Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Rock Out with Apple TV
The Apple TV isn't just a great device to watch movies and TV—it's also a fantastic hub for all
youraudio.Thischapterkicksoffwithaquicklookattheimportanttopicofimprovingsound
quality and then cruises through the most important audio apps on the Apple TV.
In
The Music App
,
I talk about how you can buy music from Apple and play your previous
purchases.And,in
TheiTunesRadioApp
,
Ilookathowyoucanplayfeaturedstationscreated
by Apple or make your own. Of course, you can also access music from
Home Sharing Music
,
even if its not from Apple, or you may want to learn how to
Rip DVDs for Apple TV
. Plus, you
can listen to
The (Internet) Radio App
on your Apple TV.
Withallthemusiccovered,it'stimetotalkabout
ThePodcastsApp
.
Finally,thechaptercloses
with a careful look at how to
AirPlay Audio from Your Mac
to an Apple TV.
Take the Sound to Eleven
The Apple TV is a fantastic home audio system, but it needs speakers! If you're playing music
over tinny TV speakers, it won't sound much better than an old-time wax cylinder.
To improve your audio, consider adding more hardware:
•
Receiver and speakers:
A home-theater receiver with speakers is the tradi-
tional answer to improving the sound from your TV. The downside to this solu-
tion is cost and complexity. Also, keep in mind that music is usually recorded for
stereo speakers, so an entire 5.1 surround system is overkill. If you're interested
in going this route, look at The Wirecutter's current recommendations for
The
Best Receiver
,
A Great Bookshelf Speaker
, and
Great Surround Speakers
.
Expect
to spend at least $400, though you could spend many thousands.
•
Soundbar:
Asoundbarisacompactsetofspeakers,crammedintoonebar,that
addressestheproblemsoftraditionalhometheaterreceivers.Asoundbarisabet-
ter solution than a receiver for most people, since you don't have to string wires
alloveryourlivingroom,butapotentialdownsideisthatmanysoundbarsattach
directlytotheTV,soyoucan'tplayaudiofromtheAppleTVunlesstheTVitselfis
on—lookforasoundbarwithanopticalaudioinputsoyoucanconnectitdirectly
totheAppleTV.Soundbarsaren'tmuchcheaperthanareceiver/speakercombin-
ation; expect to spend anywhere from $350 to $1,500 on a good soundbar. I re-
commend reading The Wirecutter's current picks for
Best Budget Soundbar
and
