Glossary - Panasonic DMR-EZ485VK Operating Instructions Manual

Glossary

Bitstream
This is a signal compressed and converted into digital form. It is
converted back to a multi-channel audio signal, e.g., 5.1-channel, by a
decoder.
CPRM (Content Protection for Recordable Media)
CPRM is technology used to protect broadcasts that are allowed to
be recorded only once. Such broadcasts can be recorded only with
CPRM-compatible recorders and discs.
Decoder
A decoder restores the coded audio signals on DVDs to normal. This is
called decoding.
DivX
A video compression format developed by DivX, Inc. that compresses
video fi les without any considerable loss of video quality.
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.
Down-mixing
This is the process of remixing the multi-channel audio found on some
discs into two channels. It is useful when you want to listen to the 5.1-
channel audio recorded on DVDs through your TV's speakers. Some
discs prohibit down-mixing. If this is the case, this unit can only output
the front two channels.
DTS (Digital Theater Systems)
This surround system is used in many movie theaters. 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. Dynamic range compression means
reducing the gap between the loudest and softest sounds. This means
you can hear dialog clearly at low volume.
Film and Video
DVD-Video are recorded using either fi lm or video. The unit can
determine which type has been used, then uses the most suitable
method of progressive output.
Film is 24 or 30 frames per second, with motion picture fi lm generally
being 24 frames per second.
Video is 60 fi elds per second (2 fi elds making up 1 frame).
Finalize
A process that makes play of a recorded CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, etc.
possible on equipment that can play such media. You can fi nalize DVD-
R, DVD-R DL, DVD-RW (DVD-Video format), +R, and +R DL on the
unit. After fi nalizing, the disc becomes play-only and you can no longer
record or edit. However, fi nalized DVD-RW can be formatted to become
recordable.
Folder
This is a place on the memory card where groups of data are stored
together. In the case of this unit, it refers to the place where still
pictures (JPEG) are stored.
Formatting
Formatting is the process of making media such as DVD-RAM
recordable on recording equipment.
You can format DVD-RAM, DVD-RW (only as DVD-Video format), +RW
and SD Card on this unit.
Formatting irrevocably erases all contents.
Frame and fi eld
Frame refers to the single images that constitute the video you see on
your TV. Each frame consists of 2 fi elds.
W
Frame Field

A frame still shows 2 fi elds, so there may be some blurring between
them, but picture quality is generally better.

A fi eld still shows less picture information so it may be rougher, but
there is no blurring.
T
Field
HDMI (High-Defi nition Multimedia Interface)
Unlike conventional connections, it transmits uncompressed digital
video and audio signals on a single cable. This unit supports high-
defi nition video output (720p, 1080i and 1080p) from HDMI AV OUT
terminal. To enjoy high-defi nition video a high defi nition compatible
television is required.
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)
This is a system used for compressing/decoding color 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 benefi t of
JPEG is less deterioration in picture quality considering the degree of
compression.
MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer 3)
An audio compression method that compresses audio to approximately
one-tenth of its size without any signifi cant loss of audio quality.
Pan & Scan/Letterbox
In general, DVD-Video are produced with the intention that they will be
viewed on a widescreen TV (16:9 aspect ratio), so images often don't
fi t regular TVs (4:3 aspect ratio). 2 styles of picture, "Pan & Scan" and
"Letterbox", deal with this problem.
Pan & Scan: The sides are cut off so the picture
fi lls the screen.
Letterbox: Black bands appear at the top and
bottom of the picture so the picture
itself appears in an aspect ratio of
16:9.
Progressive/Interlace
NTSC, the video signal standard, has 480 interlaced (i) scan lines,
whereas progressive scanning uses twice the number of scan lines.
This is called 480p.
Using progressive output, you can enjoy the high-resolution video
recorded on media such as DVD-Video.
Your TV must be compatible to enjoy progressive video.
Protection
You can prevent accidental erasure by setting writing protection or
erasure protection.
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 more faithful reproduction of the
original sound.
Thumbnail
This refers to a miniature representation of a picture used to display
multiple pictures in the form of a matrix.
1080i
In one high defi nition image, 1080 alternating scan lines pass every
1/60 th of a second to create an interlace image. Because 1080i more
than doubles current television broadcasts of 480i, the detail is much
clearer and creates a more realistic and rich image.
1080p
In one high defi nition image, 1080 scan lines pass at the same
th
time every 1/60 of a second to create a progressive image. Since
progressive video does not alternate scan lines like interlace, there is a
minimal amount of screen fl icker.
720p
In one high defi nition image, 720 scan lines pass at the same
th
time every 1/60 of a second to create a progressive image. Since
progressive video does not alternate scan lines like interlace, there is a
minimal amount of screen fl icker.
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