1.33:1
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Aspect ratio used by old movies (pre 1950's) and also by standard definition analogue TV broadcasts. Also known as 4:3.
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16:9
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The "Widescreen" aspect ratio agreed by Digital Video Broadcasters (Digital Television) and High Definition TV (HDTV) as a broadcast standard. To display a widescreen programme in its full glory you also need a widescreen TV. Also known as 1.78:1.
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1.78:1
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The "Widescreen" aspect ratio agreed by Digital Video Broadcasters (Digital Television) and High Definition TV (HDTV) as a broadcast standard. To display a widescreen programme in its full glory you also need a widescreen TV. Also known as 16:9.
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100Hz
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A conventional PAL analogue TV set emits a signal at a frequency of 50 frames per second - 50Hz. Our eyes are sensitive to this frequency and at times a 50Hz picture appears to flicker. 100Hz technology digitally creates a replica of each frame and inserts it after the one before. This significantly reduces flicker.
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2.35:1
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Known as Cinemascope, this is the widest aspect ratio commonly used by movie-makers
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2-way
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Most loudspeakers have two drive units. The tweeter is the smaller unit and handles higher frequencies while the larger woofer is for mid to lower frequencies. The electronic circuitry inside the speaker features a crossover. This sends the signals from an amplifier to the appropriate drive unit - in a 2-way speaker, high frequency signals are sent to the tweeter and lower ones to the woofer. 3-way speakers also exist and you may come across speakers that have more than two drive units in each cabinets. But note, that these speakers can only be described as 3-way if their crossovers filter and send signals three ways.
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4:3
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Aspect ratio used by old movies (pre 1950's) and also by standard definition analogue TV broadcasts. Also known as 1.33:1.
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AAC
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Advanced Audio Compression coding provides high quality compressed digital music files in the SD format
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Analogue
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A way of storing data using electrical signals. An analogue TV tuner uses radio frequencies which are susceptible to interference. Digital components - such as TVs, radios, recorders, video players, etc, use digital signals which are less prone to interference and offer enhanced quality, ease of use and greater versatility.
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Anamorphic
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Watch a wide aspect ratio on a conventional 4:3 TV set and you either get big black bars across the top and bottom or the film is 'panned and scanned' so that you only get the central part of the image filling the screen. Either way, you're not getting the whole picture. Most movies on DVD are presented in their original aspect ratio and a widescreen TV is the first step in getting to see the whole image. But because the picture is not an exact fit for the screen's 16:9 shape, you may still get black bars at the top and bottom of the screen. A DVD with an anamorphic widescreen picture gives enhanced quality and digitally squeezes the sides of the picture forcing it upwards and downwards to fill the screen. A widescreen TV then decodes the anamorphic code and a 1.85:1 picture fits perfectly onto a widescreen. An anamorphic 2.35:1 transfer will still have those black bars, but they'll be much smaller.
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Aspect Ratio
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Describes the shape of a screen: a box that is 16cm wide and 9cm high is therefore 16:9. Movies are shot in a particular ratio for particular types of screens. There are four main aspect ratios: 4:3 the shape of a conventional TV and used by older films 16:9 widescreen: a compromise between 4:3 and the wider formats used by film makers 1.85:1 letterbox: the most commonly used picture format 2.35:1 Cinemascope: The widest of the most common ratios and also expensive. Used for the ultimate widescreen experience.
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Audio D/A conversion
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CD and DVD players need to convert digital signals into analogue so that we can hear them. DVD & CD players use high quality converters for superb sound and they can feature a sample rate of up to 192kHz/24-bit. That means the player samples 24-bit chunks of digital data 192,000 times before it delivers the optimum sound signal.
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Active Speaker
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All speakers need amplification. Most speakers are passive so they need to be driven by an external amplifier. An active speaker has a built-in amplifier and therefore does not need to be driven by an external one. Many subwoofers designed for home cinema use tend to be active.
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Bass Reflex
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When a loudspeaker produces sound, volumes of air move around inside its cabinets. Big air shifts mean bigger bass. But smaller speakers do not have the physical dimensions to create trouser-flapping lower frequencies. This where a bass reflex port comes in. This is a vent which forces air out from inside the cabinet. Forcing air out in such as way can help smaller speaker enclosures deliver more impactful bass.
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BONUSVIEW (Final Standard Profile)
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An advanced function that creates a range of exciting new entertainment possibilities. It opens the door to new functions such as Picture-in-Picture (which displays a second image in a subwindow) and Audio Mixing (which lets you switch the sound between the main and sub windows).
