The new Apple TV has no optical output. As I connected the old Apple TV HDMI output to the TV HDMI input for the best image, how can I handle the sound that before gets to my receiver optical input ?

I had the same problem with my new Apple TV. Unhooked the old one, unboxed the new one, and was surprised the new one has no optical audio. Since we don't want to leave out TV on to listen to music through our stereo, I returned the new Apple TV. Maybe Apple will add back the optical audio port. Probably not.

Just got the same question and waiting a good solution before upgrading to the 4th generation.

Using adaptors will be a bad solution also for the quality of the sound, even using audio passthrough port from TV (which should have the option to work with the TV off by the way, for when I am listening music without using tv screen)

I hope to see a new version with audio output port back on it.

PS: are the Apple engineers using Apple products? Or just saying "what this post is for? we do not need anymore!!" :-D

HDMI will send audio to your TV. If your TV has audio outs, use those to pass the audio on to your amplifier/ sound system.

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If your receiver has HDMI switching built in, I recommend running an HDMI cable from the new Apple TV to the surround sound receiver and than from the HDMI Monitor out from the receiver to the TV. The HDMI audio signal carries a higher resolution for surround sound than Optical Audio does anyway. *You might have to go into your receiver menu/settings to make sure the HDMI is set to Auto, for best sound & video quality.

As for any future Apple TVs, if any audio port needs to be added, it would be an analog output for a Zone 2 on an inexpensive surround sound receiver. Since they usually do not have a DAC for the Zone 2.

Usually I don't try to speculate why Apple do things (its not allowed here)

I can understand that… by the way, I went through many threads and did not find anything helpful, so this is the only way we have. Thanks for replying 🙂

I have a projection TV in a home theater. The TV has no audio output. HDMI brings sound and video to the projection TV, but no options to get audio from my new Apple TV. Suggestions? Cant believe they didn't add the optical output.

I Use a ViewHD adapter that gives optical audio and HMDI video output from HMDI input. Works great.

Found it on Amazon.

More info here

http://forums.macrumors.com/threads/atv4-and-optical-audio-dongle.1933618/#post- 22219649