As we continue to hunt the elusive Roku 4, a source has provided the below image… which, after a long absence, indicates the triumphant return of S/PDIF optical audio to the Roku platform. And what makes this detail even more compelling is that Amazon has dropped optical from their competing 4K Fire TV this generation, to the consternation of some.
Beyond these restored audio capabilities, which we’d expect from a flagship streamer, we know the Roku 4 serves up 4K video hand in hand with 802.11ac wireless for the first time. A previously disclosed full frontal photo (below) more clearly depicts a new elongated form (“the hotplate“) and from the FCC filing we know there’s a handy new finger-depressable reset button on the bottom. What we don’t know are specific 4k-specific details, like HDMI version or potential support for HDR. Plus, it’s unclear what that sensor or port on the top of the Roku is all about. Lastly, and possibly related, I’m hopeful Roku’s got some software surprises for us.
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Hopefully Bluetooth has also been added to the remote, or the box can do Bluetooth audio without the jack in the remote -- that pic doesn't seem to indicate they've changed it. I started out looking for a way to jury rig my smartTV so that I could listen to TV wirelessly, wound up with the Roku 3 mainly because it had the 3.5mm jack in the remote. I should have searched Roku's user forums first. I would've found out the audio goes over WiFi, when it can and that Roku tech support is useless. Mostly the wireless audio stutters. Resetting the remote will fix it for about 10 minutes -- really distracts from the viewing experience when you can only hear every other word.
2 Roku 3 replacements and 3 remote replacements later... it just doesn't work well. Otherwise it's fine -- but I don't use it much any longer.
FCC docs indicate Bluetooth... which doesn't necessarily mean WiFi Direct is being retired.
Optical!! I remember first using optical back in 1994 between my CD and Mini DIsc players. I thought it was great at the time but that was twenty one years ago. I dumped optical around a decade ago now. Not even the speaker Bars I use need optical for audio. I've loved HDMI because one cable gives you audio and video. I couldn't imagine going back to using optical for audio again.