Glossary

Bitstream

This is the compressed form of digital signals. A decoder decodes these signals into 5.1 surround and multi-channel signals.

Channel (when referring to DVD)

Sound is divided into channels based on the sound’s role. For example, 5.1 channel

≥Front speakers — 1 left channel and 1 right channel ≥Center speaker — 1 channel

≥Surround speakers — 1 left channel and 1 right channel

≥Subwoofer — 1 channel k0.1 (the ratio of bass to the total amount of sound output)

Examples as shown in the status display

3/2 .1 ch

(1)

(2)

(3)

(1)1: Subwoofer signal

(not displayed if there is no subwoofer signal)

(2)0: No surround

1:Mono surround

2:Stereo surround (left/right)

(3)1: Center

2:Front leftiFront right

3:Front leftiFront rightiCenter

DIRECT NAVIGATOR

This is a list of programmes you have recorded. You can select programmes from the list to view. The list also shows the date and time of recording, the channel, and the titles of titled programmes. The selected programme is played in the background, making selection even simpler.

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 5.1-channel audio. A large amount of audio information can be recorded on one disc using this method.

Dolby Pro Logic

A surround system where a 4-channel audio track is recorded as 2 channels and then is restored to 4 channels for play. The surround channel is monaural.

DTS Digital Surround

This surround system is used in many movie theaters around the world. The separation between channels is good and the compression ratio is low, so realistic sound effects are possible. DTS soundtracks are produced with the assumption that all channels will be used.

Finalize

This process allows DVD-R to be played on compatible equipment.

Frame and field

Frames are the still pictures that go together to make a moving picture. A frame is made up of 2 fields.

Frame	Field	Field
	=	+

≥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.

Linear PCM

This is a form of signal that has been digitized without compressing it. CDs are recorded with 44.1 kHz/16 bit PCM, while DVDs use PCM between 48 kHz/16 bit and 96 kHz/24 bit, allowing reproduction of greater quality sound.

The linear PCM signals output from the DIGITAL AUDIO OUT, OPTICAL terminal are stereo (2 channel).

NICAM (NICAM Broadcasting System)

This is a 2 channel sound broadcast system which in most instances provides high quality stereo sound. Broadcasters can also transmit two separate mono soundtracks on this system.

Pan&Scan/Letterbox

In general, DVD-Video are produced with the intention that they be viewed on a widescreen television with an aspect ratio of 16:9. This means you can view most material with the intended aspect ratio on a widescreen television.

Material with this ratio will not fit onto a standard television with an aspect ratio of 4:3. Two styles of picture, “Pan&Scan” and “Letterbox”, deal with this problem.

Pan&Scan:	The sides are cut off so the picture fills 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.

Playback control (PBC)

This is a method of playing Video CDs. You can select parts to play by using menus recorded on the disc.

PLAY LIST

This is a collection of scenes. It enables you to play these scenes in succession or to select specific ones to play.

Programme (PRG)

The section between the point where recording is started and the point where it is stopped.

Sampling frequency

This is the number of samples of sound taken per second during conversion to a digital signal. A high sampling frequency results in a sound close to the original when played back.

S-video output

The colour and luminance signals are separated before being sent to the television, making for greater picture clarity.

RGB Output

[RGB] means separate Red/Green/Blue colour signals (PAL only). If you connect a TV equipped with RGB input capability to the AV1 socket on this unit, and a decoder equipped with RGB output capability to the AV2 socket, the TV can receive RGB signal input from the decoder via the unit.