What is S/PDIF mode on TV

Manufacturers of modern TV models have been able to ensure that the reproduced audio signal is clear and loud. But not all owners are satisfied with the standard sound and there is a need to output sound to an external media device, for example, a home theater.

S/PDIF is an international standard for digital audio transmission. Data transfer is realized through several cables and connectors. It was first used in audio players. But the technology began to develop and the S/PDIF mode appeared on home theaters, car radios, personal computers and modern TV models.

What is S/PDIF on TV

A digital or optical S/PDIF connector on the TV is required for output and further transmission of audio signals in the appropriate format. If a movie or program is broadcast in HD quality on a TV receiver and the device supports 5.1 format, then sound will be output from the TV in digital or optical format. On modern TV models it is usually presented in the form of a Toslink or coaxial connector.

S/PDIF Standard Types

S/PDIF technology has two types of signal transmission: coaxial and optical.

1. Coaxial output. Although this audio transmission option is becoming a thing of the past, some Internet and cable providers still use it.This connector is also present on home theaters, video and audio players and car radios. It provides digital quality audio transmission between digital equipment. To make this possible, you need to connect the devices to each other using an appropriate coaxial cable. The digital connector is capable of transmitting multi-channel or stereo sound without loss of audio signal quality. This connection option is inexpensive. But if there is an electromagnetic field nearby, the sound quality drops significantly.
2. Toslink. At the moment, it is through this connector that the TV is connected to external devices for sound transmission. This is an optical interface capable of reproducing a signal that is not subject to external influences. To connect the media system to a TV receiver using the optical output, a fiber optic cable is required. If high-quality wire is used, the connection between the equipment will be reliable and the sound will be ideal. Currently produced televisions and media systems are equipped with an optical interface. When choosing, you must take into account the characteristics of the connected devices, as well as whether there are appropriate connectors. The connection and setup procedure itself is quite simple. You need to connect all devices using a cable, and in the sound settings of the TV you need to find the “Speakers” item and select “External speakers”.

ATTENTION! It is not recommended to use cables longer than 10 meters. The longer the cable, the worse the sound quality will be.

What is S/PDIF for?

The Sony/Philips S/PDIF interface is very common. This is a standard channel for transmitting digital audio between equipment. It is very compact and is the only technology for transmitting sound that is completely resistant to external influences and various interferences, which allows for high-quality sound.

REFERENCE! S/PDIF mode perfectly reproduces stereo surround sound, allowing you to fully enjoy audio or video files.

This connector can be found on televisions, media devices, and personal computer motherboards. Its sole purpose is to transmit a high-quality digital signal between various digital equipment, excluding the mandatory procedure of converting a digital signal to analog.

When connecting various media devices using this interface, you can fully enjoy 5.1 sound. It is especially relevant when it is not possible to connect equipment using a cable and an HDMI connector.

This technology is very popular in televisions. Connection and settings take very little time, but in return the user receives high-quality sound.