Glossary
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LaCie Dupli Disc CD121
User’s Manual
10. Glossary
Authoring –
Creation, combination and setup of various files for a DVD-Video, DVD-ROM or audio disc. This includes audio,
video, graphics and text files.
Backup –
(1) The act of creating at least one additional copy of data onto a different (and safe) storage device from where it
can be retrieved at a later time if needed. (2) A copy of a file, directory, or volume on a separate storage device from the
original, for the purposes of retrieval in case the original is erased, damaged, or destroyed.
Bit –
The smallest measure of computerized data, either a 1 or a 0. Eight bits equal one byte, or one character.
Block –
A very small section of the storage media comprised of one or more sectors. A block is the smallest amount of space
allocated on a drive for data storage. By default, a sector of data consists of 512 bytes.
Buffer –
RAM cache that is faster than the data that is being delivered. Buffers are used so data may be stored and delivered
to the receiving item as it is needed.
Buffer Underrun –
A condition when the drive’s buffer runs out of data while the CD-R or CD-RW media is still being written.
The recording of a CD is a system-intensive process, and the recorder needs a constant stream of data. A buffer underrun
occurs when the stream to the recorder is not fast enough to keep the recorder’s buffer full, causing the recording to abort.
Bus –
Electronic links that enable data to flow between the processor, RAM and extension cables (peripherals).
Byte –
A sequence of adjacent binary digits, or bits, considered as a unit, 8 bits in length. There are 8 bits in 1 byte. See also
MB (Megabyte) or GB (Gigabyte).
Cache, -ing –
This is an area of electronic storage (usually RAM) set aside to store frequently used data from electro-
mechanical storage (hard drives, floppy disks, CD/DVD-ROM, tape cartridges, etc.) Therefore, storing frequently used data in
RAM can enhance your system’s overall response to disk-intensive operations significantly.
CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable) –
Recordable optical disc that has up to 700MB of storage capacity.
CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) –
Small optical disc made of plastic that cannot be erased or written to.
CD-RW (Compact Disc ReWritable) –
Rewritable optical disc that has up to 700MB of storage capacity and which
theoretically can be rewritten 1,000 times.
CD-XA (CD-Extended Architecture) –
A format developed by Philips and Sony that is intended to store computer data, video
and audio tracks on the same CD-ROM.
Configuration –
When talking about a PC, configuration is understood to be the sum of the internal and external components
of the system, including memory, disk drives, the keyboard, the video subsystem and other peripherals, such as the mouse,
