wratterus:

 

This might be a silly question, or possibly it's already been answered so sorry in advance if that is the case, but how would someone actually get 5.1 audio working with Spark Sport as it will be at launch? 

 

A desktop PC connected to a receiver with HDMI or optical I could see being able to work, but a standard laptop with a HDMI output is normally only 2 channel, and even if it did output 5.1 over the HDMI, that would still require a receiver with HDMI inputs, or a TV to be able to pass through a 5.1 signal to the SPDIF out (mine doesn't seem to be able to).

In my case I have a pre-HDMI receiver with optical and coaxial inputs, this works great for freeview through SPDIF from the TV, or for the BluRay player I've got a coaxial cable, this works great for netflix etc too, as the BluRay player has an app for this, but I can't see how someone in my situation would be able to get 5.1 working without actually getting a device of some sort that has HDMI and coaxial out, or am I missing something here?

 

I don't believe there are any media players on the horizon for this service with optical outs.  The apple Tv4 lost them (the ATV2 and 3 had optical outputs...but obviously can't install apps - but could potentially used airplay), the chromecast only has an hdmi connection.  Smart TVs/BluRay players when it comes to them, might be able to decode 5.1, but hard to guess.