[dawkimi]

I recently purchased an Ipod Touch and Apple TV (first time using any Apple products).  I am in the process of transferring my CD collection to Apple TV using I-tunes.

I imported the CD into my desktop computer’s Apple Library using Apple lossless format.  I synched my Apple TV with my desktop Library.  I am using the Remote application on my I-Touch to control the Apple TV. 

I connected the Apple TV to my Genesis Digital Lens with Toslink digital cable.  The Lens then outputs to my DAC, but I am not getting any sound.  Do I need to import CDs into my Library using a different format?  Will the Apple TV output a digital signal if the only connection is the toslink digital output?  Any other helpful hints?  Thanks for your time and assistance.

Mike

[skunark]

Look in the Apple TV settings to enable the toslink output. 

[srb]

I connected the Apple TV to my Genesis Digital Lens with Toslink digital cable. The Lens then outputs to my DAC, but I am not getting any sound.  Do I need to import CDs into my Library using a different format?  Will the Apple TV output a digital signal if the only connection is the toslink digital output?  Any other helpful hints?  Thanks for your time and assistance.

You should be able to use any file format that iTunes supports, and if they are not Apple Lossless, I believe other file formats are converted to Apple Lossless for wireless transmission to the Apple TV or Airport Express anyway.
 

Look in the Apple TV settings to enable the toslink output. 

I couldn't find anything in the Apple TV setup manual about enabling the Toslink output?
 
 
Here are some things to check or try:
 
1. In iTunes Preferences under Devices, enable the checkbox that says "Look for remote speakers connected with AirTunes".
 
2. In the iTunes main window, there should be button on the lower right that says either "Computer" or "Multiple Speakers".  Have you selected "Apple TV" from the list?
 
Lastly, the Apple TV's Toslink optical port outputs a standard S/PDIF PCM data stream.  Are you using the Genesis Digital Lens to convert the output to coaxial because your DAC does not accept optical?
 
If your DAC has a Toslink input, try the bypassing the Digital Lens and connect the Toslink direct to the DAC.
 
Steve

[jhm731]

I use the same set up:
Apple TV->Genesis Digital Lens->DAC, control with an iTouch and works perfectly. I use AIFF.

Two questions:

Does the display on your Genesis Digital Lens indicate that's it's lock onto
Apple TV?

When you hit the play button in the Remote app does it show that the track
is playing?

[Stu Pitt]

I own an Apple TV and use an iPhone to control it as well.  Make sure the remote is 'paired' or something like that.  Make sure your DAC is actually locking onto the signal.  Temporarily bypassing the digital lens is a good idea.  That'll eliminate it as a possibility.  I don't think there are too many options for the digital output.  Making sure it's set to 2 channel may help. 

Maybe the best thing to do would be to unplug the optical cable from the digital lens and play some music while leaving the Apple TV end of it connected.  You should light coming from the unconnected side.  I'm pretty sure it'll be red. 

If you have no signal from the Apple TV, there's a way to reset it.  You won't lose anything synched.   I can't remember how to do it, but a Google search should bring it up.  I had to reset mine once; it was pressing a few buttons at the same time, and unplugging it either before or after the buttons were pressed.  It worked as it was supposed to after that, and nothing was lost. 

If I remember correctly, I Googled Apple TV no digital output. 

[skunark]

I couldn't find anything in the Apple TV setup manual about enabling the Toslink output?

I will post a screen shot of it when I can, but I think it's poorly named as the dobly digital output.

[skunark]

I will post a screen shot of it when I can, but I think it's poorly named as the Dolby digital output.

After spending a few minutes with my Apple TV the digital output is always on, no matter if you enable Dolby Digital Output option.  So, as a test, you can just preview a song/video from the store, the audio should work there:   
*If that works then my guess is that you ripped your CDs at 48kHz, I'm pretty like the airport express, the Apple TV is limited to 16/44.1 on the optilcal output. iTunes will only rip a CD at 16/44.1 for Apple lossless, so if you used another application to rip, might try letting iTunes rip a cd and see if that's the issue.
*If that didn't work, then I'm guessing you have an issue other than the file.

[srb]

*If that works then my guess is that you ripped your CDs at 48kHz, I'm pretty like the airport express, the Apple TV is limited to 16/44.1 on the optilcal output. iTunes will only rip a CD at 16/44.1 for Apple lossless, so if you used another application to rip, might try letting iTunes rip a cd and see if that's the issue.
*If that didn't work, then I'm guessing you have an issue other than the file.

Although the optical output of the Apple TV and Airport Express is limited to 16/44.1, you can play files of any resolution that iTunes supports.  They will just be downcoverted to 16/44.1 Apple Lossless.
 
Steve

[skunark]

I can play 96/24 wav files with iTunes, which is getting down-converted, but the Apple TV will not play them.

Files used:
http://dl.nin.com/theslip/signup

Perhaps I need to shoot my apple tv? 

[srb]

I can play 96/24 wav files with iTunes, which is getting down-converted, but the Apple TV will not play them.

First I am using the Airport Express, not the Apple TV, but I assumed they would operate the same in this respect.  (?)
 
My Airport Express' are all using the analog outputs, not the Toslink output.  I downloaded the files in WAV format and also made Apple Lossless copies, and they play fine through the AE analog output.  I was just about to test one with the Toslink output, but I realized I don't have a Mini-Toslink adapter or cable!
 
Steve

[dawkimi]

Appreciate all the great suggestions.  I will do a bypass test to find out what is going on. 

However, I posted this same question on Audiogon and got a response that the optical output is only active when the HDMI output is active (I will try to confirm this with Apple).

For all responders who aren't having any issues, are you also using the HDMI ouput? 

Thanks again.

Mike

[jhm731]

The HDMI output doesn't have to be connected when listening to music via the digital output into a DAC.

I only use the HDMI output on my Apple TV for set up and updates.

Whoever told you the optical output is only active when the HDMI output is active is wrong.

[skunark]

Appreciate all the great suggestions.  I will do a bypass test to find out what is going on. 

However, I posted this same question on Audiogon and got a response that the optical output is only active when the HDMI output is active (I will try to confirm this with Apple).

For all responders who aren't having any issues, are you also using the HDMI ouput? 

Thanks again.

Mike

I do use the hdmi output, I will see if i can find a component cable and try tonight.   

[skunark]

It appears I no longer have a component cable, so I'm not going to be able to recreate your setup.  What I can say is that without a video cable connected, the apple tv played the annoying music, via toslink, when it powers on.

To me that does dis-spell any theory that you need HDMI to get the optical output to work.

[Stu Pitt]

I've never used an HDMI with my Apple TV.  Always used component video to the TV and optical to my DAC without any audio to the TV.

I've also used just the optical out without connecting to the TV (using iPhone as a remote).  Never had issues in that regard.

I only had an optical output issue once, which was after an update.  After I reset the Apple TV, the issue went away.

[dawkimi]

I appreciate everybody's feedback.  Everything is up and running fine.  I purchased a small lcd tv (great for watching videos, etc.) which is connected to my Apple TV via HDMI.  Toslink is going directly into my Bidat and the sound is virtually the same as using my dedicated transport with Genesis Lens for CDs.  When I tried to route the toslink through the Lens first, the sound was very poor (speed readings on the Lens were off the chart).

Having my complete CD library on the Apple TV is awesome and I'm listening to a wider variety of music on my system.  Thanks again.

Mike

[Stu Pitt]

Other than having all my music in one convenient place, my favorite feature is YouTube.  So much great music on there.  Picture and sound quality vary, but it's really about the performances to me.