Editing Output device (section)

=== Interface ===

[[File:Creative SoundBlaster Audigy 2 (SB0400)-4.jpg|Rear of a PCI sound card showing 3.5mm analog outputs|thumb|left|upright=0.8]]

The interface between an auditory output device and a computer is the [[sound card]]. Sound cards may be [[Sound card#Integrated sound hardware on PC motherboards|included]] on a computer's [[motherboard]], installed as an [[expansion card]], or as a [[sound card#USB sound cards|desktop unit]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.soundguys.com/what-is-a-sound-card-26851/|title=What is a sound card? Everything you need to know|website=SoundGuys|date=10 February 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-sound-card-2618160|title=What Is a Sound Card & What Does It Do?|website=Lifewire}}</ref>

The sound card may offer either an analog or [[digital audio|digital]] output. In the latter case, output is often transmitted using [[SPDIF]] as either an electrical signal or an [[fiber optic|optical]] interface known as [[TOSLINK]]. Digital outputs are then decoded by an [[AV receiver]].

In the case of wireless audio, the computer merely transmits a [[radio signal]], and responsibility of decoding and output is shifted to the speaker.