LG Expands AirPlay 2 and HomeKit Rollout to United States, Remaining 4K UHD TVs Will Receive Update in October

[SeattleMoose]

I love "dumb" TVs. Just need them to accurately repeat/expand any content I shoot at them from my computer, AppleTV, devices, or the cable box. And I like them to have multiple inputs/outputs. And THAT is all.
Note: ALL my screens are LG. That won't change unless they start forcing us to buy bells and whistles that just jack up the price.

 

[dezza85]

How did you update? I just spent the last 30 min asking LG Chat and all she would say was, "...it's still in process (not available) and will not work...".

WTF?!? Does LG employ only people that don't know anything? An earlier post above had the same issue.
Please let me in on your secret. Thanks

Phil

PS - I have 2019 xxSM8670PUA and Updates says "No Updates" ver#03.60.04

It was all automatic, I came home and checked for an update only to find it was already done! It’s not obvious either, the only place it appears is in the home dashboard you can see airplay on the left, from there you can set up airplay and HomeKit. HomeKit took several attempts and needed me to enter the code manually as via the QR Code it wanted me to attach the tv to my router via Ethernet which is not possible!!

 

[jparchem]

I just bought one of these 2019 Nanocell models a few weeks ago knowing the HomeKit update was coming (though the LG website STILL states coming in "June 2019"), Have been waiting for the update and now that it's available, all of a sudden my model (SM8100) isn't getting the update.

No mention of this previously as all reporting and releases before today have said 2019 models with Nanocell/AI ThinQ (which my tv has both) will receive the update. The LG product page states that this model is getting these features and this was a deciding factor when I purchased a few weeks ago.

I just enquired on LG live chat and the support lady said unfortunately my model isn't getting the update.....So angry right now, could have spent my $2000 on another TV that isn't getting HomeKit.

 

[tongxinshe]

RE: "AirPlay 2 support enables users to stream videos,"

Can anyone confirm the streamed video Resolution & Bit Rate ?

I remember trying AirPlay years ago with an NFL game & the quality wasn't very high.

"Years ago", that means your AppleTV at that time doesn't support 4K, yet.
If the application you stream from does not have an in-app AirPlay icon, so that you can only use the Screen Mirroring method, then the highest resolution would be 1080p. However, if the application supports audio/video AirPlay (having an in-app AirPlay icon), and your TV supports 4K, then you will be able to stream 4K HDR, including Dolby-Vision, contents as well.

 

[maj71303]

How did you update? I just spent the last 30 min asking LG Chat and all she would say was, "...it's still in process (not available) and will not work...".

WTF?!? Does LG employ only people that don't know anything? An earlier post above had the same issue.
Please let me in on your secret. Thanks

Phil

PS - I have 2019 xxSM8670PUA and Updates says "No Updates" ver#03.60.04

That's the update engine version but not the firmware version number. Check you homekit app to see if it detects the TV or Airplay in the command toggles to see if the tv is detected. There is no special toggle in the settings I just airplay toggle and it was detected.

 

[RVijay007]

Sadly, no. I've updated my article to clarify this.

Last week, a spokesperson said that LG "cannot guarantee" that pre-2019 models "will be able to deliver a seamless user experience." LG did note that it "may be a possibility in the future," but it has "no plans" right now. Sounds bleak, but I guess there's a sliver of hope…

Marketing divisions can basically never say "no" flat outright; they always have to phrase it in a way that gives hope. Translation of marketing speak should be "NO" in this case; it's never coming.

Business division will say, "We already made money from the people who bought 2016/17/18 models, so why throw any more expenditure to them."

This isn't an ecosystem product; it's just a one and done deal.

 

[wgaller]

So my late 2018 LG Nanocell tv just did a firmware update, shows version 05.10.10: haven’t tried Airplay yet. Anyone else get the same update?

 

[jparchem]

I wouldn't really count on the LG support team having access to the full rollout plans. Frankly LG seems to be really non-committal about the entire rollout. It could be that it isn't rolling out with the initial first wave of the release and perhaps will be released sometime between now and the fall when the UHD TVs (presumably) get the update. Apple's own website lists the "SM8X" series as announced for Homekit compatability (https://www.apple.com/ios/home/accessories/#section-tv).

 

[Lobwedgephil]

So my late 2018 LG Nanocell tv just did a firmware update, shows version 05.10.10: haven’t tried Airplay yet. Anyone else get the same update?

Your tv is 2018, so won't work as of now.

