Anyone who owns an Apple TV 4K (2nd generation or newer) and at least one HomePod can unlock the advanced HDMI ARC or eARC function of the Apple TV. This allows you to receive high-quality audio from a supported TV and then play it through the HomePod (mini) speakers.
This is not only possible when the Apple TV is actively used, but also when you only play media via the TV. The Apple TV is then used in the background as a hub that transmits the sound via the TV to the speakers.
Supplies
- A TV with support for HDMI ARC or eARC
- Apple TV 4K (2nd generation or newer)
- HomePod or HomePod mini speakers
Connect HomePod to Apple TV
- Open Settings on your Apple TV
- Navigate to ‘Video and audio’
- Select ‘Standard Audio Output’
- Choose the HomePod or HomePod stereo pair
Enable HDMI ARC or eARC
- Open Settings on your Apple TV
- Navigate to ‘Video and audio’
- Choose the HomePods under ‘Standard audio output’
- Go to ‘AUDIOR TOUR CHANNEL’
- Select ‘Play TV audio’ and choose ‘On (ARC)’
Operation of (e)ARC and HomePod
Once you enable the option, the Apple TV will ensure that all sound produced by the TV is routed via HDMI (e)ARC to the HomePod speakers. Not only when you play content via the Apple TV, but also when you only watch TV via the device itself, but also via a connected game console or other TV or streaming box.
All the sound that the TV receives will then be forwarded via the HDMI port to the Apple TV, which will then play the sound via the HomePod. Do you own the HomePod first generation or newer? This is even possible in Dolby Atmos quality.