I'm really confused about S/PDIF!

I really need someone to clear this up for. I've been trying to understand it for so long but I really have no idea what is what.

Here's what I think S/PDIF is:

Code:

        SPDIF = Digital Audio
                  |
        --------------------
        |                   |
     Coaxial              Optical

Please don't laugh at me because I'm probably COMPLETELY wrong about this. If a laptop has S/PDIF out, does that mean it has coaxial or optical? should it tell you? or is it something completely different.

I have headphones that use coaxial digital audio, but I don't know where S/PDIF comes in everything...

Please help !

 

it means your digital audio out will connect with a 1/8" ( small headphone jack ) through a coax cable. Digital out is digital out; either way it's the same info coming out.

edit: you'll need a regular coax cable with rca-type connectors on each end, and an rca-to-1/8" adapter to connect to the digital out. The regular rca end will connect to the digital input of your receiver or digital-to-analog converter and then to your headphone amp.

 

thanks,
if I understand, you're saying rca is standard for coax which is standard for S/PDIF?