Digital optical audio

[Magnum]

My TV has a digital optical audio output and I would like to hook up some speakers.

But I can find out what I would need ?

[BlueMR2]

Typically speakers don't have a digital input directly on them (even ones with built in amplifiers).  Normally one buys a discrete amplifier with the fiber optic input and attaches speakers to the amp.

[dedndave]

you need an optical "cable", which is a fiber-optic with terminations
and, an amplifier (or pre-amp) that has an optical input

the advantage of optical over wire won't be apparent unless you really have a need for it
1) wire may emit EMI radiation
2) wire may be susceptible to EMI radiation
3) wire signal quality may degrade over long distance

item 1 isn't usually much of an issue, because these levels are typically very low

item 2 may be an issue, if you have something that emits enough energy to interfere
for example, if your neighbour's CB radio gets into your audio system, optics may offer a solution
you can usually reduce or eliminate such interference with ferrite beads, though

item 3 also isn't much of an issue for reasons similar to item 1
the impedance of a "line-in/line-out" device is in the order of 10 K-ohms
because little current is required, line loss isn't very noticable over reasonable distances
however, a longer wire means a better antenna (refer to item 2)   :P

on the other hand, if your TV has optical outputs and no wire outputs, you are going to use optical