Glossary - Panasonic SC-NC9 Operating Instructions Manual

Glossary

Decoder
A decoder restores the coded audio signals on DVDs to
normal. This is called decoding.
DivX
DivX is a popular media technology created by DivX, Inc.
DivX media files contain highly compressed video with
high visual quality that maintains a relatively small file
size.
Dolby Digital
This is a method of coding digital signals developed by
Dolby Laboratories. Apart from stereo (2-channel) audio,
these signals can also be multi-channel audio. A large
amount of audio information can be recorded on one disc
using this method.
DTS (Digital Theater Systems)
This surround system is used in many movie theaters
around the world. There is good separation between the
channels, so realistic sound effects are possible.
Dynamic range
Dynamic range is the difference between the lowest
level of sound that can be heard above the noise of
the equipment and the highest level of sound before
distortion occurs.
Film and video
DVD-Videos are recorded using either film or video.
Usually, film is recorded at 24 frames per second, the
rate movies are filmed at, while video is recorded at 30
frames per second.
Frame still and field still
Frames are the still pictures that go together to make a
moving picture.
There are about 30 frames shown each second.
One frame is made up of two fields. A regular television
shows these fields one after the other to create frames.
A still is shown when you pause a moving picture. A
frame still is made up of two alternating fields, so the
picture may appear blurred, but overall quality is high.
A field still is not blurred, but it has only half the
information of a frame still so picture quality is lower.
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)
HDMI is a next-generation digital interface for consumer
electronic products. Unlike conventional connections, it
transmits uncompressed digital video and audio signals
on a single cable. This unit supports high-definition video
output (720p, 1080i) from the HDMI AV OUT terminal. To
enjoy high-definition video, a high-definition compatible
television is required.
Interlace and progressive output
The PAL video signal standard has 576 interlaced (i)
scan lines, whereas progressive scanning, called 576p,
uses twice the number of scan lines. For the NTSC
standard, these are called 480i and 480p respectively.
Using progressive output, you can enjoy the high-
resolution video recorded on media such as DVD-Video.
Your television must be compatible to enjoy progressive
video.
I/P/B
MPEG 2, the video compression standard adapted for
use with DVD-Video, codes frames using these 3 picture
types.
I: Intra coded picture.
This picture has the best quality and is the best to
use when adjusting the picture.
P: Predictive coded picture.
This picture is calculated based on past I or
P-pictures.
B: Bidirectionally-predictive coded picture.
This picture is calculated by comparing past and
future I and P-pictures so it has the lowest volume of
information.
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)
This is a system used for compressing/decoding colour
still pictures. If you select JPEG as the storage system
on digital cameras, etc., the data will be compressed
to 1/10 – 1/100 of its original size. The benefit of JPEG
is less deterioration in picture quality considering the
degree of compression.
Linear PCM (Pulse code modulation)
These are uncompressed digital signals, similar to those
found on CDs.
MPEG4
A compression system for use on mobile devices or a
network, that allows highly efficient recording at a low bit
rate.
Playback control (PBC)
If a Video CD has playback control, you can select
scenes and information with menus.
Sampling frequency
Sampling is the process of converting the heights of
sound wave (analog signal) samples taken at set periods
into digits (digital encoding). Sampling frequency is the
number of samples taken per second, so larger numbers
mean faithful reproduction of the original sound.
TM
WMA (Windows Media
WMA is a compression format developed by Microsoft
Corporation. It achieves the same sound quality as MP3
with a file size that is smaller than that of MP3.
Audio)
41