Belkin 157 User Manual

GLOSSARY

157

A2 STEREO

The official audio standard for analog
television broadcasting in Australia. It is a
technique of implementing stereo or dual­mono audio for NTSC and PAL video. One
FM subcarrier transmits a L+R signal, and a
second FM subcarrier transmits a R signal
(for stereo) or a second L+R signal. Also
known as Zweiton Stereo.

A-B REPEAT

The player will loop (repeat) a portion of a
disc between two designated points.

AC-3

See Dolby.

ACOUSTIC TRANSFORM ACOUSTIC
CODING (ATRAC)

"Technology that compresses audio data
discarding the information that is
undetectable by the human ear whilst
preserving CD-quality sound.

•ATRAC: Achieves approximately 80%
compression rate in comparison to original
sound file. The original technology
employed by MiniDisc.

•ATRAC3: Improves upon ATRAC by
achieving approximately 90% compression.
The technology employed by MiniDisc Long
Play (MDLP).

•ATRAC3 Plus: Further improves upon
ATRAC by achieving approximately 93%
compression, with improved fidelity over
standard ATRAC3.

ACTIVE BLACK PANEL (ABP)

In standby mode, the unit is camouflaged as
a flat black panel. In display mode, the panel
puts on a brilliant colourful light show, also
giving you access to most functions. In
operational mode, the motorised panel
swings out revealing the full control panel
and slots for discs.

ADVANCED DYNAMIC SOUND
GENERATOR (ADSG)

Selectively improves the bass and treble
segment of your music. Unlike other
technologies that cause unwanted phase
change in the mid-range section, ADSG
produces natural sound effect without
introducing distortion.

ALTERNATING CURRENT (AC)

An electrical current which, unlike Direct
Current (DC), reverses flow direction at
regular intervals, measured in cycles per
seconds or Hertz. The Australian standard is
230V, 50Hz.

AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS
INSTITUTE (ANSI)

A standards-setting, non-governmental
organisation that develops and publishes
standards for voluntary use in the United
States.

AMPLITUDE MODULATION (AM)

A technique for transmitting radio signals.
See also Medium Wave (MW).

ANALOG TO DIGITAL CONVERTER
(ADC OR A/D)

This is the process of converting analog
signal to digital signal. The accuracy
depends on the sampling frequency and the
number of bits used to describe the levels.

ANSI LUMEN

A standard measurement of light output.

ARTIFACT

Defect commonly occurring in digital video
resembling pixelation of the video image.

ASPECT RATIO

The relationship of width and height. When
an image is displayed on different screens,
the aspect ratio must be kept the same to
avoid either vertical or horizontal stretching.

4:3: The picture aspect ratio of traditional

video.

16:9: The picture aspect ratio that

approximates that of 35mm film. Also
known as Widescreen.

2.35:1: The picture aspect ratio of some 35
and 70mm film.

AT ATTACHMENT PACKET
INTERFACE (ATAPI)

A hardware and software specification that
documents the interface between a host
computer and CD-ROM drives using the
ATA bus.

AUDIO FREQUENCY MODULATION
(AFM)

The audio recording technology used in
Video 8 and Hi8 Handycam camcorders.

AUDIO VIDEO INTERLEAVED (AVI)

A multimedia file format for storing sound
and moving pictures in RIFF format
developed by Microsoft. An AVI file can use
different codecs and formats so there is no
set format for an AVI file.

AUTOMATIC FOCUS (AF)

"Senses the distance between camera and
subject, and adjusts the lens focus
accordingly.

•AF Illuminator: Emits a orange light, making

it possible to focus on an object that is
normally difficult in a dark place.

•Hologram AF: An enhanced technology

that emits a red laser pattern for further
improved low light focusing.

AUTOMATIC GAIN CONTROL (AGC)

A system to control the gain, or the increase
in the amplitude of an electrical signal from
the original input to the amplified output,
automatically.

AUTOMATIC LEVEL CONTROL (ALC)

See Automatic Gain Control (AGC).

AUTOMATIC MUSIC SENSOR (AMS)

Automatically locates the beginning of the
current or following selection.

AUTOMATIC RECORD LEVEL (ARL)

See Automatic Gain Control (AGC).

AUTOMATIC VOLUME LIMITING
SYSTEM (AVLS)

Delivers you maximum acoustics without
sound leak — all at volume levels that won’t
damage your ears. Playback will not exceed
preset volume limits, which means that even
when you are on the move, volume will not
accidentally increase to an uncomfortable
level.

BALANCE

The relative loudness between the left and
right channel signals.

BARCUS-BERRY ELECTRONICS
(BBE)

Reduces audio distortion, adding a longer
delay time to lower frequencies so that
higher frequencies are transmitted
simultaneously, thereby neutralising the
distortion effect.

BASIC INPUT/OUTPUT SYSTEM
(BIOS)

A set of routines that works closely with the
hardware to support the transfer of
information between elements of the
system, such as memory, disks, and the
monitor. Although critical to performance,
the BIOS is usually invisible to the end user;
however, programmers can access it.

BASS REFLEX

A popular type of loudspeaker enclosure in
which an open port at the front or rear baffle
allows internal air pressure to reinforce bass
response.

BEST TUNING MEMORY (BTM)

Automatically selects and stores the stations
with the strongest signals, in order of
frequency.

BI PIXEL IP CONVERSION

Used to convert standard (interlaced) video
into a progressive signal which can be
displayed by a panel display device (plasma
etc). Responds to changes in PAL video
signal content by employing proprietary
algorithms to handle the challenging task of

processing video originated content, which
reduces motion artifacts for smoother image
reproduction.

BIT ERROR RATE (BER)

The ratio of received bits that are in error
relative to the total number of bits received.
It is used as a measure of noise induced
distortion in a digital bit stream. BER is
expressed as a power of ten.

