Tangora Technologies Glossary

Audio
Home Systems Glossary
Home Theater and TV Glossary
Security Systems Glossary
Structured Wiring Glossary

Audio
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Commentary Track: A separate track of audio on the DVD that can include filmmakers, stars, etc., discussing the film as it plays.

Component: An element of an audio system such as a receiver.

Composite Audio: The standard RCA-jack audio outputs, included on most DVD players and on all consumer level audio components. Usually chararaterized on most stereo components by a red – colored red output or input and a white colored left output to input.

Digital Coax Output: Transmits a digital audio signal via a digital coaxial cable. Similar in quality to a digital optical output, it is found on most mid- level and high - end DVD players and some CD players.

Digital Optical Output: Transmits a digital audio signal via s fiber optic cable. It is practically immune to magnetic or electrical interference. Similar in quality to a digital coax output, it is found on most mid-level and high-end DVD players and CD players.

Dolby Pro-Logic: The VHS standard for delivering surround sound. All DD 5.1 receivers can decode Pro-Logic. Some older DVDs may be encoded with digital Pro-Logic signals.

Dolby Digital 5.1 (DD 5.1): The most common sound output for DVDs. DD 5.1 sends unique signals to six different speakers: front left, front center, front right, rear left, rear right and subwoofer. To experience DD 5.1 you need a DVD player and/or a receiver that can decode the signal, or you need a DVD player with a built-in decoder and a DD-ready receiver.

Dolby Surround EX: New sound format that sends unique signals to seven different speakers: Front left, front center, front right, rear left, rear center, rear right, and subwoofer. To experience Dolby Surround EX (also called Dolby Digital 6.1) you need a receiver that can decode the signal, or an add-on amplifier that can decode the extra rear center signal.

Downmixing: Occurs when audio or video information on a disc is being sent to equipment that doesn’t have capabilities to reproduce it. A common example of downmixing is when a Dolby Digital 5.1 track is sent to a stereo TV or Pro-Logic receiver. The audio will still sound great (better than VHS) but it will lose some dynamic range in the process.

Driver: The actual speaker unit inside the speaker cabinet. There are three general types of drivers: tweeters, midrange, and woofers.

DTS: Acronym for Digital Theater Systems. This is a competing audio format to Dolby Digital. Some DVDs have DTS tracks, but the compression rate is much larger, so a DTS disc will hold less.

DTS-ES: This is a competing audio format to Dolby Surround EX, again sending unique signals to six different speakers: front left, front center, front right, rear left, rear right and subwoofer. Like, Dolby Surround EX, you’ll need decoding equipment to experience it.

DVD Audio: Audio format similar to CD but with a higher sampling rate. This format has yet to catch on in the music industry.

DVD: Acronym for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc. The disc is the same size as an audio CD but can hold hours of video and audio, as well as other information and alternative versions.

MP3: Motion Picture Experts Group, Audio Layer-III. This is a compression format that reduces the time it takes to transfer audio files along the internet. MP3 files take an audio file and squeeze it to about one twelfth the original size, thus making it easier to access and download music.

Receiver: A component that combines both the pre-amp and the power amp in one package, usually along with an FM tuner. It translates waves and codes to audible sounds.

Sampling Rate: How a movie or piece of music has been recorded or copied. The higher the sampling rate, the better quality.

Shelf Top System: A self-contained audio system that is small enough to sit on a shelf. In between a boom box and component system quality-wise.

Shielded Speaker: Powerful magnets inside speakers can damage a television, so speakers placed near TVs (especially center channels) need to be shielded to prevent this problem.

Subwoofer: A large bass driver in its own cabinet that comes in two types: powered and passive. Passive subs draw power from an amplifier or receiver, while powered subs have their own amplifier.

Surround Sound: Properly placed speakers can put you in the center of the sound, thus the surround sound effect.