 

[Narvon]

It was all automatic, I came home and checked for an update only to find it was already done! It’s not obvious either, the only place it appears is in the home dashboard you can see airplay on the left, from there you can set up airplay and HomeKit. HomeKit took several attempts and needed me to enter the code manually as via the QR Code it wanted me to attach the tv to my router via Ethernet which is not possible!!

Dez, thanks....No update here. I checked Home Dashboard earlier (as well as other places) and couldn't find AirPlay 2 or HomeKit.....

That's the update engine version but not the firmware version number. Check you homekit app to see if it detects the TV or Airplay in the command toggles to see if the tv is detected. There is no special toggle in the settings I just airplay toggle and it was detected.

Maj, thanks....Apple Music and YouTube on iPhone can't find my LG TV. I downloaded Home Kit, which finds my Apple TV's, but not my LG TV..... I reset my LG to Factory, but still no update. Not sure where to go from here.

 

[dezza85]

Dez, thanks....No update here. I checked Home Dashboard earlier (as well as other places) and couldn't find AirPlay 2 or HomeKit.....



Maj, thanks....Apple Music and YouTube on iPhone can't find my LG TV. I downloaded Home Kit, which finds my Apple TV's, but not my LG TV..... I reset my LG to Factory, but still no update. Not sure where to go from here.

My iPhone definitely could not find my TV until I went to the Home Dashboard on the TV and clicked Airplay and registered it all. It had a setting saying that it needed a code for Airplay.

 

[Braderunner]

I don't understand being really angry about one's tv not getting AirPlay. Especially, buying a new tv, just to get the feature. I see a lot of people getting really upset about their tv not getting the update.
Just get an Apple TV. I can't understand why you don't already have one, if you think the feature is THAT important.
Just saying. If you disagree with me...you're right!

 

[Narvon]

I don't understand being really angry about one's tv not getting AirPlay. Especially, buying a new tv, just to get the feature. I see a lot of people getting really upset about their tv not getting the update.
Just get an Apple TV. I can't understand why you don't already have one, if you think the feature is THAT important.
Just saying. If you disagree with me...you're right!

A couple of things:

1. My LG is less than a month from purchase and is listed as upgradeable. So I have "Concerns" if there is an issue with my LG not correctly updating its firmware now or in the future, and if I need to return it.
2. Not everyone uses their TV's the same. Some may save the cost of an Apple TV and use it towards a higher end TV, other purchase or just savings?
3. "It just works" is not always the case. Just last week I had to help walk a friend through showing photos to his family from his iPhone thru his Apple TV (he called me late). For whatever reason, we couldn't get his iPhone to stream to the ATV, so we ended up using his laptop to stream the photos instead....Perhaps had he had Air Play 2 on his TV, it may have been more seamless? IDK?
4. There is more, but after the purchase of my new LG, I have to finish cleaning out the attic, or my wife will make me live up there

So, just because you may prefer to wear multi-colored speedos to the beach instead of board shorts, that doesn't make the rest of us wrong (or angry). We just prefer less restriction

 

[NMBob]

C'mon LG give Airplay to the masses

Maybe they are afraid their firmware servers will crash in the middle of doing something and a lot of the masses will end up with TVs about the mass of a brick and not much else. That would be ugly. Or they could just be greedy bastardos.

 

[happygodavid]

This is encouraging to see! Is the experience on-par with an AppleTV? Thinking specifically Screen Mirroring via AirPlay - is it just as smooth and responsive?

I have a 2018 LG C8 with an ATV4K. I just got a 2019 Samsung 8000 series with Airplay 2 built in (no ATV connected). After living with the Samsung for about a month now, I will say that both my wife and I prefer the Apple TV. It's nice to not have another device connected to the Samsung (living room, wall mount, wanting less clutter, one less remote, etc.). Really nice. And the Samsung remote drives Airplay really well. Airplay is pretty seamless. The Apple TV app on the Samsung works... okay. That having been said, we both prefer using all the apps on the ATV (connected to the LG), rather than the Samsung TV's apps (Netflix, Youtube, etc) or using our phones/iPad/Macs to Airplay content. They're fine, and we are really glad to have Airplay on the Samsung. But the whole experience of an ATV is better than Airplay 2, in our opinions. In short, Airplay 2 is really nice to have, but for now, it doesn't quite replace the experience of an ATV. Just my 2... errr... our 4 cents.

