Will an HDMI cable with Apple TV stream the sound to my speakers or do I need a TOSLINK cable as well?
It's unlikely but not impossible. Most TV's don't incorporate a DAC, which it would need to do to work as you describe. If you have external speakers, they need to have an optical input and you'll need to connect them to the Apple TV with an optical cable.
Ok thank you. I know that receivers will take a TOSLINK cable but I have yet to find speakers without a large receiver (such as these -- http://www.bestbuy.com/site/polk-audio-5-1-4-bookshelf-speakers-pair-black/88280 12.p?id=1207956903491&skuId=8828012) that will take a TOSLINK cable. Any ideas?
Not all receivers will take optical but most newer ones will.
They sell sound bars to place in front of the TV that have an optical input.
If I don't use a TOSLINK cable (for optical audio output), and just use the HDMI (one in end in TV, one end in Apple TV) will the sound come out of my speakers plugged into my TV with RCA audio cables? What is the purpose of the TOSLINK cable?
