I have the following setup: a Sky Q box for all streaming services (Netflix, Paramount, Disney, etc.). The Sky Q also serves as the cable TV decoder and, obviously, for Sky programmes. The decoder box (Sky Q) is connected via HDMI for video to a laser projector, and via TOSLINK (optical) for audio to my NDX2, which serves as a DAC feeding into my Naim system 282 / 300DR. I only run stereo. That system works well and delivers a solid, nice, deep Naim sound. So far, so good.
Here comes the problem and my questions: I am intending to get rid of Sky and, consequently, will lose the Sky Q decoder as my hub for all TV and streaming.
Now, a) what is the best device to replace the Sky Q with (video and sound quality)? I am considering getting the latest-generation Apple TV 4K for that. What are your thoughts on it?
And b) if I go the Apple TV route, how can I separate the sound from the video, given that the Apple TV box only has HDMI out? As far as my research goes, they do not have a separate audio out anymore. I would like to avoid using an AV receiver (too many boxes, and I also had terrible ground hum problems with an AV receiver setup going via pre-out into the 282 AV).
Do you have any tips or suggestions on how to approach this? Thank you so much for your thoughts!
Why not replace it with a Freesat 4k recordable box? A simple swap out of the Sky Q box and has HDMI for video and TOSLINK for audio. Add an Amazon Fire TV stick for any streaming apps not on the Freesat box. That’s what we replaced the Sky Q box with when we dumped Sky
The Lindy HDMI® 18G Audio Extractor allows the user to seamlessly extract both digital and analogue audio from an HDMI® source and output to an audio device in either digital or analogue formats, while sending the video signal to a 4K UHD display or projector. This is a perfect solution for connecting non-HDMI® AV receivers or analogue 2-channel speaker setups to an HDMI® source device, while also being ideal for extracting audio and video to a display that requires separate speakers.
Unfortunately I have no personal experience on this matter (or product) but hopefully someone else can chip in for additional advice (or at least this could be a starting point for further internet search).
@Ris It seems that OP uses projector instead of TV for video.
Could you use an HDMI audio de-embedder? That’s what I use to separate the sound out from a ROKU streaming stick. It has outputs for digital or analogue along with the HDMI output. It comes with a wallwart power supply. It works well for me but I don’t have the expertise that others here have to know what its limitations might be in your proposed use case.
The Humax Freesat is excellent and had audio out. Unfortunately it is no longer available. I use it alongside an IPTV decoder of which there are many but I am not aware of one with separate audio out other than hdmi.
Does your TV not have a Toslink output, or Bluetooth or an HDMI ARC out that could be used with a converter? Then the sound should work regardless of the various boxes you may want to plug into it.
no, as i am not feeding into a tv, but only into a projector. thatbis mounted underneath the ceiling which also would be way too far away for an audio cable back to the ndx2.
but i think, the way to go with that extractor will be a good one .
not for the moment.
And I rarely watch TV.
I prefer to use my iPad to watch a few episodes of series.
but it can be an option.
or just buy a Mu-So 2 or an Hekla
or an Hekla