Misconceptions regarding the audio capabilities of the Apple TV were addressed by RoughlyDrafted Magazine on Tuesday.

Some analysts have suggested that the Apple TV cannot generate 5.1 audio. Daniel Dilger promptly put the issue to rest.

Mr. Dilger explained, "In addition to stereo cables, Apple TV also features a Toslink digital optical port. Since we can send raw digital audio data over the Apple TV's optical output, can't we send DTS digitally encoded 5.1 as well?

"Of course we can. Download a DTS sample file in WAV format, drop it into iTunes, and Apple TV will happily sync it and play it. Unlike Pro Logic audio, it will sound like static over regular stereo speakers, but hooked up to a DTS receiver, it is decoded into 5.1 channels of sound and played back in real DTS 5.1 surround.

"The only limitation with DTS 5.1 sound right now is that Apple isn't offering it on its own movie downloads. The Apple TV can certainly “do it,” because it doesn't have to “do” anything; it merely passes it on to the 5.1 DTS decoder that anyone with 5.1 surround speakers already has."

The net result of this is that, after all the complications are sorted out, the Apple engineers have cleverly set things up to make the audio output simple for the less sophisticated users who only know about stereo right- and left audio. However, retained in the hardware is the pass-through so that the full 5.1 decoding capability is available for audiophiles who have more advanced equipment.