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Hanging
Dots - An artifact of composite video signals
that appears as a stationary, zipper-like, horizontal
border between colors.
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HDCD
- Abbreviation for High Definition Compatible Digital.
HDCD is a variation of the existing CD standard. By
extending the information stored in the CD signal by
4-bits (CDs are based on 16bit audio technology) to
20bits, HDCD can extend the sonic capacity of current CD
technology to new standards, but still enabling, HDCD
encoded CDs to be played on non-HDCD CD players (non-HDCD
players just ignore the extra "bits") without any
increase in the price of CD software. Also, as a
by-product of more precise filtering circuitry in HDCD
chips, even "regular" CDs will sound fuller and more
natural on an HDCD-equipped CD player. When buying
music CDs, look for the HDCD initials on the back or
internal packaging.
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HDCP
- Abbreviation for High-Bandwidth Digital Content
Protection. Created by Intel, HDCP is used with HDTV
signals over DVI and HDMI connections and on D-Theater
D-VHS recordings to prevent unauthorized duplication of
copyright material.
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HD-DVD
- HD-DVD is one of two major High Definition DVD formats
(see Blu-ray) that are vying to replace the current DVD
standard in the U.S. market. HD-DVD is supported on the
hardware side by Toshiba, NEC, Sanyo, Thomson (Note:
Thomson also supports Blu-ray). On the software side,
HD-DVD is supported by New Line Cinema, Paramount
Pictures (also supports Blu-ray), Paramount (also
supports Blu-ray), and Universal Pictures. Microsoft
has also added its support to HD-DVD.
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HDR
- Abbreviation for Hard-Drive Recorder. Device that
uses a computer hard drive to store compressed digital
audio and video signals.
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HDMI
- Abbreviation for High Definition Multi-media
Interface. To transfer the digital video signal from a
source to a TV, the source must convert the signal from
digital to analog, this results in some information
loss. However, an HDMI output, can transfer a digital
video source signal (such as from a DVD player)
digitally, without conversion to analog. This results
in a pure transfer of all of video information from the
digital video source to a HDMI or DVI (via a connection
adapter) equipped TV. In addition, HDMI can transfer
both video and audio signals. For more information
about HDMI, go to our webpage:
HDMI Info.
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HDTV
- Abbreviation for High-Definition Television. The
high-resolution subset of our DTV system. The FCC has
no official definition for HDTV. The ATSC defines HDTV
as a 16:9 image with twice the horizontal and vertical
resolution of our existing system, accompanied by 5.1
channels of Dolby Digital audio. The CEA defines HDTV
as an image with 720 progressive or 1080 interlaced
active (top to bottom) scan lines. 1280:720p and
1920:1080i are typically accepted as high-definition
scan rates.
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Hi-Fi
Stereo - Feature found on VCRs that records
or plays back stereo soundtracks with improved fidelity
compared to using the linear stereo tracks.
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High
Gain Screen - Material that reflects more
light than a reference material. Increases a
projector's light output at the expense of uniformity.
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High
Pass - A filter that passes high frequencies,
and attenuates low frequencies. Same as low cut.
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Home
Theater - The term, Home Theater, refers to a
setup of audio and video equipment in your home that
tries to duplicate the movie theater experience. The
application of this definition can vary widely, however.
Many consumers are intimidated by the term "Home
Theater" as they think this means a lot of money,
equipment, and cables running all over the place. At
its most complex, you can indeed have a custom-built
home theater that costs tens of thousands of dollars
with a high-end video projector, high-end DVD player(s),
separate amplifiers for each channel controlled by a
master preamp or controller, in-wall speakers, and a
couple of subwoofers that can just about shake down the
entire neighborhood. However, in reality, home theater
as actually applied in most homes, does not consist of
an expensive custom installation, nor a lot of money. A
home theater can be something as simple as a 27-inch TV,
a basic DVD player and/or HiFi VCR, inexpensive stereo
or AV receiver, and speakers. Whatever type of system
you end up with, as long as it provides the
entertainment options you need and like, then it is
your "Home Theater". You can have a home theater in
just about any room of the house, a small apartment,
office, dorm, or even outside. The option(s) you choose
are up to you.
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Home
Theater in a Box - A complete home theater
system in one box (or at least sold together as a
package). Consists of five or more speakers, a
subwoofer, and a receiver. May also include a DVD
player.
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Home
Theater Receiver - The Home Theater receiver
(also known as: AV Receiver, Surround Sound Receiver) is
the heart of a home theater system and provides most, if
not all, the inputs and outputs that you connect
everything, including your television, into. An AV
Receiver provides a way of centralizing your your home
theater system. A Home Theater Receiver usually
combines the functions of three components: (1) A radio
tuner for AM/FM and, in some cases, HD (High Definition
Radio) or XM-Satellite Radio; (2) A Preamplifier that
switches and controls which audio and video source is
selected (such as a DVD player, VCR, CD player, etc...)
and processes the incoming stereo or surround sound
signals and distributes them to the correct amplifier
channels and the subwoofer output. The preamp in an AV
receiver can also route video signals coming from source
components (such as a DVD player) and direct the video
signal to the television; (3) A built-in Multi-channel
amplifier (5.1, 6.1, or 7.1 channels) that sends the
surround sound signals and power to the speaker system.
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Horn
- A type of speaker that looks like a horn. These
speakers have small drivers and very large mouths; the
horn shape serves to transform the small radiating area
of the driver into the much larger radiating area of the
mouth of the horn.
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Hz
- Abbreviation for Hertz or cycles per second.
Something that repeats a cycle once each second moves
at a rate of 1 Hz.
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