S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interconnect Format)

S/PDIF is not a type of connector, but rather a digital protocol used to allow the transfer of digital audio from one device to another. The two primary connectors used are the optical TOSLink cable and the electrical RCA coaxial cable, but the same information can now also be passed through an HDMI cable, so a DVD or Blu-ray player now needs only one cable to connect to the rest of your home theatre system. S/PDIF allows the transfer of CD audio, and DVD-quality Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound. S/PDIF connectors cannot transmit the new high-definition audio formats, Dolby Digital TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio; you will need an HDMI cable.

For more information, return to the HDTV glossary introduction.