Toslink vs Optical

If you spent a great amount of money on your home theater, you definitely would like to experience the best audio performance. Your choice of cables will help achieve this purpose. In choosing which cable to use, you will need to know the difference between Toslink vs optical cables.

Audio connections used to be simple. All that was needed was to match the input and output cables of the audio equipment. With advances in technology, several types of audio connections were developed.

Look at the back of a modern amplifier or receiver, and you will find various digital and analog connections. Digital connections could either be Toslink or optical.

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Toslink Cable

The Toslink cable was created by Toshiba and transmits digital audio signals in audio equipment.   This audio cable converts electric audio signals to light with wavelengths higher than 680nm. These signals are then transmitted through glass, plastic, or silica fiber. In short, a Toslink cable is a digital audio cable (optical fiber) that transmits audio signals through light pulses instead of electricity.

Toslink cables send digital audio input and output between components. They are the best alternatives to a coaxial or HDMI connection.

This video: How to Hook up a Soundbar to a TV using a Digital Toslink Cable

Optical Cables

Optical cables transfer video or audio data between sources. Optical digital audio connections send superior audio signals between devices. They are always a good choice for your audio system. They are usually more expensive than coaxial cables but transfer audio signals more effectively.

When you speak of optical digital, you are referring to converting digital signals to light and transmitting signals through fiber optic cables that, in turn, conduct light. A light receiver on one end receives the light signal and decodes it based on light modulation. Even when no music is played, but there is power, a red light will always be illuminated.

This video: how to connect the optical cable to a TV

Comparison Chart

Toslink vs Optical: What is The Difference?

Appearance

Toslink is an optical fiber developed and manufactured by Toshiba Corporation. It uses fiber optics through light pulses (not electricity) to transmit digital audio signals. The Toslink cable (SPDIF Digital Optical cable) consists of an optical fiber cable with a SPDIF connector on both ends. Toslink cables support several types of media formats.

The Optical digital cable is made either of plastic or glass. Plastic works well with S/PDIF, but glass transmits better light for a better sound. The difference may not be clearly heard from your equipment.

Digital optical digital cable comes with a connector with a tiny lens and comes with a cover to protect the lens from scratches when not in use.

Applications

Toslink cables were originally meant for Compact Disc (CD) player connections. One Toslink cable can transmit mono, stereo and surround audio signals. It can deliver digital audio streams from MiniDiscs, Digital Audiotape (DAT) and DTS. Dolby Digital decoders.  It can also transmit audio signals from computers to audio-video (AV) receivers and advanced video game consoles.

Digital optical cables can transfer audio signals from a component (e.g., a DVD player) to a receiver. It can also be directly connected to the optical port of a television. If you want your CD player to have a high-quality sound, you can use a digital optical to connect it to a receiver.

Portable devices (MiniDisc players) can also transfer data to a receiver when connected to a digital optical cable.

Effective Range

Toslink cables with plastic optic fibers are not longer than 16 ft. If it needs to be used at greater distances, a repeater and additional cables or a signal booster need to be used.

Digital Optical cables have an effective range of up to 16 feet, depending on the cables being used. Good quality cables can be effectively used for greater distances, while inexpensive ones can easily lose signals.

Interference

Toslink cables do not have interference issues because they are immune to radiofrequency and electromagnetic sound interference. They are also resistant to signal loss all through the distance of the cable.

Electrical interference is not an issue with digital optical cables. They can hold up better signals at longer distances.

Signal

Toslink cables deliver the cleanest and clearest audio signals possible, even at maximum volume levels.

Digital optical cables replicate a signal with almost no data loss during the transfer, making them the best solutions for delivering superior sound quality.

How they work

Toslink cables send pulsating LED light flashes to transmit data between two devices. High-quality plastic fibers work as signal conductors. A Toslink connection is achieved by a 1 mm plastic optical fiber or a multi-strand plastic optical fiber.

Digital optical audio connections send digital audio signals between devices. While these cables support 5.1 multi-channel audio and Dolby Digital, they do not support high-definition audio (DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD).

Best Use

Toslink cables are best used with digital audio inputs/outputs found on modern audio equipment as well as in cable boxes, satellite dish receivers, and outboard DA/ AD converters.

If your equipment does not have an HDMI port, digital optical cables are one of the best ways to transmit audio between two devices. There are devices with HDMI connections that do not support audio transfers, so a digital optical cable is your best option. They can also be used to connect your HDTV to a speaker system.

The Toslink and digital optical connections are far superior to a digital coaxial connection.  Both deliver the cleanest and clearest audio signal transfers.

The digital optical connection transmits digital audio signals in Dolby Digital format.  Dolby Digital decoders have been designed to shut off if they do not receive perfect signals.

