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TOSLINK
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<h2 id="history">History</h2> <p><a href="/facts/Toshiba/QHRaw8Tr">Toshiba</a> originally created TOSLINK to connect their CD players to the <a href="/facts/Audio_receiver/5olDTxkg">receivers</a> they manufactured, for <a href="/facts/PCM/5gdfjtH3">PCM</a> audio streams. The data-link layer is based on the Sony/Philips Digital Interface<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> (<a href="/facts/S%2fPDIF/7esUguQA">S/PDIF</a>), while the hardware layer utilizes a fiber optic transmission system, rather than the electrical (copper) hardware layer of S/PDIF. TOSLINK was soon adopted by manufacturers of most CD players. It can often be found on video source (DVD and Blu-ray players, cable boxes and game consoles) to connect the digital audio stream to <a href="/facts/Dolby_Digital/58JfURnU">Dolby Digital</a>/<a href="/facts/Digital_Theatre_System/wbQwqtdQ">DTS</a> decoders. </p> <p>Although the generic name for the connector is the <i>EIAJ optical</i>, the trade name <i>TOSLINK</i> is a registered trademark of the Toshiba electronics company, derived from <i>TOShiba-LINK</i>; other etymologic variations were the words <i>TOSlink</i>, <i>TosLink</i>, and <i>Tos-link</i>. </p><p>The <a href="/facts/ADAT_Lightpipe/cNET10QB">ADAT Lightpipe</a> (ADAT Optical) uses an optical transmission system similar to that of the TOSLINK connector used in the professional recording of music and in the audio component industry. The ADAT Lightpipe connector format uses the same JIS F05 connectors as the TOSLINK connector, the ADAT Lightpipe data format is incompatible with S/PDIF. </p> <h2 id="properties-and-problems">Properties and problems</h2> <p>Due to their high attenuation of light, the effective range of plastic optical cables is limited to 5–10 m.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> They can temporarily fail or be permanently damaged if tightly bent. Although less commonly available and more expensive than plastic optical fiber (POF) cables, glass or silica optical fibers have lower losses and can extend the range of the TOSLINK system. </p><p>Optical cables are not susceptible to electrical problems such as <a href="/facts/Ground_loop_(electricity)/6bLKb2jk">ground loops</a> and <a href="/facts/RF_interference/gv3DlKNr">RF interference</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="design">Design</h2> <p>Several types of fiber can be used for TOSLINK: inexpensive 1 mm plastic optical fiber, higher-quality multistrand plastic optical fibers, or quartz glass optical fibers, depending on the desired bandwidth and application. TOSLINK cables are usually limited to 5 meters in length, with a technical maximum<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> of 10 meters, for reliable transmission without the use of a signal booster or a repeater. However, it is very common for interfaces on newer consumer electronics (satellite receivers and PCs with optical outputs) to easily run over 30 meters on even low-cost (0.82 USD/m 2009) TOSLINK cables. TOSLINK transmitters operate at a nominal optical wavelength of 650 nm. </p> <h3>Mini-TOSLINK</h3> <p>Mini-TOSLINK is a standardized<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a> <a href="/facts/Optical_fiber_connector/uIC3170n">optical fiber connector</a> smaller than the standard square TOSLINK connector commonly used in larger consumer <a href="/facts/Sound_recording/BMbpAWkE">audio</a> equipment. The plug is almost the same size and shape as the ubiquitous <a href="/facts/TRS_connector/KvpIlV94">3.5 mm stereo minijack</a>. Adapters are available to connect a full-size TOSLINK plug to a mini-TOSLINK socket. Combined 3.5 mm jack and mini-TOSLINK sockets exist which can accept a 3.5 mm or mini-TOSLINK plug; mini-TOSLINK plugs and sockets are made 0.5 mm longer than electrical jack plugs so that the latter are too short to touch and damage the LED of a mini-TOSLINK capable socket. Many discontinued <a href="/facts/Laptop_computer/3EFwTAb2">laptop computer</a> and portable digital audio equipment models, such as the <a href="/facts/Google_Chromecast_Audio/0EztvB0h">Google Chromecast Audio</a> device,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a> <a href="/facts/Apple_Inc./oTJYta3k">Apple</a> <a href="/facts/AirPort_Express/MluCU9hX">AirPort Express</a>, and <a href="/facts/IPod_Hi-Fi/WJjksX2v">iPod Hi-Fi</a>, as well as some <a href="/facts/MiniDisc/yF3LYCqL">MiniDisc</a> recorders,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a> use these connectors that allow for the insertion of 3.5 mm analog (electrical) headphone output, microphone input, or mini-TOSLINK digital (optical) output (or input, in the case of MiniDisc recorders). </p> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> Wikimedia Commons has media related to TOSLINK. <ul><li><a href="https://www.audioholics.com/audio-video-cables/toslink-interconnect-history-basics">TOSLINK Interconnect History & Basics</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"Toshiba TOTX1701 TOSLINK Transmitter Module specifications". Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110717200926/http://www.semicon.toshiba.co.jp/openb2b/websearch/productDetails.jsp?partKey=TOTX1701%28F%29" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20110717200926/http://www.semicon.toshiba.co.jp/openb2b/websearch/productDetails.jsp?partKey=TOTX1701%28F%29</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"EIAJ RC-5720C". www.jeita.or.jp. Retrieved 28 July 2024. <a href="https://www.jeita.or.jp/japanese/standard/book/RC-5720C/" target="_blank">https://www.jeita.or.jp/japanese/standard/book/RC-5720C/</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"What Is TOSLINK?". Toshiba FAQs. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110717200938/http://www.semicon.toshiba.co.jp/eng/product/opto/faq/toslink/answer_toslink01.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20110717200938/http://www.semicon.toshiba.co.jp/eng/product/opto/faq/toslink/answer_toslink01.html</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>"Product guide, Fiber-Optic Devices TOSLINK(tm)" (PDF). 100621 digikey.com <a href="http://www.digikey.com/Web%20Export/Supplier%20Content/Toshiba_264/PDF/Toshiba_BCE0037_catalog.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.digikey.com/Web%20Export/Supplier%20Content/Toshiba_264/PDF/Toshiba_BCE0037_catalog.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"Toshiba TOTX1701 TOSLINK Transmitter Module specifications". Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110717200926/http://www.semicon.toshiba.co.jp/openb2b/websearch/productDetails.jsp?partKey=TOTX1701%28F%29" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20110717200926/http://www.semicon.toshiba.co.jp/openb2b/websearch/productDetails.jsp?partKey=TOTX1701%28F%29</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>"Product guide, Fiber-Optic Devices TOSLINK(tm)" (PDF). 100621 digikey.com <a href="http://www.digikey.com/Web%20Export/Supplier%20Content/Toshiba_264/PDF/Toshiba_BCE0037_catalog.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.digikey.com/Web%20Export/Supplier%20Content/Toshiba_264/PDF/Toshiba_BCE0037_catalog.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>"S/PDIF Information". Intel. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2018. <a href="https://www.intel.in/content/www/in/en/support/articles/000006034/boards-and-kits/desktop-boards.html" target="_blank">https://www.intel.in/content/www/in/en/support/articles/000006034/boards-and-kits/desktop-boards.html</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>"S/PDIF". PCMag Encyclopedia. Retrieved 13 February 2022. <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/spdif" target="_blank">https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/spdif</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>"SPDIF". epanorama.net. Retrieved 13 February 2022. <a href="https://www.epanorama.net/documents/audio/spdif.html" target="_blank">https://www.epanorama.net/documents/audio/spdif.html</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>Joseph D. Cornwall (31 December 2004). "Understanding Digital Interconnects". Audioholics.com. Retrieved 12 July 2007. <a href="http://www.audioholics.com/education/cables/understanding-digital-interconnects" target="_blank">http://www.audioholics.com/education/cables/understanding-digital-interconnects</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>"SPDIF". epanorama.net. Retrieved 13 February 2022. <a href="https://www.epanorama.net/documents/audio/spdif.html" target="_blank">https://www.epanorama.net/documents/audio/spdif.html</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>"EIAJ RC-5720C". www.jeita.or.jp. Retrieved 28 July 2024. <a href="https://www.jeita.or.jp/japanese/standard/book/RC-5720C/" target="_blank">https://www.jeita.or.jp/japanese/standard/book/RC-5720C/</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>Pendlebury, Ty (10 December 2015). "Chromecast Audio adds support for multiroom music and high-res files". CNET. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. <a href="https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/chromecast-audio-adds-support-for-multi-room-music-and-high-res-files/" target="_blank">https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/chromecast-audio-adds-support-for-multi-room-music-and-high-res-files/</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>Greenwald, Will (14 December 2015). "Google Chromecast Audio". PC Magazine. Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/google-chromecast-audio" target="_blank">https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/google-chromecast-audio</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>"Portable MiniDisc Recorder: Operating instructions, MD Walkman MZ-R55" (PDF). Sony Corporation. 1998. pp. 10–11. <a href="https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/res/manuals/W000/W0007398M.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/res/manuals/W000/W0007398M.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>