Using Apple TV Without a TV?

By Chris, 22 May, 2016

Forum
tvOS and Apple TV Apps

Hello,

As the subject says, is it possible to use an Appple TV without a physical TV? I keep thinking of getting an Apple TV, but am put off by the fact that I'd have to connect it to a TV. I don't need a giant TV taking up space. I have found the Fitheadless adapter for the Mac Mini, so is it possible to purchase an adapter that takes HDMI audio and sends it through a standard 3.5 mm jack to another audio source? Would it also trick the device into thinking it had a screen connected? I'm just wondering if this is possible. I haven't yet found a reason to purchase an Apple TV, but if I ever did, this would be the setup I'd want.

Options

Comments

By Lielle Ben simon on Friday, December 16, 2016 - 19:53

For Initial setting you need to connect for a tv to setting up for the first time. After that you can use the adapter from hdmi to ox cable or to use a receiver with hdmi

By Siobhan on Friday, December 16, 2016 - 23:22

Hiing like a Best buy has them on sale. I got mine for 149 which is the 32gb model, and they had the same price for the sixty four gb model. These are the only two configurations to my knowledge and if you have the opportunity, jump. No sense in wishing you had more space down the line. As with everything else, you know you'll have the tv OS on it and so you won't have the full space. Chris. you may remember someone doing a podcast, Lisa Salinger who does not have a tv but hooked hers to a stereo. The other option, if you want crazy ass good sound, and you will because usually tv speakers suck is a soundbar with HDMI imput. Only problem with those is they are wicked big. I'm talking like three feet long supposedly. I knwo you didn't want a giant tv taking up space. Remember though that a thin tv can be put on a wall very easily so it really wouldn't be hogging up your entertainment center or whatever you were planning on. Now if they can slim down a sound bar, I'd do that as i have an Apple tv. My suggestion since you haven't purchased it and aren't sure yet? Wait to see if someth

By Chris on Saturday, December 17, 2016 - 03:14

Thanks for that information. I was more curious than anything else. I don't plan to buy an Apple TV simply because it does everything my computer and other mobile devices can do. I'd need a pretty good reason to spend $150 on something like that. I think 32 GB would be fine. The primary purpose of this device is to stream content, so larger storage capacities might just be a waste.

By Lielle Ben simon on Saturday, December 17, 2016 - 15:23

What this sound bar? And regarding to apple tv can i connect for a computer speakers and setting up without a tv? It's correct?

a sound bar for the person that was asking is a device that is used to have good sound if you don't want to get a home surround system. there small and I got one wwith smart cast that gives you the ability to control it wwith the iPhone or android.

By david s on Thursday, December 29, 2016 - 21:07

Hello,

Not sure if you already got an ATV but this is the best deal I’ve seen. Sign up for 3 months of direct tv now @35 USD a month and get a 4th gen ATV. You will need to prepay the 3 months in advance though.

So, you get three months of direct tv and an ATV for only 105 USD.

Not sure when it will expire but if you’re interested, check out the link below.

http://hip2save.com/2016/11/30/directv-now-free-apple-tv-4th-generation-32gb-when-you-pre-pay-for-3-month-subscription/

By Chowder84 on Saturday, February 18, 2017 - 16:22

I had this question for the last six months as well. Since Apple TV for came out, and they got rid of the optical audio output, I was trying to find a way to play the Apple TV audio through my new sound bar. After doing a little research, I ordered an HDMI splitter off of eBay. What this does is you put an HDMI cable from the Apple TV into the splitter box. From there you have an HDMI cable that goes out to your TV and a red and white audio cable or an optical audio cable that can go out to your stereo or sound bar. I actually just realized this morning that the AppleTV will play sound through the audio outputs through my sound bar even when my actual TV is off. So this would definitely solve your problem. To search for this on eBay type something like… HDMI to HDMI plus RCA plus optical audio output splitter box. The one I bought cost around $15 total and you will just need the extra cables.