SPDIF : 

Sony/Philips Digital Interconnect Format (more commonly known as Sony Philips Digital Interface)



Main differences between AES3 and S/PDIF
 AES3 balancedAES3 unbalancedS/PDIF
Cabling110-ohm STP75-ohm coaxial75-ohm coaxial or fiber
Connector3-pin XLRBNCRCA or TOSLINK
Output level2 to 7 V peak to peak1 to 1.2 V peak to peak0.5 to 0.6 V peak to peak
Min Input level0.2 V0.32 V0.2 V
Max distance100m1000m10m
ModulationBiphase mark codeBiphase mark codeBiphase mark code
Subcode informationASCII ID textASCII ID textSCMS copy protection info
Max. Resolution24 bits24 bits20 bits (24 bits optional)


Control word components

Bit num.

If not set means:

If set means:

0

Consumer (S/PDIF)

Professional (AES3)
(Changes meaning of control word)

1

Normal

Compressed data

2

Copy restrict

Copy permit

3

2 channels

4 channels

4

5

No pre-emphasis

Pre-emphasis

6–7

Mode, defines subsequent bytes, always zero

8–14

Audio source category (general, CD-DA, DVD, etc.)

15

L-bit, original or copy (see text)