THX: THX describes a certification process. The THX label indicates the sound and video quality are endorsed by Lucas film. Both software (DVDs) and hardware can carry the THX stamp of approval.

Watts: Measurement of amplifier power. Home amplifiers and receivers must be rated in watts per channel, or the amount of power the amp sends to each speaker.

Home Systems Glossary
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CEBus: Consumer electronics Bus is set of standards for communicating control information between devices such as lighting controls, appliances, HVAC equipment and more.

Circuit Breakers: Circuit breakers are the switches found in the electrical service box of homes. Each circuit breaker protects a specific group of electrical devices (outlets, overhead lights, appliances, etc.). If the devices draw too much power, the circuit breakers will shut-off (or “trip”) the power to all the devices to which it supplies electricity. Once the problem has been fixed the circuit breaker can be reset. When working on home automation projects that involve the home’s wiring, the respective circuit breakers should always be turned off manually to avoid electrocution.

Compact Fluorescent Light: Small fluorescent light bulbs designed to replace standard, screw-in incandescent light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use about one-third of the electricity an incandescent light bulb uses to produce the same amount of light. Most compact fluorescent bulbs , however, are not compatible with dimmers, timers, and some types of automated switches, unless specifically marked.

Energy Star Label: The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) evaluate energy-using consumer products to identify models that are the most energy efficient with the energy Star Label. Energy Star Labels are found on office equipment, home electronics, major household appliances, heating and cooling equipment, residential lighting fixtures, windows, insulation and even new homes.

Flathead Screwdriver: Flathead or slotted screwdrivers are designed to drive the most common type of screw: slotted screwed. They have a single slot across the top of their top.

Fluorescent Light: This type of light bulb uses less energy, and generates less heat than an incandescent light bulb while producing the same amount of light. Standard fluorescent bulbs require special fixtures that only hold fluorescent bulbs.

Ground Wire: Ground wires are a safety feature in a buildings wiring that helps prevent electric shocks when wires are damaged. In wall boxes, ground wires have either green insulation or no insulation (bare cooper wire).

HVAC: Heating/Ventilation/air conditioning system.

Incandescent Light: The original type of electric light bulb.

IR: Stands for “infrared” The most common home automation use of IR is in hand-held remote controls for TVs,VCRs and CD Players. Infrared light is invisible to the human eye and cannot penetrate walls.

LCD: Liquid Crystal Displays are used in most digital watches, laptops computers, digital cameras and home control devices, including some programmable thermostats and timers.

LED: Light Emitting Diodes are electronics components that look like tiny light bulbs. TV remotes use LEDs to produce the infrared signals that control the set. Many TV remotes also have an LED that glows red to indicate a button is being pushed. Another common use of LEDs is to show that a device is on.

Motion Sensor: The device detects movements by people, pets and even hot air. Motion sensors are commonly used with security systems, light switches and office HVAC systems.

Neon Lamp Tester: A device used to test wires for the presence of electricity.

Occupancy Sensor: See Motion Sensor.

Phillips Head Screwdriver: A Phillips screwdriver has an “X” shaped tip to fit the “X” shaped grooves in Phillips head screws (also called “cross-slotted screws”).

PIR: Stands for Passive Infrared. This technology is used in motion sensors to detect movement. The devices are passive because, unlike a TV remote, they do not generate any infrared light - they only detect it. Infrared light can be generated by heat, so motion sensors with PIR can detect the heat produced by people and warm-blooded animals.

Powerline Carrier System: A technology that sends coded signals along a home’s existing 120-volt electric wiring. These signals can be used to remotely operate devices. For example, a PCS transmitter (or control device) can send a signal along a home’s wiring, and a receiver plugged into any electrical outlet in the home can receive that signal and operate the appliance to which it is attached. X-10 is the most common PCS protocol.

Programmable thermostat: This type of thermostat has built-in, adjustable timers that create a comfortable temperature when it’s occupied. A setback setting saves energy when the home is unoccupied or when people are asleep.

