The Apple HomePod is a smart speaker that you can use to listen to music or podcasts or stream audio from your TV. If you have a VIZIO TV, you might be wondering whether you can connect a HomePod to a VIZIO TV.
The answer is yes, but not directly. Read on to learn what equipment you need for a VIZIO TV setup with a HomePod.
Requirements for Connecting HomePod to VIZIO TV
You can’t actually connect a HomePod to a VIZIO TV directly. You can only connect it to an Apple TV.
However, what you can do is buy an Apple TV box and connect that to your VIZIO TV’s HDMI port. Then, you can connect your HomePod.
So, the basic requirement to connect a HomePod to a VIZIO TV is to have an Apple TV box. This turns your VIZIO TV into an Apple TV, and you can then connect your HomePod to it.
Step-by-Step Guide to Connecting HomePod to VIZIO TV
To pair your HomePod with a VIZIO TV, follow this step-by-step HomePod TV connection guide.
- Make sure that the Apple TV box is connected to your VIZIO TV, and you have the Apple TV system showing.
- Go to the Settings app on your Apple TV.
- Click on Video and Audio.
- Click on Audio output.
- Select your HomePod.
That’s it! Now, whatever you play on your Apple TV on your VIZIO TV will be played to your HomePod as a destination.
You can also connect your HomePod to your Apple TV automatically. To that, you will need to first make sure that your HomePod and Apple TV are assigned to the same room on the Home app, which you can install on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac computer. They must also be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Then, when you turn on your TV, you will be asked if you want to use your HomePod as a speaker. Choose to do so. Remember, this auto-detection will only happen if they have been assigned to the same room in the Home app and are using the same Wi-Fi connection – that allows the TV to detect the HomePod automatically.
Features of Using HomePod with VIZIO TV
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When you use your HomePod with Apple TV on your VIZIO TV, you can stream audio to your HomePod and use it as a speaker.
If you have an Apple TV 4K box, and your VIZIO TV supports it, you can also use your HomePod to set up a home theater audio system with surround sound to mimic the experience you would get when in a cinema.
If you will be using two HomePods for your home theater, you will need to create a stereo pair by tapping on the HomePod in the Home app, clicking on the settings icon, and clicking on Create Stereo Pair.
Another great feature you will have access to is Siri. HomePods have Siri built in, so you can talk to the HomePod and issue voice commands by saying, “Hey Siri.” For example, to get the weather forecast, you can say, “Hey Siri, what’s the weather for tomorrow?”
Troubleshooting Common Connection Issues
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If your HomePod is not being detected by your TV when you turn it on, troubleshoot your HomePod’s connection by checking if it’s connected to the same Wi-Fi network and assigned to the same room in the Home app.
You can also try restarting both the TV and the HomePod. This will sometimes fix HomePod AirPlay issues and resolve the connection.
Remember, if your TV is not detecting your HomePod automatically, you can always simply select it manually in your TV’s audio output settings, as explained earlier.
Using HomePod Mini as a TV Speaker
You can use a HomePod Mini as a TV speaker in the same manner as you would a regular HomePod. Since it’s smaller, you can expect the sound to be a bit less overpowering.
And, just as with a regular HomePod, you can create a HomePod Mini stereo pair with two HomePod Minis with your Apple TV 4K box. This will allow you to have home theater audio with your HomePod.
Conclusion
The HomePod is a great device for home entertainment setups. Benefits of connecting your HomePod to a TV include surround sound audio and the ability to use Siri to issue voice commands. It’s easy and convenient!