Apple TV connection query

Posted by: Shropshire Hills on 08 November 2013

Hi

 

I recently bought an Apple TV box so as to stream Netflix, YouTube etc via it to my Sony TV.  I have the Apple TV connected to my TV via HDMI and then output the sound from the Sony TV to a Naim Dac via an optical interconnect.  The analogue output from the Dac then feeds my Naim NaitXS and speakers.  

 

The sound is good but I have been trying without success to send the sound direct from the optical digital audio port of the Apple TV to my Dac while retaining the HDMI port connection to the Sony TV for video. I assume that if I can keep the Sony TV away from any sound processing I may get a better sound although I do not know if this is correct. I am unable to get any sound this way, presumably because the sound is still being transmitted to the Sony TV via the HDMI lead.

 

Does anybody know whether I am able to amend the Apple TV settings so as to send video via HDMI and audio via optical digital?  I hope this makes sense as I am not very technical in these matters.

 

Thanks 

 

Bob

Posted on: 08 November 2013 by karyboue
The nDac doesn´t support Dolby Digital I suppose ?
Settings > Audio & Video > Dolby Digital : set it to OFF.
Posted on: 09 November 2013 by Jude2012
Also you may need to disable the sound output on the Sony.

Jude
Posted on: 09 November 2013 by Shropshire Hills
Thanks both - I'll need to revisit Apple TV settings and try and sort something out.

I can disable the Sony sound settings but usually when I output the sound via an optichord to the Dac I just turn the Sony's volume control down and it's ok. I don't disable it because my wife prefers ordinary TV sound to what she terms "faffing about" with the hifi and Naim volume control as well as the TV remote!

Bob
Posted on: 09 November 2013 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Yes you can do this and I do. The AppleTV sends stereo PCM via the optical (disable  Dolby and multichannel) to my NDAC and video via the HDMI. I even get my connected NDX to display 'AppleTV'  when I switch this through automation.

Simon

 

Posted on: 09 November 2013 by Shropshire Hills

Hi Simon

Thanks for your help - I will go into the settings menu later this evening and hopefully sort it out.

 

The Apple TV is brilliant for £100.  I bought it to stream netflix TV shows - specifically Breaking Bad - and videos but have now discovered the beauty of Air Play and streaming TV, films and videos from the iPad and iPhone - much better than watching iPlayer on the computer.

 

Bob

Posted on: 09 November 2013 by Jude2012
Yep, the ATV is really good fun and the SQ for films without Dolby is great. Strangely I discover music from film sound tracks.  The Soundhoundb app on my iphone helps ...

The Trailers app on the ATV is good for checking out new films and the way the iTunes muscle festival is presented is a great way of enjoying live music at home.

Enjoy

Jude
Posted on: 09 November 2013 by karyboue

With a US account (created with PayPal account + a fake US address) on iTunes US we can have access to some free TVshows, mostly pilots or 1st episodes.

 

Nice to discover new TV shows.

Posted on: 11 November 2013 by dzambolaja
Originally Posted by Simon-in-Suffolk:

Yes you can do this and I do. The AppleTV sends stereo PCM via the optical (disable  Dolby and multichannel) to my NDAC and video via the HDMI. I even get my connected NDX to display 'AppleTV'  when I switch this through automation.

Simon

 

Simon, what is the PCM signal quality from your ATV going to your nDAC?  How does it sound?  Would you consider ATV quality streamer for Naim system?

 

thanks

Bobby