- A -

AC: Alternating current. An electric current with periodically changing polarity. The most familiar example would be would be for 60Hz house current used to operate common appliances like your stereo system.
Accurate Imaging System (AIS): Ensures that Dolby Pro Logic provides an equal amount of high-power output to each of the 4 channels (left, right, center and rear) so that no single channel dominates the sound field. You'll notice immediately how dialog comes out more distinct and realistic. Left/right sound movement too, is superbly reproduced. The most advanced version of this technology: the 5-Channel Accurate Imaging System, found in high-end Elite and Pioneer receivers. This sends equal high power for all five channels (including both rear channels) to create a totally captivating experience in sound. All five amps are of discrete configuration for low distortion and are capable of handling Dolby Digital's full bandwidth from 20Hz to 20kHz.
Acoustic Feedback: Unwanted acoustic interaction between the output and input of an audio system, usually between speaker system and microphone or turntable cartridge. Can lead to a howling noise or screech.
ADLC (Automatic Digital Level Controller): Ever switch CDs and find you have to jump up to turn the volume down? The ADLC remedies such volume variation among CDs. It automatically equalizes the difference in output level from different discs for a uniform preset value. This ensures that all discs play back at the same volume. In addition, when you program tracks from discs to make recordings, there's no need to adjust the level disc by disc to get a uniform output.
AF (Audio Frequency): Frequency within the human hearing range- approximately 10 - 20,000Hz. When passed thru a transducer such as a speaker or headphone, these currents produce sounds we can hear.
AFC (Audio Frequency Control): An AFC circuit of an FM tuner corrects for a inaccuracy in tuning by locking onto the tuned station.
AGC: 1. Automatic Gain Control Feature in most VCR, TV, Audio products that compensate for excessive signal and will lower the amplitude of the signal (gain) so as not to overdrive the sound and/or picture.

2. Self-correcting feature on CD Players that makes adjustments each time a CD is inserted into a player unit or the CD source is selected. By constantly adjusting the player for top performance, AGC greatly improves tracking performance- as well as the unit's ability to play poorly manufactured discs. AGC also offers superior compensation for the dust and dirt that builds up on the laser optics as the unit ages.
ALCA (Auto Level Control with Tape Analysis): ALCA optimizes bias, level and equalization with a low-level signal for the tape you are using, then checks the tape's ability to record a high-level, high-frequency signal. The recording level is adjusted in proportion to each tape and sound source and makes high-quality recorded sound as simple as pushing a single button.
AM (Amplitude Modulation): Amplitude modulation is the process of putting information on a carrier radio-frequency signal by varying the amplitude or size of the carrier. The simplest example is your car radio tuned to the AM band.
AM Suppression: Characteristic of an FM tuner to suppress changes of amplitude in received signals, thereby improving the signal to noise ratio by rejecting noise and interference.
Analog TV: Older TV system (still in use as of 2004) using magnetic waves to transmit and display pictures and sound.
Antenna: Assembly of metal bars, wires or loops for picking up radio waves. Dimensions depend largely on the wavelength (Frequency) of the signals
Antenna Gain: An indirect measure for an antenna's output level, i.e.the strength of the signal supplied by the antenna when compared to a standard antenna and at a certain frequency. Expressed in decibels. (dB). the higher the number the better.
APF: A Pioneer ID-Logic® feature that automatically updates the ID-Logic location as the user travels from one area to another. While other systems require the user to manually update the ID-Logic position while traveling outside of his normal listening area, APF automatically guarantees that the Pioneer unit will always display the correct local stations information.
APS: A Pioneer- ID-Logic feature that makes setup a snap. While other ID-Logic systems require grid maps and a complex initial setup procedure, APS simply requires that the user select the Country and State and then press the APS button. The unit does the rest.

Aspect Ratio: 4 X 3: Traditional TV "aspect ratio," that is, the screen’s width as compared to its height.

16 X 9: "Widescreen" TV screen format that is closer to a movie screen than traditional TV.
Attenuator: This button instantly lowers and then restores the volume level. It's not only useful when driving up to a toll booth, the teller window or fast food window, it can also prevent others who drive or park your car from playing the stereo system at excessive levels.
Auto BLE: Monitors maximum output response from your cassettes and then, at the touch of a button, adjusts bias, level and EQ settings to get the best possible performance out of every recording you make. (see also Super Auto BLE/BLE XD)
Auto Flesh Tone Circuit: Video signals from a broadcast station degrade significantly by the time they arrive at your projection monitor (on air or cable TV). To remedy this, the Auto Flesh Tone Circuit reduces color noise, improves color uniformity and corrects unnatural flesh tones to give you more natural images.
Auto Program Edit: A CD-to-tape dubbing feature that lets you specify the length of the tape on which the recording will be made; the player then automatically counts the number of tracks that can be accommodated onto each side of the tape.
Auto Super Gradation: Reproduces subtle differences in gradation. It supplements video signals electrically so that even the black sections of dark images and white sections in bright images can be reproduced with greater contrast. This produces an image in which you can clearly make out the details of each subject on the screen.
AUX (Auxiliary): Input on amplifiers, car stereos, etc. Accepts extra signal source such as cassettes, DAT players, video camera. etc.

