Apple TV HDMI

Apple TV HDMI: a reader asks…

Which converter will I need to be able to use the following systems together? I have a Samsung TV UHD (Ultra High Definition) 4K model # UN40JU640DF; I have a Yamaha AV Receiver RX-V995. And I have an Apple TV 4K.

Short answer, you don’t need a converter box, just an optical audio cable. Your Samsung TV has HDMI IN ports, so you can plug the Apple TV directly into one of those, and both the Apple TV and your TV have a Digital Audio (Optical) OUT port. Your Yamaha receiver has Optical IN ports, so you can run an Optical cable from either the Apple TV or the Samsung TV to the receiver and get surround sound from the Apple TV to the receiver’s speakers.

Here’s the longer answer. Your Samsung TV manual is online at http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/EM/201803/20180313105310939/BN68-08936A-02_NU8000_ZA_ENG_US_180307.0.pdf. Your Yamaha Receiver manual is online at https://usa.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/1/334221/RX-V995.pdf. Your Apple TV manual is online at https://support.apple.com/guide/tv/welcome/tvos. I’m using these for reference.

Based on your receiver’s manual, your older Yamaha surround sound system (came out in 1999 – last century!) does not have modern HDMI video/audio capability, but only old-style RCA and S-Video types of video input ports. So your Yamaha receiver is not a great option for doing anything with video. Fortunately, it does have digital audio inputs (both Coaxial and Optical), so you can connect a cable to route digital audio to the receiver – so you can hear that awesome digital Dolby 5.1 surround sound audio.

Your TV does have HDMI inputs, and a digital (optical) audio OUT port, so you don’t need any type of converter box. You can let the TV handle switching between video sources, if you have anything other than the Apple TV. It sounds like the simplest way to hook everything up would be:

1. Connect the Apple TV to one of the Samsung TV’s HDMI IN ports. Also connect the included power cable (wall outlet to Apple TV).
2. Turn on the Samsung TV, and turn on the Yamaha receiver. Press any key on the Apple TV to wake it up, and make sure the Samsung TV is set to use the Apple TV’s HDMI source (you can see the Apple TV menu on the screen). Use the Yamaha receiver’s remote and set the input source to TV/DBS.
3. Connect an optical cable from the Samsung TV’s Optical OUT port to the Yamaha receiver’s optical IN port labeled TV/DBS (see page 16 of the receiver manual). If the Apple TV is your only video source, you can instead connect the optical cable from the Apple TV to the Yamaha receiver.

Be sure to do step 2 before step 3, as your TV won’t switch to external output if the Yamaha receiver isn’t powered on and set to the input source. If you don’t have an optical cable, here’s a link: https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Digital-Optical-Audio-Toslink/dp/B00NH11H38 and it comes in 3 different lengths. Get the length needed to reach from the back of the TV to the back of the receiver. This isn’t as important if you’re connecting the cable directly between the Apple TV and the receiver.

You’ll use your Samsung TV remote’s Source button to switch between the Apple TV and any other video sources (if you have any). You’ll use your Yamaha remote to switch to the TV/DBS audio source, and control the volume. You’ll use the Apple TV remote to control the Apple TV.

The only potential ‘fly in the ointment’ I see is on page 36 of your TV’s manual. It says “Digital audio is only available with 5.1 channel broadcasts.” It’s possible that means that if you watch any content on the TV that doesn’t have digital audio, you wouldn’t get any sound from the surround sound speakers. I believe the Apple TV only outputs digital audio, so that shouldn’t be a problem. If you have other video sources, they must also output digital audio for the sound to reach the surround sound speakers.