* Actual functions vary depending on the Blu-ray disc media.
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Coaxial
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There are two types of cables and sockets used to connect digital audio equipment. Optical cables use thin fibre optic leads. Coaxial (or electrical) cables are thicker and the sockets look the same as conventional RCA connectors. Arguably, coaxial digital cables offer better performance but optical ones can be easier to use and hide.
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Codec (compressor-decompressor)
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A circuit or software module used to compress and/or decompress data. When an analog video signal is converted to a digital signal, the resulting digital data is a massive 20MB per second. The codec is used to compress this data for recording (for example, to a memory card), and then to decompress it to its original form for playback
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Component Video
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The video signal is separated into its component form i.e. red, green and blue (RGB). For television, the signal is modified and referred to as YUV. It offers the highest quality of picture reproduction, especially from a DVD source. Component video input connections are usually three RCA phono-type plugs colour coded red, green and blue. Often labeled Y, Pb, Pr
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Compression
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A process that uses an algorithm to reduce data volume while preserving the original data content. Compression is used to reduce the time required to send and receive data over a network, and to enable the recording of more data onto a memory card or other storage medium.
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Digital Zoom
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This increases the range of the optical zoom by electronically enlarging the image , bringing distant subjects up close.
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Dolby Digital (5.1)
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Dolby Digital is a form of digital audio coding which makes it possible to store and transmit high quality digital sound. This audio coding can be used for mono, stereo or multi-channel soundtracks. Dolby Digital 5.1 is a multi-channel system used by film producers to deliver five discrete (ie the signals for each channel are recorded independently), full range channels: front left, front right, front centre, left surround and right surround. The .1 refers to the Low Frequency Effects (LFE) channel which is purely for bass and is therefore not full range.
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Dolby Pro Logic IIx
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Dolby Pro Logic IIx lets you enjoy virtually any programme - music, radio, TV, etc - in surround sound. It converts any stereo or 5.1 sound signal into 6.1 or 7.1 channel output and creates a seamless, natural surround soundfield. Dolby Pro Logic IIx also incorporates an exclusive Game mode that delivers full-impact special effects signals panned to the surrounds.
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Dolby Pro-Logic II
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Dolby's original Pro-Logic surround sound system developed in the 1980s used four channels - front left, front right, centre and a mono rear. The rear channel's treble frequencies were also limited. Pro-Logic II is an enhanced version with full range stereo output and greatly improved steering logic. It can be used with any kind of stereo programme - CDs, older film and TV material, games, etc - to give surround sound effects.
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DTS (5.1)
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Digital Theater Systems is an alternative digital audio coding system to Dolby Digital and offers high quality audio coding for digital movies, music, TV broadcasts, games, etc. The data rate is much higher than Dolby Digital so in theory it should provide a superior sound.
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DTS HD
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DTS-HD is the next generation multi-channel audio format designed for High-definition disc media such as Blu-ray. DTS-HD delivers wider frequency response and greater dynamic range for both movies and music. Higher sampling frequencies and greater bit depth mean more realistic sounds and greater dynamic punch. Music and dialogue will sound more clear and accurate, and the dynamic range of action sound effects will be dramatically improved. It offers a higher bit rate than the standard DTS Digital Surround format found on many DVD’s. It has two versions with each offering up to 7.1 channels of stunning audio performance: DTS-HD High Resolution Audio & DTS-HD Master Audio. Both formats are extensions to the core DTS audio which means that even if your amplifier or player does not contain a decoder for the HD formats you can still enjoy the core DTS audio at a higher than DVD bit rate.
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DTS HD High Resolution Audio
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DTS-HD High Resolution Audio provides a multi-channel compressed audio with up to 7.1 channels. At a constant bit rate of up to 6.0 Mbps it delivers a surround sound experience surpassing that of DVD. Movies come alive with sound as lifelike as the picture, and music becomes as real as a live performance.
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DTS HD Master Audio
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DTS-HD Master Audio provides lossless audio that matches, bit-to-bit, the original movie's studio master soundtrack and is fully backward-compatible with all DTS decoders. With the ability to reproduce up to 8 discrete channels at up to 24.5 Mbps, DTS-HD Master Audio delivers surround sound with unprecedented accuracy and realism.