- B -

Baffle: The board on which one or several speaker units are mounted. Separates the radiation's from the front to the back of the speaker.
Balanced Isolator Circuit: Prevents ground voltage flows from interfering with the signal. Improved existing designs by separating the left and right channel grounds. This puts each channel's signal wave in phase, which helps cancel noise components within the grounds. The output is cleaner, with less interference. With their 2/3/4 Channel Capability, amplifiers offer greater system flexibility without requiring a passive crossover. Three- and four- channel flexibility lets you design a variety of system installations, while the basic two-channel configuration provides an ideal system complement to high-power headunit's.
Bass: Low audio frequency sound energy below 200Hz. Too little bass results in a thin sound. To much bass results in a heavy sound like the bass drum in a parade.
Bass Boost and Variable Bass Boost: Allows bass frequencies to be boosted for each equipped amplifier. This allows the user or the person installing to set the optimal bass level for the speakers connected to that individual amplifier, allowing you to best utilize the headunit's tone controls for all speakers in the system. Since the amplifier boosts the bass, the system's bass setting can remain relatively flat to keep from overtaxing the other speakers in the system.
Bass/Mid/Treble Tone Controls: Adds a tone control for mid-range frequencies--the frequencies representing most vocals. This three-way control makes the tone control more like a three-band equalizer and gives the user more adjustment capability in the vocal range of most music.
Bass Reflex: A loudspeaker design in which the sound waves generated by the driver's rear surface are allowed to pass through a port in the enclosure to reinforce bass response. This enables smaller drivers to offer increased bass response with less power. Thus giving better sound qualities.
Bias: In tape recording, an inaudible high frequency signal applied to the tape to optimize its performance.
Blank Skip: Automatically skips over long portions of unrecorded passages or blank sections (at the end of one side, for example). This feature makes sure you're listening to music instead of blank tape, without having to divert your attention from the road. When more than 10 seconds of silence elapse on a cassette, Blank Skip automatically forwards to the next song even if it is on the other side.
Both-Side Play: LD Players with this feature automatically play both sides of a Laser Disc. When Side A has ended, the player advances to the beginning of Side B and continues the material. So please, keep your seat.
BSM (Best Station Memory): This function makes it easy for you to pick out and listen to your favorite tracks in your CD collection. An ideal tuner feature for traveling. Simply press the "Best Selection" key when listening to the tracks you like; the player automatically memorizes up to 15 tracks (20 tracks in higher-end models), for instant playback of your favorites whenever you want. Also for your FM tuner. At the touch of a button, BSM scans the radio band, finds and automatically presets the six strongest stations.
Butyl Rubber: The "surround", or the rolled edge where the speaker cone meets the frame, is made of a specially blended, highly durable and moisture-resistant compound. Butyl Rubber keeps the cone moving in a linear direction, seals the cone to the frame (to prevent sound from seeping back through) and quickly stops the cone from vibrating once the signal has passed. This leads to less distortion and a better frequency response.

- C -

Capture Ratio: An FM tuners ability to reject unwanted FM stations and interference occurring on the same frequency as the desired station.
Cassette: A preloaded container with tape and spools.
CCAW (Copper Clad Aluminum Wire): Aluminum wire has 65% more resistance than conventional copper wire.When used as a voice coil material, fewer turns of aluminum wire realize the same performance as more turns of copper wire. Thus, with aluminum, larger gauge wire can be used to increase maximum input power and to extend bass response. Also, Copper Clad (a copper coating over the aluminum) enables sure soldering contact.
CD-Video: A format introduced in 1987, CD-V employed a 5" gold-colored disc and contained approximately 5 minutes of video (usually a music video) and various digital audio programming. All current CD/LD players can play these discs, but CD-V's are no longer being sold.
Channel Separation: Degree to which left and right channel signals are separated in a stereo cartridge, FM stereo tuner, Amplifier, etc.
Chromatically Pure Projection Lenses: A specially developed green lens produces a green that's so pure and true-to-life, you can actually see the difference between subtle shades of green. Contrast is also markedly improved. The red lens filters out non-red video signals that can dilute and degrade picture performance, assuring excellent texture and definition of images carrying this hue. So, with pure primary colors, picture perfect color fidelity is assured.

Chrominance: This is the measure of color. In color television, the chrominance is technically the differeence between a given color and a standar color having the same brightness. The three chrominance primaries are red, green, and blue. This is why you might have heard the term RGB. These three primaries combine and form all colors that are seen on your Projection TV.
Cinema Wide Mode: Since expanding most letterbox formatted programs to a 16:9 aspect ratio would crop the image vertically, we employ an edge-weighted compression scheme to compensate, resulting in a more natural-looking image.
Cinema Wide System: 16 x 9 aspect ration. A marketing term
Closed Caption Mode: Enable hearing-impaired individuals to watch closed-captioned TV programs and home videos. Dialogue appears in printed form at the bottom of the screen.
Coaxial Cable: A cable consisting of an inner conductor and an outer screen. Used as antenna leads, and for hooking up video units.
Complimentary Capacitor Pair: Capacitors are used to store up an amplifier's power in modular chunks so that it can be quickly released to handle dramatic surges and musical crescendos. However, most amplifiers utilize two of the same type of capacitors for both negative and positive polarities, which can create excessive magnetic radiation that can easily find its way into the signal path.
Compu-PGM Edit: Shuffles the order of the tracks on a CD--after you've specified tape length--to keep unused space on each side of the tape to a minimum.
Contrast: In a television picture signal, the contrast is the difference in magnitude between the white and black components. Contrast is affected by the brightness of the picture. Too little contrast makes the picture appear washed out. Too much cntrast makes the words appear blurred.
Crossover Frequency: In loudspeaker systems and multi-amplifier audio installations, the overlapping frequencies between low/mid range and mid/high range speakers or amplifiers.

Crosstalk: Leak of right channel signal and to left channel, and visa versa. Expressed as level of unwanted signal in relation to wanted signal channel, measured in decibels (dB).

CRT: Cathode Ray Tube, or picture. Is a glass envelope, with a hard vacuum inside. Elements include 3 electron guns - one for each primary color - Red, Green and Blue. Charged electrons strike a phosphor dot in a certain order determined by the electronic circuitry to recreate a picture.
Custom Filing (CDFile-type players): Lets you group your CDs into three distinct categories (type of music, composer, artist, etc.) so you can create just the right musical fix for any occasion. You can even re-classify discs without moving them and put the same disc into more than one file. Three random play modes, 8 repeat modes and 36-track programmability give you even greater listening options.

