TOSLINK

TOSLINK is a standardized optical fibre connection system for audio equipment, which carried digital audio signals between components such as MiniDisc players and CDs. It uses an inexpensive 1mm plastic fibre for low cost, yet often sells for considerably more than copper-based cabling by playing on its "cool factor".

TOSLINK was originally created by Toshiba to connect their CD players to their radio receivers, but it was soon found on almost all CD players, regardless of manufacturer. Today the TOSLINK mechanicals are also used to send digital audio to MiniDisk systems (for recording, but oddly not for playback) as well as DVD players.

Early TOSLINK systems used raw data from the CD player, but S/PDIF has become almost universal for audio streams. When used with a DVD the signal is typically the original Dolby Digital or DTS.