The audio player dictionary
The computer components dictionary
720p A high-definition picture that is comprised of 720 lines of pixels from top to bottom. The p designation refers to progressive scan formatting, as opposed to interlaced formatting. Progressive scanning produces a better picture, especially for high-action films and events, than the interlaced standard.
1080p A high-definition picture that is comprised of 1080 lines of pixels from top to bottom. The p again refers to progressive scan format.
1080i A high-definition picture comprised of 1080 lines of pixels from top to bottom. The i designation means the images are interlaced. The effect isn't usually noticeable, except in fast-paced sports events or action movies.
Blu-ray The standard developed by Sony for the next generation of digital optical discs. The typical Blu-ray disc can store four times the data of a regular DVD.cable Cable television is a popular way of receiving programming, especially in large urban and metropolitan areas. The signal travels through a coaxial connection to a cable-ready TV or set-top cable box.
contrast ratio This is the ratio from the darkest black a screen can produce to the whitest white. Since black is actually the absence of color, backlit LCD screens have less of a contrast ratio than plasma TVs. A better contrast ratio can produce a sharper picture with more vivid colors.
digital cable Advances in cable technology have paved the way for the transmission of digital signals through the coaxial cable networks already established by cable providers. Fiber optics have been laid in many regions to expand services, as well. Digital cable provides the bandwidth needed for HDTV and broadband internet services in addition to regular cable channels.
digital television The broadcast standard mandated by the FCC in 2010. Digital signals provide a clearer picture when the signal is strong enough. Weak signals, rather than producing the static seen in old analog sets, don't produce any picture at all.
DVD A digital video disc, an optical storage media similar in appearance to a compact disc (CD) that stores music or data. DVD standards allow video signals to be compressed, meaning more data can be stored on the disc. Discs are read by optical lasers. Currently, the DVD standard is still popular, but Blu-ray technology is in the process of replacing DVDs in the marketplace.
FireWire A connection type that is frequently used in playing back digital video directly to a TV. Originally developed by Apple, it is now a standard format recognized worldwide. It can transfer data in speeds from 100Mbps to 800Mbps, depending on which cable type is used.
high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) This is a type of connection that provides up to 5GB of bandwidth for video and audio transmission. It is used between many modern TVs and components such as Blu-ray players. It is commonly associated with high-definition equipment.high-definition television (HDTV) The new standard for widescreen, mostly flat panel televisions on the market today. HCTV produces a clearer picture than standard definition television sets. HDTVs can accept HD and non-HD signals.
interlaced Interlaced television signals are actually comprised of alternating lines of pixels. One set of pixels is displayed, followed by the second set in the next frame, displaying 60 frames per second and giving the video a solid appearance while using less bandwidth.
internet video Internet video today can be viewed on many TVs that have special software to allow users access to sites such as YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu.
liquid crystal display (LCD) An LCD display uses liquid inside the screen to produce the images, much like an LCD watch. Television LCDs are backlit, either with fluorescent lights or light-emitting diodes (LED).
organic light-emitting diode (OLED) An OLED display is one that is comprised of organic light-emitting diodes. It is generally brighter and has a wider viewing angle than regular HDTVs.
plasma display Another technology used for flat screen televisions. They typically provide a better contrast ratio than LCD TVs, as well as a better viewing angle. They are not available for sizes smaller than 42" because of a limitation in the technology.
progressive Progressive scan video signals carry all the pixels in each individual frame of the video, providing a smoother image in high-action motion sequences. In comparison to interlaced video, it uses more bandwidth but provides a much better viewing experience.
satellite TV An alternative source of television programming to cable or digital cable services. Once popular only in rural settings where cable was not available, it is popular in many urban markets today. Satellite services such as DISH Network or DirecTV provide many, if not all, of the same channels available on cable services, including HD channels. The downside to satellite TV is the signal loss from heavy cloud cover, rain, or snowstorms. These can all cause a loss of signal and disruptions in service.
smart TV A TV that is capable of connecting to the internet and running apps that will let it view things like Netflix, YouTube, and Pandora.
wifi A standard that allows wireless communications between two pieces of equipment in a home, office, or other setting. Wifi has three different bands: b, g, and n. Each band allows for a different bandwidth speed, with n being the highest at around 300MBps (megabytes per second). Typical units have a broadcast range of up to 120' indoors and 300' outside.
universal serial bus (USB) USB connections are one of the most common connections in computing. They are also popular in television and video, as some TVs and DVD or Blu-ray players now support picture slide shows shown directly from a USB flash drive. USB may also be used by some digital cameras to transmit images to a TV, although FireWire is more commonly used for this purpose.
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