The best way to connect is to use hdmi splitter off the appletv and connect that into the beosystem4 as well as the tv - then you need a hdmi edid emulator plugged into the hdmi out of the Beosystem 4 so the Beosystem 4 won’t switch off. Doing it this way means that you don’t need the sp/dif cable and you’ll get full 5.1 sound through the hdmi cable. 

A emulator such as this one should do the trick

Thank you for the suggestion.

I've managed to configure the BS4 such that it plays S/PDIF from the Sony TV without video, without interruption, hooray, but haven't yet got past the BS4 going to sleep when the TV is off and the audio stream is nil. I suspect the HDMI route won't alter this behaviour but will try.

My problem with the BS4 going to sleep is that the only way to wake it is to use the Beo4 or B&O in-app remote, then wait n seconds for it to sort itself out. My family won't stomach this.

I think we've all gotten so used to the no-nonsense, braindead simplicity of HDMI-CEC, and of products like the Stage - which do not require any interaction once installed - that this might be a road to nowhere for me.

65535 wrote:

My problem with the BS4 going to sleep is that the only way to wake it is to use the Beo4 or B&O in-app remote, then wait n seconds for it to sort itself out. My family won't stomach this.

I think we've all gotten so used to the no-nonsense, braindead simplicity of HDMI-CEC, and of products like the Stage - which do not require any interaction once installed - that this might be a road to nowhere for me.

That IMO should not be the biggest problem of the world.

And...in my experience CEC is not always reliable.

Looking forward to hear how you get along.

MM

You're right of course MM, the notion that having to - gasp! - manually power on an appliance is some sort of modern day tragedy is overdramatic nonsense on my part.

But I know full well that I'll get pushback from my users, given the current setup is simplicity itself (press MENU on the Siri remote, that's it).

As a note to any future Google searcher landing here, the S/PDIF route means the volume level from the Sony TV is of course fixed, so to be able to alter the volume on the BS4 I have to:

1. either revert to an older generation Apple Siri remote and teach it the B&O volume IR using a Beo4 remote, which I have actually tried after following this thread but for reasons I can't explain got precisely nowhere,
2. or I go the HDMI splitter route that frog described above, meaning the TV audio is then variable

65535 wrote:

Update!

Discovered my BeoSystem 4 doesn't understand HDMI-CEC meaning I need more cables to go the PUC route.

I have a question:

My Bravia KD-65X9005A does not have a PUC table specific to it. There are a bunch of Sony appliances listed as downloadable PUC entries on the BS4, including PlayStations and Blu-ray players and so on, but no 'Generic Sony Display' or suchlike.

There must be a way to configure this, so that my BeoRemote can control both the Apple TV and the Sony? The BR talks to the BeoSystem via infrared, but whether it's capable of controlling multiple external devices simultaneously is an unknown for me.

** EDIT >>

eBay item as below is a "dual" cable and looks to do what I want?

BeoSystem 4 | RJ45 STB PUC IR Blaster Transmitter for Bang & Olufsen B&O (3 M)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154592971061

Can you update the PUC table in the BeoVision ? See this text: 

Your BeoSystem 4 must have your device equipment loaded into the software list. For example, if you wish to connect an Apple TV and control it through your BeoVision TV and remote control, the setup list for the source connections must show Apple TV or Apple Remote under set-top box. If your BeoSystem does not show your equipment in the list of sources, then a PUC software update may be required. This is carried out by the on-screen menu (when connected to the internet) or via your authorised Bang & Olufsen dealer/installation engineer. If the TV/equipment is connected to the internet, the list can be updated via an online software update. Alternatively, the software can be downloaded to your computer (via the Bang & Olufsen website) and transferred to a USB memory stick. The memory stick can then be plugged into your TV and a software update completed (dependent on specific model).

I see your dilemma.

However, I would never sacrifice good sound just to be able to skip one single touch on the beoremote (and use the volume control there)…..well, two for turning off, too.

From your listed devices I see, that the Sony has the Stage connected - so it should be pretty good as is.

Maybe in the end you have no need for a BSys4….but it was good to learn a bit about it.

And you can safely sell it, knowing that it works as supposed to.

MM

I’m puzzled. I’ve given you the read0n of why the Beosystem switches off due to the lack of EDID and you talk about CEC - which is quite different. 

My continuing reference to CEC is more a reflection of my mental state 🙂

With few exceptions every item of A/V equipment in my home is interoperable via CEC down to the horrid orange/brown plastic 2009 LG monstrosity in the spare room. No cables, no setup files, no hair lost. Stick an Apple TV in an HDMI socket and boom, done.

Update.

I've borrowed an 8-port HDMI splitter from work, which is overkill, and worked out why I'm getting odd behaviour when switching the BS4 into standby: it's because I'm powering the A/V tools off the USB on the BeoSystem which goes dead when the unit is in standby.

So to summarise, I'm an idiot 🙁

I've setup 4x BL17s and BL19 with the BS4 and am trialling it on the family this weekend. I still need a centre channel that I don't currently have, and am browsing eBay for a used 7.2 unless anyone has a better suggestion.

Having wired up an IR-eye with the correct cable, a final snag is my Beo4 is I believe too early for the BeoSystem: it lacks the navigation button. I can do everything from set the volume, display menus, and so on, but not go up and down the menu entries. I've had to steal the BeoRemote One from the Horizon.

The Stage has been decommissioned. I'd forgotten just how superior the sound is from a proper surround setup. The Stage is good, but it's good like a BeoSound 1, i.e. 'modern good' and no replacement for old fashioned separated sound.

Be sure to get that 7.2 for the center channel!

That would be a killer setup 🙂

By the way - you can navigate in the menus with the old Beo4 when you user 1,2.3 etc downwards for the entries in the menu.

But do get the Beo4/Navi anyway - it will make things a lot easier.

Looking forward to hear what you and the family think, once setup properly.

MM