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DTS Neo:6
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Like Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS Neo:6 can convert multi-channel surround sound from two-channel stereo. However, DTS says its system offers significant improvements. These include the provision of up to six full-band channels of matrix decoding from stereo matrix material; optimium decoding of Extended Surround soundtracks; the creation of a centre surround channel from 5.1 material; a natural soundfield with precise localisation and a Music mode for expanding stereo recordings into five or six channels without diminishing?the subtlety and integrity of the original sound.
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DVD-Audio
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DVD is capable of holding far more digital data than a CD. This data can include audio as well as video signals. DVD-Audio is the next generation audio format and can carry extremely high quality music. DVD-Audio can reproduce frequencies up to 192kHz - that's nearly five times higher than the average person can hear and while these ultra high frequency components are beyond our audible range they play a key part in conveying delicate musical nuances, venue ambience and soundstage imaging. In order to take advantage of music on DVD-Audio, you need a compatible DVD player.
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DVD-Audio Ready
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DVD-Audio demands a high frequency range from both amplifier and speakers. DVD-Audio ready components are equiped to offer the wider frequency response and better signal to noise ratio required of the format
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Digital Output
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Allows DTS or Dolby Digital signals to be taken from a DVD player and fed to an external decoder.
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Dolby Digital Plus
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Dolby Digital Plus is the next-generation audio format that delivers "better-than-DVD" sound in high-definition media such as Blu-ray (1.7 Mbps). Because it requires less compression and provides more channels (up to 7.1), Dolby Digital Plus also provides new coding efficiencies for future broadcasting (such as HDTV) and streaming of multichannel audio.
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Dolby True HD
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Dolby TrueHD is Dolby’s next-generation lossless technology developed for high-definition disc-based media, such as Blu-ray. Dolby TrueHD delivers tantalizing sound that is bit-for-bit identical to the studio master, (up to 18 Mbps) unlocking the true high-definition entertainment experience available on next-generation discs. When coupled with high-definition video, Dolby TrueHD offers an unprecedented home theatre experience that lets you enjoy sound as stunning as the high-definition picture.
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Dynamic Range
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Dynamic range describes the ratio of the softest sound to the loudest sound in a musical instrument or piece of electronic equipment. This ratio is measured in decibels (abbreviated as dB) units. Dynamic range measurements are used in audio equipment to indicate a component's maximum output signal and to rate a system's noise floor. As a reference point, the dynamic range of human hearing, the difference between the softest sound we can perceive and the loudest, is about 120 dB. Compressors, expanders, and noise gates are processing devices that are used in audio to alter the dynamic range of a given signal. This is done to achieve a more consistent sound when recording or as a special effect (by radically altering the dynamics of a sound, thereby creating a sound not possible from the original source).
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Ethernet
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A PC interface used to connect computers and peripherals in a Local Area Network (LAN). Huge amounts of data can be transmitted quickly over ethernet cables — up to 10,000,000 bits-per-second is possible. The latest electrical devices such as Hard Disk Recorders. TVs, Amplifiers feature ethernet connectors so that they can be incorporated in a LAN.
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EX Surround
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Films with Dolby Digital EX Surround have a third rear channel for more realistic effects: you get a better spread of sound behind you and this adds more realism. To take advantage of this 'back surround channel' you need a compatible processor and an extra speaker which is placed between the two at the back. DTS also has its version of EX called DTS-ES.
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FireWire
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Popular interface standard for connecting PCs and peripheral devices. Allows 400-Mbps high-speed data transfer. "FireWire" is the name used by Apple Corporation and is identical to IEEE1394. It is also called "i.Link."
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HDD |
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Hard Disk Drive, a device which stores digitally encoded data. Their enormous capacity can store huge amounts of audio, video and images.
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HDMI
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HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface and offers an easy and convenient way of interconnecting digital audio-video components. With HDMI, digital signals are not compressed - transmission is direct. And because the signal stays in the digital domain, it is free from the degradation and noise that occurs with analogue signal transmission. HDMI is especially suitable for displays which use all-digital image processing (such as plasma screens, LCDs, etc), DVD-Audio, DVD-Video and other high-quality digital formats.
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HDTV
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HDTV stands for High-Definition Television. This highest-resolution subset of Digital Television offers filmlike picture quality with impressive surround sound. With twice the vertical and horizontal picture resolution, the picture of HDTV is approximately twice as sharp as that of NTSC. HDTV has widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9 and Dolby Digital sound system.
