Can someone explain in basic English the difference between RCA & S/PDIF?

Question

Hoping to buy some cheap and not too poweful Home Cinema speakers to go with my new TV which only has S/PDIF output.

Answer 1

RCA is traditionally two-channel stereo (analog)

S/pdif is a digital interface that supports up to 5.1 channels, including Dolby Digital and DTS.

Make sure whatever you buy has an AUX s/pdif input so that you can connect the TV or other components. S/pdif can be coax or optical, so make sure it matches what the TV has. ideally, should have both types.

Answer 2

Very simple,

In a technical way it has nothing to do with each other. RCA (or cinch) is just the name of a plug. This plug can be used for a lot of different things. analogue of digital signals. Phono or line (cd-player) signals.



S/PDIF is a digital communication protocol made for (digital) audio. This protocol can be optic or electric. for optical transceiving we use the toslink connector. For electric transceiving we use the RCA plug.

But remind that the rca plug also can be used for analogue signals. If there is a RCA plug on a piece of equipment, always look for a description. I hope the answers you're question.



John,

Senior Audio/Video engineer.

The Netherlands.

Answer 3

actually yea I have used a cheap dollar store RCA cable when connecting two devices through the "ORANGE RCA" and there was no audible difference. their is a bunch of difference on paper when you look at all the gobbledegook numbers and specifications....and even the sound might be changed and it is measurable on PAPER...but as far as a differerence you can hear? none that I have heard and none that I have heard anyone mention as being a problem.

Answer 4

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