How to set up Apple TV with surround sound system

[rbaroncpd]

HDMI Shots used-other options

Hi all,

I have one of those Bose systems and it has 2 HDMI slots. One has a BlueRay DVD player hooked up and the other has the DirecTV satellite.

I want to add an Apple TV but don't have the available HDMI port needed for real good sound and picture.

What can I do, besides buying another receiver with more HDMI ports, to get the Apple TV to work? I am not all that tecno savvy so be nice when replying. Don't understand all the video/audio terms.

Thanks in advance.......

 

[kadeschs]

I let my HDTV be the "hub" of all things. ATV plugs into TV via HDMI and TV sends audio out to stereo receiver. TV and receiver are same brand and therefore work together through a "toslink" style setup. I prefer this as I like to change the "video" inputs to various devices on my TV and have it automatically tell my receiver what audio to output. The way I look at it is if my TV is going to change my video why not have it change my audio as well. My old setup required me to change my audio setting on the receiver and video on the TV to get both working.

 

[mchalebk]

I let my HDTV be the "hub" of all things. ATV plugs into TV via HDMI and TV sends audio out to stereo receiver. TV and receiver are same brand and therefore work together through a "toslink" style setup. I prefer this as I like to change the "video" inputs to various devices on my TV and have it automatically tell my receiver what audio to output. The way I look at it is if my TV is going to change my video why not have it change my audio as well. My old setup required me to change my audio setting on the receiver and video on the TV to get both working.

The problem with running your HMDI cable to your TV, then running from TV to receiver, is that you probably won’t get 5.1/7.1 surround (the optical output from most TVs only carries 5.1 when receiving over the air HD channels; otherwise, they send stereo to the receiver).

The best hub for HDMI connections is the receiver. If you run out of HDMI inputs, you can always add an HDMI switch (they can even be remote controllable; I bought one from Monoprice.com that I use my Harmony Logic remote to switch between my AppleTV and my Roku NetFlix player).

As far as having to switch too many inputs, I highly recommend getting a Harmony remote. It takes a bit to set up, but is extremely easy to use once you’ve got it set up. For instance, I push a button on my remote to tell it I want to watch my AppleTV. The remote then turns on the TV and sets it to the proper HDMI input. It also turns on the receiver and sets it to the proper input. It also turns on my HDMI switch and sets it to the proper input. And it wakes up the AppleTV, if required. All I have to do is push one button and my whole system is set up properly and I use the same transport and volume controls that I do for my Blu-ray player, my Roku player or my Dish DVR.

 

[peskaa]

I personally use an Onkyo 607 receiver with 6 HDMI inputs along with the usual stereo/component inputs. My Apple TV is connected via HDMI (along with the BD player, PS3 and Freeview box) with the Wii on component - everything is then piped out via a single HDMI cable to the TV. The Onkyo drives a 5.1 setup, but can do 7.2+Front High.

The best part about receivers is the fact that you don't have cables everywhere - only power and a single HDMI to the TV rather than one for each input. HDMI is also a better transport mechanism for things like Dolby True HD/HD Master Audio. I tried optical a while back with an older receiver (Sony STR-DA1200ES) and was never totally happy with it (and I had to put in an audio sync delay). Receivers also avoid the problem of only having a small number of HDMI ports on the TV itself.

 

[dbwie]

another benefit...

So you recommend Apple TV -> TV by HDMI cable and Apple TV -> receiver by optical audio?

Another benefit of this setup is if you want to listen to iTunes music stored on your Apple TV, you can run it with the TV off, and hear the music through your receiver.

I have an older digital A/V receiver with optical audio inputs, and no HDMI ports. These can easily be found for under $200. All of my audio inputs are managed by the receiver. My HDTV manages all of my video inputs.

I can second the advice of getting a Harmony Remote. I have the Harmony 550, and turning on the appleTV, my HDTV, and the receiver, and setting all the correct inputs so I can use appleTV, is done by pushing one button.

 

[srexy]

Another benefit of this setup is if you want to listen to iTunes music stored on your Apple TV, you can run it with the TV off, and hear the music through your receiver.

I have an older digital A/V receiver with optical audio inputs, and no HDMI ports. These can easily be found for under $200. All of my audio inputs are managed by the receiver. My HDTV manages all of my video inputs.

I can second the advice of getting a Harmony Remote. I have the Harmony 550, and turning on the appleTV, my HDTV, and the receiver, and setting all the correct inputs so I can use appleTV, is done by pushing one button.

Ditto here with my setup. My TV only has one HDMI in so I use a Monoprice 4-1 switcher for the video signal, a Panasonic SA-XR55 amp (which only has 2 HDMI inputs I think) for audio and a Harmony remote for the control.

My amp was around $200 and the Harmony was a $60 Sam's Club special. I don't know how this compares to most newer receivers that have more HDMI switching features but it's certainly a fairly economical way of doing it.

 

[rbaroncpd]

Can anyone recommend a HDMI switch? I was looking at this one:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=5310&seq=1&format=2.

Those of you using a switch to have the benefit of more HDMI's to play with and add things to are using what make, model switch?

So how do you install? Just plug it into the wall, run a HDMI to one of the ports ad then to the receiver? Then plug in the devices you want to run, BlueRay DVD player, AppleTV, etc?

Thanks much for the help....

 

[srexy]

Can anyone recommend a HDMI switch? I was looking at this one:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=5310&seq=1&format=2.

Those of you using a switch to have the benefit of more HDMI's to play with and add things to are using what make, model switch?

So how do you install? Just plug it into the wall, run a HDMI to one of the ports ad then to the receiver? Then plug in the devices you want to run, BlueRay DVD player, AppleTV, etc?

Thanks much for the help....

