is best for input/output.
When i am in the same room as the homepod, siri input/output should go through the homepod, when i am in the bathroom and i don’ t have the iphone with me, input/output on the apple watch, etc.
And all kind devices should have “ the same” siri with all the capabilities.
Make it compatible with spotify, let it do speakerphone, do calender input/output, let it have voice recognition, and let it set multiple timers.
If apple does all of the above, they have a winner.
For now, it is nice hardware, nice sound, but it is lacking in integration, creating a seamless experience between all apple devices. And since apple is in control of both hw and sw, it should have been better.
I wonder if it's something to do with the IOS headphone volume limiting feature (Sound check I think it was called)
It works with my 3rd generation Apple TV. Just output audio to HomePod in settings or hold the Play/Pause button and see the HomePod option.
I've been using my HomePod as the audio output for my Apple TV since it arrived yesterday. My anecdotal experience doesn't quite match what's been described here. Here's what I've found:
Not related to AirPlay, but the HomePod seems really good at taking priority over a nearby iPhone for 'Hey Siri'. Even when my iPhone is several feet closer, I can see the iPhone activate momentarily, but it's always the HomePod that answers.
- I do generally find myself turning down the volume on the speaker when I'm done with the TV (so it might be playing TV output quieter than other functions)
- The sound quality is better (voices are clearer, music sounds richer) than my Panasonic TC-55EZ950C's built-in speakers
- When Siri is talking, TV output is completely muted.
- Several times when timers went off it took me a moment to realize it wasn't sound coming from the TV.
- Siri commands like pause and play can control the Apple TV. However, I think saying "Play" when the screensaver is running resumes the audio without video.
- "Hey Siri, Play [X]" will not send commands to the Apple TV
- The HomePod has to be reconnected to the TV using one of the methods above (I've been using the pull down controls) each time the Apple TV goes to sleep and wakes up again.
- The volume controls the Siri Remote can control the volume of the HomePod. Same for the ATV remote app on iOS. This is true for all bluetooth and AirPlay audio targets (e.g. AirPods)
- Pausing normal video playback pauses the audio output immediately, it doesn't "continue for 5 seconds". I can't speak to output from games
- When stereo capability comes, I'll probably buy a second
Not related to AirPlay, but the HomePod seems really good at taking priority over a nearby iPhone for 'Hey Siri'. Even when my iPhone is several feet closer, I can see the iPhone activate momentarily, but it's always the HomePod that answers.
Glad I’m not the only one noticing low volume output when playing audio from he Apple TV.
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Makes you wonder if they’re trying to get people to buy two so that it sounds loud enough when playing audio from the Apple TV
HomePods volume on an Apple TV would be a definitiv dealbreaker for me, as this would be my main purpose. What makes me think they not fix it, the issue was ignored for the AirPods till now. Maybe Airplay 2 will fix it, but rather ATVs Audio Outputs are just poor by design.
I’m actually really surprised so many are interested in this. Don’t get me wrong I really like my homepod but no way it will replace a proper audiovisual setup for a TV.
Firstly I have way more sources besides Apple TV, like in Satellite and Terrestial receivers, UHD Blu Ray player, Games Consoles etc.
Secondly for watching movies and the likes I’d want the sound to be much more directional. Steering of the sound is required. I’ve only got a 5.1.2 setup, but like the 7.2.4 mentioned above when watching a movie and a plane is coming towards you from behind you don’t want to hear it from your front speakers.
Sure in time that may be possible, if they also released a subwoofer. But for now it doesn’t even come close.
As I said I really like my HomePod, just think it is terrible at being a home cinema setup because well ahem it isn’t.
Firstly I have way more sources besides Apple TV, like in Satellite and Terrestial receivers, UHD Blu Ray player, Games Consoles etc.
Secondly for watching movies and the likes I’d want the sound to be much more directional. Steering of the sound is required. I’ve only got a 5.1.2 setup, but like the 7.2.4 mentioned above when watching a movie and a plane is coming towards you from behind you don’t want to hear it from your front speakers.
Sure in time that may be possible, if they also released a subwoofer. But for now it doesn’t even come close.
As I said I really like my HomePod, just think it is terrible at being a home cinema setup because well ahem it isn’t.
What I meant here was that you can't control what's playing, ie, skip next track, but this is a valid point and I've updated the how to. Thanks
It likely just comes down to the way the audio is mastered. Music based audio is likely mastered at a higher level than video based audio. This is probably at least in part because of the loudness war.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loudness_war
Video based audio is mastered at what's called reference level, 85 dB. On my 5.1 setup I can listen to GoT comfortably at reference level. If I tried that with most music, I'd probably blow out my eardrums (not literally). If I'm really jamming I might listen to music at -15dB below reference. Any higher than that for too long and I'd probably be at risk of hearing damage.
With the lack of input level control we need a selective video-audio amplifier dongle.
(one that eradicates ads...)
I’d say that for main room home cinema given HomePod as is, and even when AirPlay 2 and full stereo pairing is available, you’re absolutely right.
But for a secondary TV, e.g. in a bedroom or kitchen, a HomePod is ideal. And when AirPlay 2 and stereo pairs are out, that’s what I’ll be doing. My bedroom TV has no source other than Apple TV - not even an aerial for broadcast telly.
They need a reason for version 2.0 and can charge $580 for recharearechbattery as a special feature.
