HookUps plus Things to Know

THINGS TO KNOW

With technology rapidly changing, it’s a challenge for consumers to fully comprehend available components, solutions, features, functionality, integration, and even more difficult to have a working knowledge of the associated terminologies. In order to make a sound decision with clear and concise judgment, we feel it is important to help our customer to understand the audio/video language.

Terms

Components

Cable Types

Aspect ratio:

The aspect ratio is the width-to-height ratio of a television image. 4:3 is the old television standard, 16:9 is the theater (widescreen) standard.

Lines / I vs. P:

TVs are categorized by the number of lines and type of refresh rate. 480, 720, and 1080 are the number of lines from the top down that make up the picture. I stands for interlace, P for progressive. Interlace refreshes every other line where progressive refreshes consecutively from the top down creating better picture quality.

Stereo vs. Surround Sound:

Stereo separates the left and right audio signal allowing a different sound from each channel. Surround sound adds a minimum of two additional channels - front and rear. There are 3 variations of surround sound - 5.1 consists of 2 front, 2 rear, a center channel, and subwoofer (the‘.1’). 6.1 consists of 3 front (L/C/R) 3 rear (L/C/R) and the subwoofer channel. 7.1 has 3 front (L/C/R), 2 mid-rear (L/R), 2 rear (L/R) and the subwoofer channel.

Liquid Crystal Display TV:

Flat screen televisions with up to 1080p resolution. The screens have a matte finish to reduce glare. Usually better suited for rooms with higher ambient light.

Plasma TV:

Up to 1080p resolution. Gloss screen with reflective properties. Better suited for darker environments.

Projector:

Projects pictures onto a screen of virtually any size.

Audio / Video Receiver:

Receives the multi-channel audio signal from other components and amplifies that signal for distribution to the corresponding speakers. They also make video switching to the television a simple task.

DVD player:

Digital Video Disk player for watching movies or listening to music CD’s

Blu-ray player:

Plays movies in high definition 1080p format

Satellite/Cable Receiver:

Descrambles digital signals from satellite and cable providers.

Composite Video

S-Video

Component Video

DVI Connection

HDMI Connection

Analog Stereo Audio

Digital Coax Audio

Fiber Optic Audio

Also known as RCA video, provides all video signal in one cable and is common among most components.

Breaks video into two parts, one for color and one for brightness thus improving picture quality over composite.

Splits video information into three signals, two for color and one for brightness, improving picture clarity, color, and sharpness over s-video. Is found on HDTV’s and most modern DVD players and Satellite systems.

Digital Visual Interface found on earlier HDTV models

Delivers uncompressed high definition video up to 1080p and up to eight channels of digital audio for 7.1 surround all in one cable.

Delivers stereo audio with two cables, one for left one for right. Does not provide precise balanced sound that modern cables provide, and is susceptible to noise and interference.

Provides digital quality sound without jittering sometimes found with improperly installed Fiber Optic connections, but may be susceptible to noise and interference.

Provides digital sound via pulses of light and is immune to interference and electrical noise but may cause jittering when cables are not properly installed.

plus

5.1

6.1

7.1

“Audio/Video/Home Automation Sales and Installation”