Methods and apparatus for broadcasting high quality audio “studio direct” with the same digital information employed in the studio by the video producer with AC-3 digital audio signals for broadcast to integrated receiver decoders (IRD). Control over individual data bits such as copyright bits is maintained by determining the bit status, comparing it to a preferred status, changing the status if it does not comply with the preferred status, and reevaluating cyclical redundancy check value in each data packet to avoid disruption in the data transmission. The system includes an uplink device which automatically checks, logs and reports errors in Dolby Digital AC-3 signals by a monitor which employs a processor, a digital audio card and an SMPTE timecode reader. The monitor employs a state machine that finds AC-3 packets, locks into the packets and detects discontinuities or loss of signal. A sound card having an input for receiving house reference AES clock pulses enables the AES clock of the playback signal to be locked to the frequency of a production house master as a time code reader or an editor's contact closure match video and audio signals playback.