New Apple TV uses USB-C for service, ditches optical audio out port
The new Apple TV looks largely the same as its predecessors, but its ports around back have been revised, removing optical audio output, and using USB-C for restoring the device through its service port.
The loss of optical audio out, in particular, could be upsetting to some home theater enthusiasts. While HDMI sends both audio and video over a single cable, copyright compliance requirements with HDMI can make it difficult or impossible for users to connect their headphones without the use of an intermediary receiver or HDTV with an optical out port.
Optical audio out ports on devices like the third-generation Apple TV, as well as modern game consoles such as the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, make it possible for users to connect headphones directly to the device, without the need for a receiver or home theater system.
Without a dedicated optical port on the fourth-generation Apple TV, those without a receiver looking to use headphones may be out of luck, as audio can only be sent out through the HDMI 1.4 port. Users with HDTVs that pass through audio via their own optical port, however, could still receive sound over headphones.
The Apple TV also holds the distinction of being Apple's second device with a USB-C port, though most users likely won't access it. Unlike with the 12-inch MacBook, which uses the USB-C port for both charging and syncing, the USB-C connection on the Apple TV will only be used for diagnostics purposes.
Other changes to the Apple TV are more significant: It features a much more capable 64-bit A8 processor, as well as storage capacities of 32 or 64 gigabytes, for $149 or $199, respectively. Wi-Fi connectivity has also been upgraded to 802.11ac, while the device still features a dedicated Ethernet port.
The loss of optical audio out, in particular, could be upsetting to some home theater enthusiasts. While HDMI sends both audio and video over a single cable, copyright compliance requirements with HDMI can make it difficult or impossible for users to connect their headphones without the use of an intermediary receiver or HDTV with an optical out port.
Optical audio out ports on devices like the third-generation Apple TV, as well as modern game consoles such as the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, make it possible for users to connect headphones directly to the device, without the need for a receiver or home theater system.
Without a dedicated optical port on the fourth-generation Apple TV, those without a receiver looking to use headphones may be out of luck, as audio can only be sent out through the HDMI 1.4 port. Users with HDTVs that pass through audio via their own optical port, however, could still receive sound over headphones.
The Apple TV also holds the distinction of being Apple's second device with a USB-C port, though most users likely won't access it. Unlike with the 12-inch MacBook, which uses the USB-C port for both charging and syncing, the USB-C connection on the Apple TV will only be used for diagnostics purposes.
Other changes to the Apple TV are more significant: It features a much more capable 64-bit A8 processor, as well as storage capacities of 32 or 64 gigabytes, for $149 or $199, respectively. Wi-Fi connectivity has also been upgraded to 802.11ac, while the device still features a dedicated Ethernet port.
Comments
My home theatre system doesn't have HDMI in on the receiver, so that's a bummer, since I'd rather not also buy a new (and better) receiver to upgrade.
But will wireless headphones not work with the new AppleTV via Bluetooth?
Whaaaat!?! This blows, I have an optical cable from my Apple TV to my stereo and am constantly streaming music to it through iTunes. I also listen to movies through my stereo..... I don't get it.
Whaaaat!?! This blows, I have an optical cable from my Apple TV to my stereo and am constantly streaming music to it through iTunes. I also listen to movies through my stereo..... I don't get it.
There will be a dongle, and most new receivers have HDMI inputs. But I agree, I don't really follow the logic behind eliminating optical audio for the vast majority of existing music-listening setups.
Now, Apple TV can't send audio to two sources at the same time
Do I have this right?
You shouldbe able to forward the sound output from your Apple TV to an Airport Express, which has an optical out port. You then plug whatever speakers you want into the Airport Express.
This is currently possible with the 3rd Gen Apple TV so hopefully they keep that feature.
My home theatre system doesn't have HDMI in on the receiver, so that's a bummer, since I'd rather not also buy a new (and better) receiver to upgrade.
But will wireless headphones not work with the new AppleTV via Bluetooth?
I was in the same boat as you and ended up buying one of these to sort me out. Not only does it allow me to have four HDMI devices, it splits the audio out to TOSLINK so I can have DD and DTS audio coming into my receiver from each of those HDMI devices. I use a Harmony remote to select the HDMI input on the switch to match the device I select.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IAM74UO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage
Much cheaper than replacing my (otherwise quite capable) receiver.
I honestly don't get the need for optical ports from the Apple TV. I only use the optical out from my TV, since the TV has to be on anyways for the AppleTV to work in any meaningful way, no?
The time for the optical port has come and gone. Few will miss it.
Glad to see USB-C on here.
I am mystified as to why the Bluetooth is 4.0. They missed a huge HomeKit opportunity for advancement if they had gone with 4.1 (like the iPod Touch!) or 4.2.
HDMI only at 1.4 is disappointing, but understandable since they didn't go whole hog to UHD. Since there are so many of the next gen technologies that are in flux (competing HDR formats, more patent assertions on HEVC, wide gamut with inconsistent tech), I would expect next year's model to be the one that gets all of these to "just work" and well.
I will buy this one as a solid advance over the previous model, but it looks like my ideal unit will have to wait until next year.
I connect my Apple TV with the optical cable to my stereo and stream from my laptop. The actual TV has nothing to do with it. Then when I watch a movie the audio goes from my Apple TV to my stereo which of course sounds much better than my TV's audio.
In theory USB audio devices may (at least unintentionally) also work. Several work on iOS already.
No. If playing just music, you don't need the TV on with the existing ATV, this new one you do need the TV on and you've got to have a TV that has optical (or otherwise) audio out. Pretty stupid really.
Without a dedicated optical port on the fourth-generation Apple TV, those without a receiver looking to use headphones may be out of luck, as audio can only be sent out through the HDMI 1.4 port.
I've never tried using Bluetooth earbuds with ?TV, but the new ?TV does have Bluetooth 4.0.
Presumably it works pretty well, so there *is* a way to use headphones without optical digital.
Just not your old wired ones. (Unless there's some kind of Bluetooth adapter you can plug them into.)
That's disappointing. I love having the optical out on my Apple TV. I use it all the time, when streaming music.
$47, and another box.