Apple TV (2nd generation): Static or no sound from your TV when playing Apple TV content

Products Affected

Apple TV (2nd generation)

Symptoms

Your Apple TV (2nd generation) is set by default to intelligently detect whether your TV can decode Dolby Digital audio via HDMI and will output a Dolby Digital audio stream, or a decoded stereo stream (PCM audio), accordingly. In some cases, certain television sets may not communicate the proper information back to your Apple TV. This may result in your television speakers outputing static, or no sound at all, when viewing content from your Apple TV.

Resolution

Turn off Dolby Digital audio output from your Apple TV (2nd generation)

To Turn off Dolby Digital audio output from your Apple TV (2nd generation), follow these steps:

  1. On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Audio & Video.
  2. Navigate to the Dolby Digital Out option and push the Select button on your Apple Remote until it is off. Apple TV will now output a stereo audio stream instead.

    Dolby Digital Out turned off

Note: If you have set up your Apple TV with an A/V receiver that can decode Dolby Digital audio, make sure to turn Dolby Digital on from the Audio & Video menu, turn your television's audio down, and use your receiver for volume control.

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