- D -

dbx TV Noise Reduction System: This built-in MTS (multichannel television sound) decoder enhances stereo telecasts of two-channel broadcasts in the U.S., to provide more exciting stereophonic TV.
Decibel (dB): A logarithmic unit used to express the ratio between two power, voltage, or current levels. You see this term when looking at audio specifications.

Degaussing: See Demagnetizing

Demagnetizing: Picture tubes (or CRT's) have magnetic properties which must be properly aligned with Earth's magentic fields. If a TV is moved when on, frequently color spots will appear and adversely affect the color and picture. The larger the CRT, the more sensitive it is. Some 31" and larger TV's have a N-S/E-W alignment switch.

Color TV's have an automatic degaussing circuit built-in. But it produces a weak field and may take a couple of days for it to go away. If it does not, contact a service company and they can come out and manually degauss yur TV. In some cases a purity alignment may be needed, especially if the TV has been subjected to a fall or has been handled roughly.
Detachable Face Security (DFS): A theft deterrent system which provides headunit security. With DFS, you simply lift off the front panel (face) of the unit, slip it into a protective case and take it with you. The unit's sensitive electronics remain protected in the dash; all that remains visible from the dash, however, is a blank panel that won't attract thieves.
Digital Compression: This feature is useful with music with an exceedingly wide dynamic range (classical is a good example). Quite passages are boosted so that they don't get buried by background noise and loud passages are reduced, preventing overload and distortion of the speakers.
Digital Natural Image Engine (DNIe): A Samsung technology is a chip that's circuitry and firmware that encompasses four functions that analyze all signal input, from analog to high definition, in stages. The volume of noise in the signal is detected and the signal level is classified according into analog, SD or HD and then optimized accordingly. It includes:

Motion Optimizer Processes Noise More Completely than Ever Before
This noise processing technology integrates temporal and spatial concepts to ensure clear images even when the motion is very fast.

Contrast Enhancer For a Deeper Contrast
This technology employs a contrast ratio of one million or more and a new algorithm that can reproduce the optimal contrast to provide a deep and rich image quality.

Detail Enhancer Complete Images, True to the Finest Detail
A vastly improved technology for automatically analyzing the picture signal reproduces images in amazing detail, resulting in more lifelike video.

Color Optimizer Vivid, Natural Colors
The video signals being generated are analyzed and the quantities of reds, greens and blues are calculated to provide the colors most natural to the human eye.
Digital TBC (Time Base Corrector): Jitters, or time-base errors that are generated by disc vibration, cause poor picture quality and inconsistent picture playback. Our Digital TBC uses 8-bit video signals with a 14.3MHz sampling frequency to absorb jitters in the digital domain. This eliminates chromatic aberrations for accurate, high-resolution images.
Digital Video Processing (DVP) System: A Pioneer development, the Digital Video Processing (DVP) System integrates video signal processing onto a one-chip digital LSI (Large-Scale Integrated) circuit. This eliminates the need for digital electric wiring on the video circuit board, which is the main cause of high-frequency video noise. This ensures a higher video signal-to-noise ratio -- 51dB to be exact -- for noise-free, sharp and clear picture reproduction. The DVP System also features the Digital TBC (Time Base Corrector) and Feed Forward Digital PLL (Phase Locked Loop) for a higher color reproduction linearity. There's also the digital Color DOC (Drop Out Compensator) for images with minimum video noise.

Digital TV (DTV) System: Television delivered and displayed using computer code (digital technology).
Direct Disc Selection: Eases the selection of discs loaded in an MCD Changer by allowing the user to directly access each disc via the preset buttons 1-6 or 1-12 located on the headunit.

Disc List: Greatly enhances the ease of disc selection with Changers. By working with Disc Title Memory, Disc List allows the user to cycle through a list of entered titles for the current loaded magazine. Once the desired disc is found the user can go directly to that disc
Disc Title Memory: Gives you the ability to program an 8-digit descriptive title to be displayed when that CD is selected. Up to 48 titles may be entered with many Single-Play CD units and up to 100 titles with MCD Changers.
Distortion: Generally speaking its the presence of output signals not present in the original input signal. This causes the sound to be unclear at times.
Double-Din: The Double-Din size is a perfect fit for many vehicles, including most Acura, Nissan and Toyota models. Roughly twice as large as a standard (DIN) radio, this size allows manufacturers to design a head unit with improved cosmetics, a larger display, a more ergonomic layout and higher feature content.
Dolby B: A noise reduction system used with most pre-recorded tapes. Pressing the Dolby B button improves the signal-to-noise ratio by greatly reducing background hiss.
Dolby C: An improved noise reduction system usually found on home recording cassette decks. When Dolby C-encoded tapes are played back with Dolby C engaged, the signal-to-noise ratio is even better than Dolby B performance.
Dolby Digital (formerly referred to as Dolby AC-3): It features "5.1" audio channels - front, left, front right, center, rear left and rear right, plus subwoofer (the "0.1" channel that handles low-end frequencies). These discrete channels are not matrixed as in standard Dolby Pro Logic, so you enjoy a clearer sense of direction and higher localization of dialog and sound effects. All five channels cover the full 20Hz to 20kHz range, with the "0.1" subwoofer channel operating at 20Hz to 120Hz. There is a dramatic improvement in overall sound quality compared with conventional systems, especially in the rear channels. Plus, the surround channels are stereo, not mono, so sound effects will be more dramatic and will truly "surround" the viewer.
Dolby Digital RF output terminal: Output that allows connection to the Dolby Digital inputs on higher-end AV receivers (For more info, check out the special section on Dolby Digital (formerly referred to as "Dolby AC-3"), elsewhere in this site, and the Dolby Digital section under "Receivers".) Note: a Dolby Digital-compatible disc still allows regular digital two-channel stereo reproduction or four-channel Dolby Pro Logic reproduction on most Pioneer players.
Dolby HX-PRO: Extends dynamic headroom to restore music's passion and detail with softer soft passages and more prominent loud segments.
Dolby Pro Logic Surround: Dolby Pro Logic Surround recreates the ambiance of a movie theater for your own home theater system. Operating on the same principle as the acoustic systems found in many premium first-run theaters, this remarkable feature decodes sound data contained in Dolby Surround- encoded video software and produces four distinct outputs (front left, front right, center and rear channels). You can choose from three center channel output modes - Normal, Wide and Phantom - depending on your speaker setup. Plus, Dolby 3-Channel Logic allows you to enjoy soundtracks without using the rear speakers.
Dolby S-Type Noise Reduction System: Provides an impressive noise reduction range from 10dB (low frequency) to 24dB (high frequency), suppressing hiss and breathing noise while expanding low-frequency headroom
Dome Speaker: A speaker using a hemispherical diaphragm and displaying increased dispersion characteristics. This type of speaker provides clearer sound and imaging.
Dot Crawl: Does not refer to a dance made popular at college fraternity parties. Dot crawl is the result of certain color (chrominance) information mistakenly decoded as luminance information. It appears as dots clumping together and moving along the edges of images. Sounds annoying, doesn't it?
Double Damper: A damper supports the speaker cone and guides the cone as it moves back and forth during use. Benefits include low distortion and an improvement in power handling capability.

