The Apple TV (4th Gen.) and the Apple TV (1st-3rd Gen.) are both compatible with optical audio. However, there is a slight difference in the way this feature works between the two models.
The Apple TV (4th Gen.) has an optical audio port built into the device itself. This means that you can simply connect an optical audio cable directly from the Apple TV to your audio system or soundbar that supports optical audio. This is a convenient and straightforward setup, as you don’t need any additional adapters or cables.
On the other hand, the earlier models of Apple TV (1st-3rd Gen.) do not have a built-in optical audio port. Instead, you need to use an HDMI to optical audio adapter to connect the Apple TV to your audio system. The adapter plugs into the HDMI port on the Apple TV, and then you can connect the optical audio cable from the adapter to your audio system. This setup requires an extra step and an additional adapter, but it still allows you to enjoy optical audio with your Apple TV.
It’s important to note that the optical audio feature on the Apple TV (1st-3rd Gen.) is not exclusive to Apple devices. It can also be used with other devices that have an HDMI output and support optical audio, such as gaming consoles or Blu-ray players.
In terms of audio quality, both the Apple TV (4th Gen.) and the Apple TV (1st-3rd Gen.) provide high-quality audio through the optical audio connection. The optical audio connection is capable of transmitting uncompressed audio signals, which results in clear and immersive sound.
It’s worth mentioning that if you are using an Amazon Fire TV and want to use the optical audio feature, there is a specific requirement. The optical audio only works with the Amazon Fire TV when the 3.5mm audio jack is plugged into the adapter simultaneously. This means that you need to have both the optical audio cable and the 3.5mm audio cable connected to the adapter for the optical audio to function properly with the Amazon Fire TV.
Both the Apple TV (4th Gen.) and the Apple TV (1st-3rd Gen.) support optical audio. The Apple TV (4th Gen.) has a built-in optical audio port, while the earlier models require an HDMI to optical audio adapter. The optical audio feature provides high-quality audio and can be used with other devices that support optical audio. Additionally, if you are using an Amazon Fire TV, you need to have both the optical audio cable and the 3.5mm audio cable connected to the adapter for the optical audio to work properly.