IEC 60958-4-1:20 16规定了用于音频内容的音频编码格式。它与IEC 60958-1、IEC 60958-4-2和IEC 60958-4-4一起指定了用于从一个发射机到一个接收机的两个信道的周期性采样和线性表示的数字音频数据的串行数字传输的接口。该第一版与IEC 60958-4-2和IEC 60958-4-4一起取消并取代了2003年发布的IEC 60958-4及其修正案1:20 08，构成技术修订。本版本包括以下与IEC 60958 4:20 03及其修正案1:20 08相关的重大技术变更: -支持更广泛的物理介质； -支持更宽范围的音频采样频率； -弃用信道状态数据的“最小实现”。

IEC 60958-4-1:2016 specifies the format for coding audio used for the audio content. Together with IEC 60958-1, IEC 60958-4-2, and IEC 60958-4-4, it specifies an interface for serial digital transmission of two channels of periodically sampled and linearly represented digital audio data from one transmitter to one receiver. This first edition, together with IEC 60958-4-2 and IEC 60958-4-4, cancels and replaces IEC 60958-4 published in 2003 and its Amendment 1:2008 and constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to IEC 60958 4:2003 with its Amendment 1:2008:
- support for a wider range of physical media;
- support for a wider range of audio sampling frequencies;
- deprecation of "minimum implementation" of channel status data.