Dual-Tuner Picture-In-Picture: This feature allows you to watch two TV programs simultaneously: one main picture, the other a 1/9-size inset (many television allow you to watch only one.) If you prefer the inset picture, just select SWAP from the remote control menu. You can even shift the inset picture to the other side of the screen. Also: we've increased the luminance signal frequency bandwidth from 0.8Mhz to 1.2Mhz to improve horizontal resolution.

DVD
DVD Players, etc
DVI / Digital Video Interface
DVI, DVI-D, Digital Video Interface
Dynamic Bass Emphasis (DSE): Digitally boost low and high frequencies at lower volume levels to compensate for ambient road noise.Because all adjustments are made digitally, it is superior in performance to the analog loudness circuit

- E -

Edgewise Voice Coil: Traditional voice coil windings use round-shaped wire that leaves gaps between the individual strands of wire-gaps that can cause distortion. Several speakers feature a special, rectangular-shaped wire that greatly reduces the gap between the individual strands. The result is not only reduced distortion, but also increased sensitivity.
Efficiency: Ratio of output to input power in a transducer. Or in speaker systems, the percentage of electrical input available as acoustic output or sound. The higher the better.

EL Display (Electroluminescence): (EL) Backlit Readout that is far brighter and easier to read than conventional displays.
Enclosure: The cabinet which houses one or more speaker units. Has great influence on the bass response of the speaker.

Enhance Digital TV (EDTV): Better digital television transmission with at least 480p, in a 16 x 9 or 4 x 3 display and Dolby digital surround sound.

- F -

Feedback: Reversed phase signal from output of amplifier or electronic network applied to input (hence negative feedback) to reduce distortion and noise, and to flatten or otherwise shape frequency response. Also unwanted acoustic feedback.
FIE (Front image Enhancer): Engages a Low Pass Filter (LPF) for the rear speakers that attenuates frequencies above 100Hz. This creates an improved front image and greatly enhances the width and depth of the system's sound stage, while retaining bass performance.
Filter: A Circuit which attenuates (cuts down) signals above or below a particular frequency, or between two frequencies.
FLEX (Frequency Level Expander): With cassette recordings, particularly those older gems in your collection, the amount of sound capable of being generated decreases as the frequency increases. Most higher frequencies, which contain the definition and timbre that make music come alive, end up sounding dull, muffled, and flat. FLEX (Frequency Level Expander) circuit is a manually activated system that monitors and dynamically adjusts output in this critical range to produce clear, full-bodied sound with vibrant highs, even from your most "high mileage" tapes.
Flutter: Quick waver of pitch caused by speed, fluctuations in the movement of tape or discs. Heard as if the sound was slowing down or speeding up.
Frequency: Frequency is the rate at which a cycle or signal repeats. It is generally measured in cycles per second, or Hertz, abbreviated Hz. The audio frequency range, at which the human ear can detect acoustic energy, ranges from about 20Hz to 20kHz (kHz equals thousands).
Frequency Response: This is a term used to define the performance or behavior of a filter, antenna, speaker, amplifier, or michrophone. An example of this is the audio high fidelity system employing a graphic equalizer. The equalizer allows precise adjustment of the frequency response.
FM (Frequency Modulation): Type of modulation of radio waves in which the frequency, not the amplitude of the carrier is modulated by the audio signal. FM broadcasting achieves higher sound quality than AM because of this.
Format BSM: Using ID-Logic, F-BSM automatically presets the 6 strongest stations in the user-selected format (e.g. Country, Classic Rock, Jazz).
Front Surround Mode: Delivers powerful, expansive sound from the built-in stereo speakers - even if you're using external speakers - for that live-performance feel.

- G -

Gain: Degree of signal amplification achieved in an amplifier circuit. Expressed in Decibels (dB).

Glass-Imide Voice Coil Bobbin: Many speakers utilize a voice coil whose cylinder is made from a woven fiberglass material bound by a polyimide resin. This Glass-Imide material has much higher heat resistance, which translates into higher power handling capability for the speaker and less distortion.
GUI (Graphical User Interface): The use of icons (graphic images) for components and buttons for more user-friendly operation. The images can be on a television or on the front face of a component.

