Music Streaming while TV is turned off

[expectchaos]

Hello

I have an apple tv connected to a Hue Sync Box, connected into an AV Denon receiver.

I am able to stream via airplay music from my iphone, but if i stream it on the apple tv, music plays only if TV is turned on.
I just want to listen music via Apple TV with tv turned off

Apple TV 2021 4K. Is it possible?

Thanks

 

[satcomer]

Yep you want a traditional audio receiver in your setup and have the Apple TV connect to receiver and Apple TV also connect to receiver this way the receivers can steam steam to recover even if the TV screen is sleeping!

 

[expectchaos]

Yep you want a traditional audio receiver in your setup and have the Apple TV connect to receiver and Apple TV also connect to receiver this way the receivers can steam steam to recover even if the TV screen is sleeping!

So in your opinion the issue seems to come from Hue Sync Box...

 

[satcomer]

So in your opinion the issue seems to come from Hue Sync Box...

YES

 

[ColdCase]

In case anyone runs across this one year old thread during a search.

This behavior has changed with recent software updates, becoming more temperamental even with the most modern receivers. If you loose your music after turning the TV off, try pressing play on your AppleTV remote. On older vintage stuff, the music will continue after one press, newer vintage receivers may require three or four presses.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Option 2 is to turn off CEC and have a link directly from AppleTV to speakers (not going through the TV).

Then AppleTV is like any old music source (CD player, Tape Deck, Turntable), playing audio-only to speakers.

Myself: I'm basically with Post #2 as "best option." I have a receiver. Apple TV links to Receiver and then Receiver links to TV. Speakers are connected to "middleman" Receiver. I chose a Receiver with Airplay 2 built in, so I just choose it as an output source vs. going through the AppleTV at all.

However, if I WANT to go through the AppleTV, it generally takes another middleman box: often called a HDMI splitter which splits out audio from video stream. AppleTV to Audio Splitter, Audio Splitter on to Receiver. The audio that is split out then plugs into a set of jacks on the receiver and audio from AppleTV can be enjoyed with TV off.

For anyone interested in getting Zone 2 or Zone 3 working (on Receivers), those usually require analog audio and an HDMI splitter is the way if AppleTV is to be the audio source. Else again, choose a Receiver with Airplay 2 built in and that will generally work with Zone 2 or Zone 3 just fine. I do that ALL the time myself.

 

[Edd70]

Obvious observation here but, with the TV off, this makes it difficult to interact with the music you’re playing. This only seems useful if you’re playing a known playlist or just don’t care what plays.

I‘m surprised it’s possible to do this. Learn something every day.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Actually, with older AppleTVs that had dedicated audio out, I very commonly would get something playing (playlist/stream) and then turn the TV off.

One can also use an iDevice or Mac to get something playing to the AppleTV with the TV never turned on. Just select it in the Airplay drop down menu.

 

[ColdCase]

I have a direct HDMI connection from AppleTV to the receiver (Pioneer in one case Marantz the other). The receivers drive the speakers. The TV is not in the audio loop. Its role is simply a dumb monitor.

I often like to save some energy, do my part to save the planet, by turning off the TV when I don't need it. Of course if you want to interact with the playlist more than skipping over songs or pausing, then you would need some video feedback. But I generally let a playlist run for hours while on the backyard deck or in the pool (receiver zone 2 outdoor speakers). I couldn't see the TV to interact if I wanted to.

I've used splitters, switches, and extractors in the past, in lieu of a receiver. Didn't need an extractor when the AppleTV had a TOSLink output. We don't have audio connection problems with roku or google devices, but recent AppleTV updates has broken any of the splitters and extractors I know about short of several thousand $$$ distribution devices. So I've been ditching the living room extractors and switching to a modern receiver. That seems to be the most reliable way to stream audio from an AppleTV now days.

I don't get high enough quality audio over airplay, let alone stability. Too much interference I think. Airplay support is an edge case for most switch/router manufactures and updates tend to break it for awhile.

The current apple software seems to cut off the TOSLink DRM protected audio without a TV attached. I've tried it.