I setup two brand new 2nd Gen HomePods with my TV 4K (2022). I have it set up with LG OLED C2 77" TV. I confided it with pass through and turned on EARC support for it. It's working great. But there is one setting I'm unsure of...should the LG TV output settings be set to PCM or Bitstream audio when paired eARC to a set of paired HomePods? I've found exactly one site about this and its says PCM.
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Bitstream or PMC setting for Apple TV Paired HomePods Audio?
- Thread starter cecoleman
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Pretty sure eARC doesn’t apply since you’re using HomePods, you could use any other HDMI port and be just fine.
Bitstream is more of a pass through option that lets a receiver/sound bar decode all the codecs where PCM processing is handled by the TV. Try either one and see what works best so you don’t have sync issues, etc.
Bitstream is more of a pass through option that lets a receiver/sound bar decode all the codecs where PCM processing is handled by the TV. Try either one and see what works best so you don’t have sync issues, etc.
For the bitstream option to work, appleTV should be able to decode all the codecs arriving. AFAIK tvOS has only been able to decode AAC, Dolby Digital and DD Plus.
It has had no codec for lossless bitstreams or lossy DTS.
Obviouy, PCM does not need decoding.
PS I am not sure if the newer tvOS that supports ARC input, has implemented any of the previously missing decoders.
It has had no codec for lossless bitstreams or lossy DTS.
Obviouy, PCM does not need decoding.
PS I am not sure if the newer tvOS that supports ARC input, has implemented any of the previously missing decoders.
You can try both to see which is best for you but if the audio gets funky just switch. I have a LG CX and Apple TV and have my setting to PCM. I don't use my HomePods for tv audio. I would guess that for your use, you can go with PCM.
I'm confused about how things are connected. How is the Apple TV connected to the internet? What is the eARc hdmi port from the LG connected to?
You've tried this and it works?
The HDMI port on the Apple TV is designed for internet access. You can have either the HDMI port or the WiFi port active, not both.
So I would think connecting the eARC to the apple TV would result in the Apple TV not having any internet connection. eArc sending audio/video to the Apple TV wouldn't be recognized.
What am I missing?
You are thinking about the Ethernet port and using that port means you are "hardwired" like using that port on your computer.
The HDMI port is for the tv and for the Apple TV, it really doesn't matter which one is used on the tv.
The correct way to phrase it would be connecting the Apple TV's HDMI to the tv's HDMI or Earc port.
It's the Apple TV that sends the signal to the tv.
Or it's something like that
I have to ask
was your post a funny? I ask because of "contributor".
As I understand it, the latest aTV can act, if paired with stereo HomePods, as a soundbar.
I.e. it can receive audio from the display, via eARC, and play it out loud via Homepods.
Yep exactly that. Providing the Apple TV is plugged into the HDMI port on the TV which is labelled as ARC/eARC (The port varies between each TV, on my LG 4K TV its HDMI port 2). Then underneath the audio settings on the Apple TV you can turn ARC/eARC on. I use it and they sound amazing on my other devices like Nintendo Switch and even Freeview TV.
Use HDMI ARC or eARC with your Apple TV 4K – Apple Support (UK)
With HDMI ARC or eARC turned on, your Apple TV 4K (2nd generation and later) can receive high-quality audio from a supported TV, then play that audio through your HomePod or HomePod mini speakers.