I’m not sure if this an Ultra issue, or an HDMI issue.

[M1ke2345]

I moved my Apple TV HD from the garage (where it was headless, acting as a HomeKit hub), to behind my WiiM Ultra, so I can use it like Spotify Connect, but for Apple Music.

I can now select it as a recognised output device on my iPhone, that will pull down the streams using my Apple Music account, but the WiiM says nothing is connected (when it clearly is) by HDMI.

I’ve triple checked the HDMI connections on both ends, they are firmly in.

So I’m wondering if the Ultra can only recognise what it perceives to be an actual Television via its HDMI in, rather than simply accept the audio from my Apple TV box?

 

[Aquaman]

I moved my Apple TV HD from the garage (where it was headless, acting as a HomeKit hub), to behind my WiiM Ultra, so I can use it like Spotify Connect, but for Apple Music.

I can now select it as a recognised output device on my iPhone, that will pull down the streams using my Apple Music account, but the WiiM says nothing is connected (when it clearly is) by HDMI.

I’ve triple checked the HDMI connections on both ends, they are firmly in.

So I’m wondering if the Ultra can only recognise what it perceives to be an actual Television via its HDMI in, rather than simply accept the audio from my Apple TV box?

As the HDMI socket on the Ultra is not just an input but also an output (ARC = Audio Return Channel) I would think that pure audio in will indeed not work.

I‘m not familiar with Apple TV boxes. Don‘t they have an optical or coaxial out?

 

[hgo58]

As the HDMI socket on the Ultra is not just an input but also an output (ARC = Audio Return Channel) I would think that pure audio in will indeed not work.

I‘m not familiar with Apple TV boxes. Don‘t they have an optical or coaxial out?

The WiiM Ultra HDMI is input only. It expect the ARC out from the TV.

A standard HDMI audio signal imbedded in the video signal is not supported.

PS: It is called Audio Return Channel because the TV returns the incoming audio signal imbedded in the video, out to a dedicated audio only signal line in the HDMI connection.

 

[M1ke2345]

Thanks both.

If I've understood this correctly, the only way for me to get audio out of my ATV and into my Ultra, would be optical?

My ATV doesn't have an optical port, so would an HDMI Audio Extractor work, with the optical going in to the WiiM?

 

[M1ke2345]

Question, what about if I inserted an HDMI dummy plug into the chain.

So Apple TV>HDMI Dummy Plug>HDMI cable in to WiiM Ultra?

Amazon.co.uk

 

[hgo58]

Question, what about if I inserted an HDMI dummy plug into the chain.

So Apple TV>HDMI Dummy Plug>HDMI cable in to WiiM Ultra?

Amazon.co.uk

A HDMI Audio Extractor may do it.

I cannot see what a HDMI Dummy Plug could help?

 

[M1ke2345]

A HDMI Audio Extractor may do it.

I cannot see what a HDMI Dummy Plug could help?

The Dummy Plug will make the Ultra think that there is an actual television at the other end of the HDMI cable, as it sends EDID data (resolution etc).

If this works (and it should) then I will be able to get full Apple Lossless, over HDMI, into the Ultra, without an actual Television being present.

The downside with using optical via an extractor, is that it won’t pass Apple Music’s 24‑bit/48 kHz Lossless, just 16‑bit/44.1k.

 

[Aquaman]

The Dummy Plug will make the Ultra think that there is an actual television at the other end of the HDMI cable, as it sends EDID data (resolution etc).

If this works (and it should) then I will be able to get full Apple Lossless, over HDMI, into the Ultra, without an actual Television being present.

The downside with using optical via an extractor, is that it won’t pass Apple Music’s 24‑bit/48 kHz Lossless, just 16‑bit/44.1k.

If you try that dummy plug please let us know the results. This is live and learn for most of us here.

I didn‘t even know such a plug existed. Shame on me.

 

[hgo58]

The Dummy Plug will make the Ultra think that there is an actual television at the other end of the HDMI cable, as it sends EDID data (resolution etc).

If this works (and it should) then I will be able to get full Apple Lossless, over HDMI, into the Ultra, without an actual Television being present.

No. The only input to WiiM is the dedicated ARC signal. Nothing to do with video. So unless you have that signal it will not work.

The downside with using optical via an extractor, is that it won’t pass Apple Music’s 24‑bit/48 kHz Lossless, just 16‑bit/44.1k.

That depends on the extractor used.

Have a look at e.g. the WARRKY 4K HDMI Audio Extractor

 

[Wiimer]

Question, what about if I inserted an HDMI dummy plug into the chain.

So Apple TV>HDMI Dummy Plug>HDMI cable in to WiiM Ultra?

Amazon.co.uk

I'm not quite sure, so I'd like to ask: How do I connect the Apple TV and Ultra using a dummy plug?

Does the dummy plug have a female port?

 

[M1ke2345]

I'm not quite sure, so I'd like to ask: How do I connect the Apple TV and Ultra using a dummy plug?

Does the dummy plug have a female port?

I’ve just realised that it doesn’t.