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Bit Rate
Value indicating the amount of video data compressed in a DVD per
second. The unit is Mbps (megabits per second). 1 Mbps indicates
that the data per second is 1,000,000 bits. The higher the bit rate,
the larger the amount of data. However, this does not always mean
higher quality pictures.
Chapter
Sections of a picture or a music piece on a DVD that are smaller
than titles. Many titles are composed of several chapters, but many
others are not. Each chapter is assigned a chapter number
enabling you to locate the chapter you want.
Dolby Digital (“5.1,” “AC-3
®
”)
This sound format for movie theaters is more advanced than Dolby
Pro Logic Surround. In this format, the rear speakers output stereo
sound with an expanded frequency range and a subwoofer channel
for deep bass is independently provided. This format is also called
“5.1” because the subwoofer channel is counted as the 0.1 channel
(since it functions only when a deep bass effect is needed). All six
channels in this format are recorded separately for superior chan-
nel separation. Furthermore, since all the signals are processed
digitally, less signal degradation occurs. The name “AC-3” comes
from the fact that it is the third audio coding method to be devel-
oped by the Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.
Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories. “Dolby,”
“AC-3,” “Pro Logic” and the Double-D symbol are trademarks of
Dolby Laboratories. Confidential Unpublished Works. © 1992.1997
Dolby Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.
Dolby Pro Logic II Surround
This is a method of decoding stereo or surround recordings that
produces five channels from 2-channel sound. Compared with the
former Dolby Surround system, Dolby Pro Logic II Surround
reproduces left-to-right panning more naturally and localizes
sounds more precisely. To take full advantage of Dolby Pro Logic II
Surround, you should have a pair of rear speakers and a center
speaker. The rear speakers output stereo sound.
DTS
Digital audio compression technology developed by DTS, Inc.
This technology conforms to 5.1-channel surround. The rear channels
are stereo and there is a discrete subwoofer channel in this format.
DTS provides 5.1 discrete channels of high-quality digital audio.
Good channel separation is realized, because all channels are
recorded discretely and processed digitally.
Manufactured under license from DTS, Inc. U.S. Patent
No. 5,451,942 and other worldwide patents issued and pending.
“DTS” and “DTS Digital Surround” are trademarks of DTS, Inc.
© 1996 DTS, Inc. All rights reserved.
MPEG Audio
International standard coding system to compress audio digital
signals authorized by ISO/IEC. MPEG 1 conforms to up to 2-channel
stereo, used on some DVDs as alternate (other language) track.
DVD
A disc that contains up to eight hours of moving pictures even
though its diameter is the same as a CD. The data capacity of a
single-layer and single-sided DVD, at 4.7GB (gigabyte), is 7 times
that of a CD. Furthermore, the data capacity of a dual-layer and
single-sided DVD is 8.5GB, a single-layer and double-sided DVD
9.4GB, and a dual-layer and double-sided DVD 17GB. The picture
data uses the MPEG 2 format, one of the worldwide standards of
digital compression technology. The picture data is compressed to
about 1/40 of its original size.
The DVD also uses the variable rate coding technology that
changes the data to be allocated according to the status of the pic-
ture. The audio data is recorded in Dolby Digital, DTS and/or PCM,
allowing you to enjoy more natural audio presence. Furthermore,
various advanced functions such as multi-angle, multilingual, and
subtitles may be provided with the DVD.
Multi-Angle Function
Various angles or viewpoints of the video camera for a scene are
recorded on some DVDs.
Multilingual Function
Several languages for the sound or subtitles in a picture are
recorded on some DVDs.
Parental Control
A function of some (particulary U.S.) DVDs to limit playback of the
disc by the age of the users. The limitation varies from disc to disc.
When it is activated, playback is completely prohibited, violent
scenes are skipped or replaced with other scenes and so on.
Title
The longest sections of a picture or a music piece on a DVD; a
movie, etc., for a picture piece on video software; or an album, etc.,
for a music piece on an audio software. Each title is assigned a title
number enabling you to locate the title you want.
Track
Sections of a music piece on a CD. Each track is assigned a track
number enabling you to locate the track you want.
PCM
Pulse code modulation, an uncompressed data formation.
NTSC
National TV Systems Committee: a video standard used in USA.
PAL
Phase Alternation Line: a video standard used in many European
countries.
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GLOSSARY