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Home Theater Glossary

Learn the high-tech lingo, from aspect ratio to wobulation.

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Terms A - Z

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0-9


5.1-channel surround system


A speaker setup that places one speaker above or below a television, two on either side of the display, and two beside or just behind the listener (standard surround). A subwoofer is to the front left of the listener. A surround system creates a more immersive, realistic sound experience-the more speakers, the richer the sound.

7.1-channel suround system


A speaker setup that places one speaker above or below a television, two on either side of the display, two beside or just behind the listener (standard surround), and two behind the listener (surround back channels). A subwoofer is to the front left of the listener. A surround system creates a more immersive, realistic sound experience-the more speakers, the richer the sound.

480i


480-line interlaced scan; the vertical resolution of standard-definition broadcasts, and the original resolution technology. See "interlaced scanning".

480p


480-line progressive scan; the vertical resolution of standard-definition and some enhanced-definition (ED) broadcasts. See "progressive scanning".

720p


720-line progressive scan; the vertical resolution of some high-definition (HD) broadcasts. See "progressive scanning".

1080i


1080-line interlaced scan; the vertical resolution of some high-definition (HD) broadcasts. See "interlaced scanning".

1080p


1080-line progressive scan; the vertical resolution of some high-definition (HD) broadcasts. See "progressive scanning".

3-D color managment system


An auto-adjusting tool that ensures accurate color displays.

3-D comb filter


An HP feature that reduces flickering and enhances color purity in complex scenes from broadcast and composite signals. Also called "comb filter."

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A

Analog IQ


An HP feature in microdisplay TVs that processes analog video to optimize visuals.

Analog tuner


A built-in television feature that decodes over-the-air (antenna-based) analog signals.

ATSC HD


Advanced Television Systems Committee, an international organization that develops digital television standards. Also see "over-the-air HD".

ATSC HD antenna


An antenna that receives over-the-air high-definition television signals.

ATSC HD tuner


A tuner (internal or external) that receives over-the-air high-definition television signals.

Automatic brightness optimization


An HP feature that automatically adjusts TV and projector brightness to optimum levels based on the visual properties of what is being viewed and environment (room brightness).

Automatic contrast optimization


Analyzes the brightness of scenes frame by frame and automatically adjusts contrast to maximize intense detail.

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B

BBE Viva


An audio technology that creates realistic 3-D sound while preserving high-definition sound. Makes subtle sounds clearly audible.

Blu-ray disc (BD)


A next-generation optical disc format developed specifically for recording and rewriting high-definition video, with enhanced storage capacity (25GB single-layer or 50GB double-layer). Thus named because it uses a blue-violet laser rather than the standard red laser used by CDs and DVDs. Jointly developed by the Blu-ray Disc Association and several consumer electronics and PC companies, including HP.

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C

CATV


Refers to cable television. Originated from "community antenna television."

CableCARD


A device built into new-generation televisions that allows digital cable reception without a set-top cable box.

Color mapping


An HP feature in microdisplay TVs that permits the display of true colors.

Color wheel


A multicolor (either three-color or the newer seven-color) spinning wheel through which light is passed to create and project an image in digital light processing. DLP is used in HP projectors and microdisplay TVs.


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D

Digital Light Processing


A Texas Instruments display technology that uses a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) to create and project vibrant, high-definition images either via television or a projector.

De-interlacing


A feature that improves picture quality, producing a film-like richness. Sixty frames per second are shown as opposed to the standard 30 frames per second. (Also called "line doubling.")


Carries a multichannel audio signal between digital or electronic devices, separating sound into speaker-specific signals.

Dark video enhancement


Enhances details in dark scenes.

Digital tuner


A set-top or built-in television tuner that receives digital television signals. Also called "digital receiver."


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E

Electronic programm guide


A program menu on HP entertainment products, such as the Digital Entertainment Center and Media Center PC, that displays chronological, and automatically updated, program listings.


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F

G

H

HD DVD (high-definition DVD)


A next-generation optical disc format developed for high-definition video recording and rewriting. Types (red or blue laser) and storage capacity of HD DVDs vary. They include blue-laser DVD, Blu-ray disc, HD DVD-9, and EVD.

HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface)


Combines video and audio into one digital interface for use with devices such as TVs and DVD players. Users need only one connector cable. Carries DVI-quality video with up to eight channels of audio, providing a maximum bandwidth transmission rate of 5Gbps.

