S/PDIF
Sony/Philips Digital Interface
Invented in
1980s
Invented by
Sony & Philips
Availability
Common
A digital audio link for consumer gear, carried over a coaxial cable with an RCA plug or over optical fibre. It moves uncompressed stereo or compressed surround between disc players, receivers and sound bars.
Technical specifications
Introduced1980s
SignalDigital audio (coaxial)
Impedance75 Ω
Channels2 PCM / 5.1 compressed
Found on
a TVa games consolea mixer / interfacea hi-fi receiver
Recommended brands
01AudioQuest
02Oehlbach
03Wireworld
Where to buy
Europe-focused retailer searches. Some links are affiliate links and may earn a commission.
Common adapters and cables
Fun fact
It is the consumer cousin of the professional AES/EBU standard, same idea, simplified and made cheap enough for home cinema.
Tips & tricks
Use a true 75Ω digital/video coax, an ordinary analog RCA lead can cause clicks and dropouts.
Philosophy
Two giants, Sony and Philips, agreeing on a standard so your gear would just talk. A small diplomatic miracle inside an orange plug.
Applications
Hi-FiPro audio
