IEC 61937-1:2007

IEC 61937-1 ®
Edition 2.0 2007-01
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Digital audio – Interface for non-linear PCM encoded audio bitstreams applying
IEC 60958 –
Part 1: General
Audionumérique – Interface pour les flux de bits audio à codage MIC non
linéaire conformément à la CEI 60958 –
Partie 1: Généralités
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by
any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either IEC or
IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester.
If you have any questions about IEC copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication,
please contact the address below or your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

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et les microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de la CEI ou du Comité national de la CEI du pays du demandeur.
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publication, utilisez les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de la CEI de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Central Office
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CH-1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
Email: inmail@iec.ch
Web: www.iec.ch
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.
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in English and French, with equivalent terms in additional languages. Also known as the International Electrotechnical
Vocabulary online.
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A propos de la CEI
La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (CEI) est la première organisation mondiale qui élabore et publie des
normes internationales pour tout ce qui a trait à l'électricité, à l'électronique et aux technologies apparentées.

A propos des publications CEI
Le contenu technique des publications de la CEI est constamment revu. Veuillez vous assurer que vous possédez
l’édition la plus récente, un corrigendum ou amendement peut avoir été publié.
 Catalogue des publications de la CEI: www.iec.ch/searchpub/cur_fut-f.htm
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Le premier dictionnaire en ligne au monde de termes électroniques et électriques. Il contient plus de 20 000 termes et
définitions en anglais et en français, ainsi que les termes équivalents dans les langues additionnelles. Egalement appelé
Vocabulaire Electrotechnique International en ligne.
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Service clients ou contactez-nous:
Email: csc@iec.ch
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IEC 61937-1 ®
Edition 2.0 2007-01
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Digital audio – Interface for non-linear PCM encoded audio bitstreams applying
IEC 60958 –
Part 1: General
Audionumérique – Interface pour les flux de bits audio à codage MIC non
linéaire conformément à la CEI 60958 –
Partie 1: Généralités
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX S
ICS 33.160.30 ISBN 978-2-88912-442-8

– 2 – 61937-1  IEC:2007
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms, definitions, abbreviations and presentation . 6
3.1 Definitions . 6
3.2 Abbreviations . 8
3.3 Presentation convention . 8
4 General description . 8
5 Interface format . 9
6 Mapping of the audio bitstream on to IEC 60958 . 9
6.1 Coding of the bitstream . 9
6.2 Burst-payload . 14
6.3 Stuffing . 15
7 Format of data-bursts . 15
7.1 Pause data-burst . 16
7.2 Audio data-bursts . 19
7.3 Null data-burst . 19
Annex A (normative) Channel status when IEC 60958 is used in consumer
applications . 20
Bibliography . 21

Figure 1 – IEC 60958 interface format . 9
Figure 2 – Data-burst format . 11
Figure 3 – Burst-preamble . 11
Figure 4 – Burst-preamble with extended preamble . 13
Figure 5 – Length of the burst-payload specified by Pd . 14
Figure 6 – Burst spacing . 15
Figure 7 – Flow chart of transmission of a bitstream . 16
Figure 8 – Bridging gaps in-between data-bursts with three pause data-bursts . 17
Figure 9 – Data-burst format of the data-type pause . 18
Figure 10 – Null data-burst . 19

Table 1 – Bit allocation of the IEC 60958 frame . 9
Table 2 – Bit allocation of data-burst in IEC 60958 subframes . 10
Table 3 – Burst-preamble words . 12
Table 4 – Bit map of burst-preambles . 12
Table 5 – Fields of burst-info . 12
Table 6 – Burst-preamble words . 13
Table 7 – Fields of Pe (extended data-type) . 13
Table 8 – Fields of Pf . 13
Table 9 – Values of data-type-dependent info of the pause data-burst . 18

61937-1  IEC:2007 – 3 –
Table 10 – Burst-payload of pause data-burst . 19
Table 11 – Fields of a null data-burst . 19
Table A.1 – Allocation of the channel status bits . 20

– 4 – 61937-1  IEC:2007
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
DIGITAL AUDIO –
INTERFACE FOR NON-LINEAR PCM ENCODED
AUDIO BITSTREAMS APPLYING IEC 60958 –

Part 1: General
FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 61937-1 has been prepared by technical area 4: Digital system
interfaces and protocols, of IEC technical committee 100: Audio, video and multimedia
systems and equipment.
This second edition of IEC 61937-1 cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2000.
This edition contains the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition.
a) The data-type field in Pc is expanded from bit 0-4 to bit 0-6.
b) A new additional definition of Pd is specified.
c) The numbers of t
...

IEC 61937-1 ®
Edition 2.1 2011-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Digital audio – Interface for non-linear PCM encoded audio bitstreams applying
IEC 60958 –
Part 1: General
Audionumérique – Interface pour les flux de bits audio à codage MIC non
linéaire conformément à la CEI 60958 –
Partie 1: Généralités
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by

any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either IEC or

IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester.
If you have any questions about IEC copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication,
please contact the address below or your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

Droits de reproduction réservés. Sauf indication contraire, aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite
ni utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie
et les microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de la CEI ou du Comité national de la CEI du pays du demandeur.

