Apple’s HomePod sensible audio system’ best energy are their wonderful sound high quality – a lot in order that they will also be an outstanding speaker for TV and film viewing, not simply listening to music. An added bonus is that Dolby Atmos can also be a chance throughout the Apple TV / HomePod social gathering, as effectively.
When the HomePod Mini was first introduced in 2020, Apple additionally introduced ‘Dwelling Theater with Apple 4K’; whereby the unique HomePod – and now the HomePod (2nd era) too – could possibly be used to kind an immersive encompass sound expertise, with digital 2.1, 5.1, 7.1 and Dolby Atmos all accessible.
You solely get that encompass sound motion whenever you’re watching suitable exhibits and films out of your Apple TV 4K, thoughts; you may’t simply plug your HomePod immediately into your TV and get Atmos motion on every little thing.
However, with Apple TV now supporting just about all the most important streaming companies – Netflix, Prime, HBO, Disney+, Hulu and extra – it’s a reasonably compelling providing.
The function is simply potential on the unique HomePod or the HomePod (2nd era) as they boast an array of seven beamforming tweeters; the Mini simply has two.
Nonetheless, that does not imply Mini homeowners miss out fully. So long as you personal a third-generation Apple TV or later, you may pair any HomePod – full measurement or Mini – through AirPlay and use it as your TV speaker.
Obtained a few HomePods? Fortunate you, you may pair them up for some stereo magic on each the Atmos and non-Atmos setups.
Here is do it…
How you can pair HomePod along with your Apple TV
To get the HomePod and Apple TV arrange, first guarantee they’re each on the identical Wi-Fi community. It is because we’re going to be connecting them over Apple’s wi-fi protocol, AirPlay.
Additionally be sure that the Apple TV’s AirPlay is on, by heading to Settings and tapping on AirPlay. Right here you’ll be capable to allow it (if it’s not already) and set community entry guidelines.
You’ll want to set the HomePod into the identical room, throughout the Apple Dwelling app, because the Apple TV that you will be utilizing it with and, if you wish to use a pair of HomePods, you may must have already created a HomePod stereo pair within the Dwelling app earlier than shifting onto the subsequent steps…
Now we need to get the HomePod linked.
If it is the unique HomePod and you have performed all of the above, you may see a popup seem in your Apple TV’s show asking if you wish to “Use HomePod as TV Audio system?”
Choose “Use as TV Audio system” to activate dwelling cinema audio.
If you aren’t getting the automated popup, otherwise you’re utilizing Minis then you definitely’ll must manually configure your Apple sensible audio system for TV use:
- On the Apple TV, go to Settings after which VideoandAudio.
- Scroll down to seek out Audio Output.
- In Audio Output, it is best to see a listing of all of the AirPlay audio system on the community. The HomePod will seem right here. Choose it and it ought to join in a second or two.
Now, as a result of AirPlay 2 flies past Apple’s personal partitions, you can pair different audio system to the Apple TV right here past the HomePod. Right here’s a listing of the very best AirPlay 2 audio system.
There’s a sooner means…
In the event you already know that AirPlay is lively in your Apple TV, it’s also possible to convey up the audio menu by merely holding down the play/pause button when trying on the dwelling display screen.
You gained’t be capable to entry different audio settings, nevertheless it’s a fast method to pair or unpair a speaker.
Apple TV HomePod setup: Concerns
All that mentioned, there are some issues to contemplate first. Did you already splash your youngsters’ school funds on an costly TV Hello-Fi system?
In that case, keep it up. The HomePod is a good speaker, nevertheless it wasn’t designed for TV use. Even with that Atmos-boost, it is not ever going to rival a devoted TV speaker with Dolby Atmos, such because the Sonos Arc.
However should you’re presently watching your TV with the audio system that come in-built, the HomePod or the HomePod Mini goes to do a greater job.
That could be significantly true should you’re residing in a smaller home or residence with much less area for an even bigger sound system. In the event you occur to maintain your HomePod near your TV – and personal an Apple TV, after all – we advocate getting them paired up.
New choices with the newest Apple TV 4K
The newest-gen 2022 Apple TV 4K field can really stream all your TV’s audio to a HomePod, even whenever you’re not utilizing your Apple TV.
With HDMI ARC or eARC turned on, your Apple TV 4K (2nd era) and Apple TV (third era) can each obtain high-quality audio from a supported TV after which play that audio by means of your HomePod audio system.
Here is how…
- Arrange your HomePod speaker(s) because the default speaker for Apple TV.
- Go to Settings > Video and Audio > Default Audio Output.
- Make sure that HomePod is chosen.
- Below Audio Return Channel, select Play Tv Audio.
- Test that ARC or eARC is turned on.
Extra HomePod how-tos
