Features, settings & updates

Get troubleshooting tips to configure your Roku settings. The community forum has tips for screen mirroring, Guest Mode, software updates, audio, and more.
cancel
Showing results for 
Show  only  | Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
SwiftTransient
Channel Surfer

Request for Digital Audio Outputs on Roku

Hi Roku,

Not sure if this is the correct section.

In recent years we've seen audio outputs of any type, analog or digital, disappearing on video players, and it has caused a lot of grief for audio buffs.

More recently, S/PDIF coaxial and Toslink optical digital outputs are nowhere to be found on newer media players, leaving only a single HDMI. There are no audio outputs.

The thing is, these connector types are not obsolete, so we can't understand why at least one digital audio output is not being prioritized on video streaming devices.

It's factually correct that separate AES/EBU audio connections are still the method used in recording studios for digital audio transmission, and are found on some home audio DACs. The beloved Toslink optical and S/PDIF coaxial digital inputs are of course found on every audio DAC. They are the standard. HDMI, however, is not found on DACs. The reason is, HDMI requires a de-embedding process to extract the digital pass through, LPCM or DSD audio stream from the video data.

This situation causes a headache for audio aficionados that are invested in full audio systems. We typically don't use home theater receivers, because systems primarily oriented for music playback are structured differently than those for home theater.

The common suggestion for this problem is "use the TV's digital audio out" (these are vanishing too), or "use an HDMI-to-I2S/DOP audio extractor box". The problem in either case is more common than not, TV's and black boxes introduce degradation (jitter being one cause) which ruins the audio playback SINAD (signal-to-noise and distortion ratio). Contrasting with common notions, digital is not guaranteed bit perfect, and is not immune to RFI and ground plane noise from other digital circuits.

The point here is we focus much attention on Hi-Res/Master Audio formats and processing like Dolby Atmos, yet we overlook the real world performance at the hardware level which can be degraded to the same empirical level as 1980's CD players.

I don't know a great deal about Roku devices' digital tansmission quality over HDMI, but it would at least be nice to have a digital audio output so I can connect it directly to a DAC in the audio system.

Labels (1)
0 Kudos
3 REPLIES 3
renojim
Community Streaming Expert

Re: Request for Digital Audio Outputs on Roku

A long, long time ago there were Roku devices with an optical output.  They haven't been manufactured in years and aren't likely to come back.  I doubt many people ever used them and even fewer would today.  The older digital audio connections also don't support the newer exotic formats (Atmos comes to mind).

Roku Community Streaming Expert

Help others find this answer and click "Accept as Solution."
If you appreciate my answer, maybe give me a Kudo.

I am not a Roku employee.
0 Kudos
Hepper
Newbie

Re: Request for Digital Audio Outputs on Roku

I concur. I have a vintage JVC RX-DV5 receiver for my home theater that inputs only coax or toslink (optical) 5.1 audio. I seek a Roku streaming device that outputs 5.1 toslink (optical) audio in addition to HDMI. Anyone have a full solution?   

0 Kudos
trentv11182
Binge Watcher

Re: Request for Digital Audio Outputs on Roku

https://developer.roku.com/docs/specs/media/streaming-specifications.md

Roku is so far behind on audio quality internally, it's sad. At the same time, Roku isn't a dedicated AVR, Hi-Fi component etc.

Wake up tomorrow and Roku belike here's an update/support for PCM up to 384 kHz/32-bit, DSD up to 22.4 MHz etc. DIGITAL 5 Hz - 80 kHz.

In the end, the sound coming out of your speakers isn't digital. But still...

 

0 Kudos
Need Assistance?
Welcome to the Roku Community! Feel free to search our Community for answers or post your question to get help.

Become a Roku Streaming Expert!

Share your expertise, help fellow streamers, and unlock exclusive rewards as part of the Roku Community. Learn more.