 

[TsMkLg068426]

And still no consideration for updating LG 2017 4K TVs so a nice **** you from LG when lower end model Vizio is updating their TVs from 2016. Can one explain why they are being such a dick like the way Apple handles their hardware and no one is just going to update their 2017 LG tv to the 2019 model that is just ridiculous.

 

[aesc80]

I have an LG C9 and can't Airplay yet. Firmware confirmed up to date. Guess their rollout is pretty slow.

 

[iamthedudeman]

I have a 2017 LGUJ6200, really mad they aren't updating it for AirPlay/HomeKit.

Yet I'm in the market for another TV, and I'm drawn to the 2019 LG UM7300PUA. What a **** show for them to not even update this for all 2019 TVs! I mean, I doubt I would use it anyway since I'm a Chromecaster, but definitely makes me think against getting an LG. Guess I'll wait until Labor Day and hope the expensive Samsung RU8000s go on sale (I looked at the RU7100, the picture looks mediocre).

What would draw you to either TV? Get a OLED. Best picture out there. LCD is old and antiquated. There is no such thing as a LED TV or QLED TV. They are just a LCD with a LED back light. Even QLED. If you buy one of those TVs you will be wasting your money. Or wait for Micro LED, which is similar to OLED.
[doublepost=1564614383][/doublepost]

I love "dumb" TVs. Just need them to accurately repeat/expand any content I shoot at them from my computer, AppleTV, devices, or the cable box. And I like them to have multiple inputs/outputs. And THAT is all.
Note: ALL my screens are LG. That won't change unless they start forcing us to buy bells and whistles that just jack up the price.

Exactly. Who cares. Picture quality is most important. You cannot upgrade the internals of a TV. Just buy a Apple TV. Problem solved.

 

[slynger]

So I thought I read this was only coming to TVs 55” or bigger. I’m about to get a 50” UHD, will this do airplay or no?

 

[StellarZ]

I have just done the update and whilst airplay 2 is as to be expected I am a bit disappointed with the HomeKit features. I wanted to see if anyone else is having the same issue as me...

I can turn the tv off via the Home app and Siri however I can only change the input with the Home App, Siri does not recognise the command. Also I cannot turn the tv back on with either option as once it’s off it says not responding. And there is no option to change the volume?

I was really looking forward to the HomeKit support as I have a HomePod in the same room as the TV but it seems to be very lacking? Especially with the volume and power on controls.

Has anyone else used HomeKit with theirs yet?

My C9 updated. Same issues with HomeKit. Kinda useless if we can’t turn the tv on lol. Anybody able to?

Looks like there is a setting to enable power on via Bluetooth and Wifi on the TV, which I can get to by selecting ‘View TV Settings’ in the Settings of my TV in HomeKit. It appears to be on, but still not able to power on the TV via HomeKit.

 

[wolfie]

My C9 updated. Same issues with HomeKit. Kinda useless if we can’t turn the tv on lol. Anybody able to?

Looks like there is a setting to enable power on via Bluetooth and Wifi on the TV, which I can get to by selecting ‘View TV Settings’ in the Settings of my TV in HomeKit. It appears to be on, but still not able to power on the TV via HomeKit.

I too have the same problem. Can’t turn it on via Siri or HomeKit. Works fine turning off. Anyone found a solution?

 

[Narvon]

That's the update engine version but not the firmware version number. Check you homekit app to see if it detects the TV or Airplay in the command toggles to see if the tv is detected. There is no special toggle in the settings I just airplay toggle and it was detected.

Update came through this morning. Software went from 03.60.04 to 03.60.19, perhaps 9 Series units updated first? Mines an 8 Series. 7 Series next week?

There is an AirPlay icon in LG Dashboard and once selected, settings for AirPlay and HomeKit. Without making changes to AirPlay settings on my LG, I was able to find and stream my iPhone, Laptop and iPad without issue. Only had to input 4 digit code each time I selected a new device. I don't have any HomeKit devices, so I can't attest to how that works.

Narvon

 

[jhtrico1850]

I too have the same problem. Can’t turn it on via Siri or HomeKit. Works fine turning off. Anyone found a solution?

Well I ended up getting the LG 55" UM7300pua lol. Equivalent Samsung Ru7100 was 10lbs heavier, and the picture seemed mediocre at Best Buy. Homekit hasn't been pushed to it yet. I will consider OLED when it's much cheaper.

Alexa can turn off the TV but not on. I have a couple Chromecasts for Crunchyroll and stuff, and I can use my Google home mini to turn it on/off. You could also use a smart plug, though that would be akin to unplugging the tv rather than proper power control.