- H -

High Definition TV (HDTV): The best digital television, widescreen (16 x 9) display with at least 720 progressive (p) scanning lines or 1080 interlaced (i) lines and Dolby digital surround sound.

HD "Ready" TV (HDTV): Term used by some manufacturers to indicate an analog TV with the display capability and inputs to be transformed into an HDTV with the addition of an HTDV tuner.
HDTV Tuner: (Also decoder, receiver, set-top box) A standalone device capable of receiving and outputting HDTV signals
Hi-Lite Scan: When searching discs or tracks, you may sometimes find the first few seconds of a song aren't enough to clearly identify it. That's why our CD File CD players feature Hi-Lite Scan. This function plays back sections 60 to 70 seconds into each track it scans. It also lets you scan in several ways: you can check each track on each disc or first track on each disc, or just the tracks and discs selected for Best Selection Memory, or tracks and discs defined by categories under the Custom Filing function.
Hi-Fi Stereo-VCR's
See VHS Hi-Fi Stereo

Hi-Volt Component Headunits: Offer no built-in power; rather, they offer Hi-Volt RCA Preamp Outputs to provide up to 4 volts of signal output. This high quality output signal provides amplifiers with the best possible input for a greatly decreased noise-floor, decreased distortion and improved dynamic range.
Horizontal Resolution: A measure of the amount of detail that can be displayed across the TV screen, given in lines. The higher the number the better the picture quality and detail that can be seen.
HPX Head: A hard Permalloy Tape Head utilizing the Stabilized Hyperbolic Curve (SHC) Design. HPX heads have a narrow tape contact area which is formed by contouring two "grooves" into the head, one on each side of the narrow contact area. This design improves overall performance by increasing the pressure per square inch at the contact area, which creates a stronger magnetic field and minimizes dust adhesion. The stronger magnetic field increases high frequency response and signal-to-noise ratio. Also, because of the greater pressure, dust that does fall into the contact area is quickly wiped away by the running tape.
Hydro-Resistant (HR) Cone: This speaker cone has a special coating to protect it from moisture and water that can leak into door panels and other installation locations.

- I -

ID-Logic®: Tuner feature includes a built-in database of useful information for over 7,500 AM and FM stations in the US, Canada, Mexico. This allows the tuner to display information about the selected station such as Format, Call Sign, and more. Additionally the tuner can automatically seek stations according to selected music format (e.g. Rock, Classical, Jazz, Country etc. )
IMPP (Injection Molded Polypropylene) Composite Cone: A special injection molding process rather than "pressing" polypropylene speaker cones. This process ensures uniform cone thickness for superior linearity and clarity. Composite technology guarantees the perfect mix of polypropylene and carbon-fiber, graphite and other materials to optimize the speaker cone for its specific application (woofers, mid-ranges, or tweeters, etc.).
Integrated FS (Frequency Sampling) Converter: Some digital sources, such a digital audio tape, rely on sampling frequencies other than the 44.1kHz used in making compact discs. Many CD Recorders have a built-in FS converter that can read this information, enabling you to make direct digital recordings from sound sources recorded with either a 32kHz or 48kHz sampling frequency as well as the CD standard 44.1kHz.
Intelligent System Control: Convenient system built into selected AV Receivers and PTVs that allows easy control of those components and others connected to them- even components from other brands. There are also separate control devices that use both infrared and serial communications. Two of the largest manufacturers are AMX and Crestron.

Interlace Scan

- J -

Jack: A jack is a recepticle for a plug. The jack is sometimes called the female connector. An example of a jack is on the back of your stereo reciever, or cassette, or TV.
Jitter: A jitter is a rapid fluctuation in the amplitude, frequency, or other characteristic of a signal. Usually the term is used in video systems to refer to instability in the displayed picture on the cathode ray tubes (CRT).

- K -

Key-Off Pinch Roller Release: Automatically disengages the cassette drive mechanism from the tape when the car's ignition is turned off. This protects the tape and the pinch roller from developing flat spots that can cause uneven playback speed.
Kilo: Kilo os a prefix multiplier. the addition of "kilo-" before a number designates a quanity 1,000. Examples would be 2k hetz (two thousand hetrz), or how about 2 kilobytes (two thousand bytes).

- L -

Last Memory with Review Mode: This time-saving feature eliminates the need to scan through a laser disc after you've resumed playback. Last Memory remembers where you left off in a movie. Simply turn on the power and press LAST MEMORY to go directly to that scene. Certain models also include a Review Mode with the Last Memory feature, which gives you a quick preview scan of scenes already viewed while returning to the last-viewed scene.
Last Position Memory: If there's ever any interruption to CD play (like turning your car off or switching to another source), Last Position Memory automatically resumes CD play from where you left off.
Liquid Crystal Fiber (LCF) Blended Cone: Liquid crystal fiber has been proven to offer the necessary damping characteristics (specifically high inner loss) for a midrange or tweeter cone. Made of wood pulp and natural fiber materials (instead of synthetic pulp), it resists heat and humidity well.
Long Throw Magnetic Circuitry Design: This design features woofers that offers an extended range for the woofer cone to travel. This design enables the woofer to handle bursts of bass with less distortion at low frequency levels.
Loudness Control: At low volume levels, low and high frequency sounds in music can be overpowered by ambient noise levels in the vehicle. Loudness control provides a one-button way to boost these frequencies and provide better overall sound at low volume levels.
Low Impedance Drive: (Elite MC-5 Mini-Component System only) System amplifier has been designed to effectively drive speakers with loads of varying impedance, resulting in enhanced power and improved frequency response.
Low Impedance Load Capability (High Current): Refers to power amplifiers that provide 1-1/2 times the power output of standard 4-ohm operation at 2-ohms. Since they have the power to drive more speakers, these amps also increase system flexibility by enabling the hook-up of multiple pairs of speakers. Result: fewer amplifiers can now deliver more power to more speakers with less distortion.
Low Pass Filter: A filter circuit designed to remove certain low frequency noises (rumble, hum, etc.) from the unit.
Luminance: Luminance is the measure of the luminous flux passing through a given surface area. In other words it is the TV signal that carries all the brightness of colors in the scene for a color picture or just Black and white on a monochrome TV. If you tun off the color of your set you would see the Luminance signal.

