Apple TV box to TV directly or run through receiver?

[Flipper!]

I have a onkyo tx-nr696 receiver hooked up to Polk Signature series surround speakers. I recently purchased a LG CX OLED tv. I primarily use my 4K Apple to to provide content. I currently have the Apple TV connected to an HDMI port on the back of the receiver, and then another HDMI cable running from the receiver to the ARC enabled HDMI port on the TV.

My questions is: it appears that the sound signal is being passed through the receiver to the TV, and then back to the receiver (possibly being processed twice?). I say this because the only available sound output option on the Apple TV is “use TVs speakers” and the sound option on the TV is set to “ARC” (there doesn’t appear to be an option to simply turn off the internal speakers). I previously had a Samsung 4K Tv, and the sound option on the Apple TV was simply labeled “Onkyo receiver”, and the TV was set to “internal speakers off”. The sound coming from the Polk speakers seems quite a bit quieter now at the same gain levels as before. Does anyone know if there is any benefit to the sound running out to theTV and then back? Is there a way to stop this from happening? I tried hooking the receiver up to the TV’s HDMI 1 port (non-ARC) and it wouldn’t register a signal. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

cheers,
Jake

 

[Trebdp83]

The Apple TV's "TV Speakers" setting is a bit of a misnomer. It refers to sending audio out from the HDMI port. Other speakers that may appear in the menus are available via Airplay 2 or bluetooth. Setting it to "TV Speakers" is correct for audio to be sent via HDMI to the receiver. This info can change to "Receiver Speakers" depending on the receiver used and if HDMI-CEC is enabled. If the designated source input, in this case the Apple TV 4K, displays on the front of the Onkyo, then that is where the audio is coming from during playback. If it was in an ARC loop, the TV input would be displayed on the front of the Onkyo as it switched from the directly connected device, the Apple TV 4K here, to the ARC input. Make sure the Audio Format settings in the Apple TV 4K are set correctly. So, for Audio Output, it should be set to TV Speakers and the Audio Format should be set to Auto with Atmos Available. Oh, and hello and welcome to the forums.

 

[Trebdp83]

Now, if you are interested in optimal video settings…

 

[Flipper!]

Now, if you are interested in optimal video settings…

I mean, absolutely.

I switched the Apple TV to 4:2:2, and ran the “color calibration” where you hold your phone to the screen. I’ve got the TV set to “standard” color profile. I’ve got “HDMI Ultra HD Deep Color” on, and “Instant game response” off. Is there other stuff I should be messing with?

 

[Trebdp83]

If you have the Apple TV 4K set to 4:2:2, then you must have it set to 4K HDR 60p. You might try 4K SDR 60p 4:4:4 and, in Match Content, set “Match Dynamic Range” and Match Frame Rate” to on. So, SDR content plays back at 4:4:4 60p/24p and HDR content plays back at 4:2:2/24p. Bandwidth limits prevent HDR 4:4:4/24p compared to 4K HDR on disc. The menus are SDR and look better when set to 4K SDR. If set to 4K HDR and “Match Dynamic Range” and “Match Frame Rate” are selected, SDR/24p material will play back as such. And, if set to 4K SDR with “Match Dynamic Range” and “Match Frame Rate” on, 4K HDR/24p material will play back as such. I just prefer the latter. But, everybody likes a certain look on their own setup.

 

[kantoliving]

If you have the Apple TV 4K set to 4:2:2, then you must have it set to 4K HDR 60p. You might try 4K SDR 60p 4:4:4 and, in Match Content, set “Match Dynamic Range” and Match Frame Rate” to on. So, SDR content plays back at 4:4:4 60p/24p and HDR content plays back at 4:2:2/24p. Bandwidth limits prevent HDR 4:4:4/24p compared to 4K HDR on disc. The menus are SDR and look better when set to 4K SDR. If set to 4K HDR and “Match Dynamic Range” and “Match Frame Rate” are selected, SDR/24p material will play back as such. And, if set to 4K SDR with “Match Dynamic Range” and “Match Frame Rate” on, 4K HDR/24p material will play back as such. I just prefer the latter. But, everybody likes a certain look on their own setup.