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Interlaced Scan
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Advanced Audio Compression coding provides high quality compressed digital music files in the SD format
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IPS
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IPS stands for In-Plane-Switching. It was co-developed by key manufacturers including Panasonic, Hitachi and Toshiba. IPS mode system technology is used in TFT LCD displays. It delivers a very wide viewing angle of up to 170 degrees, both horizontally and vertically, with minimal gray-scale inversion (ie, when the screen starts to look blacked out when viewed from the sides). IPS works because the liquid crystal molecules inside the display rotate and therefore remain parallel to the substrate when voltage is applied. This results in perfect orientation of the crystals. An 'Advanced Super' (AS)-IPS mode system is also available for further LCD picture improvements.
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ISO (Sensitivity)
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A value used to indicate a film's sensitivity to light. ISO also stands for the International Standards Organization. Since no similarly defined standard exists for digital cameras, the term "ISO 100 equivalent" is used. A larger ISO value indicates that the camera can take a better picture in dimly lit locations (such as indoors).
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JPEG
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Stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group. It's a universal encoding format for digital still pictures, graphics, etc, so that they can be easily stored and accessed on the internet or on any compatible digital imaging device such as a camera, PC, data card, DVD-Video player, etc.
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Li-ion Battery
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Compact and high powered Lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack. These batteries can be charged at any time as they do not suffer from memory effect.
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Mega Pixel
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Mega refers to over 1 Million. The more pixels there are the better the picture quality in video and still mode
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MP3
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A compression technique used to squeeze digital music. MP3 stands for MPEG1 (Motion picture experts group 1), audio layer 3 and is commonly used on the internet to reduce the size of a music file. That way, the file takes up less space and is also quicker to upload and download. Because MP3s take up less space, you can burn, or record, significantly more music tracks onto a single CD, for example. But not all CD players can 'decode' the discs with MP3 format tracks. Also note, that while MP3 means more tracks, it also means less quality - compressing a music file inevitably means data loss.
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MPEG
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Stands for Motion Picture Experts Group and represents a family of digital audio and video coding standards. It enables data compression of sound and movies so that they take up less capacity. This makes them easier to store and access over the web, a PC, a data card, etc. MPEG4 is the latest variant.
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MPEG2
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This is a standard established by the Moving Picture Experts Group for transmitting broadcast-quality images equivalent to S-VHS. It is one of the compression technologies used in DVD and digital television.
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MPEG4
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MPEG4 has a high compression ratio, which creates a small file size that's suitable for personal computer and Internet applications.
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Multi Format Playback
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A single unit lets you enjoy everything from movies to audio. Compatibility varies depending on the models
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MultiMedia Card
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A solid state storage device used to hold digital data.
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NTSC
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In the US and Japan, NTSC (National Standards Television Committee) is the standard used for all video equipment. NTSC uses 525 lines to make up a TV picture and scans at 60Hz. Unless otherwise specified, NTSC video equipment is only compatible with NTSC software and TV broadcasts.
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Optical digital output
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This allows you to connect the portable to a digital surround sound processor so that you can take advantage of a movie with a Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS 5.1 soundtrack. A thin fibre optic cable is needed to connect the two.
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PAL
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Phase Alternate Line: a commonly used colour TV system and is the standard for all TV and video equipment used in the UK. The PAL system uses 625 lines to make up a video or TV picture and scans at 50Hz. Unless otherwise specified, PAL video equipment is only compatible with PAL software and TV broadcasts.
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PC Card Adaptor
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The PC Card Standard defines a 68-pin interface between the peripheral card and the socket into which it gets inserted. It defines three standard PC Card form factors, called Type I, Type II and Type III. All PC Cards measure the same length and width, differing only in thickness. Smaller cards can fit in larger sockets. In addition to electrical and physical specifications, the PC Card Standard defines a software architecture to provide "plug and play" capability across the widest range of products.
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PCM Digital Recording
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Pulse Code Modulation. Analogue sounds are converted to a digital bitstream signal. 16 bit (48khz) PCM stereo recording allows record and playback with the same sound quality as DAT, which surpasses even CD. Also, in the 12 bit (32khz) mode audio dubbing is possible, utilising 2 stereo channels for the original sound track and 2 more for either narration or music.
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Pixel
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Short for: PICture Element, Pixels are the tiny dots of information that make up a digital image. The more pixels there are on the camera's image sensor (CCD or CMOS) or display?s, the higher the image resolution will be. The higher the resolution, the clearer an enlarged print can be.
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Progressive Scan
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Progressive scan is a method of displaying an image on a cathode ray tube like a standard television (not an LCD or plasma screen.) A progressive scan system displays the entire image once every sixtieth of a second. The true framerate is therefore 60 frames per second.
