length and aperture. Depth of field increases
with shorter focal lengths and smaller aperture openings.
DIAMOND-LIKE CARBON (DLC)
A thin carbon-based coating that has high hardness and low friction.
DIGITAL 8 (D8)
Digital recording format using traditional 8mm tapes. Many Digital 8 camcorders can view 8mm and Hi8 tapes, but Digital 8 recordings can't be viewed on an 8mm or Hi8 camcorder.
DIGITAL AUDIO TAPE (DAT)
A consumer & professional recording and playback media for high-quality audio.
DIGITAL AUTO TRACKING
Automatically check the tracking when a video tape starts playing and adjusts if necessary.
DIGITAL CINEMA SOUND (DCS)
Recreates the sound characteristics of Hollywood dubbing studios used for recording movie soundtracks. It is a combination of Cinema Studio reverberation, Virtual Multi Dimension and Screen Depth Matching. This is all made possible by a powerful digital signal processing chip that improves on the dynamism of every soundtrack.
•Cinema Studio A: Sony Pictures Entertainment Cary Grant Theatre, suitable for most movies.
•Cinema Studio B: Sony Pictures Entertainment Kim Novak theatre, ideal for action movies.
•Cinema Studio C: Sony Pictures Entertainment Scoring Studio, ideal for musicals or orchestral soundtracks.
DIGITAL CONSTANT IMAGE (DCI)
Only switching the pixels in an LCD projector, in parts of the picture when movement is present ensures a clean stable picture with no flicker.
DIGITAL EXTENDED PROCESSOR (DXP)
Increasing the signal to 14-bits achieves a more accurate conversion through improved signal to noise ratio, and results in more vivid capture of both light and dark images, while also rendering a more detailed and clearer picture.
DIGITAL NOISE REDUCTION (DNR)
When video signals are compressed, digital noise can appear on some portions of a DVD disc and are sometimes visible to a discerning videophile. Digital Noise Reduction results in less flickering in still background portions.
DIGITAL PITCH CONTROL (DPC)
Makes high/low speed play-back voices
sound more normal, making it easier to
understand the recorded words.
DIGITAL REALITY CREATION — MULTI FUNCTION (DRC-MF)
"Uses a digital signal processing based algorithm to deliver sharper and clearer images.
•DRC1250: Reduces the visible scanning lines of a video picture.
•DRC100: Uses real-time field doubling to create a smooth, flicker-free video picture.
•DRC Progressive: Creates an excellent still image with minimal flicker and less visible scanning lines of a video picture.
DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING (DSP)
Circuit that reproduces sound in the appropriate setting: movies in a Theatre, classical music in a Hall, rock music in an Arena, for example.
DIGITAL TELEVISION (DTV)
See HDTV and SDTV.
DIGITAL THEATRE SYSTEMS (DTS)
DTS is a multichannel audio compression format similar to Dolby Digital, but differing in
that it generally uses higher data rates offering better quality.
•DTS: Digital discrete 5.1 sound (left, centre, right, rear left, rear right, low frequency emitter).
•DTS Discrete 6.1: Digital discrete 6.1 sound (left, centre, right, rear left, rear centre, rear right, low frequency emitter).
•DTS ES 96/24: Digital discrete 5.1 sound (left, centre, right, rear left, rear right, low frequency emitter) using extended bandwidth (up to 96kHz) designed for music.
•DTS ES Matrix 6.1: Digital discrete 5.1 sound (left, centre, right, rear left, rear centre, rear right, low frequency emitter) with matrix rear centre.
•DTS Neo 6: Digital matrix 6.1 sound (left, centre, right, rear left, rear centre, rear right, low frequency emitter).
DIGITAL TO ANALOG CONVERTER (DAC)
A conversion process that takes a digital signal and converts it into an analog signal usually by a process of filtering.
•Advanced Pulse DAC: Uses a high precision algorithm to produce an extremely high pulse density; resulting in better sound quality.
DIGITAL VERSATILE DISC (DVD)
Optical digital disc storage that encompasses audio, video, and computer data. DVD uses the UDF file system. Single- side, single-layer discs have 4.7GB capacity; through to double-sided, dual-layer discs with 17GB capacity.
•DVD Video: Pre-mastered video discs.
•DVD Audio (DVD-A): Pre-mastered media incorporating extended bandwidth or 5.1 channel audio along with limited video content.
•DVD Read Only Memory (DVD-ROM): Pre- recorded media, 4.7GB capacity, optimised for data use.
•DVD ""Minus"" Recordable (DVD-R): Write- once media, 4.7GB capacity, optimised for video use.
•DVD ""Minus"" ReWritable (DVD-RW): Re- writable (1,000 times) media, 4.7GB capacity, optimised for video use.
•DVD ""Minus"" ReWritable Video Recording Mode (DVD-RW VR Mode): Allows for added flexibility when recording and editing. Features such as in camera editing, erase and re-recording, play list display are possible. Playback is limited to compatible products.
•DVD ""Minus"" Random Access Memory (DVD-RAM): Re-writable media, 4.7GB capacity, optimised for data use.
•DVD ""Plus"" Recordable (DVD+R): Write- once media, 4.7GB capacity, optimised for video and data use.
•DVD ""Plus"" ReWritable (DVD+RW): Re- writable (100,000 times) media, 4.7GB capacity, optimised for video and data use.
DIGITAL VIDEO BROADCASTING (DVB)
The transmission scheme for terrestrial
digital television.
DIGITAL VIDEO ENHANCER (DVE)
Utilises advanced digital signal processing to greatly improve image quality. Edges are sharpened and bright and dark images are separated without adding contrast to the overall image.
