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The PS4 has a rear port labeled AUX, but it is not a headphone or line-in audio jack. Sony documents it as the connection for PlayStation Camera. For most setups, audio leaves the console through HDMI, headphones connect through the DUALSHOCK 4 controller, and digital optical output appears only on some PS4 models.
What the rear AUX port is for
Sony’s European FAQ, “PlayStation 4: The ultimate FAQ – Europe” (published October 30, 2013), says the AUX port enables the use of PlayStation Camera. Sony does not document the port as an audio input, so a speaker or phone cable plugged into it is not a supported way to route sound through the console.
Sending audio to a TV or receiver through HDMI
HDMI is the standard audio and video route. The same FAQ states: “No. the PS4 system’s video and audio are transmitted using HDMI, a common digital connector found on most HD TVs.” Current PlayStation Support pages describe audio optimization when the console is connected to a TV or home theater device.
To check or change the audio format:
- Open Settings.
- Select Sound and Screen.
- Select Audio Output Settings.
- Select Audio Format (Priority).
Sony lists Linear PCM as the default. Change the format only if your TV or receiver handles the alternative you pick.
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- 【HDMI Audio Extractor】The HDMI audio extractor can extract audio from HDMI signal and transmit it to AV receiver through optical or 3.5mm Cable.(Note: Devices do not support ARC and eARC.TV is not supported as the input source，otherwise product doesn't p video.)
- 【3 modes】2.0CH, 5.1CH and PASS mode. Select 3.5mm stereo output, please use 2.0CH mode. Select optical output, please use 5.1CH mode. When you use the first and two modes and find that no audio and video signal is output, use the pass mode.
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Headphones and headsets
Headphones do not plug into the console itself. A headset with a 3.5 mm plug goes into the 3.5 mm headset jack on the DUALSHOCK 4 controller. Then:
- Plug the headset into the 3.5 mm jack on the DUALSHOCK 4.
- Open Settings and select Devices.
- Select Audio Devices, then Output to Headphones.
- Choose Chat Audio, which Sony lists as the default, or All Audio.
Sony’s PlayStation Support page (undated in the source) says: “You can set your audio output to your compatible headset for all audio, or only chat audio.” Check microphone support before buying a third-party headset. Sony’s FAQ states it cannot guarantee support for every third-party headset.
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- Multi-Point Connection: Optical to rca adapter supports uncompressed 2.1-channel PCM or LPCM digital audio signal output, will not supports 5.1 channel Dolby sound.
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Optical audio depends on your PS4 model
Not every PS4 has a DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL) port. Sony’s setup diagrams and audio support page are the reference points below.
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|---|---|---|
| CUH-2000, CUH-2100, CUH-2200 (standard PS4 layout with AUX, HDMI OUT, and LAN) | No | Sony’s audio support page names CUH-2000 as lacking optical output; the setup diagram for this layout shows no optical port. |
| CUH-1000, CUH-1100, CUH-1200 | Yes | Sony’s “How to set up your new PS4 console” diagrams show an optical port. |
| PS4 Pro (listed revisions, including the CUH-7216B series) | Yes | Sony’s setup diagrams and PS4 Pro Safety Guide and Specifications list the port. |
On models with optical output, Sony’s launch-era FAQ describes 5.1 or 7.1 output through DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL). This is a specification statement, not a measured result, and what you actually get depends on whether your receiver accepts those formats.
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- This USB to Optical SPDIF Toslink & 3.5mm Jack Audio Adapter Converter is used to connect laptop or desktop, TV, PS5, PS4, PS4 PRO, turn out 3.5mm and SDIF interface to connect speaker or power amplifier, echo wall, etc
Checks before you buy an optical cable
- Read the CUH model number on the console’s label and compare it with the table. A listing that says only “PS4” or “PS4 Slim” does not identify the rear layout.
- Look at the rear panel for a DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL) port. If it is absent, an optical cable has nothing to connect to.
- Check that your TV or receiver has an optical input and which audio formats it accepts.
- If you only need a TV or receiver connection, use HDMI, which Sony identifies as the standard route.
What the official sources establish
This guide is based on Sony’s own documentation: the 2013 FAQ, undated PlayStation Support pages on setup and audio output, and the PS4 Pro Safety Guide and Specifications for the CUH-7216B series. It has not been checked against every firmware version or every model, so menu labels may have changed since these pages were written. Where a page is undated, treat its wording as current guidance rather than a dated test result.
Sony’s support pages name the port layouts and settings described above. They do not describe the AUX port as an audio connection under any setting.
Quick Recap
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- 【NOTE】1.Volume adjustment is not supported via the TV remote control. 2. For the best audio experience,please make sure your TV has an HDMI ARC/eARC port and that your amplifier has an optical input. 3.When using it, set the audio output mode to PCM.
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- 【Optical to 3.5mm Converter】Optical audio cable to aux converts converts optical (SPDIF/Toslink) digital audio signals to stereo 3.5mm AUX port output.(Not reversible: Cannot be used to transfer audio from 3.5mm to optical)
- 【Supports 192kHz Sampling Rate】The optical audio cable to aux achieves a high-quality sound sample rate of 192KHz and supports optical inputs at 32, 44.1, 48, 96, and 192KHz as well as data streams at 24-bit,Enhance your audio experience with precise details.
- 【NOTE】Please set audio output to PCM or Stereo mode before use.Here is how to set the PCM format.Sams TV: Settings - Sound - Expert Settings - Audio Format-PCM.LG TV: Menu - All Settings - Sound Output - Optical- Digital Sound Output - PCM,S-ny TV: PCM setting path: Device main page - system settings - image and sound - sound settings - digital audio output - PCM
- 【Note】That it is not compatible with 5.1-channel audio signals like Dolby AC3 and DTS. Make sure to set your device’s audio output to PCM for optimal performance.【Note】The TV's audio cannot be controlled via the remote control during use. If you need to adjust the volume, please do so using headphones or speakers.
- 【Compatibility】This fiber optic port is for TV audio output only and does not support game consoles, PS4,PS5, projectors, or other devices. The 3.5mm jack is for connecting headphones or speakers to receive audio signals. Reverse operation is not supported.
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