Super helpful! I know audio but I'm just starting to learn about video. Seems it's still a bit wild-west with HDR and how devices pass information.

 

[Trebdp83]

Streaming has come a long way, no doubt. But, the UHD blu-ray is still king when watching blockbuster movies in 4K HDR and Dolby TrueHD/Atmos or DTS HD Master Audio/:X.

 

[lovinthehd]

Streaming has come a long way, no doubt. But, the UHD blu-ray is still king when watching blockbuster movies in 4K HDR and Dolby TrueHD/Atmos or DTS HD Master Audio/:X.

Or even just regular old bluray/1080p is better than streaming for that matter.

 

[Trebdp83]

Yeah, good 1080p blu-ray is still sweet. But, some good 4K HDR streams are very good looking and only bested by UHD discs. But, no lossless audio on streamed multichannel(Dolby Atmos) movie tracks so even 1080p discs with lossless tracks have the edge in audio. The few uncompressed PCM multichannel discs I’ve heard sounded better than the Dolby versions.

 

[Flipper!]

I

If you have the Apple TV 4K set to 4:2:2, then you must have it set to 4K HDR 60p. You might try 4K SDR 60p 4:4:4 and, in Match Content, set “Match Dynamic Range” and Match Frame Rate” to on. So, SDR content plays back at 4:4:4 60p/24p and HDR content plays back at 4:2:2/24p. Bandwidth limits prevent HDR 4:4:4/24p compared to 4K HDR on disc. The menus are SDR and look better when set to 4K SDR. If set to 4K HDR and “Match Dynamic Range” and “Match Frame Rate” are selected, SDR/24p material will play back as such. And, if set to 4K SDR with “Match Dynamic Range” and “Match Frame Rate” on, 4K HDR/24p material will play back as such. I just prefer the latter. But, everybody likes a certain look on their own setup.

I set it up like you suggested, I dig the look so far. I also turned the TruMotion down to “cinema clear”. I’m not a fan of the soap opera effect at all. Hoping this will help, haven’t had a chance to watch anything on it yet though.

 

[Trebdp83]

Yeah, it really brightens up the menus and apps when set to 4K SDR. Though, there is that momentary adjustment when going back to a 4K SDR/60p screen from a 4K HDR/24p movie.

 

[Trebdp83]

All this talk about discs and the Apple TV and I forgot to ask if the Onkyo is in Enhanced Mode. Is it? Proper HDR will not get to the TV if the Onkyo is in Standard Mode.

 

[snakeeyes]

If you have the Apple TV 4K set to 4:2:2, then you must have it set to 4K HDR 60p. You might try 4K SDR 60p 4:4:4 and, in Match Content, set “Match Dynamic Range” and Match Frame Rate” to on. So, SDR content plays back at 4:4:4 60p/24p and HDR content plays back at 4:2:2/24p. Bandwidth limits prevent HDR 4:4:4/24p compared to 4K HDR on disc. The menus are SDR and look better when set to 4K SDR. If set to 4K HDR and “Match Dynamic Range” and “Match Frame Rate” are selected, SDR/24p material will play back as such. And, if set to 4K SDR with “Match Dynamic Range” and “Match Frame Rate” on, 4K HDR/24p material will play back as such. I just prefer the latter. But, everybody likes a certain look on their own setup.

Can you just set format to 4K HDR and Chroma to 4:2:2 and leave match content off?

 

[Trebdp83]

Sure, no rules for setup. But, if one wants SDR content to playback in SDR/24p, they would need to turn on “Match Dynamic Range” and Match Frame Rate” if Format is set to 4K HDR/60p.

 

[snakeeyes]

Sure, no rules for setup. But, if one wants SDR content to playback in SDR/24p, they would need to turn on “Match Dynamic Range” and Match Frame Rate” if Format is set to 4K HDR/60p.

So my TV is Samsung KS8000

So you are saying enable HDR but set format to 4K SDR and chroma to 4:4:4 and turn on match content for both range and frame rate.

in this configuration it should still do HDR when available?

 

[snakeeyes]

Seems to work. I’m getting HDR on HBO Max for Godzilla vs Kong. (My TV supports only HDR10 of course)

 

[snakeeyes]

@Trebdp83 Really liking these video settings! Thanks!