LaCie LaCinema Classic
Glossary
User Manual
page 44
11. Glossary
480p
– Also known as 480 progressive, this is a form of
standard-definition digital television (SDTV) which is similar to
VGA computer displays. A DVD’s resolution is 480p, but this
resolution can only be seen when the DVD player outputs a
progressive-scan signal, and the television has progressive-scan
or component-video inputs.
720p
– Also known as 720 progressive, this is one of two for-
mats designated as a high-definition digital television (HDTV),
ATSC DTV standard. This technology uses progressive scanning
and is comprised of 720 vertical pixels by 1,280 horizontal
pixels.
1080i
– Also known as 1080 interlaced, this is the second of
two formats designated as a high-definition digital television
(HDTV), ATSC DTV standard. This technology uses interlaced
scanning and is comprised of 1,080 vertical pixels by 1,920
horizontal pixels.
AVI
(Audio Video Interleave) – A file format that can contain
audio/video compressed standards using different combina-
tions of codecs (e.g. DivX® video file and a WMA audio file).
DivX®
– A video codec developed from the new MPEG-4
compression standard, which allows for compression/decom-
pression of videos into a specified format. The DivX® codec
can play movies using any DivX®-enabled player, such as the
LaCie LaCinema Classic. DivX® movies offer better compres-
sion and higher quality than standard MPEG movies.
Dolby Digital
– Dolby Digital lets you experience 5.1-channel
surround sound while supporting monaural (single channel)
and stereo (two-channel) setups. In a 5.1-channel environment,
there are five discrete full-range channels—Left, Center, Right,
Left Surround, and Right Surround—plus a sixth channel for
low-frequency effects.
DTS
– Digital sound technology, which provides the technology
for virtually all movie soundtracks.
Firmware
– Permanent or semi-permanent instructions and
data programmed directly into the circuitry of a programmable
read-only memory or an electronically-erasable, programmable
read-only memory chip. Used for controlling the operation of
the computer or tape drive. Distinct from the software, which is
stored in random access memory and can be altered.
ID3 Tag
– An embedded tag in MP3 files that communicates a
song’s title, artist and album. These tags can be edited.
MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group)
– These are the
developers of the MPEG-1 (VideoCDs), MPEG-2 (DVDs and
SuperVCDs) and MPEG-4 (DivX®, WMV) video compression
standards. The MPEG group is also responsible for the devel-
opment of the MP3 and AAC audio compression standards.
NTSC (National Television Standards Committee)
– This
group is responsible for the development of a set of protocols
used for transmission and reception of TV broadcasts in the
United States. An NTSC image has 525 horizontal lines per
frame, which are interlaced from left to right, top to bottom.
NTSC signals are not directly compatible with computer sys-
tems.
PAL (Phase Alternation Line)
– This is the analog TV display
commonly used in Europe. The PAL image has 625 horizontal
lines per frame, and the color definition differs slightly from the
NTSC standard.
VOB (Video Objects)
– The format in which DVD movies are
stored. Within each VOB file, a number of video/audio/subpic-
ture streams are stored. Subpicture streams refer to the subtitles
on DVDs and other VOB files. These subtitles are video streams
that overlay the main picture stream, and can be turned on or
off.
WMA (Windows Media Audio)
– An audio format developed
by Microsoft® for audio streaming and compression.
XviD
– A video codec, very similiar to DivX®, based on the
MPEG-4 compression standard. This an open-source video
codec that is currently being developed around the world. The
XviD codec can play movies using any XviD-enabled player,
such as the LaCie LaCinema Classic.