DIGITAL VIDEO INTERFACE (DVI)
A specification created by the Digital Display Working Group (DDWG) to accommodate analog and digital monitors with a single connector.
•DVI-A: For analog signals
•DVI-D: For digital signals
•DVD-I: For integrated (combined) analog or digital signals
DIRECT CURRENT (DC)
An electrical current which, unlike Alternate Current (AC), maintains a steady flow and does not reverse directions. DC cannot be measured in cycles per seconds or Hz. DC current is either generated from a battery or derived from alternating current through a special circuit. Many electronic circuits require DC current in their operation.
DIRECT DIGITAL SYNC
Locks the Digital to Analogue converter to the master clock to prevent time based errors such as jitter or phasing anomalies. The results are improved imaging and depth.
DIRECT MEMORY ACCESS (DMA)
A method of moving data from a device to memory (or vice versa) without the help of the microprocessor. The system board uses a DMA controller to handle a fixed number of channels, each of which can be used by only one device at a time.
DIRECT STREAM DIGITAL (DSD)
Is the advanced recording technology that makes SACD possible. Standard CDs use 44.1kHz/16-bit PCM to represent audio in digital form. DSD, on the other hand, is a 1- bit technology that samples music 2.82 million times per second, capturing 4 times more information. The resulting sound is warmer, smoother, and more "analog" than anything 44.1kHz/16-bit PCM can deliver.
DISC AT ONCE (DAO)
The CD-ROM disc is created in one continuous write. This format can be read by all platforms and all CD-ROM drives.
DISCRETE COSINE TRANSFORM (DCT)
Method of data compression of digital video pictures by resolving blocks of the picture (8x8 pixels).
DOLBY
•Dolby B: 10dB tape noise reduction
•Dolby C: 20dB tape noise reduction
•Dolby HX Pro: Avoids tape saturation and improves high-frequency headroom. Compatible with any playback deck, whether or not it has HX Pro circuitry.
•Dolby Surround: Analog stereo matrix 3.0 sound (left, right, rear).
•Dolby Surround Pro Logic: Analog stereo matrix 4.0 sound (left, centre, right, rear).
•Dolby Surround Pro Logic II: Analog stereo matrix 5.1 sound (left, centre, right, rear left, rear right, low frequency effects).
•Virtual Dolby Surround: Simulated surround sound through stereo speakers by utilising audio phase shifting.
•Dolby Digital 5.1: Digital discrete 5.1 sound (left, centre, right, rear left, rear right, low frequency effects). Also known as AC-3.
•Dolby Digital Surround EX: Digital discrete
5.1sound (left, centre, right, rear left, rear centre, rear right, low frequency effects) with matrixed rear centre.
DYE SUBLIMATION
A printing process where wax film is thermally transferred to printing media. Dye sublimation is generally no more expensive than other methods; however, it provides extremely high quality.
DYNAMIC BASS FEED BACK (DBFB)
A highly sensitive bass enhancement system that produces full-bodied bass
sound even at low volumes.
DYNAMIC RANGE
The range, measured in decibels, between the largest and smallest reproduced signals.
DYNAMIC SOUND GENERATOR (DSG)
Selectively improves the bass and treble segment of your music. It produces natural sound effect without introducing distortion.
ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE (EPG)
An application used with digital set-top boxes and newer televisions to list current and scheduled programming plus a short summary or commentary for each program.
EQUALISER (EQ)
Allows adjustment of the level of specific audio frequencies. Most equalisers graphic equalisers can be pre-set or manually adjusted.
EXTENDED DEFINITION (ED)
A speaker design that accommodates the far wider frequency response of high- resolution audio sources like the Super Audio Compact Disc. Compared to the conventional cut-off of 20,000Hz; it can achieve a response of 50,000Hz or more.
EXTENDED GRAPHICS ARRAY (XGA)
An XGA display has 1020 horizontal pixels by 768 vertical pixels, giving it a total display resolution of 783,360 individual pixels.
FIREWIRE
See IEEE 1394.
FOCAL LENGTH
The distance between the optical centre of a lens and the image plane). The focal length is measured in millimetres and determines both the magnification and the angle of view of a lens.
FRAME RECORDING
Captures video, a single frame at a time. Useful in the filming of "stop motion" animation.
FRAMES PER SECOND (FPS)
A measure of the rate at which pictures are
shown for a motion video image.
FREQUENCY MODULATION (FM)
The radio band from 87.5MHz to 108.0MHz in Australia, with 0.2MHz intervals.
GAME SYNC MIXING
Mixes game sound input with your favourite music tracks for a more enjoyable gaming experience.
G-CODE
G-Code numbers appear in TV guides and newspaper television pages. Entering this number into compatible recorders greatly simplifies record programming.
GLOBAL SYSTEM FOR MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS (GSM)
A standard for digital mobile communication and is the world's most widespread standard used in Europe, Africa, Middle East, parts of the USA, Australia and Asia. Upon its creation, GSM, an open, digital standard was intended to make possible a range of new services, features and applications which could not be achieved with analog systems.
G-PROTECTION
A buffer memory mechanism that prevents its portable audio equipment from skipping under most conditions. The technology recovers laser position 10 times faster than previous designs; so it can withstand the impact of jogging (and other sports) at the rate of 8G impacts, 3 times per second.
HERTZ (HZ)
The unit measurement of audio frequency based on cycles per second, named after German physicist, Heinrich Rudolph (1857- 1894). One Hz means a signal has one cycle per second.
HIGH ORIENTED POLYOLEFENE (HOP)
A very lightweight, rigid speaker cone material which gives superb bass and mid- range sound even when being driven at maximum volume.
HIGH PASS FILTER (HPF)
A network of elements used to attenuate all frequencies below a pre-determined frequency. Frequencies above the cutoff are passed without effect.