Protocol or Communications Protocol: Refers to the system by which devices communicate. A home automation device that uses one protocol cannot be operated by a control that uses a different protocol. Examples of different home automation protocol are X10, CEBus and CEPCO.

Receiver: The part of a system or device that detects a signal sent by a transmitter.

RF: Stands for “radio frequency”. Sounds are transmitted via radio waves. Televisions, radios, cell phones, computer networks, garage-door openers, intercoms and more us RF.

Single Pole Switch: This is a very simple type of switch that controls a single device. If more than one wall switch controls the same electrical device, a hallway light for example, than none of those switches can be wired with a single pole switch. See also Three-Way Switch.

Three-Way Switch: When two switches control the same light, each of those switches must be a Three-Way Switch. If single-pole switches are used instead, then when one switch is turned off, the other switch will not work.

Transceiver: A unit that contains both a transmitter and a receiver. Some Transceivers receive one type of signal (such as RF from a hand-held remote control) and re-transmit it as another type (such as a Powerline Carrier signal that will control a light).

Transmitter: This is the part of a system or device that sends a signal.

Wall Box: A plastic or metal box, mounted behind a wall in a home. It houses electrical switches, electrical outlets, phone jacks, volume controls for stereo speakers, cable TV wires, wire splices, etc.

Wire Nut: These small plastic caps that provide a quick and secure way to connect wires. The right size of wire nut for each project is determined by the size and number wires being connected.

X10: See also Powerline Carrier System

Home Theater and TV Glossary
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Aspect Radio: The width to height ratio of an image on a TV.

Analog: Compared to digital formats, analog is the older form of electronical signal transmission. Analog is transmitted in frequency, while digital signals are transmitted in codes.

Anamorphic Wide screen: Video that has been enhanced for use on wide screen televisions. Sometimes the configuration for a regular TV results in artifact, but an anamorphic wide screen is still better picture than VHS or laserdisc. Also referred to as “16 x 9 enhanced” or “wide screen”.

Artifact: Something in a video picture that was not originally there. For example, on some DVDs you may see “pixelization”, or computerized blocks of color or black space. This is a result of poor DVD mastering, poor compression or is your player or TV has been set wrong. Consult your equipment manuals to remedy the latter.

Burn-in: When stationary graphics are onscreen for a long period of time, the continuous image can “burn” into the screen, resulting in a ghostly after-image superimoosedc over anything you watch. This is the most common on rear projection sets.

CRT: Cathode Ray Tube. Three CRTs (one each red, green and blue) make up the heart of a rear projection television.

Coaxial Cable: A thick cable comprised of an inner wire and braided outside wire. Used to feed cable programming to TVs, among other things. Sometimes called coax cable.

Commentary Track: A separate track of audio on the DVD that can include filmmakers, stars, etc. discussing the film as it plays.

Component: An element of your system such as TV, a receiver, a subwoofer.

Component Video: Outputs on a DVD player or TV that deliver the highest level of video by splitting the signal into three digital parts. For component video to work the source (DVD player) and the set (TV) must have like outputs.

Composite Audio: Another name for the standard RCA-jack audio outputs included on most DVD players and on all consumer-level audio components. On most stereo components, this is a red-colored right output or input, and a white-colored left output or input.

Composite Video: Another name for a standard RCA-jack video output. These outputs mix color as well as black and white signals together. Results in an image this is not as sharp or clear as S- and component video.

Compression: The process that allows films to be stored digitally on DVD. See also MPEG-2

Convergence: Adjustment of red, green and blue color on a rear projection set. The three CRTs inside a rear projection set occasionally need this adjustment to ensure a sharp picture.

Copy Protection: Used on 99 percent of DVDs to preventing coping to VHS or other video formats. Home coping of DVDs to other format is now so difficult it’s practically impossible, thanks to several different copy protection procedures employed by manufactures. See also Macrovision.

