References
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Aspect ratio
The ratio of vertical and horizontal sizes of a displayed image. The
horizontal vs. vertical ratio of conventional TVs is 4:3, and that of
wide-screens is 16:9.
Chapter
Refers to individual chapters included in a title.
Composite video signal
Refers to video signal comprised of three kinds of signals
combined: an image signal made up of luminance and chrominance
signals using the frequency multiplication technique; burst signal
providing the basis for color reproduction; and synchronization
signal.
Disc menu
A screen display prepared for allowing selection of images, sounds,
subtitles, multiangles, etc. recorded on a DVD.
JPEG
A still-picture data compression system proposed by the Joint
Photographic Expert Group, which features small decrease in
image quality in spite of its high compression ratio.
Letter box
A method of displaying wide images like movies in the center of a
4:3 TV screen with no part of the image deleted, by placing black
bands on the top and bottom of the screen. This name has resulted
from the screen form looking literally like a letter box.
Linear PCM (PCM: Pulse Code Modulation)
A system for converting analog sound signal to digital signal for
later processing, with no data compression used in conversion.
MP3
A file format with a sound data compression system. “MP3” is the
abbreviation of Motion Picture Experts Group 1 (or MPEG-1)
Audio Layer 3. By using MP3 format, one CD-R or CD-RW can
contain about 10 times as much data volume as a regular CD can.
Multiangle
By recording multiple scenes progressing at the same time in a
single title, the user can select view angles. This feature is called
the multiangle function.
Multichannel
DVD is specified to have each sound track constitute one sound
field. Multichannel refers to a structure of sound tracks having three
or more channels.
Multilanguage
When a title is created to cope with multiple languages, it is
generally called a multilanguage title.
Parental Lock
A feature of this system to automatically determine whether or not
to reproduce particular DVD software by comparing its parental
level (a measure of undesirability of scenes, etc. from educational
viewpoint) set for the software beforehand with that set on this
system by the user; if the software’s level is less restrictive than the
user-set level, it will be reproduced.
Playback control (PBC)
Refers to the signal recorded on video CDs or SVCDs for
controlling reproduction. By using menu screens recorded on a
Video CD or SVCD that supports PBC, you can enjoy interactive-
type software as well as software having a search function.
Region Code
A system for allowing discs to be played back only in the regions
designated beforehand. All the countries in the world are divided
into six regions, each region being identified by a specified Region
Code (or region number). If the Region Code given to a disc
includes a numeral which matches one in the Region Code of a
player, the player can play back the disc.
Sampling frequency
Frequency of sampling data when analog data is converted to
digital data. Sampling frequency numerically represents how many
times the original analog signal is sampled per second.
Surround
A system for creating three-dimensional sound fields full of realism
by arranging multiple speakers around the listener.
Transfer rate
The rate of transferring digital data. Usually the measure is in baud
per second. The DVD system applies a variable transfer rate system
for high efficiency.
Glossary
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