This part of IEC 60958 describes a serial, uni-directional, self-clocking interface for the interconnection of digital audio equipment for consumer and professional applications.

It provides the basic structure of the interface. Separate documents define items specific to particular applications.

The interface is primarily intended to carry monophonic or stereophonic programmes, encoded using linear PCM and with a resolution of up to 24 bits per sample.

When used for other purposes, the interface is able to carry audio data coded other than as linear PCM coded audio samples. Provision is also made to allow the interface to carry data related to computer software, multimedia technologies, or signals coded using non-linear PCM. The format specification for these applications is not part of this document.

The interface is intended for operation at audio sampling frequencies of 32 kHz and above. Auxiliary information is transmitted along with the programme.