Digital TV: TV capable of displaying digital or standard signals.

Digital Coax Output: Transmits a digital audio signal via a digital coaxial cable. Similar in quality to a digital optical output, it is found on most mid-level and high-end DVD players and some CD players.

Digital Comb Filter: Filter that digitally separates color and black and white signals in your TV, providing a sharper picture and reducing artifacting and shimmer. The best digital comb filters, called 3-line digital comb filters, compare three lines of video to ensure the best possible picture.

Digital Optical Output: Transmits a digital audio signal via a fiber optic cable. It is practically immune to magnetic or electrical interference. Similar in quality to a digital coax output, it is found on most mid-level and high-end DVD players and some CD players.

Direct View TV: TV capable of displaying a digital signal for standard TVs.

Dolby Pro-Logic: The VHS standard for delivering surround sound. All DD 5.1 receivers can decode Pro-Logic. Some older DVDs may be encoded with digital Pro-Logic signals.

Dolby Digital 5.1 (DD 5.1): The most common sound output for DVDs. DD 5.1 sends unique signals to six different speakers: front left, front center, front right, rear left, rear right and subwoofer. To experience DD 5.1 you need a DVD player with a built-in decoder and DD-ready receiver.

Easter Egg: A hidden, special feature on DVD only savvy users can discover. It’s usually a documentary, hidden audio track, theatrical trailer or TV trailer.

Fiber Optic Cable: A small, light cable transmitting light pulses that translate to TV.

Flippers: Slang term for a DVD on which a film is split on two sides. Some longer films released on early DVDs are flippers, but the advent of better compression technology and RSDL discs eliminated the need for these. See also layer change, RSDL, and compression.

HDTV: Acronym for High Definition Television. Only viewable with certain DVDs and HDTV receivers.

Input: Connection on a component that receives signals from an outside source. For example, cable TV is attached to a TV input to transmit the cable signal.

Jog/Shuttle: VCRs and DVD players with this feature allow for customized fast-forward, rewind and slow-motion speeds. Usually operated by a round dial on the remote or front panel of the machine itself.

Keep Case: Full plastic DVD casing similar to VHS rental cases. This case is preferred by a majority of collectors. See also snapper case.

Laser Rot: This is a condition found in a small fraction of laserdiscs. The condition is caused by oxidation in the aluminum layer of the disc. Laserdiscs with this condition cease to play. Experts say it is to early to tell if DVDs will develop laser rot, but steps have been taken to prevent it, such as use of higher-quality materials in the manufacturing of discs.

Laserdisc: A precursor to DVDs, this among format has been embraced by film buffs for more than a decade. Laserdiscs are LP-sized discs that usually must be flipped, and in some cases changed, in order to see the entire movie.

Layer Change: When a DVD player skips to the next layer of an RSDL disc. This usually triggers a brief pause in the audio and video.

Line Doubling: Digital TVs and some DVD players can display lines of resolution in order, unlike traditional TVs that scan odd lines and then even lines onto the screen. Also called “Progressive Scan”.

Macro vision: DVD copying deterrent. If you try to run a DVD player through the composite video jack on a VCR to record a DVD onto a tape, you will see the incompatible effects of microvision. DVD players must be hooked up directly to the TV, or through a receiver with video switching to get a clear signal.

MPEG-2: Films must be converted to digital files in order to be stored on DVD. MPEG-2 is the standard compression process for these digital files.

Outputs: Connection on a component that sends a signal to another component via cable.

Pan and Scan: When a movie is sometimes cropped from its original theatrical aspect ratio to fit your TV. Also called standard format on some DVD packaging.

PVR: Personal Video Recorder: A set-top box that allows you to customize your TV viewing experience. You must buy a receiver and the service to take advantage of the perks: recording shows (without tapes); stopping and fast forwarding a live show; creating your own programming, etc.

