Re: Optical audio connections

[kimble <kim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Mal Lansell wrote:
> Is that the only standard in use?  The connector on the back of my
player is
> just labelled "digital in" with no mention which protocol it
uses.

IIRC, there's basically one standard for the data, a subset of which is
implemented in consumer audio equipment, and commonly referred to as
S/PDIF or TOSLINK for the 75ohm unbalanced and optical formats
respectively.

Converting between the two is a trivial matter of converting the
electrical pulses to optical (with an LED and suitable buffer) or
vice-versa - the data format is exactly the same.

Pro audio kit uses a balanced version on standard microphone cable and
XLR connectors, and allows for additional data to be transmitted along
with the audio.  Have a google for AES/EBU.

I think you can safely assume that 'digital in' is referring to S/PDIF.


kim.
xxx