TOSLINK

TOSLINK is a standardized optical fibre connection system for consumer audio equipment, which carries digital audio streams between components such as MiniDisc and CD players. It uses inexpensive 1mm plastic optical fiber allowing low cost production, yet often sells for more than copper-based cabling, perhaps because ofthe "cool factor" of using newer fibre technology.

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 usually employed to send digital audio stream to MiniDisc recorders. Early TOSLINK systems used raw data from the CD player, but S/PDIF standard has now become fairly universal for audio streams.

It can also be found on DVD players to connect the digital audio stream to Dolby Digital/DTS decoders.