AppleTV to Receiver: HDMI & Optical working simultaneously?

[Philpug]

I have a Sony ES3300 and it has a second room setting which is audio only so none of the HDMI inputs are accessible. I have the Second Room set up with my patio speakers....I am trying to access my iTunes for the second room. I am wondering in the Optical Out of the ATV to an input that is accessible for that second room. My, my question is...can I have the HDMI running at the same time as the Optical Cable with one not overriding the other?

If there is someone who knows a better/less expensive way to access my iTunes to an audio input, please post it.

 

[takeshi74]

Don't overlook prior threads. Found via a quick site restricted Google search. there were other hits but I'm not filtering them all for you.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1362057/

 

[KevinC867]

my question is...can I have the HDMI running at the same time as the Optical Cable with one not overriding the other?

HDMI and optical both operate at the same time, but of course, they output the same program. You will need an optical to analog converter between your AppleTV2/3 and your Sony receiver. (Like most receivers, the Zone-2 amp on your Sony only works with an analog input.)

My solution for this problem is to use my old AppleTV1 as my audio player. It has the necessary analog outputs and you can even control the volume of these outputs from the Remote app on your iPhone while you are in the 2nd room, or perhaps sitting on your patio. Of course, all the content selections can also be made from your iPhone. It's brilliant!

 

[Philpug]

HDMI and optical both operate at the same time, but of course, they output the same program. You will need an optical to analog converter between your AppleTV2/3 and your Sony receiver. (Like most receivers, the Zone-2 amp on your Sony only works with an analog input.)

My solution for this problem is to use my old AppleTV1 as my audio player. It has the necessary analog outputs and you can even control the volume of these outputs from the Remote app on your iPhone while you are in the 2nd room, or perhaps sitting on your patio. Of course, all the content selections can also be made from your iPhone. It's brilliant!

So..An Apple TV1 is probably the best way to go..if I can find one inexpensive vs. the $40-50 it will cost me for an Optical cable and the converter. I found a Apple TV1 on CL for $60.00 maybe I should just get that.

Damn the Zone 2 only working in analog.

 

[ftaok]

So..An Apple TV1 is probably the best way to go..if I can find one inexpensive vs. the $40-50 it will cost me for an Optical cable and the converter. I found a Apple TV1 on CL for $60.00 maybe I should just get that.

Damn the Zone 2 only working in analog.

Would a 1st gen Airport Express work for you. Put the AExp in client mode, connect it to your wifi network, play music from your Mac/PC via Airplay to the AExp.

Not sure what a 1st gen AExp goes for on eBay/Craigslist, but it's probably comparable to an aTV 1.

If you get a newer AExp, it'll have more features ... 11n, dual-band, network extending, etc. But it'll cost more.

 

[Fuchal]

Airport Express is the way to go.

 

[Omne666]

Ditto

 

[Philpug]

I have a line on an AppleTV gen 1 or with the new Airport Express being released today..I think I will just get that. Thanks for the help. But..if I still get the AppleTV..I can use it with my older Plasma that does not have HDMI. Hmmm maybe I will just get both.

 

[Philpug]

I have a line on an AppleTV gen 1 or with the new Airport Express being released today..I think I will just get that. Thanks for the help. But..if I still get the AppleTV..I can use it with my older Plasma that does not have HDMI. Hmmm maybe I will just get both.

"new" Airport Express for $99 or ATV 1 for $60 for the audio issue?

 

[mchalebk]

If you only want audio, the AP Express should work just fine. They can be had refurbished from Apple for ~$75.

I also use mine for video, so I have an ATV3 and use a Monoprice optical to analog converter for Zone 2 music.

 

[tdmac]

If you want to use the latest software, airplay, etc for the ATV then you want the ATV2 or ATV3.

The Monoprice optical to analog audio converter is dirt cheap. Way cheaper then an ATV1 or Airport Express. I would only recommend the Monoprice if you are using this as Zone2 audio only. If you had a receiver that had no HDMI ports and you wanted to feed audio into it to play on your main room, you then want to use the Gefen Optical to Analog model that supports Dobly surround sound. Otherwise, the Monoprice only outputs 2 channel audio.