How to Use Your HomePod as a Speaker for Your Apple TV

[vipergts2207]

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.

We’ll have to agree to disagree then because I’m almost certain that’s exactly why people are saying video is quiet. It’s not like HomePod is saying to itself “this is video so let’s play it quietly.” The source material dictates volume.

This isn’t even an ‘issue’ that’s unique to HomePod either. Like I said, I experience the same thing on my 5.1 setup with music vs video. The difference is that a receiver has a much larger amp and is generally attached to much larger speakers and gets around this by simply having the ability to get louder. HomePod is 8W and can only get so loud.

Apple could work around this by increasing the amplified output for given input signals. However, then they’d have potential hardware issues with pushing the amps higher than they were designed to go for volumes louder than the HomePod currently goes because it’s now going to play music even louder than it currently does. You’ll still end up with a volume disparity, but it would be able to be turned up loud enough for video.

Apple could use volume equalization (or combine that with the previous work around), but then you’re also compressing the dynamic range which is a hell of a drawback, especially for music and music is what it was designed for.

 

[ersan191]

We’ll have to agree to disagree then because I’m almost certain that’s exactly why people are saying video is quiet. It’s not like HomePod is saying to itself “this is video so let’s play it quietly.” The source material dictates volume.

This isn’t even an ‘issue’ that’s unique to HomePod either. Like I said, I experience the same thing on my 5.1 setup with music vs video. The difference is that a receiver has a much larger amp and is generally attached to much larger speakers and gets around this by simply having the ability to get louder. HomePod is 8W and can only get so loud.

Apple could work around this by increasing the amplified output for given input signals. However, then they’d have potential hardware issues with pushing the amps higher than they were designed to go for volumes louder than the HomePod currently goes because it’s now going to play music even louder than it currently does. You’ll still end up with a volume disparity, but it would be able to be turned up loud enough for video.

Apple could use volume equalization (or combine that with the previous work around), but then you’re also compressing the dynamic range which is a hell of a drawback, especially for music and music is what it was designed for.

What’s causing it really doesn’t matter - if Apple has to boost the volume on videos to get it to match the volume level on music then that’s what needs to be done. They are more than capable of manipulating the volume in software without “pushing the amps”, as well as determining what the source material is since they have full software control on both sides. It isn’t something we can fix, just relying on Apple - and I’m sure it will get fixed, it isn’t that hard.

It isn’t a dumb device, Apple can discretely change settings for video and music separately since it also controls the player. Just because they change some settings for videos doesn’t mean your music is going to sound bad. I don’t think they need to touch music playback at all, it’s very close to perfect.

Also, the HomePod is nearly 9 watts at 50% volume. It is capable of going quite a bit higher. This is not an issue of how loud it can get since music is plenty loud.

 

[vipergts2207]

What’s causing it really doesn’t matter - if Apple has to boost the volume on videos to get it to match the volume level on music then that’s what needs to be done. They are more than capable of manipulating the volume in software without “pushing the amps”, as well as determining what the source material is since they have full software control on both sides. It isn’t something we can fix, just relying on Apple - and I’m sure it will get fixed, it isn’t that hard.

Also, the HomePod is nearly 9 watts at 50% volume. It is capable of going quite a bit higher.

I’m not so sure it’s as easily implemented as you think it is. Nobody else seems to be doing it either, possibly for a reason. But we’ll see, maybe Apple will find a solution to equalize the volume without compressing the dynamic range.

Even 9W at 50% doesn’t really help the fact that HomePod can’t solve the mastering level problem with ‘brute force’ the way receivers can.

 

[shk718]

I wonder if it's something to do with the IOS headphone volume limiting feature (Sound check I think it was called)

I have sound check turned off on my HomePod - it doesn’t make the volume louder I really home apple adds a tv mode to the home pod for a proper listening experience. Sound bars are taking off and two of these would make an excellent sound bar (and cost about the same)

 

[ersan191]

I’m not so sure it’s as easily implemented as you think it is. Nobody else seems to be doing it either, possibly for a reason. But we’ll see, maybe Apple will find a solution to equalize the volume without compressing the dynamic range.

Even 9W at 50% doesn’t really help the fact that HomePod can’t solve the mastering level problem with ‘brute force’ the way receivers can.

For what it’s worth (and I could be wrong about this) I don’t think anyone is claiming that TV/movies aren’t loud enough for any application at 100% volume, you can actually solve the problem through “brute force”. It’s the startling difference in volumes when you change content that is the problem.

Yes I know it happens on receivers when switching inputs, but most receivers also maintain previously set volumes on each input to get around this exact issue - I think even the HomePod does this when it disconnects from the Apple TV or another AirPlay stream.

The problem here is watching a video on Apple TV and then going to play music on the exact same Apple TV and having drastically different volumes.

