Apple TV - Passthrough issues - Soundbar

Skullytor on 04/07/2022 - 20:26
Last edited 04/07/2022 - 20:26

I have a Sony HT-G700 soundbar. Apple TV 4K (previous model with touch remote) and an older Sony Bravia (1080p) TV.

I have the Apple TV plugged into the soundbar and the soundbar into the TV (via HDMI eARC/ARC). I have HDMI Standby Through enabled, which should allow the sound and picture of the device (apple TV) to pass-through to the TV without turning on the system.

When the soundbar is on, the Apple TV plays as it should. Picture on TV, audio on soundbar

But when I turn off the soundbar, the Apple TV signal gets distorted colorful pix-elated 'snow' type screen. It flickers for a while, I assume trying to find the right screen mode, before it stops sending the signal all-together.
It does not like the pass-through. If I power up the soundbar again, it all comes alive and works.

I tried to replicate the error by plugging my PS4, WDTV into the sound bar, passthrough works fine.

I spend hours trying all sorts of settings on the soundbar but nothing fixes it. Oddly enough, I did get it working for a few days (?) when I changed the HDMI cable. Now nothing works.

The work around is I plug the Apple TV directly to the TV, then it can use the TV speakers or the Sound Bar via the TV output. Downside with that is, it doen't have atmos support.

Entertainment Apple Media Player Sony Soundbar Subwoofer

Comments

  • askbargain on 04/07/2022 - 21:31

    Does it work with the soundbar off at first, and turning on the ATV?

    • Skullytor on 04/07/2022 - 22:27

      nope - unfortunately not. Works fine with PS4/WDTV etc. So I don't think its the sound bar.
      I played with all the settings I can think of. But happy to take suggestions of course.

      Maybe its just an apple passthrough compatibility thing.

      • askbargain on 04/07/2022 - 23:07

        Shouldn't Atmos still work via ARC?

        • jaydisc on 05/07/2022 - 08:02

          I’m think the Apple TV decodes all content, including Atmos, into uncompressed LPCM (2.0, 5.1 or 7.1). I think uncompressed 7.1 will require eARC and decent cabling.

        • djsweet on 05/07/2022 - 09:20

          Nope, you need eARC for that and certified ultra cables (which aren’t cheap)

        • Skullytor on 05/07/2022 - 16:43

          I suspect my TV is too old and won't pass it onto the soundbar. Only when I directly connect the Apple TV will I get atmos - but then I can't turn off the soundbar and use TV speakers as passthrough

  • n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm on 05/07/2022 - 19:42

    Have you checked the HDMI control settings on the Apple TV?

    I think the settings is called something like "allow TV to control Apple TV" on or off. Try turning that off.

    • Skullytor on 06/07/2022 - 00:22

      Thank you - did all that previously.

      • n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm on 06/07/2022 - 18:42

        Ok sorry I couldn't help.

        My thoughts are either the soundbar, TV, or Apple TV is very picky about what HDMI cable it uses. So my internet searches would go along the lines "my TV is very picky about HDMI cable".

        Not sure how come the one cable that worked with the Apple TV stopped working though, maybe try a hard restart of the Apple TV, then try that cable again?
        Also are you sure you put the same cable in the same spot as when it worked? Apple TV>Sound bar, and Sound bar>TV.
        Hard restart for Apple TV is hold down Menu and TV buttons until Apple TV status blinks rapidly: https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/tv/atvbb8553426/tvos

        • Skullytor on 06/07/2022 - 20:03

          Hard reset is tempting but I kinda dont want to go through that. Unless I'm wrong, there is no way tor restore the settings and I gotta start from scratch.

          I'm very sure I put the cable through the Soundbars passthrough which worked a few times. But then again, maybe I'm mistaking. I doubt it.

          I now need to decide if
          1. I want to run the Apple TV directly to the soundbar and disable passthrough - how often do I watch the Apple TV with the soundbar off?
          2. Run it through the TV and loose some soundbar functionary like lip-syncing etc.

          • n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm on 06/07/2022 - 20:04

            @Skullytor: Sorry I edited my comment above, I mean "Hard restart" which is a reboot of the system, not "Hard reset" which wipes everything.

            • Skullytor on 06/07/2022 - 20:04

              @n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm: Oh yeh - did that a few times.

              Also I did the video reset. Sometimes I can get the image working for maybe 1 second before it goes kaput again.

              • n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm on 06/07/2022 - 20:09

                @Skullytor: The TV or Cables going "wrong" is not a common thing though. And I have never had any issues with Apple TV's.
                If anything I would suspect the Sound bar "pass through" has some kind of fault.

                You could ask for a replacement of the soundbar, or try another Soundbar entirely.

                This is what I think is happening. The pass-through is affecting the HDMI signal the Apple TV senses.
                So with Soundbar off, TV on. The Apple TV thinks "there is no HDMI cable plugged into me" and shuts the signal off.
                But with Soundbar on, TV on. The pass-through works as intended and the Apple TV senses the HDMI connection and keeps the signal alive.

                • Skullytor on 06/07/2022 - 20:37

                  @n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm: If the Sony pass through is at fault, wouldn't it not like the other devices?
                  PS: The soundbar was repaired by a sony contractor - new mainboard. But that was for another issue.
                  I would be able to get a new sound bar replacement but the fact all other devices work - leave me thinking is not the sound bar

                  Also, when the Apple TV pass through fails, there is a 'snow' type picture for a little while before it shuts itself off to 'no signal'.
                  Like so: https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-14318785-television-…

  • askbargain on 05/07/2022 - 22:41

    Check your refresh rate setting on Apple TV and ensure that HDR is off?

    • Skullytor on 06/07/2022 - 00:22

      Not that either.

  • Skullytor on 06/07/2022 - 20:55

    Interestingly I did another test.

    Same setup

    Apple TV to SoundBar to TV.

    But this time another TV altogether. A more modern 4k TV not an older Sony 1080P.

    It all works - same HDMI cables and all.

    PS
    The 4K TV is a small TV for another room, not feasible to replace it in the media room where the sound bar is.

    • n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm on 07/07/2022 - 20:27

      Good job identifying the culprit without spending any money.

      Weird how Sony TV+Sony Soundbar has the issue though. I guess the 1080p Sony is just too old.

      • Skullytor on 07/07/2022 - 21:33

        I'm going to run the Apple TV through the sound bar and disable pass through.

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