Extron A/V Glossary Complete
Questions With Solutions
A/D CORRECT ANSWERS Analog to Digital (converter). A device that converts an
analog signal to a digital value.
AACS CORRECT ANSWERS Advanced Access Content System - A digital rights
management standard utilized with Blu-ray Disc and other optical formats. AACS
incorporates two parts: a set of embedded decryption keys within the source device,
and a set of keys encoded in the content that describes each of the playback devices
licensed to utilize the content. This approach allows copyright holders to revoke the
keys of a particular source device, thus preventing it from playing back future content.
AACS also provides for a managed copy system, that is, a mechanism by which one or
several, but not an unlimited number of copies can be legally made as backups, for
storage on a media server, or for use on a portable device. The ICT - Image Constraint
Token is a provision within AACS that allows the content provider to limit analog output
resolutions.
AAP CORRECT ANSWERS Architectural Adapter Plate. Mountable metal plates
available in hundreds of models offering popular pass-through audio, video, phone,
data, power, and control connectors. Active AAPs are also available for power, control,
and long distance signal transmission. Along with mounting options for maximum
flexibility in placing connectors and controls within reach, these interchangeable
components fit together to create an attractive and completely customizable A/V
connectivity solution.
Absorption CORRECT ANSWERS The attenuation of light as it passes through fiber,
similar to the resistive loss of an electrical signal as it passes through cable. Absorption
is caused by impurities and defects in the fiber.
AC CORRECT ANSWERS Alternating Current. Electron flow that changes direction
alternately.
AC coupled CORRECT ANSWERS A circuit design that does not pass the DC
component of a signal, therefore it ignores DC offsets.
AC-3 CORRECT ANSWERS See "Dolby® Digital."
Acceptance Angle CORRECT ANSWERS In fiber optics, this is the maximum allowable
angle of incidence for light entering a fiber measured from the center axis of the fiber.
Incoming light must be directed below this angle in order to enter the core of the fiber
and propagate along its length through total internal reflection.
,Active crossover CORRECT ANSWERS A circuit that separates the audio signal into
the appropriate frequency bands for the woofer, midrange, and tweeter. An active
crossover is placed in the signal path ahead of the amplifier, where a passive crossover
is placed between the amplifier and the speaker.
ADC CORRECT ANSWERS Analog to Digital Converter. A device that converts analog
signals to digital signals.
Additive color process CORRECT ANSWERS Also called "RGB." A color generation
process used in video that combines red, green, and blue to make all colors. All three
colors (red, green, and blue) at 100% combine to make white on a video screen; the
absence of all three colors (0%) makes black. Also see "Subtractive color process."
ADSL CORRECT ANSWERS Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line. One of a number of
DSL technologies, and the most common one. ADSL is designed to deliver more
bandwidth downstream (from the central office to the customer site) than upstream.
ADSP CORRECT ANSWERS Advanced Digital Sync Processing™. Using sync
processing to allow centering control (H-shift or V-shift) can create problems with some
display devices because of the sync delay. This means the digital projector user may
have to choose between a stable sync and centering control. Extron's ADSP restores
the original sync timing relationship for a stable sync signal while allowing centering
control.
ADTV CORRECT ANSWERS Advanced Definition Television. An early HDTV system
proposed by the Advanced Television Research Consortium in 1992. Now superseded
by US HDTV standards.
Aerial Cables CORRECT ANSWERS Optical fiber cables designed for outdoor
installations on aerial supporting structures such as poles. They are specifically
designed to withstand adverse conditions such as wind and ice loading, pollution, UV
radiation, thermal cycling, stress, and aging.
AES CORRECT ANSWERS Advanced Encryption Standard - A data encryption
standard adopted by the US Government and approved by the National Security
Agency for top secret information. DCP, LLP, the licensing agency for HDCP, has
adopted AES 128 encryption for the new HDCP 2.0 standard.
AES/EBU CORRECT ANSWERS Audio Engineering Society/European Broadcasting
Union. A digital audio transfer standard. The AES and EBU developed the specifications
for the standard. The AES/EBU digital interface is usually implemented using 3-pin XLR
connectors, the same type of connector used in a professional microphone. One cable
carries both left- and right-channel audio data to the receiving device. Also see "AES3."
,AES3 CORRECT ANSWERS A digital audio standard defined by the Audio Engineering
Society. The standard specifies several basic physical interconnections between
devices:
- Balanced - 3-conductor, 110 ohm cabling with an XLR connector, typically referred to
as "AES/EBU audio."
