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18. Glossary / Key Word Index
What are DVDs, VCDs and S-VCDs?
DVDs
DVD is the short form for "Digital Versatile Disc". DVDs are a storage medium
for audio and video data; they are available in 8 cm and 12 cm (Diameter)
formats. Because of the much higher storage capacity as compared to CD-Rs/
CD-RWs DVDs can provide a playback duration of up to eight hours for the
audio and video data stored on them.
VCDs/S-VCDs
"Video CD" (VCD) and "Super Video CD" (S-VCD) are designations for two
processes of compressed storage, thus space saving, of films on CDs. VCDs
and S-VCDs are available in 8 cm and 12 cm (Diameter) formats. Their storage
capacity is a great deal lower than that of DVDs. For this reason they only
offer a playback duration, for the saved audio and video data on them, of
20 minutes (8 cm format) and/or 74 minutes (12 cm format).
VCDs are available in two versions:
• Only audio and video data can be played back on version 1.1
VCDs/S-VCDs.
• PBC (Playback control) functions are available on version 2.0 VCDs/
S-VCDs. In addition still images can be played back in a higher resolution.
Playback Control (PBC)
Version 2.0 VCDs/S-VCDs have Playback Control (in short "PBC") at their disposal.
Then on the VCD/S-VCD a main menu is available, by which various functions of
the VCD/S-VCD are allowed to be operated.
What are Title and Chapter?
Title is the name given to the largest units of image and sound units on DVDs;
on many DVDs the (Main) film has the title number 01. For bonus material
(i.e. Film trailer, background information etc.), that is available on many DVDs,
other possible title numbers can be used.
Chapter is the name given to the next smaller image and sound units beneath
title. If the DVD/VCD/S-VCD or its title is divided into chapters, numbers are
assigned to you, through the input of which the chapter can be selected direct.
Bear in mind that not on all DVDs …
• are the DVD or the title divided into (numbered) chapters
• Chapters are also designated as "Scenes" (i.e. in the main menu of DVDs)
What are Scart, S-Video, Composite-Video Progressive
Scan, YUV and HDMI?
Scart
Scart denotes a 21 pole standardized plug connection, via which the RGB
signal, video signal and S-Video signal as well as a number of control and
auxiliary signals are transmitted.
S-video
When the DVD player is connected to a television via S-Video the brightness
and colour signals are transmitted seperately; in this way a greater image
sharpness and a reduced so called "Colour noise" is achieved.
Colour noise refers to the overlaying of the colours, mostly heavily saturated
parts of a video image, through an irregular, restive breakdown structure.
Composite video
Video signal or FBAS signal; thereby it involves an image signal, in which
colour and brightness information are included at the same time.
Progressive scan
In the normal way TV devices and Video projectors are controlled with so
called "Half images". Thereby clearly visible line structures develop. Contrary
to this, Progressive Scan denotes the output of full images (with this DVD player,
at the output YPbPr) Progressive Scan signals can only be processed by play-
back devices equipped for this purpose (in particular large screen televisions
and projectors). The image quality as opposed to traditional image signals is
considerably higher.
YUV (component video out)
YUV indicates the component signal, which with this device is available at the
output YPbPr in the form of so called "Half images"; as a rule this is the best
signal for the control of large screen televisions and projectors, which can not
process Progressive Scan signals. As with the RGB image transmission, YUV is
comprised of three separated image signals:
• the brightness signal "Y" and
• the two colour diferential signals "U/Pb" and "V/Pr"
Half images (Interlace)/Full images (Progressive Scan)
A standard television image is comprised of 576 visible lines; at first all odd
and then all even image lines are displayed alternatively, thus each displays
a half image. Thereby only 25 full images (50 Half images) can be displayed
per second. This technique is designated as "Interlace" format.
Contrary to this with the so called progressive or "Progressive Scan" format
all image lines are displayed every time, that is to say 50 full images per
second are displayed. Thereby increasing the total quality of the images, still
images and text for example appear sharper.
HDMI
HDMI is short for "High Definition Multimedia Interface" and refers to a 19
contact interface for complete digital transmission of audio and video data.
With its high bandwidth HDMI handles all known today home electronics
digital video and audio formats. HDMI transmits audio data up to frequencys
of 192 kHz with text widths of up to 24 Bit on up to 8 channels. Thus not
only all of today's image and sound formats introduced into home electronics
including HDTV (up to the highest present resolution of 1080i) are transmitted
without loss of quality but also future formats with yet higher resolutions.
Decoder
The sound on DVDs with home theatre sound is saved on the DVD in encrypted
(encoded) form. Different encryption formats exist for several purposes, for
example AC-3 for the playback of Dolby Digital Surround Sound.
In order to playback encrypted sound, the playback device (i.e. the DVD
player) and/or the audio component connected to it (for example Surround
system) must be equipped with a so called decoder, which converts the
encrypted signal back into music and/or sound.
The Silvercrest SHDP 5.1 A1 DVD player is equipped with an AC-3 Decoder
(for Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound signals).
Dolby Surround
Dolby Surround is an analogue sound format, by which the two channels of
a stereo sound signal are used in order to accommodate room sound information
for further channels. Dolby Surround decoders convert the signals back into
sound or music and send the audio to two additional speakers that are situated
behind the listener.