AirPlay to Apple TV + HomePod?

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Level 1

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AirPlay to Apple TV + HomePod?

Does anyone have experience streaming video to an AppleTV with Airplay while HomePod is configured as an audio output for the Apple TV?

I have a HomePod stereo pair connected to my AppleTV.

If I play anything on the Apple TV - sound goes through HomePods without an issue.

When I try to stream video to Apple TV via AirPlay - it works just in some cases (given all the devices I tried with):

1) iPhone 6/iPhone X/iPhone XS Max (iOS 11/12) - enable screen mirroring to Apple TV & play video -> no audio on HomePods

2) MacBook Air 2014 (maxOs HighSierra/Mojave) - AirPlay a movie with QuickTime or Airflow - no audio, AirPlay with Beamer - works

3) MacBook 2015 (maxOs HighSierra/Mojave) - AirPlay a movie with QuickTime - no audio, AirPlay with Airflow / Beamer - *works*!

4) MacBook Pro 2018 - AirPlay a movie with QuickTime or Airflow - no audio, AirPlay with Beamer - works

To say I'm puzzled is an understatement.

Given that I observed it working in some cases *I'm sure it's technically possible*.

Now how come it works just in some cases and doesn't work in other?

What's others' experience? Is it just my bad luck? Does it work for others? Does it not work at all for others?

PS: I tried factory re-setting HomePods & Apple TV and re-creating a stereo pair. I switched from MBA 2014 to MBP 2018 and observed the same behavior as well as when I went from iPhone X to iPhone Xs Max. (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻

Apple TV 4K, tvOS 12

Posted on Jun 29, 2019 10:04 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Vancouver22

Level 8

36,703 points

Jul 1, 2019 7:46 PM in response to Ashald

You can’t do a three way like that. Especially not with youtube, you can airplay to youtube but not then send the audio to HomePod.

you could play this video from the YouTube app on Apple TV and send audio to HomePod

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Answer 2

Aug 3, 2019 11:42 AM in response to Vancouver22

Just saying "You can't" doesn't explain the reason.

AirPlay 2 came with multi-speaker audio support, then if I am AirPlaying a content from iPhone or MacBook to Apple TV, then I should be able to select HomePod as well at the same time from iPhone. Or change the Audio > HomePod in Apple TV.

What is the point of having a so called "Walled garden", ditching all general protocols like Bluetooth to make sure people buy only Apple product, if the Apple ecosystem itself can't support some basic things. Even if HomePod sounds great, but I definitely think it's not taking any advantage of "Apple ecosystem".

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Answer 3

Vancouver22

Level 8

36,703 points

Aug 3, 2019 5:26 PM in response to indranilghosh20

Just because I say “you can’t” doesn’t mean I know why it’s like that. I don’t work for Apple.

I gave you an alternative. You say you have Apple TV and the regular YouTube app is free to install and use on Apple TV, it will airplay to homepod.

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Answer 4

Aug 5, 2019 7:36 PM in response to Vancouver22

Nothing against you. Since I there is an opportunity to enhance the features, we should emphasize that. Your alternative works fine, only if the app is installed on Apple TV, won't work if the content is Airplayed from another iOS or Mac device.

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Answer 5

turingtest2

Level 10

274,113 points

Aug 3, 2019 1:51 PM in response to indranilghosh20

This is a user to user support forum. We're not privy to Apple's decision process. Use Feedback - HomePod - Apple to let them know how you think HomePod can be improved.

tt2

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Answer 6

Ashald Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 30, 2019 12:04 PM in response to Ashald

Here is the video of the issue https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnQKENfFW8U&feature=youtu.be (monitor is muted).

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AirPlay to Apple TV + HomePod?

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