Toslink

The term Toslink refers to an optical audio connection standard that is based on a fiber cable. Mainly intended for the transfer of audio signals in home theater systems and hi-fi audio systems, this interface offers interference-free data transfer at up to 20 Mbit per second.

Already available since the early 80s

The system was originally introduced by Toshiba in 1983 for connecting CD players with radio receivers. This also explains the name Toslink, as an abbreviation for TOShiba-Link. The connection is realized via optical fiber and therefor unaffected by electromagnetic interferences.

Differentiation from the S/PDIF standard

Toslink is also called optical S/PDIF, but strictly speaking it is not the same. S/PDIF does not offer optical transmission and instead works on the basis of a coaxial connection. Signals are thus sent through the cable as electrical pulses.

Attention: Although the Toslink interface always guarantees the same quality of the signal regardless of the cable length, it is still limited to a length of 10 meters according to official specifications. Furthermore, the connector pins are quite sensitive and can easily break if not handled properly.