- M -

Magnetic Fluid: A solvent made of extra fine-grain ferric oxide particles used to fill gaps in the voice coil. It conducts heat generated by the voice coil to the magnet pole piece with six times the efficiency of air, resulting in boosted power output for small diameter speakers (tweeters and mid-ranges). The fluid also improves the linearity of the voice coil movement and thereby reduces harmonic distortion.
Memory Hold: Programmed tracks are kept in memory even when the power to the player is shut off. When you turn the player back on, you can listen all over again to the tracks you programmed.

Metal Chassis: A metal chassis resists electric and static noise three times better than a plastic chassis. It's also more durable and more resistant to outside interference.
Metal/70µs Tape Selector: While metal and chrome tapes have vastly improved frequency response and signal-to-noise ratio performance, they require different equalization compared to standard bias tapes. Higher-end units feature either an "Auto Metal" capability which automatically engages the appropriate equalization for proper playback, or a manual Metal button. Either feature provides optimum playback equalization on metal, chrome (both 70µs) and normal (120µs) cassette tape formulations.
Multicolor Display with EL Backlighting and Dashlight Illumination Switching: Organizes display function areas through the use of color to greatly enhance readability.
Multi-Point Digital Convergence Adjustment: Convergence is a measure of any television system's ability to bring the three primary electron beams (red, green and blue) into proper alignment. This is essential for proper color reproduction, overall image sharpness and true, balanced whites. Most projection systems measure and adjust convergence only from the center of the screen. In higher-end projection monitors, convergence is also checked at eight additional points along the edges to deliver pure and accurate color fidelity across the entire screen. Best of all, checking and adjusting convergence is a quick and simple process anyone can handle.
Music Repeat: Automatically repeats a selected favorite song during cassette playback.
Music Repeat (Track/Disc/Magazine): A convenient assortment of playback options at the push of a single button. "TRACK" repeats the current track continuously; "DISC" repeats the current disc continuously; and "MAGAZINE" repeats the current magazine's contents (when multiple CD changers are used).
Music Search: Locates the beginning of the next song on fast forward, or the beginning of the present song on tape rewind. Music search enables easy selection of cuts from a cassette tape.

- N -

Natural Wide Mode: Normally, one's eyes focus on the center of the television screen. The Natural Wide Mode utilizes this phenomenon: when it expands the 4:3 aspect ratio of conventional TV broadcasts to a wider screen, it expands only the right and left edges of the image. This creates a smooth and natural wide screen image, without distortion.
Network-less Construction: Both the woofer and soft dome tweeter in each speaker enclosure have been engineered to deliver flat frequency response and natural roll-off characteristics, eliminating the need for a crossover that can cause phase distortion and signal loss.

- O -

One-Piece 3-Beam Laser Pickup: Features precision laser optics for reliability and better error correction when disc flaws are encountered.

- P -

P-Bus controllers: Many CD controllers offer built-in P-BUS Technology, a high-performance communication network. These controllers control the P-BUS-equipped multi-play CD players. All P-BUS controllers let you add a portable CD or cassette player through an auxiliary input.
Peak Search: Allows you to enjoy the widest dynamic range possible from the music you record from CDs. Just press a button and the function automatically scans the entire disc (or programmed tracks) at 60 times normal speed to find the highest peak. When the search is complete and the peak is found, the six-second segment before and after the peak is repeated over and over. This gives you a chance to optimize the recording level on your cassette deck before you actually start to record.
Picture Control: This feature enables the video signal to be processed in two steps: the signal is first processed through a differentiating amplifier and is then combined with the original signal. This helps ensure clear detail even to the outlines of images, adding a greater sense of realism. You can choose from three different modes: Normal, Sharp 1, Sharp 2.

Picture Tube: See Cathode Ray Tube.
Picture In Picture (PIP)
PNS (Pulse Noise Suppressor): Pulse Noise is unwanted noise generated by electrical motors. It can come from your car's engine or even someone else's through your car's antenna. PNS provides a cleaner sound by reducing noise that interferes with the FM signal.
Poly-Ether Imide Cone Mid-Range (PEI): A blend of ether and poly-imide, PEI possesses superior physical properties as a mid-range and tweeter cone material. PEI provides clearer output while offering high rigidity, high durability as well as high resistance to heat, chemicals and weather.
PPS (Polyphenylene Sulfide Film): A compound whose ductility is so high it can be turned into a film. Physically, PPS combines high resistance to heat, high rigidity, high Young's Modulus (flexibility), high elasticity and high resistance to chemicals and water. PPS allows high frequency response, excellent linearity and increased durability against dust and moisture.
Preset Scan: A push-button function which plays a few seconds of each preset radio station. When a desired station is found, another push cancels the scan. So you can keep your eyes on the road while the tuner does all the work.
Previous Disc Scan: This feature gives you quick access to the CDs you have listened to most recently. It samples 10 seconds of each of the last set of discs you have listened to, starting with the most recent, and continues on in reverse chronological order.

