Glossary

Bitstream

This is the digital form of multi-channel audio data (e.g., 5.1 channel) before it is decoded into its various channels.

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.

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 multichannel 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 and can reproduce up to 7 kHz.

Down-mixing

This is the process of remixing the multi-channel audio found on some discs into two channels for stereo output. It is useful when you want to listen to the 5.1-channel audio recorded on DVDs through your television’s speakers. Some discs prohibit down- mixing and this unit can then only output the front two channels.

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. Dynamic range compression means reducing the gap between the loudest and softest sounds. This means you can listen at low volumes but still hear dialog clearly.

Film and video

DVD-Videos are recorded using either film or video. This 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 film generally being 24 frames per second.

•Video is 60 fields per second (two fields making up one frame).

Finalize

A process that makes play of a recorded CD-R, CD-RW or DVD-R etc. possible on equipment that can play such media. You can finalize DVD-R on this unit.

You cannot record onto or edit finalized discs.

Formatting

Formatting is the process of making media such as DVD-RAM recordable on recording equipment. You can format the DVD-RAM on this unit. Formatting erases irrevocably all recordings on the disc.

Frames and fields

Frames refer to the single images that constitute the video you see on your television. Each frame consists of two fields.

•A frame still shows two fields, so there may be some blurring, but picture quality is generally better.

•A field still shows less picture information so it may be rougher, but there is no blurring.

	=	+
Frame	Field	Field

LPCM (Linear pulse code modulation)

These are uncompressed digital signals. This unit outputs linear PCM sound in 2 channels from the DIGITAL AUDIO OUT terminal.

MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer 3)

An audio compression method that compresses audio to approximately one tenth of its size without any considerable loss of audio quality. You can play MP3 you have recorded onto CD-R and CD-RW.

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.

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.

Subtitles

Written dialogue which appears at the bottom of the screen.

VBR (Variable bitrate)

This is a method of video recording that adjusts the bit rate according to video signal.

74
	For assistance, please call : 1-800-211-PANA(7262) or, contact us via the web at:http://www.panasonic.com/contactinfo