If some bits are missing, the decoder will not deliver any sound because it prevents the risk of damaging the speakers. It is, therefore, no cause to worry if your Dolby Digital signal shuts off because your optical cable is working just fine.

Your device supports Toslink or optical connections if you find the distinct “optical audio,” “digital audio out,” or “Toslink port.”

While it is true that HDMI has greatly replaced Toslink and optical cables for videos, they are still capable of very high-resolution audio of up to 7.1 channels. These ports are different from the other ports because they look like tiny doors in your device. Other than their shape, you will never miss the red laser light around the port.
The listing below on Amazon will help you choose the best one for yourself:

FAQ

Is TOSLINK the same as optical?

Yes, TOSLINK and optical are the same.

Can I use TOSLINK in optical?

Yes, you can use TOSLINK in optical mode.

Is optical or digital audio better?

• -Toslink cables send pulsating LED light flashes to transmit data between two devices.
• -High-quality plastic fibers work as signal conductors.
• -A Toslink connection is achieved by a 1 mm plastic optical fiber or a multi-strand plastic optical fiber.
• -Digital optical audio connections send digital audio signals between devices.
• -While these cables support 5.1 multi-channel audio and Dolby Digital, they do not support high-definition audio (DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD).
• -Toslink cables are best used with digital audio inputs/outputs found on modern audio equipment as well as in cable boxes, satellite dish receivers, and outboard DA/ AD converters.
• -If your equipment does not have an HDMI port, digital optical cables are one of the best ways to transmit audio between two devices.
• -There are devices with HDMI connections that do not support audio transfers, so a digital optical cable is your best option.
• -They can also be used to connect your HDTV to a speaker system.

Is SPDIF or optical better?

Both TOSLINK and digital optical audio connections are far superior to a digital coaxial connection. They deliver the cleanest and clearest audio signal transfers.

Is sound better with HDMI or optical?

Both digital optical audio connections and HDMI are capable of delivering high-resolution audio. However, HDMI is better for video while optical is better for audio.

Can I use an optical cable in the SPDIF port?

Both digital optical audio connections and HDMI are capable of delivering high-resolution audio. However, HDMI is better for video while optical is better for audio.

Is SPDIF the same as optical?

Both digital optical audio connections and HDMI are capable of delivering high-resolution audio. However, HDMI is better for video while optical is better for audio.

Does optical sound better than RCA?

• -Both digital optical audio connections and HDMI are capable of delivering high-resolution audio.
• -However, HDMI is better for video while optical is better for audio.

Is there a difference between TOSLINK cables?

• -Both TOSLINK and digital optical audio connections are far superior to a digital coaxial connection. They deliver the cleanest and clearest audio signal transfers.
• -Digital optical audio connections transmit digital audio signals in Dolby Digital format. Dolby Digital decoders have been designed to shut off if they do not receive perfect signals.
• -If some bits are missing, the decoder will not deliver any sound because it prevents the risk of damaging the speakers. It is, therefore, no cause to worry if your Dolby Digital signal shuts off because your optical cable is working just fine.
• -Your device supports Toslink or optical connections if you find the distinct “optical audio,” “digital audio out,” or “Toslink port.”
• -While it is true that HDMI has greatly replaced Toslink and optical cables for videos, they are still capable of very high-resolution audio of up to 7.1 channels. These ports are different from the other ports because they look like tiny doors in your device. Other than their shape, you will never miss the red laser light around the port.

Is coaxial sound better than optical?

There is no clear consensus on whether optical audio is better than coaxial, as both formats have their own respective advantages and disadvantages. However, optical audio is often seen as being superior to coaxial due to its higher quality signal.

Do expensive optical cables make a difference?

Yes, expensive optical cables can make a difference in terms of audio quality. However, this is not to say that all optical cables are created equal – there is a wide range of quality and price when it comes to these cables. Ultimately, it may be worth it to do some research and find the best optical cable for your needs in order to get the most out of your audio system.

Is digital audio out the same as TOSLINK?

Yes, digital audio out and TOSLINK are the same.

Do all TVs have optical out?

No, not all TVs have optical out – it is a feature that is becoming more common, but it is not yet universal.

Can you get Dolby Atmos through optical?

Yes, all TVs that support Dolby Digital can pass through an Atmos signal as well.

Why does my TV say audio out optical?

Both digital optical audio connections and HDMI are capable of delivering high-resolution audio. However, HDMI is better for video while optical is better for audio.

James Core

Editor

Hey there, I'm James.I created FindDiffer.com, a website that helps people with their tech and electronics questions. I love to help others, and I'm always happy to answer any questions people have about technology!I finished Cornell University a few years ago, and now I live in the US. In my spare time, I like to work on new projects and play around with electronics. I also love spending time with my friends and family. Thanks for checking out my bio!

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