Progressive Scan

- Q -

Quartz PLL Electronic Tuning: A precision tuning system which constantly monitors itself to keep selected stations fine-tuned at all times. This tuning system provides maximum stereo separation, minimum distortion and increased sensitivity.
QTS: The QTS indicates the combined Mechanical Resistance of a speaker and its enclosure. This parameter is used in the formulation of appropriately sized enclosure applications. The QTS of a sealed box woofer, for example, will be lower than that of a stiffer Free-Air woofer.

- R -

Radio Intercept (RI): This feature keeps the music playing by allowing you to listen to the tuner while rewinding tapes.
Random Play: CD playback mode that mixes the order of songs (and entire magazines, in the case of MCD changers), providing a different sequence each time. It's an easy, one-button way to rearrange playback order of songs.
RCA Preout: The standard connection system to carry sound from a headunit to an amplifier or equalizer. RCA preouts provide easy output for connection to an outboard amplifier.
RDS (Radio Data System): Tuner technology that takes advantage of useful information being broadcast from a growing number of RDS-equipped radio stations across the United States. RDS units can display station information such as Call Sign and Format much like ID Logic; however, RDS utilizes live broadcast information to ensure up-to-date information. Furthermore, RDS offers the ability to capture traffic updates and display additional sources of information that will be broadcast by equipped stations.

With headunits featuring RDS, you can get important traffic or emergency information from your radio even when you're listening to another source.
Already in use throughout Europe, RDS is making rapid inroads here in the U.S. Your tuner could soon be a vital link to the changing world outside your windshield. Even now, RDS helps you identify radio stations by their common names (not just their frequencies), and also by programming content. If an emergency alert or traffic message is sent while you're listening to a tape or CD, RDS will pause it while you receive the information.
RDS information originates from the transmitting radio station, so it is constantly being updated and fed to you as you drive. There's no programming or set-up required.
Reminder Beep: Beeps 4 seconds after the ignition key is removed to remind users to take the detachable face with them. The feature can be overridden on many models (for people that don't forget--you must know someone like that).
Resonance-Free Speaker Basket: Traditional speaker baskets are stamped out of steel. By the nature of their construction, they will produce a ringing sound when struck. The same holds true for the basket when the speaker vibrates. Several speakers utilize a Resonance-Free speaker basket design that greatly reduces ringing characteristics, decreases distortion and provides clearer overall sound.
Rigidity: The ability of a speaker cone to hold its shape while vibrating to reproduce a musical signal. The better the rigidity, the better the linearity and overall sound.

- S -

S-Video Input

Chrominance and luminance signals are separated at the source and input into the product in that state, for a cleaner, noise-free picture.

S-Video
A special video connection that keeps the luminance (B/W detail, or “Y”) and chroma (color, or “C”) components of the video signal separate. It enables higher horizontal resolution, and eliminates color artifacts such as “dot crawl” and “cross color.” S-Video connections are commonly found on laser disc players, S-VHS VCRs, DVD video players, and many Mitsubishi televisions.

Enables a sharper picture without color artifacts.

S-Video Output

Selected models come with two S-Video outputs with a Three-Line Digital Comb Filter. A digital calculation process provides a clean separation of chrominance (C) and luminance (Y) signals to be sent to the monitor to ensure accurate, noise-free picture reproduction. This also minimizes problems like "color bleed" and "dot crawl".

Scan Velocity Modulation

In any video display monitor, as the electron beam paints the image line by line across the screen, detail and definition can be lost when the scene transitions from dark to light. Edge detail becomes soft and diffused. Scan Velocity Modulation provides a noise-free way of improving edge definition and sharpness. As abrupt changes in luminance are sensed, the beam is either accelerated or slowed down, allowing edges to be rendered with greater clarity and definition.

Selectable Preout/Subout

Several A/V receivers feature a second "RCA" preout jack that can be used as either a full-range preout or a subwoofer output. The unit can then offer selectable crossover frequencies (50, 80, 125Hz) and an independent subwoofer level control. Selectable Preout/Subout lets you connect an amplifier for a subwoofer without having to purchase a separate crossover. It also simplifies controls by providing subwoofer crossover and level controls as part of the headunit, so they can be easily adjusted from your listening position.

Silicone Oil Damped Rubber Insulators

Working together with springs in the "Double-Floating Anti-Vibration" mechanism, these insulators act as shock absorbers. They help insulate the laser pickup and transport mechanism of CD players from the bumps of everyday motoring. The result is more stable, skip-free CD play.

Single Reflex Bandpass Enclosure

In this two-chamber box, a speaker mounted in a sealed chamber plays into a ported chamber that is tuned to a certain frequency. The port is critical because it determines the tuning frequency and acts as the low pass filter. When the speaker plays into the ported chamber, the chamber naturally passes only a certain band of frequencies into the listening environment and attenuates all other unwanted frequencies. An effective bandpass enclosure not only eliminates the need for fancy electronic or passive crossovers, it also increases output gain and delivers higher output with less cone movement. The audio result is tight, loud bass.

SLX Head

A tape head which employs the same advantages as the HPX head and goes one step further. A special coating helps the SLX head further improve high frequency performance and signal-to-noise ratio.

Soft Load/Power Eject

Loads and ejects the tape via a power mechanism for improved performance and quality operation. Additionally all tape transport controls operate more smoothly with less resistance, much more like a full-logic tape transport.

Source Level Adjuster

Allows you to independently adjust the volume ratio between all of the headunit's sources (using the FM volume level as a reference), so the start-up volume between sources will always be the same.

Source Tone Memory

Preserves the last tone control settings for each source and recalls them each time that source is selected. This allows optimal tone control settings to be remembered for each music source (Tuner, CD, Tape, etc.).

Strontium Magnet

A very powerful magnetic material which has a greater magnetic force field than a ferrite magnet. Strontium magnets improve efficiency and power handling capabilities. This enables engineers to build a much smaller magnet, and consequently a thinner speaker to fit in areas with limited mounting depth--without compromising sound quality.