RCA Jack Outputs: Outputs that mix color as well as black and white signals together. Results in an image that is not as sharp or clear as S-and component video.

Rear Projection TV: A television set with a three-CRT projection system and screen all in one package. Most big screen TVs over 40 inches is rear projection.

Region Codes: DVDs and players are encoded to perform only in certain geographical regions. For example, DVDs in North America are encoded “Region 1.” Only Region 1 players will play a Region 1 disc. Before you purchase a disc online, make sure that your DVD player can play it.

RF Coax Output: Radio Frequency Coaxial Cable Output. This output can’t produce the high-resolution picture that DVDs provide, but it will provide for a hook-up from DVD players to older TVs.

RSDL Dual Layer: Reverse Spiral Dual Layer. This is a technique in which a movie is split across two layers of a single side of a disc and is joined together for continuous playback. DVD players switch between the layers almost instantaneously, allowing more information to be store on the same side of a disc and eliminating the need for “flipping”. See also layer change and flippers.

S-video: A small, round jack with a pin in the center that receives signals for black and white and color. Provides much better video quality than composites outputs. Approaches the quality of component video.

Sampling Rate: How a movie or piece of music has been recorded or copied. The higher the sampling rate, the better the quality.

Shielded speaker: Powerful magnets inside speakers can damage a television, so speakers placed near TVs (especially center channels) need to be shielded to prevent this problem.

Snapper Case: Used by Warner Bros. and some other studios for DVD casing. This case consists of cardboard with plastic edges and a snap closure along the right side. See also keep case.

Standard TV: Televisions not capable of displaying digital signals.

Stretch Algorithm: A 4:3 picture from cable, satellite or over-the-air TV can be stretched to fill a 16:9 TV using stretching algorithms. Most manufactures accomplish this by stretching the sides of the picture more than the center, reducing noticeable distortion.

Subwoofer: A large bass driver in its own cabinet that comes in two types: powered and passive. Passive subs draw power from an amplifier or receiver, while powered subs have their own amplifier.

Supplements: “Extras” included on special edition DVDs besides the movie itself. Examples include commentary tracks, theatrical trailers, and TV spots, “making of” documentaries, cast bios and production notes.

S-VHS: Super VHS. This format displays better resolution than standard VHS, but still doesn’t approach the quality of DVD. No prerecorded material is in this format, but it can be used in the home for better quality recordings from digital satellite or cable.

V-chip: Technology that blocks content. The chip reads transmitted ratings from television programs and blacks them out at the level set by the TV owner.

Windscreen: This format presents films in their original theatrical aspect ratios, or percent wider than a standard TV display. For example, a film shot in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio loses almost half the original picture when it is cropped to fill your TV screen, which is 1.33:1. The black bars at the top and bottom of the screen are normal for this format. Even though the image is smaller, you can actually see more of the picture.

Security Systems Glossary
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Carbon Monoxide Detector: Odorless and colorless, carbon monoxide has been called the “silent killer.” A monitored carbon monoxide detector alerts your system when high levels of this deadly gas are detected.

Door and Window Contacts: When a door or window is opened, a contact sensor is triggered, sending an alarm signal to a customer monitoring center.

Emergency Phone: Some alarm companies sell phones that include emergency assistant and audible personals alarms.

Fire Detector: In some systems, when a smoke/fire detector is triggered, it transmits a signal to a monitoring center, which brings the fire department to your aid.

Glass Break Detectors: These devices trigger an alarm when they detect the sound or vibration of breaking glass.

Hand-held Remote: This accessory allows you to arm or disarm your system, open your garage door or turn on the lights in your home.

Light Activation: Some security systems turn on your lamps when either a fire or an intruder is detected. Light activation can also be controlled via a remote.

Low Temperature Sensors: These sensors alert a monitoring center when temperatures inside your home drop below a pre-set level.

Medical Emergency Pendant: Push the button on these pendants and medical help will arrive soon after.