 

[itsmilo]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=202174250

Sucks seems to be US only. I dont have a video setting

 

[vipergts2207]

For what it’s worth I don’t think anyone is claiming that TV/movies aren’t loud enough for any application at 100% volume, you can actually solve the problem through “brute force”. It’s the startling difference in volumes when you change content that is the problem. Yes I know it happens on receivers when switching inputs, but most receivers also maintain previously set volumes on each input to get around this exact issue - I think even the HomePod does this when it disconnects from the Apple TV or another AirPlay stream. The problem here is watching a video on Apple TV and then going to play music on the exact same Apple TV and having drastically different volumes.

I’ve seen some people say that their HomePod can’t go loud enough for them for video. For those people, I meant that the HomePod cannot brute force the quiet videos problem without having some kind of volume equalization implemented. Obviously HomePod is capable of outputting sufficient SPL since music seems to be ok. Receivers on the other hand can do so without needing volume equalization to be implemented, by virtue of being able greatly exceed volume levels required for music. That’s likely just a side-effect of being made for video content though. If a receiver can play audio levels mastered for video at a satisfactory level, then music will be cake. HomePod was designed in the opposite manner though so it causes an issue for video.

It’s not even solely an issue of different receiver inputs causing the difference in volume. I can stream HBO on my ATV and need to be near reference level, but then have to turn it down when streaming music on my ATV.

 

[itcomesinwaves]

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?

Fortunately, he had his info wrong. You can indeed control playback using hey Siri. He’s since corrected that paragraph of the story. I’m still not sure you’d want to use it as you main TV speaker, but it will do in a pinch.

 

[johngordon]

Any reason why it won't work with earlier models or just planned obsolescence?

Is simple “obsolescence” obsolete these days? “Planned obsolescence” seems to be one of those things that has only become a thing that some people us to always apply to Apple.

It’s always been the way that old kit doesn’t always support new functionality. That’s just a fact of life, nothing planned at all.

 

[Jimmdean]

Works fine for me. This is for a formal living room where the ATV is the only source. I just want something better than the TV speakers that isn't big, ugly, power-hungry, and expensive like soundbars and home theater systems. Haven't witnessed the volume issue myself, but I have all hardwood floors and high ceilings. The homepod manages to fill my entire first floor at about 75% volume (or less in some cases) - I don't really even have to pause when I leave the room anymore because of the way the sound travels from it. Pretty happy with it personally.

 

[displayblock]

Once dual HomePod pairing is available, you'll be able to use two HomePods with the Apple TV for even better sound.

They will work in stereo as Apple TV speakers

Has this actually been confirmed anywhere? The Apple we've seen lately might launch the stereo HomePod feature with support for Apple Music playback only. I haven't seen Apple specifically mention the stereo feature will work with Apple TV.

 

[CarlJ]

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.

I am thrilled to learn that you do, in fact, have a 7.2.4 home theater setup - worrying about that has been keeping me up at night. I have also noticed the large number of people interested in using HomePods for TV speakers, and my take on it is... perhaps Apple should take note of this, it sounds like there's a potential market there. There's clearly quite a few people who don't have an up-to-date full-blown home theater setup - and/or don't have the proper room layout to support such - and would be interested in buying multiple HomePods to fulfill this need.

 

[trip1ex]

volume issues with atv probably will be fixed. don't see why they wouldn't be.

Shame they couldn't put an optical in on the speaker though. Just they missing out on a big audience that wants this but also wants better tv sound and doesn't or isn't going to buy both.

 

[Glmnet1]

Is simple “obsolescence” obsolete these days? “Planned obsolescence” seems to be one of those things that has only become a thing that some people us to always apply to Apple.

It’s always been the way that old kit doesn’t always support new functionality. That’s just a fact of life, nothing planned at all.

I was really asking the question from a technical point of view. I'm wondering if there is a limiting factor such as not enough RAM or the processor is too slow. Can the latest tvOS be installed on the older devices?

 

[johngordon]

I was really asking the question from a technical point of view. I'm wondering if there is a limiting factor such as not enough RAM or the processor is too slow. Can the latest tvOS be installed on the older devices?

I’d assume there must be some technical limitation, otherwise it would supported.

 

[amadigan]

Update: It's almost as if Apple heard me. My Apple TV and HomePod have now combined in Control Center as "APPLE TV + STUDIO" (Studio is the name of my HomePod). I turned off the Apple TV, used Control Center to play music through the HomePod from my iPad, stopped the music an hour later, and turned the Apple TV back on started a show - the Apple TV continued to play through the HomePod. It seems pairing does survive restarts in some cases.

The only thing I did differently was hold the Play/Pause to see the audio settings before turning off the Apple TV the first time. However, the Apple TV already seemed to be paired with the speaker before I did that. I'm not really sure what changed.

I'd agree the HomePod is not a replacement for a home theater system, but my apartment is too small for a surround sound system. I had been considering a soundbar, but that would mean another device to manage. I hadn't been able to find one that seemed to have good HDMI CEC support. With the HomePod, I don't need a separate remote to turn the sound on/off or set the input. I also don't need to point the Siri Remote in any particular direction to set the volume.