BIT RATE

The digital equivalent of bandwidth, bit rate is
measured in bits per second (bps). It is used
to express the rate at which the
compressed bit stream is transmitted. With
a higher bit rate, more information can be
carried.

BLOCK NOISE REDUCTION

Suppresses vertical edge distortions for a
smoother, more natural DVD picture.

BLUETOOTH

A standard for wireless connectivity. It is
designed to eliminate cables between
portable consumer devices such as cellular
phones, laptop computers, PDAs and many
other electronic products.

Basic Imaging Profile (BIP): A unified
standard for image data transfer.

BUS POWERED

Power is supplied through the computer to
the external device, eliminating the need for
a power supply.

CD SYNCRO RECORDING

Simplifies making MiniDiscs from compatible
Sony CD players by releasing from
Record/Pause mode when the CD player
goes into Play.

CD TEXT

CD Text gives you valuable information with
CD text compatible software. Album name,
artiste description, and song title can be
easily accessed from the display.

CHARGED COUPLED DEVICE (CCD)

A semiconductor device that can produce
an electrical output analogous to the
amount of light striking each of its elements.
CCD sensors are used in both motion video
and still video cameras.

CINEMA BLACK MODE

Lamp wattage output is reduced along with
fan noise. Cinema Black Mode increases
blackness, extends lamp life and is ideal for
viewing film sources.

COAXIAL DIGITAL

An coaxial digital line allows you to transfer
sound in lossless, digital quality.

CODED ORTHOGONAL FREQUENCY
DIVISION MULTIPLEXING (COFDM)

Coded OFDM (COFDM) adds forward error
correction to the OFDM method, which is
the modulation technique used for digital TV
in Europe, Japan and Australia.

CODER-DECODER (CODEC)

Hardware or software that converts analog
sound, speech or video to digital code and
vice versa (analog to digital — digital to
analog). Video codecs are generally broken
into two categories: low bandwidth codecs
that operate at 56kbps to 384kbps, and
high bandwidth codecs that operate at
384kbps and above.

COLOUR SLOW SHUTTER

Slows down shutter speed to record full
colour detail in low light situations.

COLOUR TEMPERATURE

A measure of the colour of a light source
relative to a black body at a particular
temperature, expressed in degrees Kelvin
(°K). Low colour temperatures have a red­yellow tone; daylight has a high colour
temperature (approximately 6000°K) and
appears bluish.

COMB FILTER

Improves NTSC video signals by adjusting
the horizontal scanning lines within a frame.

COMPACT DISC (CD)

"Optical digital disc storage that
encompasses audio, video, and computer
data.

•CD Digital Audio (CDDA): 44.1kHz audio, 80
minutes capacity.

•CD Recordable (CD-R): Write-once media,
700MB capacity, optimised for data use.

•CD ReWritable (CD-RW): Re-writable
media, 700MB capacity, optimised for data
use.

•CD Read-only Memory (CD-ROM): Pre­recorded media, 700MB capacity,
optimised for data use.

•CD Interactive (CD-i): Provides audio, digital
data, still graphics, and limited-motion
video.

•CD plus Graphics (CD+G): Provides audio
and still graphics. Primarily used for
karaoke.

•China Video Disc (CVD): Precursor to
SVCD. MPEG-2 352x480 NTSC, 352x576
PAL, 44.1kHz audio, approximately 45
minutes capacity.

•Super Video CD (SVCD): MPEG-2
480x480 NTSC, 480x576 PAL, 44.1kHz
audio, approximately 45 minutes capacity.

•Video CD (VCD): MPEG-1 320x240 NTSC,
320x288 PAL, 44.1kHz audio, 70 minutes
capacity.

COMPONENT VIDEO

A video system containing three separate
colour component signals, either
red/green/blue (RGB) or chroma/colour
difference (YCbCr, YPbPr, YUV) delivering
enhanced detail and purity.

COMPOSITE VIDEO BASEBAND
SIGNAL (CVBS)

An analog video signal in which the
luminance and chrominance components
are combined (by frequency multiplexing),
along with sync and burst. Also known as
CVBS.

CONSTANT ANGULAR VELOCITY
(CAV)

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).

CONSTANT BIT RATE (CBR)

A uniform transmission rate.

CONTENT SCRAMBLING SYSTEM
(CSS)

An encryption scheme designed to protect
copyrighted material that resides on a disc
by periodically scrambling the data using
encryption keys.

CONTRAST RATIO

The measurement of the difference in light
intensity between the brightest white and
the darkest black.

CONTROL A1

Multifunctional data bus system for better
communication between Sony audio
components.

CONTROL L

See LANC.

D-BASS

Delivers dynamic, powerful bass
reproduction, with 3 bass boost steps for
adjustment of the bass enhancement level.

DECIBEL (DB)

The logarithmic unit of measurement to
compare the relative intensity of acoustic or
electrical signal, equal to one-tenth of a Bel,
named for American inventor Alexander
Graham Bell (1847 to 1922).

DEPTH OF FIELD

The distance between the first object in
focus and the last object in focus within a
scene as viewed by a particular lens. Depth
of field is affected by choice of lens, focal

a

b

c

d

158

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. Single­side, 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): Pre­recorded media, 4.7GB capacity, optimised
for data use.

•DVD ""Minus"" Recordable (DVD-R): Write­once media, 4.7GB capacity, optimised for
video use.

•DVD ""Minus"" ReWritable (DVD-RW): Re­writable (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): Write­once media, 4.7GB capacity, optimised for
video and data use.

•DVD ""Plus"" ReWritable (DVD+RW): Re­writable (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 1­bit 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

5.1 sound (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 high­resolution 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 mid­range 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.