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RCA
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Recording Company of America? RCA (or phono) is the standard way of connecting audio and video components. RCA leads and sockets are usually colour coded: red and white are used to denote the right and left channels respectively for audio components. A single yellow connector is for video equipment
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RGB
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Stands for red, green and blue. A video connector or lead which offers RGB output carries these primary colours separately for greater picture quality. Inferior scart leads may not offer RGB, so check before you buy one.
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SD Memory Card
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Next generation of MultiMedia card, standing for "Secure Digital". It is a solid state storage device for still images, video footage and music. Data can be encoded to protect copyright material. More than 520 companies worldwide support the SD standard. It is increasingly popular as a "bridge media" that lets different types of devices share data.
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SECAM
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The French broadcast system. Sequential Coleur A Memoire uses 625 lines scanned at 50Hz.
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Subwoofer
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A speaker dedicated to producing powerful low frequency sounds - that's bass to you and me! DVDs with Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS 5.1 soundtracks are encoded with a Low Frequency Effects channel especially for those trouser-flapping explosions, seismic spacecraft, rumbling thunderstorms, etc.
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S-VHS
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An enhanced version of the VHS video cassette system. The 'S' stands for Super and offers superior picture quality from video tapes - but you need a compatible VCR, tapes and socketry to take advantage of it.
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SVGA
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Abbreviation for Super Video Graphics Array. Resolution is 800 x 600 pixels. One of the standard PC display modes.
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S-Video
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A high quality video connection which offers better picture quality than standard RCA or composite connectors. S-Video cables have round, mini four-pin plugs and sockets.
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SXGA
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Abbreviation for Super eXtended Graphics Array. Resolution is 1280 x 1024 pixels. This resolution is a vertical and horizontal expansion of XGA (1024 x 768 pixels).
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S-Video Out
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4 pin socket used to carry high quality video signals. Luminance and Chrominance signals are carried separately to optimise picture quality.
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THX
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Apparently, when the original Star Wars movie was shown in cinemas during the late seventies, filmmaker George Lucas was unhappy with its sound and picture quality. He set-up THX which specialises in high quality post-production work so that a film's sound and picture standard is of the highest calibre. It's not just films that can be 'THX certified' - the company also specifies exacting standards for cinema construction, professional equipment and home AV components, too. Incidentally, the name THX is derived from THX 1138, the first film Lucas made while he was a student in 1971. It starred Robert Duvall as a robot called THX 1138 and there have been many direct and subtle references to the title in other George Lucas films: it was the number plate of Harrison Ford's roadster in American Graffiti and the numbers are also mentioned in the Star Wars and Indiana Jones films. The initials stand for Tomlinson Holman's eXperiment - Tom Holman is now a professor at the University of Southern California and widely respected as a film audio pioneer and a lead developer of the THX system (for which he won an Academy Award in 2001).
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USB
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Universal Serial Bus. A connection port for transfering digital data. Fast data transfer speed of up to 12 Megabits per second.
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USB2.0
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High-speed 480-Mbps data transfer interface. Approximately 40 times faster than USB1.1 (12 Mbps).
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UXGA
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Abbreviation for Ultra eXtended Graphics Array. Resolution is 1600 x 1200 pixels. This resolution is a vertical and horizontal expansion of XGA (1024 x 768 pixels).
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VGA
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Abbreviation for Video Graphics Array. A graphics system developed by IBM. Resolution is 640 x 480 pixels and uses 16 colors. Widely used as a standard for PC graphics systems.
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WMA
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This is a compression format developed by Microsoft* Corporation to be played in Windows Media Player. It achieves an even better sound quality than MP3s, with a smaller file size. *Microsoft and its logo as well as Windows and Windows NT, Windows Media are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation of the U.S in both the United States and other countries.
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XGA
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Abbreviation for eXtended Graphics Array. Resolution is 1024 x 768 pixels. One of the standard PC data display modes.
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YpbPr
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Component Video signal the same as YUV where Y = luminance Pb = blue minus luminance and Pr = red minus luminance.
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YUV
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A modified form of the component RGB video signal. The black and white (luminance) part of the signal is removed from the red and blue and added to the green. This gives greater detail to the picture, as the human eye perceives detail in green better than red or blue
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Zoom
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Allows the user to get a close up image of far away subjects. In the optical range the image is magnified by the lens. In the digital range the image is enlarged electronically.
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