I have the 4 into 1 version of that and it's great. It works exactly as you describe. I have 4 signals coming into it: Verizon DVR, Mac Mini, TV (soon to be moved upstairs), and an Oppo upscaling dvd player.

If you have a Harmony remote you'll find it in their database and you can control the HDMI input for each activity.

 

[Chad H]

What if your tv has an optical input so you can run HDMI from the tv to all your sources(PS3,TV, etc....) and the optical from your TV to your reciever's optical port. The reciever wouldnt do any switching just handle audio. Can you get 5.1 this way?

 

[srexy]

What if your tv has an optical input so you can run HDMI from the tv to all your sources(PS3,TV, etc....) and the optical from your TV to your reciever's optical port. The reciever wouldnt do any switching just handle audio. Can you get 5.1 this way?

You'd need an optical OUTput from your TV to the receiver and enough HDMI INputs on the TV to handle all of the signals or a switcher such as the Monoprice mentioned 2 posts above channeling all HDMI signals into your TV's HDMI input.

With those conditions satisfied it should work.

Edit: Oh - and one last thing - your sources would have to be outputting audio over HDMI which isn't always as straightforward as it seems. The Mac Mini seems to be very problematic with this for example.

 

[Chad H]

You'd need an optical OUTput from your TV to the receiver and enough HDMI INputs on the TV to handle all of the signals or a switcher such as the Monoprice mentioned 2 posts above channeling all HDMI signals into your TV's HDMI input.

With those conditions satisfied it should work.

Edit: Oh - and one last thing - your sources would have to be outputting audio over HDMI which isn't always as straightforward as it seems. The Mac Mini seems to be very problematic with this for example.

Well, in my setup I would have the apple tv, ps3, and digital cable box. Do you think I would be better to just have all 3 going into the receiver(Harmon Kardon AVR-154) and have the HDMI out going to the tv? The only thing I'm confused about is when you switch inputs on the receiver will it switch the video on the tv since your not physically switching inputs on the tv? Sorry to hijack this thread, just redoing my setup and needed some quick input.

 

[peskaa]

Well, in my setup I would have the apple tv, ps3, and digital cable box. Do you think I would be better to just have all 3 going into the receiver(Harmon Kardon AVR-154) and have the HDMI out going to the tv? The only thing I'm confused about is when you switch inputs on the receiver will it switch the video on the tv since your not physically switching inputs on the tv? Sorry to hijack this thread, just redoing my setup and needed some quick input.

That is indeed the best solution.

The receiver will output whatever input is selected via the single HDMI cable to the TV - the TV will stay tuned to that single HDMI input with no need to change.

 

[mchalebk]

What if your tv has an optical input so you can run HDMI from the tv to all your sources(PS3,TV, etc....) and the optical from your TV to your reciever's optical port. The reciever wouldnt do any switching just handle audio. Can you get 5.1 this way?

First, it’s important to be a little more precise in what you’re calling inputs and outputs. I think you were trying to say “what if your TV has an optical output” (not input).

Running HDMI to your TV, then optical to your receiver will almost certainly result in a stereo only signal to the receiver. Why? Because in most (if not all) TVs, the optical output will only provide 5.1 if you’re receiving over-the-air HD signals. When you’re watching something like a DVD player or an AppleTV, connected via HDMI directly to the TV, the TV will only output 2.0 to the receiver.

If you want 5.1 out of your AppleTV (and other devices), you need to run the devices to the receiver directly (or through something like an HDMI switch).

 

[PodPacker]

Easy Digital Surround, Fairly Cheap

All you need is to buy a digital audio cable and a Logitech Z5500 Home Theater in a Box. Cost is under USD 400.00 if you shop online and the sound is probably the best in its class.
I have a Z5500 plugged into my MacPro (which is the hub of my entertainment system) and it rocks out on all channels, I can't turn it up more than 5/8 power without being able to hear it from outside and therefore disturbing my neighbors. It has other I/O options on a control unit that makes for easy connections to iPods/iPhones or others. One warning, the subwoofer is pretty big and cube shaped and must be kept about 2 feet from any hard drives because of the powerful magnets so make sure you have a space for it or get a digital audio M/F extender.

 

[mahashel]

I have my AppleTV running HDMI to my TV, which is muted.
I have a separate optical cable running to an older (non-HDMI) 5.1 receiver.
I get 5.1 audio just fine.

 

[rbaroncpd]

I bought it..... Have question

I bought the Monoprice 5-1 switcher.

I have a DirecTV satellite
Blue Ray DVD
Apple TV
BOSE Receiver

So, if I got this right it should go like this;

1. Plug all the HDMI cables from the devices output to the switch.
2. Plug the HDMI cable into the out from the switch and then into the BOSE.

Now, the BOSE has 2 HDMI inputs... one says CAB/SAT, the other say's DVD.

If I plug the output into the CAB/SAT plug the device that I will be watching depends on whatever I have the switch set on correct? I mean it does not matter if I plug the HDMI into the CAB/SAT or the DVD yes?

Thanks in advance to all that respond.

 

[rm2092]

Subscribed

 

[carlgo]

Does anyone have a headache from trying to figure out all those cables and connections and turning switches and muting and....

Read all these posts! There are some hideous solutions.

All those cables cost damn near half the price of a cheap receiver.

It just isn't worth it. If listening to music, watching tv, viewing your photos is even remotely important to you, suck it up and get a receiver with HDMI. Pay by the month, whatever. There is no other good solution.

Read the fine print because some older HDMI connections require a separate cable for the audio, a stupid idea that defeats the purpose.

HDMI cables are available from Amazon and the AVS forum advertisers. I would stay away from the $1.98 types and there is no need for the most expensive ones. There are no magic cables (or other components, sadly).