The Apple TV 4k is the perfect streaming partner for the miniDSP Flex HT and Flex HTx. In this app note we illustrate connections and setup. Combined with an eARC-enabled TV, a modern compact A/V system with Dirac Live®, the world's premiere room correction system, has never been easier to set up!
Connections [Top]
The diagram below illustrates how to connect things up:
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Connect an HDMI cable from the output of the Apple TV 4k (which we will call ATV4k from now on) to an HDMI input of the TV.
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Connect an HDMI cable from the HDMI port on the Flex HT to the eARC-enabled HDMI input of the TV. If using a directional HDMI cable (e.g. fibre optic), connect the "Source" end to the Flex HT and the "Display" end to the TV.
And that's it!
Note: Although the Flex HT is connected to an input of the TV, the audio goes in the opposite direction – hence the name, audio return channel. Note also that the Flex HT must be connected to the eARC-enabled HDMI port on the TV or it won't get sent any audio.
Settings - eARC-enabled TV [Top]
Each brand of television has its own way of describing the settings, so here we will describe a typical example only. You will need to locate the settings that have the same effect on your own TV.
There are two lots of settings to be taken care of:
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To send linear multichannel PCM audio from the Apple TV 4k to the eARC port, and
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To enable HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) so that the ATV4k remote controls the Flex HT.
To enable eARC audio, locate the setting that determines where the TV plays audio and set it to the eARC port. For example:
Ensure that eARC is enabled (eARC is needed for multichannel audio):
Set the option for audio passthrough. This ensures that the audio from the Apple TV 4k (multichannel LPCM) will not be converted by the TV. For example:
It may also be necessary to tell the TV to pass "bitstream" audio. Again, this ensures that it does not convert to stereo PCM. For example:
Finally, enable HDMI-CEC:
Settings - Apple TV 4k [Top]
The ATV4k needs to be set to output multichannel linear PCM. It will then decode and convert compressed bitstream formats (such as Dolby audio). Navigate to the home screen of the ATV4k and then to the Settings app. Go to the Video and Audio section and scroll down to Audio.
Set Audio Output to "Receiver Speakers" (this may say "TV Speakers" if, for example, the Flex HT is not connected or is powered off):
Confirm that the ATV4k will produce linear PCM. The Audio Format setting should display "Auto":
Click on it and confirm that the ATV4k displays "Audio will be decoded and sent to your equipment as uncompressed multichannel LPCM":
To enable CEC, navigate to Remotes and Devices and scroll down to Home Cinema Control. Set Control TVs and AV Receivers to "On":
Set Volume Control to "TV via IR":
Settings - Flex HT [Top]
The Flex HT is ready to go with no particular settings needed. Just select the HDMI input with the remote or front panel encoder knob.
Wrapping up [Top]
Give it a try: turn the volume down on the Flex HT and start playing content on the ATV4k. Then turn up the volume and you should hear multichannel audio!
Now that you have audio working over eARC, you can proceed to configure the Flex HT and run Dirac Live, as described in the User Manual. When you are done, all audio from the Apple TV 4k will have Dirac Live® room correction applied to it!
(Note that Dirac Live is an optional upgrade purchase. You can include it when you purchase the Flex HT or Flex HTx, or purchase it later from within the miniDSP Device Console.)
And that's it! Have fun, and please feel free to share your experiences in our community forum.
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