HDCP (high definition content protection)


An encryption in high-definition signals that prevents unlawful duplication.

HDTV ATSC tuner


An internal or external over-the-air tuner that receives high-definition television signals. Also called "ATSC HD tuner".


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I

Integrated HD


An HDTV that has a built-in high-definition receiver/tuner.

Interlaced (i) scanning


A method of displaying images from a video signal on a television screen. With interlaced scanning, half the vertical lines (odd lines) on the screen are filled in first, then the other half (even lines) for a complete image. Also see "progressive scanning".
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J

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M

Media hub


An HP HDTV innovation that allows users to access, manage, and enjoy digital photos, music, TV, and video in one set-top device that combines the capabilities of HDTV, digital cable, and a dual-tuner digital video recorder. It includes an electronic program guide, a music information service, and an automatic update service that upgrades the device as new services become available.

Microsdisplay TV


A large-screen, cabinet television using DLP. The newest generation of microdisplay TVs are more lightweight and compact than their earlier counterparts.

Motion adaptive de-interlacing


Detects and compensates for motion in pictures, reducing contours and greatly diminishing visual noise without reducing picture detail.
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N

O

Optical cable


A digital connector that carries information optically rather than electronically, which renders it unsusceptible to electrical interference.

Over-the-air HD


HD programming that requires TV owners to have an HD antenna and HD-capable TV, and live in an area where digital television is broadcast.
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P

Personal video recorder


A device that can record and play back television in digital format, as opposed to the analog format recorded by a VCR. Also called "digital video recorder."

PIP (picture in picture)


A television feature that allows you to view multiple TV channels simultaneously by creating one or more smaller displays within the larger television display.

POP (picture outside picture)


A television feature that allows you to view two or more (depending on the type of POP capability the set has) TV channels simultaneously by dividing the television display into halves.

Progressive (p) scanning


A method of displaying images from a video signal on a television screen. With progressive scanning, the vertical lines on the screen are filled in sequentially, rather than in two passes as with interlaced scanning. Also see "interlaced scanning".
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Q

Quick Connect


On HP microdisplay TVs, a backlit front connector panel that allows for easy setup and component changes.
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R

Resolution-doubling technology


A unique HP technology that projects digital images at double their resolution for improved clarity without increased cost. Also called "wobulation".
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S

SPDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface)


A digital audio interface, most often used with an RCA connector.

SRS TruBass


An audio technology that enhances low-frequency sound. Also a feature of SRS TruSurround XT.

SRS Dialog Clarity Enhancement


An audio technology that makes movie and television dialogue crisper and more clearly articulated. Also a feature of SRS TruSurround XT.

SRS TruSurround XT


A three-dimensional, high-definition audio technology that produces the effect of surround-sound with as few as two speakers. Voices are more accurate, bass is richer, and sound is overall fuller and more dramatic.

SRS WOW


An audio technology that strengthens voices and creates rich bass without the need for a subwoofer.

Surround-sound


Three-dimensional sound, usually created or amplified by the placement of multiple speakers throughout a room or home theater.
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T

Terrestrial HD


See "over-the-air HD".

Toslink


A type of optical cable used to connect A/V components, distinguished by its plug shape.
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U

UHDV (ultra high-definition video)


A next-generation HD format developed by the Japanese Broadcasting Corporation. Its resolution is 16 times greater than standard HD video, but it requires several terabytes of storage and a 450-inch diagonal screen to enjoy.
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V

Visual Choice


A feature on HP microdisplay TVs that permits quick, simple change between video sources via remote control and onscreen view.

Visual Fidelity


An HP picture-processing technology that analyzes every pixel of every image from every video source for noise reduction, color enhancement, motion compensation, and detail enhancement to deliver a spectacular picture.
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W

Wireless audio


A speaker setup that can be plugged into a front connection as opposed to rear ports.

Wobulation


A unique HP technology that projects digital images at double their resolution for improved clarity without increased cost. Also called "resolution-doubling technology."

WMA (Windows Media Audio)


Developed by Microsoft, WMA is a sound-file format that is even smaller than MP3. WMA offers near-CD-quality sound at an encoding rate of only 64Kbps (as opposed to MP3's 128Kbps), cutting the file size in half. Optional copyright protection is included in the WMA code, allowing the owner to restrict the use of protected material.
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