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Glossary
Aspect ratio
A ratio which defines the shape of the rectangular picture
on a TV. It is the width of the picture relative to the
height. A conventional TV picture is 4:3 in aspect ratio.
Bitstream
The digital format of multichannel audio data (e.g., 5.1-
channel) before it is decoded into its various channels.
Chapter/title
Chapter is the smallest division and title is the largest
division on DVD Video. A chapter is a division of a title
and similar to a track for VCD or CD.
Dolby Digital (AC3)
A six-channel system consisting of left, centre, right, left
rear, right rear and LFE (Low-Frequency Effect channel,
for use with a subwoofer) channels. All processing is
done in the digital domain. Not all Dolby Digital discs
contain six (5.1) channels.
Dolby Surround/Dolby Pro Logic
Dolby Surround records four channels of front and rear
audio in two channels in a way that allows a decoder to
recover the original four channels for playback. Because
the audio is recorded in two channels, it can be played
back naturally by a two-channel stereo system.
Dolby Pro Logic introduces directional circuits in
decoder-side processing (increasing the level of specific
channels and lowering the level of silent channels) for
greater spatial perspective, and adds a centre speaker
used primarily for dialogue. The result is enhanced
channel separation.
DTS
A digital surround audio encoding format configured
with six (5.1) channels, similar to Dolby Digital.
DTS stands for Digital Theatre Systems.
Not all DTS discs contain six (5.1) channels of
information.
Dynamic range
The difference between the loudest and softest sounds.
JPEG
A popular file format for still image compression and
storage.
JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group.
There are three sub-types of the JPEG format as follows.
• Baseline JPEG: used for digital cameras, the web, etc.
• Progressive JPEG: used for the web
• Lossless JPEG: an old type, rarely used now
Linear PCM
PCM stands for “pulse code modulation.” Linear PCM is
the usual method for digitally encoding audio without
compression, and is used for the audio tracks on DVD
Video discs, CDs, etc.
MP3
MP3 is an audio data compression format, which stands
for MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3. Using MP3, you can achieve
a data reduction of about 1:10 compared to a
conventional CD.
MPEG
A family of Standards for compressing visual signals.
“MPEG” standards include MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-
4. Video CD is based on MPEG-1, while DVD is based
on MPEG-2. MPEG stands for Moving Picture Experts
Group.
• This is also used for compressing audio signals (ex.
MP3).
MPEG Multichannel
This feature expands the 5.1 channel audio format
recorded in the disc to a 7.1 channel format. The further
expansion of the 5.1 channel audio makes it easy for you
to reproduce the movie theatre experience in your own
home.
NICAM
Broadcast providing stereo, FM sound, or bilingual
programmes. The TV tuner built in this unit can receive
these NICAM signals.
NTSC (National television system committee)
A black and white and colour television system format
used in the U.S.A., Canada, Mexico and Japan.
PAL (Phase Alternation by Line)
A colour television system format used extensively in
Western Europe.
PBC
PBC stands for “Playback control” and is a method of
controlling disc play for Video CDs (VCD). You are able
to interact with the disc through menus.
RGB
An abbreviation for Red, Green, and Blue. Colour
monitors and colour television sets display different hues
by mixing these three colours.
Track
The smallest division on SVCD, Video CD and Audio CD
discs.