Apple TV + a HomePod issue in Emby

[null_ 0]

Dear Emby support,

 

I recently bought a new HomePod Mini, connected it to my Apple TV and everything worked fine, for all apps.

 

But when I decided to watch some episodes in Emby on my Apple TV, I saw a change. Emby was very laggy when interacting with Emby during an episode (Moving forward, moving back, pausing and resuming the episode, pressing the button « Next episode »).

I reinstalled Emby, on both my server and the Apple TV, but the issue was still present. I also tried to use « Native » player instead of « Auto » (default) but it did not change anything.

After digging a bit the forum, some users met the same issue but I haven’t found any way to resolve it.

I finally decided to change the audio source in my Apple Tv settings, from my HomePod to my TV speakers, and the issue is not present when I use my TV speakers, and it comes back when using back my HomePod speaker.

 

Is this issue known by Emby ? If not, can we try to find a solution to ensure HomePods are working with Apple TV as an audio speaker ?

 

Thanks by advance.

[stingray06 5]

This is an issue i also have,  I have two homepods that it uses and whenever i hit pause for example theres a 2 second delay for it to happen and the same when i hit resume. 

When i use other apps (Netflix / Apple TV app etc.) the pause is instant, it's only emby. 

Would also like to see if there is a possible fix?

Thanks

Edited July 10, 2025 by stingray06

[null_ 0]

Hello,

It's an ever-present problem that seems to affect many people.

Would it be possible to know if a debug is possible?

This problem doesn't prevent the use of HomePods, but it does significantly restrict their use.

Regards.

[null_ 0]

Dear @Luke, is it possible for you to check this problem, by any chance ?

Thanks by advance.

[Luke 42077]

HI, are you still able to reproduce this?

[null_ 0]

Hello, yes, the problem is still present. I recently upgraded Emby to its latest version (4.9.1.80), but nothing changes related to this issue. I use Emby on Apple Tv version 2.0.0 (4).

[stingray06 5]

Yeah. Same for me. Still there. 
 

defo linked to the HomePods as it doesn’t happen when I wear AirPods. 
 

but equally other apps (Apple TV+ / Netflix) doesn’t have this issue. 

[jasonmcroy 316]

Just to throw this in here as I am having the same issue since the beginning of me using home pods. In the living room I have 2 homepods connected together and in the bedroom I have a homepod mini. Same issue on both. A pause or restart creates a 2-3 second delay in the audio.

I have noticed that if I change the player in the settings menu to Native is doesn't happen. It only happens with the MPV player. 

Now, I am also running a Channels DVR server and using their player on ATV doesn't have this issue. I have additionally used Infuse as the player for my Emby server I also don't see this issue. 

However, Plex does have the same issue as Emby (although I don't run a Plex server anymore, but as of last month the issue was there). 

I know this is a known issue, but thought I would chime in...