Sonos should be worried. I'll bet a lot of speakerphone makers should be, too. I'm already thinking of buying one for the office to see how it works compared to our Polycom.

 

[ersan191]

Has this actually been confirmed anywhere? The Apple we've seen lately might launch the stereo HomePod feature with support for Apple Music playback only. I haven't seen Apple specifically mention the stereo feature will work with Apple TV.

Very unlikely to be AM only - as far as I know a pair shows up as one device via AirPlay
[doublepost=1518391752][/doublepost]

Update: It's almost as if Apple heard me. My Apple TV and HomePod have now combined in Control Center as "APPLE TV + STUDIO" (Studio is the name of my HomePod). I turned off the Apple TV, used Control Center to play music through the HomePod from my iPad, stopped the music an hour later, and turned the Apple TV back on started a show - the Apple TV continued to play through the HomePod. It seems pairing does survive restarts in some cases.

The only thing I did differently was hold the Play/Pause to see the audio settings before turning off the Apple TV the first time. However, the Apple TV already seemed to be paired with the speaker before I did that. I'm not really sure what changed.

I'd agree the HomePod is not a replacement for a home theater system, but my apartment is too small for a surround sound system. I had been considering a soundbar, but that would mean another device to manage. I hadn't been able to find one that seemed to have good HDMI CEC support. With the HomePod, I don't need a separate remote to turn the sound on/off or set the input. I also don't need to point the Siri Remote in any particular direction to set the volume.

Sonos should be worried. I'll bet a lot of speakerphone makers should be, too. I'm already thinking of buying one for the office to see how it works compared to our Polycom.

Unfortunately this connection will break if you ask the HomePod to play music directly.
[doublepost=1518391950][/doublepost]

I was really asking the question from a technical point of view. I'm wondering if there is a limiting factor such as not enough RAM or the processor is too slow. Can the latest tvOS be installed on the older devices?

I’d assume there must be some technical limitation, otherwise it would supported.

Older devices do not run tvOS, and never have. Also HomePod works fine with Apple TV 3 and presumably any other device that supports AirPlay.
[doublepost=1518392035][/doublepost]

I am thrilled to learn that you do, in fact, have a 7.2.4 home theater setup - worrying about that has been keeping me up at night. I have also noticed the large number of people interested in using HomePods for TV speakers, and my take on it is... perhaps Apple should take note of this, it sounds like there's a potential market there. There's clearly quite a few people who don't have an up-to-date full-blown home theater setup - and/or don't have the proper room layout to support such - and would be interested in buying multiple HomePods to fulfill this need.

I also don’t think many people have a 7.2.4 home theater setup in every room of their house that has a TV...

 

[breather]

If I could somehow get the sound from my tv to output on the HomePod then I could get rid of my stereo.

If the HomePod is paired with my Apple TV can I still AirPlay to it from my phone or must I first un-pair it?

 

[tillathenun]

If you use the HomePod for your Apple TV’s audio output but then use the HomePod separately, you then need to select the HomePod on your Apple TV again.

It’s enormously frustrating.

 

[Douglas B]

Why is it you have to keep the HomePod plugged in for it to work I just don’t get it couldn’t it have been rechargeable or something I don’t like leaving things plugged in when I’m off to work

If you unplug your TV and your AppleTV and your computer, why is it such a problem to unplug your HomePod?

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

The audio volume is so low using when using apps in Apple TV. I crank the volume up to max, and it's not really very loud. This is my one disappointment with homepod. Not sure why this is the case. Grrr.

My experience is the opposite. I have to keep it low or I'm afraid I'll rattle the windows.

 

[tongefactor40]

I really want HomePod to act as a remote as well for appletv - more than just play/pause/volume. Would love to tell it to open up XYZ show in Netflix without using the actual appletv remote.

 

[Daniel B]

Apple should add support for multi channel audio (in a software update) with the Apple TV. The Apple TV remote could be used to create virtual surround (with the beam formning magic).

 

[Mike MA]

Yea expectations are too high and HomePod was never designed for home cinema. Apple might one day bring out a different product if this sells well.

People are mostly complaining about the low volume when using it as an audio output for the Apple TV. Compared to music streaming it offers far less volume, easily comparable when changing the audio source (from music to ATV). So this seems to rather be a bug of the ATV audio out, but it surely also reflects on the HomePod reviews as one can see.

 

[ersan191]

I really want HomePod to act as a remote as well for appletv - more than just play/pause/volume. Would love to tell it to open up XYZ show in Netflix without using the actual appletv remote.

I would wager that this feature is in the pipeline.
[doublepost=1518545963][/doublepost]

Apple should add support for multi channel audio (in a software update) with the Apple TV. The Apple TV remote could be used to create virtual surround (with the beam formning magic).

It wouldn’t work all that well honestly, don’t think this is planned.
[doublepost=1518546015][/doublepost]

My experience is the opposite. I have to keep it low or I'm afraid I'll rattle the windows.

Are you talking about watching videos on Apple TV? Because music is very loud but videos are not, in most peoples’ experience