Codec - This term is short for "Coder-decoder." A codec is a device that converts analog video and audio signals into a digital format for transmission. It also converts received digital signals back into an analog format.
Video-on-Demand (VOD) - A programming library service offering the individual viewer the choice of the available content on demand. When the program is requested and confirmed (by telephone or Internet) it is then delivered to the viewer over an available channel in encrypted form. VOD services are generally arranged on a "Pay per View" basis, analogous to the cinema.
Low-Pass Crossover - A filter, found in a powered subwoofer, that accepts a full range audio signal heading for the subwoofer and passes only those frequencies falling below a predetermined frequency, attenuating those above. The goals are to "feed" the subwoofer only those frequencies that it can comfortably reproduce.
Auto Search Tuning - Initiates the tuner's search until a radio station of sufficient strength has been found. Weak stations are skipped during automatic search.
Anti-Aliasing - A technique used to smooth the transition between adjacent image areas. The removal or softening of jagged (aliased) edges by averaging or blending techniques.
Green - One of the three additive primary colors of light (Red, Green and Blue)
Color Key - A printer's proofing system developed by 3M that makes separate acetate sheets of CMYK that when stacked give a representation of the offset printing of a color image.
16 Base - The 2048 x 3072 pixels image that is scanned and stored on a Photo CD and suitable for digital imaging and desktop publishing applications.
3:2 pull-down - This is the process of converting a 24 frames/sec image into a 30 frames/sec image. Some line-doublers will reverse this process to acquire the original, and then re-perform it.
Aspect Ratio - the ratio of image width to image height. The term may apply to the display device configuration, or the shape of the content being displayed. (See Letterboxing) HDTV uses an aspect ratio of 16 units wide by 9 units high. Conventional television programming and displays are at an aspect ratio of 4 - 3. Digital SDTV programs may aspect ratios from 4 - 3 to 16 - 9, dependant on content and its source (e.g. upconverted NTSC is likely to be 4 - 3).
Comb filter - A circuit in NTSC sets that separates the color information from the brightness information.
Descreening - A feature of some scanners that allow them to eliminate moir‚ patterns that can occur.
Franklin eBookMan - A line of eBook reader and content playing handhelds developed by Franklin.
Hertz (Hz.) - A scale used for measuring the number of cycles per second.
IEEE1394 - High-bandwidth digital connection that uses MPEG-2 compression. Requires a decoder for playback and offers networking capabilities.
Interlaced Scanning - Some HD televisions and most conventional televisions use the "interlace" method of scanning, in which the picture is transmitted and painted on the screen in two passes. In the first pass, every other line is painted and in the second, the lines in between. Some display types, such as LCD, plasma and DLP cannot display directly images transmitted as interlaced signals and must convert them to a progressive format prior to their display.
Sampling - This is the digital process by which analog information is measured, often millions of times per second, in order to convert analog to digital.
Surround Output Level - Allows adjustment of the rear speaker level relative to the front speaker level according to viewing location and individual preference.