Si vous avez des questions sur le copyright de la CEI ou si vous désirez obtenir des droits supplémentaires sur cette

publication, utilisez les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de la CEI de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Central Office
3, rue de Varembé
CH-1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
Email: inmail@iec.ch
Web: www.iec.ch
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.
 Catalogue of IEC publications: www.iec.ch/searchpub
The IEC on-line Catalogue enables you to search by a variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical committee,…).
It also gives information on projects, withdrawn and replaced publications.
 IEC Just Published: www.iec.ch/online_news/justpub
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published details twice a month all new publications released. Available
on-line and also by email.
 Electropedia: www.electropedia.org
The world's leading online dictionary of electronic and electrical terms containing more than 20 000 terms and definitions
in English and French, with equivalent terms in additional languages. Also known as the International Electrotechnical
Vocabulary online.
 Customer Service Centre: www.iec.ch/webstore/custserv
If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or need further assistance, please visit the Customer Service
Centre FAQ or contact us:
Email: csc@iec.ch
Tel.: +41 22 919 02 11
Fax: +41 22 919 03 00
A propos de la CEI
La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (CEI) est la première organisation mondiale qui élabore et publie des
normes internationales pour tout ce qui a trait à l'électricité, à l'électronique et aux technologies apparentées.

A propos des publications CEI
Le contenu technique des publications de la CEI est constamment revu. Veuillez vous assurer que vous possédez
l’édition la plus récente, un corrigendum ou amendement peut avoir été publié.
 Catalogue des publications de la CEI: www.iec.ch/searchpub/cur_fut-f.htm
Le Catalogue en-ligne de la CEI vous permet d’effectuer des recherches en utilisant différents critères (numéro de référence,
texte, comité d’études,…). Il donne aussi des informations sur les projets et les publications retirées ou remplacées.
 Just Published CEI: www.iec.ch/online_news/justpub
Restez informé sur les nouvelles publications de la CEI. Just Published détaille deux fois par mois les nouvelles
publications parues. Disponible en-ligne et aussi par email.
 Electropedia: www.electropedia.org
Le premier dictionnaire en ligne au monde de termes électroniques et électriques. Il contient plus de 20 000 termes et
définitions en anglais et en français, ainsi que les termes équivalents dans les langues additionnelles. Egalement appelé
Vocabulaire Electrotechnique International en ligne.
 Service Clients: www.iec.ch/webstore/custserv/custserv_entry-f.htm
Si vous désirez nous donner des commentaires sur cette publication ou si vous avez des questions, visitez le FAQ du
Service clients ou contactez-nous:
Email: csc@iec.ch
Tél.: +41 22 919 02 11
Fax: +41 22 919 03 00
IEC 61937-1 ®
Edition 2.1 2011-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Digital audio – Interface for non-linear PCM encoded audio bitstreams applying
IEC 60958 –
Part 1: General
Audionumérique – Interface pour les flux de bits audio à codage MIC non
linéaire conformément à la CEI 60958 –
Partie 1: Généralités
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX CH
ICS 33.160.30 ISBN 978-2-88912-795-50

– 2 – 61937-1  IEC:2007+A1:2011

CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4

INTRODUCTION (to Amendment 1) . 6

1 Scope . 7

2 Normative references . 7

3 Terms, definitions, abbreviations and presentation . 7

3.1 Definitions . 7

3.2 Abbreviations . 9
3.3 Presentation convention . 9
4 General description . 9
5 Interface format . 10
6 Mapping of the audio bitstream on to IEC 60958 . 10
6.1 Coding of the bitstream . 10
6.2 Burst-payload . 16
6.3 Stuffing . 16
7 Format of data-bursts . 16
7.1 Pause data-burst . 18
7.2 Audio data-bursts . 20
7.3 Null data-burst . 20

Annex A (normative) Channel status when IEC 60958 is used in consumer
applications . 22

Bibliography . 23

Figure 1 – IEC 60958 interface format . 10
Figure 2 – Data-burst format . 12
Figure 3 – Burst-preamble . 12
Figure 4 – Burst-preamble with extended preamble . 14
Figure 5 – Length of the burst-payload specified by Pd . 15
Figure 6 – Burst spacing . 16

Figure 7 – Flow chart of transmission of a bitstream . 17
Figure 8 – Bridging gaps in-between data-bursts with three pause data-bursts . 18
Figure 9 – Data-burst format of the data-type pause . 19
Figure 10 – Null data-burst . 20

Table 1 – Bit allocation of the IEC 60958 frame . 10
Table 2 – Bit allocation of data-burst in IEC 60958 subframes . 11
Table 3 – Burst-preamble words . 13
Table 4 – Bit map of burst-preambles . 13
Table 5 – Fields of burst-info . 13
Table 6 – Burst-preamble words . 14
Table 7 – Fields of Pe (extended data-type) . 14

61937-1  IEC:2007+A1:2011 – 3 –

Table 8 – Fields of Pf . 14

Table 9 – Values of data-type-dependent info of the pause data-burst . 20

Table 10 – Burst-payload of pause data-burst . 20

Table 11 – Fields of a null data-burst . 21

Table A.1 – Allocation of the channel status bits . 22

– 4 – 61937-1  IEC:2007+A1:2011

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

____________
DIGITAL AUDIO –
INTERFACE FOR NON-LINEAR PCM ENCODED

AUDIO BITSTREAMS APPLYING IEC 60958 –

Part 1: General
FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.

9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

This consolidated version of IEC 61937-1 consists of the second edition (2007)
[documents 100/1101/CDV and 100/1192/RVC] and its amendment 1 (2011) [documents
100/1810/CDV and 100/1883/RVC]. It bears the edition numbe
...