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Dictionary of Multi-Media Projector Technical Terms:
A - B - C

Welcome to the BOXLIGHT dictionary of multi-media technical terms. Click on the tab representing the first letter of the word that you are looking for to find the definition. For any suggestions or possible additions, please contact us.

Dictionary Letter A Dictionary Letter B Dictionary Letter C Dictionary Letter D Dictionary Letter E Dictionary Letter F Dictionary Letter G Dictionary Letter H Dictionary Letter I Dictionary Letter J Dictionary Letter K Dictionary Letter L Dictionary Letter M Dictionary Letter N Dictionary Letter O Dictionary Letter P Dictionary Letter R Dictionary Letter S Dictionary Letter T Dictionary Letter U Dictionary Letter V Dictionary Letter W Dictionary Letter X Dictionary Letter Y Dictionary Letter Z

802.11

Industry standard protocol for wireless networks.

Active Matrix

An LCD technology that uses a storage element called TFT (Thin Film Transistor) to create individually powered pixels. Active Matrix allows for full-motion video and animation, unlike passive matrix. The color is also more vibrant looking than passive matrix. There are two types of active matrix technologies: Amorphous TFT and Polysilicon TFT.

Amorphous TFTM

A form of active matrix that uses from one to three LCD panels. The transistors in Amorphous TFT are larger (blocking more light) than the transistors in Polysilicon TFT. This means that the panel(s) in Amorphous TFT are larger than the panels in Polysilicon TFT.

Analog

A continuously fluctuating electrical charge, as opposed to digital.

Analog Video

A continuously fluctuating electrical signal carrying images and sound. VGA display cards use this type of signal to transmit information to a display.

ANSI

The standard system for measuring lumens output. Created by the American National Standards Institute.

ANSI Lumens

The measurement of brightness at the screen of a projected image. An image of 1 square meter is divided into 9 equal segments. Light is measured at the center of each segment and then averaged. This is the brightness measurement used in all-in-one LCD projectors.

Aspect Ratio

The ratio between the width and the height of a frame or screen. An image with a width of 4 feet and a height of 3 feet has an aspect ratio of 4:3. Standard TV/monitor aspect ratio is 4:3. Standard wide screen (HDTV, DVD) aspect ratio is 16:9. To find out more about aspect ratio and how it impacts screen selection.

Audible Noise Rating

Pertaining to the loudness of mechanical sound (usually from the fan) escaping from the projector during use. Expressed as a number in decibels (dB). Generally, a projector with a noise rating of 34-38 dB will be fairly quiet and not distracting during presentations.

Bandwidth

The amount of information a piece of hardware (or type of cable) can transfer during a given time interval. The difference between the highest and the lowest frequencies of a band. Expressed in hertz.

BNC Connector

A bayonet-style connector most commonly used in consumer audio/video with high-end video equipment. A BNC cable has 5 connectors that receive Red, Green, Blue, Horizontal Sync and Vertical Sync information.

Bulb

See lamp.

CAD/CAM

Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacture. Software that allows users to graphically create and manipulate models on computer in lieu of physical models.

CD-ROM

Compact Disc-Read Only Memory. A 4.75 inch disc used to store and/or retrieve information. CD-ROMs are an excellent storage medium because they can hold over 600 megabytes of information.

CGA

Color Graphics Adapter. IBM s first color graphics card which offered only four colors at 320x200 resolution. The CGA standard is obsolete.

Class B Certification

Referring to a projector that has been specially designed for home theater use. These units have additional shielding on their wires to prevent interference with other electronic devices. Class B-certified projectors are also suitable for use in a professional environment.

Color - 24 bit

Refers to the total number of colors possible per pixel. 24 bit = 16.7 million colors. 8 bits of information per color (RGB) per pixel. The total possible color combination is greater than 16.7 million.

Color Mapping

The translation of many video display monitor colors into fewer LCD projection colors. The more colors an LCD product has, the better the color mapping.

Color Palette

The total number of colors available for use by a device.

Color Stripe

A form of passive matrix. Color Stripe creates color by blocking light to the pixels that are not in use.

Component Video

A type of video input that separates the color signals (red, green, and blue or RGB) into three cables. In high quality equipment, these cables are typically connected using RCA or BNC connectors.

Composite Video

A mixed signal comprised of Red, Green, Blue, Horizontal and Vertical Retrace. All compiled and sent via one video signal on one wire to an RCA connector.

Compression

A feature on most projectors through which an image of higher resolution than that of the unit's native is condensed so that it can be displayed in full.

Computer Projector

A device that projects a picture created from video information received through a peripheral source (e.g., computer, DVD player, VCR, etc.). Also known as Digital Projector or Multimedia Projector.

Contrast Ratio

A way of expressing the purity of colors in a projected image. Expressed as XXX:1. The higher the contrast ratio, the deeper and richer the coloring. An average contrast ratio is 500:1.

CRT

Cathode Ray Tube. The picture tube of a video display terminal.
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