Glossary

Bit Rate

Value indicating the amount of video data compressed in a DVD per second. The unit is Mbps (megabits per second). 1 Mbps indicates that the data per second is 1,000,000 bits. The higher the bit rate, the larger the amount of data. However, this does not always mean higher quality pictures.

Chapter

Sections of a picture or a music piece on a DVD that are smaller than titles. Many titles are composed of several chapters, but many others are not. Each chapter is assigned a chapter number enabling you to locate the chapter you want.

Dolby Digital (“5.1,” “AC-3®”)

This sound format for movie theaters is more advanced than Dolby Pro Logic Surround. In this format, the rear speakers output stereo sound with an expanded frequency range and a subwoofer channel for deep bass is independently provided. This format is also called “5.1” because the subwoofer channel is counted as the 0.1 channel (since it functions only when a deep bass effect is needed). All six channels in this format are recorded separately for superior chan- nel separation. Furthermore, since all the signals are processed digitally, less signal degradation occurs. The name “AC-3” comes from the fact that it is the third audio coding method to be devel- oped by the Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.

Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories. “Dolby,” “AC-3,” “Pro Logic” and the Double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. Confidential Unpublished Works. © 1992.1997 Dolby Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.

Dolby Pro Logic II Surround

This is a method of decoding stereo or surround recordings that produces five channels from 2-channel sound. Compared with the former Dolby Surround system, Dolby Pro Logic II Surround reproduces left-to-right panning more naturally and localizes sounds more precisely. To take full advantage of Dolby Pro Logic II Surround, you should have a pair of rear speakers and a center speaker. The rear speakers output stereo sound.

DTS

Digital audio compression technology developed by DTS, Inc.

This technology conforms to 5.1-channel surround. The rear channels are stereo and there is a discrete subwoofer channel in this format. DTS provides 5.1 discrete channels of high-quality digital audio.

Good channel separation is realized, because all channels are recorded discretely and processed digitally.

Manufactured under license from DTS, Inc. U.S. Patent

MPEG Audio

International standard coding system to compress audio digital signals authorized by ISO/IEC. MPEG 1 conforms to up to 2-channel stereo, used on some DVDs as alternate (other language) track.

DVD

A disc that contains up to eight hours of moving pictures even though its diameter is the same as a CD. The data capacity of a single-layer and single-sided DVD, at 4.7GB (gigabyte), is 7 times that of a CD. Furthermore, the data capacity of a dual-layer and single-sided DVD is 8.5GB, a single-layer and double-sided DVD 9.4GB, and a dual-layer and double-sided DVD 17GB. The picture data uses the MPEG 2 format, one of the worldwide standards of digital compression technology. The picture data is compressed to about 1/40 of its original size.

The DVD also uses the variable rate coding technology that changes the data to be allocated according to the status of the pic- ture. The audio data is recorded in Dolby Digital, DTS and/or PCM, allowing you to enjoy more natural audio presence. Furthermore, various advanced functions such as multi-angle, multilingual, and subtitles may be provided with the DVD.

Multi-Angle Function

Various angles or viewpoints of the video camera for a scene are recorded on some DVDs.

Multilingual Function

Several languages for the sound or subtitles in a picture are recorded on some DVDs.

Parental Control

A function of some (particulary U.S.) DVDs to limit playback of the disc by the age of the users. The limitation varies from disc to disc. When it is activated, playback is completely prohibited, violent scenes are skipped or replaced with other scenes and so on.

Title

The longest sections of a picture or a music piece on a DVD; a movie, etc., for a picture piece on video software; or an album, etc., for a music piece on an audio software. Each title is assigned a title number enabling you to locate the title you want.

Track

Sections of a music piece on a CD. Each track is assigned a track number enabling you to locate the track you want.

PCM

Pulse code modulation, an uncompressed data formation.

NTSC

National TV Systems Committee: a video standard used in USA.

PAL

Phase Alternation Line: a video standard used in many European countries.