Audio out optical port with HDMI also plugged in

[rouxeny]

I'm not sure if this is a TV or Apple TV issue.

I have

Apple TV > HDMI > TV
Same Apple TV > Toslink > amplifier (intended for iTunes audio only)

If I'm in iTunes, playing songs, I can get audio through both the TV speakers and through my speakers connected to my amp, however, I can't get just the optical port, and not also the HDMI.

It's not that big a deal, I just hit mute on the TV, but it seems weird.

Any thoughts?

 

[From A Buick 8]

I'm not sure if this is a TV or Apple TV issue.

I have

Apple TV > HDMI > TV
Same Apple TV > Toslink > amplifier (intended for iTunes audio only)

If I'm in iTunes, playing songs, I can get audio through both the TV speakers and through my speakers connected to my amp, however, I can't get just the optical port, and not also the HDMI.

It's not that big a deal, I just hit mute on the TV, but it seems weird.

Any thoughts?

Both are active at the same time, there is no setting to turn either off.

 

[jeremyf0923]

I have the same set up. Since I also have my HD cable box and blu ray audio connected to my receiver via optical, I never use the TV speakers. So rather than muting them each time I turn the TV on, I simply leave the volume at zero which stays consistent each time I turn it on. You may also have a setting on your TV audio menu to permanently turn the speakers off.

 

[EvilC5]

I have the same set up. Since I also have my HD cable box and blu ray audio connected to my receiver via optical, I never use the TV speakers. So rather than muting them each time I turn the TV on, I simply leave the volume at zero which stays consistent each time I turn it on. You may also have a setting on your TV audio menu to permanently turn the speakers off.

yes, this is what I do

 

[rouxeny]

Yes, I thought of that, but this is a pretty simple amplifier I have (Neuhaus T-2) and I'd have to (gasp) get up and actually turn the source dial on either the amp or an optical switcher.

Thanks for the input.

Basically, impossible to do optical out only and have HDMI reserved for video without audio.

 

[Uofmtiger]

Just another perspective

One of the main reasons I am considering the Apple TV is because it has this ability. I have a Mac mini and can't seem to find a way get simultaneous audio from all ports, which makes it necessary to manually change the audio source ( USB, optical, or HDMI) when sending the audio signal to a different component.

In my living room, I have an outboard DAC that I prefer to my receiver's DACs for two channel audio. Since the ATV will send audio via HDMI and optical, I can listen to two channel music using the optical and HDMI for video sources without making any manual changes. For me, this is a major selling point...probably the one main advantage that will get me to buy the ATV.

 

[dbwie]

Yes, I thought of that, but this is a pretty simple amplifier I have (Neuhaus T-2) and I'd have to (gasp) get up and actually turn the source dial on either the amp or an optical switcher.

Thanks for the input.

Basically, impossible to do optical out only and have HDMI reserved for video without audio.

Get a Harmony universal remote. I have the Harmony 550. I use it to manage all TV/receiver/AppleTV settings to effortlessly switch from watching TV to using the AppleTV. It changes my receiver to the correct audio inputs as needed. It even puts the AppleTV in standby (off) mode when I hit the power switch to turn it off. I play video through HDMI to my TV and audio through optical connection to my receiver. The Harmony remotes work with both the first and second generation AppleTV.

 

[dbwie]

The other benefit of having optical audio going from TV to receiver is that you can turn the TV off, and any audio from the TV (internet radio, iTunes music, etc) will keep playing.

 

[SuperCachetes]

The other benefit of having optical audio going from TV to receiver is that you can turn the TV off, and any audio from the TV (internet radio, iTunes music, etc) will keep playing.

Yep. Mighty handy (and efficient) when using the iOS Remote app or streaming from a Mac , etc.