With the introduction of iOS 18 the ability to automatically enable subtitles when the volume is muted seems like an awesome feature.
Even if this is only part of the system player (which Channels doesn’t use), would it be possible to implement equivalent functionality? If the volume drops to near zero, enable closed captions automatically?
We can look into it, but the mute button on the remote mute's your audio source, not the Apple TV, so we wouldn't even get that information. So I'm not clear how Apple is even doing this.
It'll just take some experimentation. If we can consistently receive information that your device, TV, or receiver is muted, we can take action on that.
There is a system level mute/volume control, but only when using a paired via Bluetooth audio device, or, Homepods.
I use the optical out of my tv to a DAC, that has its own Volume control.
The TV, if i press mute on its remote, it does nothing, since Optical Out (Receiver) is always on and not controlled by the TV at all.
Things may work differently if one is using a HDMI ARC/eARC audio device, like a sound bar. Though, I think HDMI CEC control is done by the TV, and not the Apple TV.?
You can also program the Apple TV remote to use IR to control audio devices, but, i do not think the actual Apple TV knows the state of IR controlled devices.
So....tldr, I too am not certain, as to how Apple is implementing this, Show Subtitles when mute, unless one is using Bluetooth / Homepods type audio.
I use a Bose soundbar connected via eARC and muting does not invoke Subtitles on Apple TV+ content with tvOS 18. Skip back does but not mute.
I use a Sonos soundbar connected via eARC and both muting and well as skip-back invoke subtitles on Apple TV+ content with tvOS 18. I'm guessing this is thanks to HDMI-CEC. Is your Bose controlled via infrared?
Thanks for the input re: soundbar muting and subtitles.
My volume control is HDMI-CEC so I’m uncertain why the glitch with muting and no subtitles. The feature does work with AirPods or if my soundbar is connected via bluetooth.
I’m seeing similar comments in the appletv subreddit so more troubleshooting for me, I guess.
Just in case it wasn’t clear to anyone following along, this new "Automatic Subtitles" feature in tvOS 18 has two distinct settings, under Settings → Video and Audio. One for “Show when Muted” and the other is “Show on Skip Back.” Be sure to enable both, before testing.