S/PDIF
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Consumer Electronics
| Stands for | Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
S/PDIF stands for Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format, a consumer electronics abbreviation.
Digital audio connection that carries stereo PCM or compressed surround sound between CD players, TVs, game consoles, soundbars and receivers, over coaxial RCA cables or optical TOSLINK cables.
Example: Connect the TV's optical S/PDIF output to the old soundbar if it lacks HDMI ARC.
Usage notes
Sony and Philips developed S/PDIF in the 1980s, and Toshiba's TOSLINK provided the optical version. Its bandwidth handles Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 but not lossless Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio or full Dolby Atmos, which require HDMI eARC. Optical cables are immune to electrical interference and ground loops.
Related abbreviations
More consumer electronics abbreviations
- QC – Quick Charge
- QD-OLED – Quantum dot organic light-emitting diode
- QHD – Quad High Definition
- QLED – Quantum dot light-emitting diode
- RCA – RCA connector (phono plug)
- RGB – Red, green, blue
- SBC – Subband codec
- SD – Standard definition
- SDR – Standard dynamic range
- SECAM – Séquentiel couleur à mémoire (sequential color with memory)
- STB – Set-top box
- TFT – Thin-film transistor