The only feature I’d care about from a new Apple TV? Audio input.

[moondad]

As someone who uses stereo paired HomePods for my TV setup, the fact that I cannot route any of my other video devices through them is a major frustration. I have Sky Q, Freeview, PS4 and Apple TV 4K in my setup, but the only one that sounds any good is the Apple TV.

I can’t see them adding inputs to the HomePods, but would it really hurt Apple to provide some kind of input on the Apple TV? I can only see it increasing sales of both the Apple TV and HomePods.

 

[Zimmy68]

I think the issue is HomePods and AppleTV control the audio decoding that anything like what you are asking would introduce noticeable lag. I doubt they can just pass through audio. It would be nice.

 

[waw74]

what Zimmy said

plus when playing back on the aTV, they can delay the video a bit to help with sync.
if you're playing on other devices, that can't happen.

 

[pmiles]

By not providing such inputs, they save themselves the headache of trying to support a multitude of devices out there that they have no manufacturing control of. There is a reason why Apple is known for it's custom input connections... it limits the devices that can be connected to their devices. The smaller the ecosystem the more integrated it is. You open it up to everything and then it becomes a total mess.

If Apple added any such inputs... it would likely be limited to their devices alone. They don't want to deal with the can of worms that other manufacturers' bring to the mix.

 

[Beerstalker]

I'm really hoping they eventually release a HomePod Cinema, or whatever they would name it, that would be more like a soundbar with the HomePod features. Hopefully with multiple HDMI inputs, but if not it should at least have eARC and support Dobly TrueHD/Atmos, DTS HDMA, etc.

Maybe allow it to pair with the original HomePod, or HomePod mini, to use them for additional rear channels etc.

I imagine pricing would likely be in the $700-1000 range.

This would make much more sense for TV/Home Theater use than the current way or pairing a couple of HomePods.

I'm really happy with the HomePod and HomePod mini, but I don't use any of them to try to watch TV/movies. They are used for music, intercom, timers, etc. I have a mini in each bedroom, a full size in the living room, and another in the kitchen/family room.