SRS (Sound Retrieval System)

This new technology allows the user to enhance the audio realism lost by traditional stereo with the press of a button. SRS processing improves the true-to-life qualities of any music source regardless of the listening position in the vehicle.

Stable Platter Mechanism

Significantly reduces unwanted vibration by supporting the entire disc area with a massive, full CD-size platter. This added weight creates more rotational inertia, which in turn enables the disc to spin with more constant torque. This ingenious Stable Platter mechanism provides four times the clamping strength of conventional CD transports and plays a significant role in improving bass linearity while giving each recording a more seamless and open texture.

Standard Definition TV (SDTV)

Basic digital television transmission that may be displayed with fewer than 480p lines in 16 x 9 or 4 x 3 format.

Super Auto BLE & Super Auto BLE XD

In order for Dolby S to work properly and deliver an incredible 24dB reduction in noise levels, there needs to be the best possible match between the tape and the recording deck. At the touch of a single button, Super Auto BLE checks the magnetic characteristics of your tape and automatically sets the optimum bias, sensitivity and equalization levels at 3 key calibration frequencies. This guarantees perfectly flat, pleasing frequency response from every tape, every time you record. Super Auto BLE XD goes that extra mile by providing wider dynamic range and greater linearity in the high-frequency range, It does this by actually checking your tape's ability to accurately record a high output, high frequency signal. An on-board microprocessor stores this data and uses it during recording to more accurately control bias, or the tape's ability to absorb an incoming signal. XD is especially effective when using TYPE I (normal) tapes.

Back to Top

- T -

Tandem Duct Bass Reflex Design (Featured on the TS-WX30 and TS-WX50): This design places the woofer inside the port and incorporates an acoustic notch filter. The filter helps attenuate upper frequencies for less distortion and richer bass. The tandem duct design helps compact enclosures realize sound and performance that defy their size.
Tape Guard: Protects cassettes and tape decks from damage by automatically tightening any cassette before engaging play mode. Tape Guard spins the reels in opposite directions, taking up the slack that can develop when cassettes are transported or stored. This ensures that tape spools are fully wound before cassette playback commences, which helps prevent tape jams.
Theater Bass: While low frequency sounds give home theater programming a real punch, they can also obscure dialog. Theater Bass boosts these vital frequencies while also elevating the center channel (which is where most of the dialog is found).
Theater Bass Surround: Theater Bass Surround enhances your enjoyment of Laser Disc viewing by providing the theater-like surround and bass sound found in theaters. It uses a band-pass filter to extract the low frequency range from the original film's audio tracks. It then further lowers this extracted low frequency sound using DSP (Digital Signal Processor) and mixes it with the original audio sound, resulting in greater bass sound. Also, the mid and high frequencies are expanded since the process produces a phase difference between the signal from the left and right channels. This means you will be surrounded-- by high-quality sound from all directions. Plus, there are three bass surround levels from which to choose to suit your taste and mood.
Track Scan: Samples 10 seconds of each track of the CD so you can quickly locate your favorite songs.
Transducer: A device for converting energy from one form to another, e.g. a speaker converts from electrical to acoustic. A tape head converts from magnectic to electrical.
Triple Dynamic Focus Circuit: Compensates for both horizontal and vertical image irregularities. This improves overall focusing accuracy and provides optimum picture sharpness even at the edges of the screen.
Tweeters: Of all the individual component speakers, tweeters are the key to tonal quality. With an extremely high Young's Modulus (1.8 times higher than even titanium), pure carbon can stand up to extended high frequencies. As a result, the pure carbon dome tweeter provides excellent high-frequency response while minimizing distortion. Some utilize a Neodymium Magnet. Neodymium is an extremely high-performance rare earth material with over ten times the energy of standard magnet structures. This enables engineers to build smaller tweeters with higher sensitivity and less distortion. The smaller tweeters can be positioned in more locations, which gives installers a range of installation options.

Back to Top

- U -

UHF connector: The uhf connector is a form of connector that is widely used with coaxial cables. The term uhf actually means ultra-high frequency. These kinds of connectors generally are used for your antenna connections to stereo recievers or TV's.

Back to Top

- V -

Variable Digital Noise Reduction (V-DNR) DVD: V-DNR uses a special memory control IC (integrated circuit) to reduce luminance signal (Y) noise and chrominance signal (C) noise separately. Two noise reduction modes are available -- standard and variable. The variable mode reduces Y and C noise by up to a factor of ten. Simply use the Jog & Shuttle dial on the main unit or the remote controller to adjust the picture quality of the disc you're using. This results in consistently clear color across the entire screen and virtually no flicker. And thanks to adaptive type processing, colors won't fade either.
Variable Digital Noise Reduction (V-DNR) (PTV): Typically, most video noise reduction systems process chrominance (color) and luminance (brightness) information together. This can lead to fuzzy edge detail and reduced image definition. V-DNR lets you adjust chrominance or luminance NR independently to achieve lowest possible levels of noise without side effects.

Vertical Contour Control: Most projection TV systems are big on screen size but short on detail. Pictures often appear flat, dull, out of focus. The Vertical Contour Control circuit compares brightness levels between adjacent horizontal scanning lines and automatically emphasizes output level when there is a sudden transition in brightness. This produces blacker blacks, whiter whites and, in general, more vivid picture quality and more accurate fidelity.

Back to Top

- W -

WORM: Refers to a type of optical disc that allows you to Write Once, Read Many times.

Back to Top

- X -

(empty)

Back to Top

- Y -

(empty)

Back to Top

- Z -

Zoom Mode: This mode projects 100% of your original 16:9 format program onto the wide screen without format adjustments of any kind.

Back to Top

# -

(empty)

Back to Top

Revised: November 03, 2003