Motion Detector: These detect movement and can turn on lights or alarms.

Phone Activation: With a touch-tone phone, you can turn some security systems on and off.

Paging Features: Some Systems can use a paging feature to alert you of break-ins, fires or simply when the kids come home.

Two-Way Keypad: This device checks the status of your system from outside your home.

Wristwatch Remote: Your security system remote is built into a phone for ease of use in this model.

Structured Wiring Glossary
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10BaseT: IEEE 802.3 Ethernet LAN standard, with data on Cat 3 or Cat 5 twisted-pair (TP) wiring, with a data rate of 10 Mbps.

100BaseT: IEEE 802.3 Ethernet LAN standard, with data on Cat 5 twisted-pair wiring, with a data rate of 100 Mbps.

AC: Alternating Current. All electrical outlets in a home operate at 120V, 60Hz.

Amplifier: An active electronic device to increase the amplitude of a signal.

Analog: An analog signal is a waved-shaped signal that represents information in a continuously variable and directly measurable physical quantity, such as voltage. The standard telephone signal is an analog signal.

Attenuator: A passive device to reduce the amplitude of a signal.

AWG: American Wire Gauge. AWG is the standard gauge for measuring the diameter of copper, aluminum and other conductors.

Baseband Video: Raw video signal from a single video source (e.g. camera or VCR). Typically appears at a yellow phone jack labeled “Video”.

Broadband Video: Modulated video signal. Usually comes from an antenna or CATV feed and contains many channels. Also applies to output of modulators. Typically carried on coax cable and connects to F-connector labeled “CATV/ Antenna”.

Cat5, 5e & 6: Category 5, 5e & 6 is a performance class for cables, jumper cables, jacks, connectors and interconnection components. The performance level and testing is specified in the EIA/TIA 568A Commercial Wiring Standard.

CATV: Community Antenna Television, commonly referred to as cable TV, is a TV signal received over a cable.

CCTV: Closed circuit Television, such as a security or safety cameral.

CEBus: Consumer Electronics Bus, a residential consumer product communications standard developed by the Electronics Industry Association (EIA).

Coax: Coaxial Cable. A center conductor is surrounded by a dielectric, a shield and an outer insulator. The signal is unbalanced, and the shield provides noise immunity. Generally used for broadband TV transmission.

Digital: Information that is encoded in a series of “1”s and “0”s.

DBS: Digital Broadcast Satellite

Decibel (dB): A logarithmic ratio used to indicate signal strength. Gains and losses expressed in dB should be added and subtracted (not multiplied).

HVAC: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.

Insertion Loss: The loss of signal due to attenuation or power splitting through a passive device.

IR: Infrared, commonly used by remote controls.

ISDN: Integrated Services Digital Network, residential or commercial digital telephone service.

Jack: The female connector, usually mounted in a faceplate or on equipment. Accepts a plug.

Jumper Cord: A short, Connectorized cable which interconnects two jacks, e.g. from equipment to a wall plate.

LAN: Local Area Network. The most common LAN today is the 10BaseT network.

Mbps: Megabits (millions of bits) Per second

NIU: Network Interface Unit (or NID: Network Interface Device). A small box, usually mounted on the outside wall of the house, which is the boundary between the phone (or cable) company wiring and the house wiring. Also called the demarcation point.

Off-Air TV: Broadcast Television received by an antenna.

Plug: A male connector, usually on a cable. Plugs into a jack.

POTS: Plain Old Telephone Service. Also referred to as “analog” telephone service. Includes voice, fax, and modem.

T568A: Designation for the pin assignments in a modular jack. Most appropriate for use in the residence.

TP: Twisted-Pair Wire. A twisted pair consists of tow insulated copper wires twisted together. Cat 5 cable is 4 twisted pairs in a common sheath. The twists provide balance and noise immunity. Generally used for analog voice and digital data (LAN) transmission.

UTP: Unshielded twisted pair.

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