Glossary
Audio channel for DVD (ch)
Sound is divided into channels based on the sound’s role. 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 a0.1 (the ratio of bass to the total amount of sound output)
The following are indicated on the On-Screen Menu Icons. Example:
3/2 .1 ch | (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
Bitstream
Digitized and compressed audio signal.
It is decoded by decoders into multi-channel audio signals, such as 5.1 channels.
Decoder
This device restores the coded audio signals on DVDs to normal. This is called decoding.
DivX
DivX is a popular media technology created by DivX, Inc. DivX media files contain highly compressed video with high visual quality that maintains a relatively small file size.
Dolby Digital
This is a method of coding digital signals developed by Dolby Laboratories. Apart from stereo (2-channel) audio, these signals are also compatible with 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.
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.
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: Recorded at 25 frames per second (PAL discs) or 24 frames per second (NTSC discs). (NTSC discs recorded at 30 frames per second as well). Generally appropriate for motion picture films.
Video: Recorded at 25 frames/50 fields per second (PAL discs) or 30 frames/60 fields per second (NTSC discs). Generally appropriate for TV drama programs or animation.
Frame and field
Frames are the still pictures that go together to make a moving picture. A frame is made up of 2 fields.
≥A frame still is made up of two alternating fields so the picture may appear blurred but the overall quality is high.
≥A field still is not blur, but it has only half the information of a frame still so picture quality is lower.
ID3 tag
MP3 file that has an area in which the character-based information referred to as ID3 tag, is stored. The information of the track, such as the title, artist name, etc. can be stored here. The information can be displayed on players supporting the ID3 tag when a track is played back. However, this unit cannot because it does not support the ID3 tag.
Interlace and progressive output
The NTSC video signal standard has 480 interlaced (i) scan lines, whereas progressive scanning uses twice the number of scan lines. This is called 480p.
I/P/B
The DVD recording system shares the data commonly used by screens and uses screen-independent data individually for each screen to store the data on the disc efficiently.
≥I-picture (Intra coded picture):
A frame recorded independently as reference for commonly used data.
≥P-picture (Predictive coded picture):
This picture is calculated based on past I- or P-pictures. ≥B-picture (Bidirectionally-predictive coded picture):
This picture is calculated by comparing past and future I- and P-pictures so it has the lowest volume of information.
I-picture has the best quality and is the best to use when adjusting the picture.
Linear PCM (Pulse Code Modulation)
These are uncompressed digital signals, similar to those found on CDs.
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.
MPEG4
A compression system for use on mobile devices or a network, that allows highly efficient recording at a low bit rate. Recorded with the Panasonic SD multi cameras or DVD recorders and plays.
Multi-session
≥This means recording data onto a CD-R/RW disc several times. “Read-in/Programme area/Read-out” of the data on a disc makes one session.
≥If data, such as music, is added onto a pre-recorded CD-R/RW
disc, a new session will be added. Such a disc is referred to as a multisession disc.
≥Normal audio CD players can playback only the first session. On the other hand, this unit can playback 2 or more sessions.
Playback control (PBC)
≥If a Video CD has playback control, you can select scenes and information with menus.
≥In this manual, playing back of the contents of a Video CD using the menu screen is referred to as “Menu play” for Video CD.
Sampling frequencies
Sampling is the process of converting the heights of sound wave (analogue 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.
WMA (Windows Media Audio Picture)
WMA is a compression format developed by Microsoft Corporation. It achieves the same sound quality as MP3 with a file size that is smaller than that of MP3.
