What does spdif output mean?

spdif output is to transmit the sound signal directly to the digital speaker in PCM format using the coaxial SPDIF OUT on the sound card without going through the conversion processing of the sound card chip. SPDIF is the abbreviation of SONY and PHILIPS digital audio interface, and it is also a transmission channel for audio. In terms of transmission methods, SPDIF is divided into two types: output (SPDIF OUT) and input (SPDIF IN); in terms of transmission carriers, SPDIF is divided into two types: coaxial and optical fiber. In fact, the signals that can be transmitted are the same.

The operating environment of this tutorial: Windows 7 system, Dell G3 computer.

What does spdif output ((SPDIF OUT)) mean?

spdif output is to directly convert the sound signal without going through the conversion processing of the sound card chip. In PCM format, using the coaxial SPDIF OUT on the sound card, it is transmitted to the digital speaker in a purely digital way.

Transmitting digital sound signals through the SPDIF interface has become a common feature of the new generation of PCI sound cards. Most current sound card chips can support SPDIF OUT, but we need to note that not every product will provide a digital interface. Most current sound card chips can support SPDIF OUT, but we need to note that not every product will provide a digital interface.

What is SPDIF

SPDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) is the abbreviation of SONY and PHILIPS digital audio interface, and it is also a type of audio transmission channel.

In terms of transmission methods, SPDIF is divided into two types: output (SPDIF OUT) and input (SPDIF IN).

As far as transmission carriers are concerned, SPDIF is divided into coaxial and optical fibers. In fact, the signals they can transmit are the same, but the carriers are different, and the interfaces and connection appearances are also different. However, optical signal transmission is a popular trend in the future. Its main advantage is that there is no need to consider interface level and impedance issues, the interface is flexible and the anti-interference ability is stronger. Transmitting digital sound signals through the SPDIF interface has become a common feature of the new generation of PCI sound cards.

Application

S/PDIF is often used to transmit compressed audio signals and is customized by the IEC 61937 standard.

It is usually used in home DVD theaters that support Dolby technology or DTS surround effects.

The other is to transmit the original audio signal from the CD player to the audio receiver.

Of course, some home computers and notebooks that support Dolby or DTS technology are also equipped with S/PDIF.

a. SPDIF is a transmission channel

The first thing that needs special explanation is that you should not think that using SPDIF to transmit AC-3 signals means AC-3 decoding. There is no product in the civilian sound card that can Supports hardware-level Dolby Digital decoding. The function of SPDIF at this time is mainly to transmit digital AC-3 signals from the sound card to the decoder. And those six-channel products are the product of analog 5.1 and software decoding.

b. The relationship between digital speakers and digital sound cards

Secondly, you may not be clear about the specific principle of relying on coaxial SPDIF OUT to connect digital speakers to achieve pure digital audio playback. Next, the author will Let me give you a brief introduction. As we mentioned before, the digital-to-analog conversion work of the sound card is completed by the CODEC chip. However, there are still serious electromagnetic waves in our computer cases, and D/A and A/D conversions will still be subject to serious signal interference. Many professional audio recording cards generally adopt the method of external CODEC, and the digital-to-analog conversion part and various external interfaces are made into a separate external box to improve the sound quality. However, the direct consequence of this is that the cost will increase significantly, and the home multimedia market will definitely be over the top. So is there any cheap and good way? Some speaker manufacturers have come up with a solution to transfer the D/A conversion work from the sound card to the speaker, and digital multimedia speakers have emerged. CREATIVE's FPS2000 Digital and Sound Works 2.1Digital fall into this category. The basic principle of this solution is that the sound signal does not go through the conversion processing of the sound card CODEC chip, but is directly transmitted to the digital speaker in PCM format using the coaxial SPDIF OUT on the sound card in a purely digital manner, through the built-in D/A converter of the speaker. Decoded and then amplified for output. In this way, the interference is reduced, and the signal-to-noise ratio is naturally improved. The main shortcoming is that the D/A conversion units, amplifiers, and speakers of some current digital speakers are not of high quality, resulting in the advantages of digital transmission not being fully demonstrated.

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