- Unbalanced - 2-conductor, 75 ohm coaxial cable with an RCA connector, typically
used in consumer audio applications. In many consumer products such as DVD players
and A/V receivers, this is often referred to as a "digital coaxial" connection type.
- AES-3id - A professional version of the 2-conductor 75 ohm coaxial cable terminated
with a BNC connector. AES3 unbalanced and AES-3id audio can be switched or routed
using a video switcher with a minimum of 150 MHz (-3 dB, fully loaded) video
bandwidth.
- Optical - Plastic optical fiber using an F05 style connector, typically used in consumer
audio applications. In many consumer products, this is often referred to as a "digital
optical" connection type. TOSLINK is the most common implementation of this
connection type.
AFL CORRECT ANSWERS Accu-RATE Frame Lock™. Extron's patented method of
eliminating image tearing which is associated with scaling, especially when motion
video is involved, and occurs when the input frame rate is slower or faster than the
output frame rate and part of the old frame and part of the new frame are displayed at
the same time during a refresh cycle. Extron Accu-RATE Frame Lock sets and locks the
output frame rate to the input frame rate of a designated input and produces a tear-free
output in a seamless switching system.
AGC CORRECT ANSWERS Automatic Gain Control. A circuit used to automatically
control the level of the recorded or transmitted signal. It is sometimes called Automatic
Level Control (ALC), or Automatic Volume Control (AVC).
Air Blown Fiber - ABF CORRECT ANSWERS Optical fiber installed through special
tube cables by means of using pressurized air or nitrogen to "blow" bundles of fibers
through individual tubes within the cable. Tube cables are usually preinstalled at the
premises before installation of air blown fiber.
Air Polish CORRECT ANSWERS In fiber optics, this is the first step in polishing the
connector using special fine grit film, after the fiber has been cleaved.
ALC CORRECT ANSWERS Automatic Level Control. In audio recording, a circuit used
to control the volume or level of the recorded signal automatically without distortion due
to overload. Sometimes called Automatic Gain Control (AGC), or Automatic Volume
Control (AVC).
Aliasing CORRECT ANSWERS (1) Aliasing occurs when smooth curves and lines
become rough or jagged because of a lower resolution device, or by an event. (2) In
analog video, aliasing is typically caused by interference between the luma and chroma
frequencies or between the chroma and field scanning frequencies. It appears as a
, moiré or herringbone pattern, straight lines that become wavy, or rainbow colors. Also
see "Cross color." (3) In digital video, insufficient sampling or poor filtering of the signal
causes aliasing. Defects typically appear as jagged edges on diagonal lines and
twinkling or brightening in picture detail.
All Dielectric CORRECT ANSWERS In fiber optics, this denotes the presence of only
dielectric, or non-metal elements.
AM CORRECT ANSWERS Amplitude Modulation. A method of radio transmission, by
which the information part of the signal causes the amplitude of a carrier frequency to
vary without affecting the frequency.
Ambient Sound Level CORRECT ANSWERS Any environmental or background sound
that exists before a new sound source is added. For example, in a school classroom,
ambient sound may come from an adjacent hallway or playground, HVAC system, room
lights, or another classroom. Ambient sound must be taken into consideration when
designing a sound support system.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) CORRECT ANSWERS ANSI is a private,
non-profit organization that administers and coordinates the voluntary standardization
and conformity assessment system in the US.
Amp CORRECT ANSWERS Ampere. The international base unit of electrical current
that represents the rate flow of electric charges through a conductor. Symbolized by "A."
1 amp is equal to the steady current produced by 1 volt applied across a resistance of 1
ohm.
Amplifier CORRECT ANSWERS An electronic device used to increase the voltage
amplitude of a signal.
Amplifier classifications CORRECT ANSWERS Audio amplifiers are typically described
by "class". There are four primary classes used in A/V system designs: A, B, A/B, and
D.
Amplitude CORRECT ANSWERS The level or strength of a signal as measured by the
height of its waveform. Electronic waveforms can be displayed and measured on an
oscilloscope.
Amplitude Modulation - AM CORRECT ANSWERS Amplitude modulation is also
employed in fiber optics applications, in which light acts as a carrier signal with its
amplitude varying in accordance to the signal being conveyed.
Anaerobic CORRECT ANSWERS For fiber optics, this describes a method of bonding
between optical fibers via a non-heat, intrinsic chemical reaction within the adhesive
material. By definition, an anaerobic adhesive does not require air to cure.