The more people stop buying iPhones, more Apple will come up with such devices to off set the revenue
Can you do the same thing via iMac? I mean the source of audio not being ATV but Mac instead. My use case is: I stream a movie on my Mac, mirror the picture on the overhead projector and play the sound through Homepod thus replacing a pair of stereo speakers. Has anyone tried that? Thanks for sharing.
I do this with Bose SL III ! I think it should be possible with Airplay stuff but not sure
It doesn’t play Apple TV sound immediately. It delays the video to be in sync with audio.
I think you misunderstood me - your first two points require you to use the Apple TV remote. I am referring specifically to hands free “hey Siri” operation via the HomePod.
My entertainment centers in ancillary rooms (outside of the living room) are consolidated to just an Apple TV - I do not switch inputs or need audio routing for other devices. There are many people who have a similar setup. The HomePod is only suitable for replacing built-in TV speakers, it doesn’t compare to really any soundbar or speakers when it comes to video sound quality, and I don’t intend to replace the living room sound system with it.
There is literally only one hassle and it is that the HomePod disconnects from the Apple TV when you tell it to play music directly. If instead of playing music directly on the HomePod when you issue a “hey Siri” command it played on the Apple TV, that would fix the problem completely. Alternatively they could have the HomePod and Apple TV automatically reconnect when the HomePod is no longer playing music, but this is less elegant. If they’re going to have a feature to connect it to the Apple TV I just think they should do it right.
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I’m aware, that’s why I said “synced video” - I said “Apple TV system sounds”, so like the quiet beeps and whoosh noises it makes when you’re scrolling and clicking through the Apple TV menus are actually in sync with the screen compared to sound from Apps (mostly games) other than music or video - which get gratuitously out of sync. They employed something specifically on the HomePod to play Apple TV system sound effects in sync.
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Yes you can - and videos on the Mac will be in sync, but if you try to play a game for example on the Mac it will be extremely out of sync with the sound coming out of HomePod. Keep in mind it will likely sound worse than any pair of stereo speakers - the HomePod reverts to flat mono sound when playing anything besides Apple Music.
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I’m sure someone will make a battery base for the HomePod just as they have made battery bases for Google Home and Amazon Echo, if that’s your prerogative. HomePod is not intended to be a portable speaker and if you decide to take it outdoors it will sound terrible because all of its beamforming technology is negated when there are no walls. And you can’t take it camping because the device will not work at all without a WiFi connection.
If what you want is a “dumb” portable Bluetooth speaker you have thousands of other options, that’s not what the HomePod is for.
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Even if this were the problem (and I don’t think it is), it doesn’t matter. To us end users music shouldn’t play significantly louder than video on the same device. You shouldn’t need to frantically adjust the volume when switching to music from watching TV. Not to mention Apple TV already has a feature to normalize volume. This is simply something that Apple needs to fix with a firmware update, and if they care about Apple TV at all they will.
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You can most definitely skip tracks that are playing on Apple TV when a HomePod is connected, try saying “skip forward”What I meant here was that you can't control what's playing, ie, skip next track, but this is a valid point and I've updated the how to. Thanks
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Apple has been very clear that two HomePods in stereo will be coming later this year with an update. The rest of your post is a mixed bag of things that could happen and things that definitely won’t happen.
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It can, the article was just wrong.
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How? There was a setting on my Alexa app for a few days last year but they removed it again
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Loving it or hating it seems to be exactly where I sit with the product
I love good sound and this speaker definetly has it...unfortunately from my experience siri is apple’s major flaw...
Watching Baby Driver and Batman through the Apple TV is great intergration but the dicconnect with Siri between the two eco systems is some thing that needs to be sorted it’s really frustrating.
I wish for it to be louder. I mean they obviously don’t intend you to move this around a lot judging by the power cable, so why not make this a little bigger and really have something to blow your socks off!
Obvs lack of any optical and input is a disappoint but Apples track record for this type of behaviour seems to be accelarating...unfortunately we are at a time where the wireless solution are not great, I still use my Apple Hifi I love it.
Siri Not only does it not understand you like other devices “Siri put volume to 100%” annoying tells you every time “are you sure”? Stop trying to be so cute apple it’s frustrating just want access to content ASAP! I could go on but...
Apple I would love you to think of a Home Cinema solution going forward. I mean would airplay 2 allow a 5.1 setup in the future? Can Siri ever catch up to other platforms? Will they allow further 3rd parties intergrate with their hardware as we know software is painful for Apple?
I love good sound and this speaker definetly has it...unfortunately from my experience siri is apple’s major flaw...
Watching Baby Driver and Batman through the Apple TV is great intergration but the dicconnect with Siri between the two eco systems is some thing that needs to be sorted it’s really frustrating.
I wish for it to be louder. I mean they obviously don’t intend you to move this around a lot judging by the power cable, so why not make this a little bigger and really have something to blow your socks off!
Obvs lack of any optical and input is a disappoint but Apples track record for this type of behaviour seems to be accelarating...unfortunately we are at a time where the wireless solution are not great, I still use my Apple Hifi I love it.
Siri Not only does it not understand you like other devices “Siri put volume to 100%” annoying tells you every time “are you sure”? Stop trying to be so cute apple it’s frustrating just want access to content ASAP! I could go on but...
Apple I would love you to think of a Home Cinema solution going forward. I mean would airplay 2 allow a 5.1 setup in the future? Can Siri ever catch up to other platforms? Will they allow further 3rd parties intergrate with their hardware as we know software is painful for Apple?