A

Ambient Light - Sometimes called “environmental light.” It is the general fill-in light of a room or area; can be natural light (sunlight) as well as artificial light.

Amplifier - A device that amplifies (boosts) the signals from source components (CD player, DSS receiver, etc.) and transmits the amplified signal to the speakers.

Analog - The old, non-digital way of producing images on a screen, or music through a stereo system.

Anamorphic Video - Found on a large number of DVDs, anamorphic video appears to squeeze a 1.78 picture shape into a 1.33 image area. If you view an anamorphic video image on a 1.33 set, the characters will look tall and thin. In reality the active video area has been redefined as a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, as the high definition video active area is 1.78:1. This format is designed for 1.78 aspect ratio TV sets. This approach offers about 33% more vertical resolution to widescreen images. Unsqueezing an anamorphic image on a 1.33 set is accomplished by squeezing the vertical size. Back in the mid-90’s Toshiba released four laserdisc titles as promotional material in anamorphic video, prior to the coming of DVD. The four titles are "Free Willy," "The Fugitive," "Grumpy Old Men" and "Unforgiven."

Aspect Ratio - The relationship between the width and the height of an image or screen. Common references are 4:3 and 16:9.

Automatic Dialer - When connected to a phone line, it dials emergency numbers automatically when an alarm is tripped.

B

Ballast - Some lamps can’t run off a 120-line-volt charge. A ballast is a device that converts the electrical energy on a 120-volt line into the voltage required to illuminate a light bulb.

Bandwidth - A measure of the carrying capacity of a communications device, usually expressed in kilohertz (kHz) or megahertz (MHz).

Baseband - A band of frequencies and related equipment used to carry signals in an unmodulated form (i.e., in their original electric form, without modification).

Broadband - A network that can support and distribute multiple signals at the same time.

C

CATV - Cable TV.

Category 5 - A type of wiring used mainly to transmit data and voice signals. Might also be called Category 5e (the “e” means “enhanced”).

CCTV - Closed-Circuit Television. A system consisting of a transmitter (a surveillance camera) that feeds one or more receivers (monitors) pictures captured by the camera.

CEDIA - Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) is a global trade association of companies that specialize in planning and installing electronic systems for the home. These systems include home networking, home automation and communication systems, media rooms, single or multi-room entertainment systems, and integrated whole-house subsystems providing control of lighting, security and HVAC systems. The association was founded in September 1989 and has a total membership of approximately 2,200 member companies.

CPU - Central Processing Unit. The brains behind a home control system, which can come in the form of a PC or a standalone processor.

Communicating Thermostat - A thermostat that not only controls heating/cooling equipment, but also communicates with other devices inside and/or outside the house. For example, a communicating thermostat could automatically adjust when it receives a signal from the utility that energy rates are high.

Connected Home - A house that has been properly wired and designed to receive and distribute throughout the house a variety of music, video and data signals. Is also equipped to connect to services outside the home.

Conduit - A pipe or tube through which cabling can be fished.

D

Digital Audio Server (DAS) - A device that is equipped with a large hard drive on which to store, then replay through a stereo system a variety of audio content, including CDs, MP3s and Internet radio stations.

DB - Decibel. A unit of sound used to measure the differences between sounds. One dB is considered the smallest change in sound that is perceptible to the human ear.

Direct-View - A TV set that uses a picture tube to create images.

DLP (Digital Light Processing) - A technology used by big-screen TVs and video projectors to create pictures.

Dolby Pro-logic - Most common form of surround used today is Dolby's second generation licensed home surround system. A major advantage of Dolby Pro Logic is the use of an active center channel with its own speaker. Conventional stereo systems create a phantom center channel, which is effective for viewers seated directly in front of the television screen. However, for viewers seated off center, the dialog can appear to come from off center. But with Dolby Pro Logic and the use of an appropriately placed center channel loudspeaker, the dialog always appears to come right from the screen, allowing the main left and right stereo speakers to be widely spaced for a good spread on music and effects. Dolby Pro Logic decoders also optimally decode surround information which is typically fed to a pair of surround speakers slightly behind and to the left and right of the listener.

DSS - Direct Satellite System. A DSS system will use at least one small satellite dish (either 18" round or 20" oval) and a receiver with a removable access card (similar to the size of a credit card). DSS systems provide you with hundreds of channels to choose from. And because the signals are all digital, DSS systems are capable of delivering high quality video and CD quality audio. With the right equipment, it is also possible to receive HDTV signals over satellite. The two main players in the DSS arena are Direct TV and Dishnetwork.

E

EDTV (Enhanced-Definition TV) - A television that produces pictures that have fewer artifacts than a conventional TV. An ideal display for a progressive-scan DVD player.

Entertainment Server - A device that stores and plays video from DVDs and audio from CDs, as well as a variety of digital formats that may include MP3s and Internet radio stations.

F

Firewall - Hardware or software that prevents hackers from tampering with your computer and/or home network.

Fixture - The physical housing of a lamp (light source), not the light bulb itself.

Front-Projection - A type of TV system in which the picture is projected onto a reflective screen. Front-projector sets are capable of producing an image that measures more than 12 feet diagonally.

Futureproofing - The practice of designing or installing a system that will meet the technological needs of a home today, as well as prepare it for future technologies.

G

Gateway - A software-driven device that receives a variety of information from the telephone company, cable company and Internet service provider, distributes those signals to equipment, and adheres to a variety of networking technologies so that products of dissimilar networking protocols can communicate with each other.

H

HDTV - High-Definition TV. A TV or some other type of video source that’s able to produce images digitally and with high resolution for better clarity and realism. The sound that comes through an HDTV is also digital.

HVAC - Short for heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

Hardwired System - A system that uses its own dedicated cabling infrastructure to transmit commands to electronic devices.

Homerun - A wiring method that connects electronic components individually to a hub.
Hub The central part of a networking system where all wiring terminates and intelligence resides.

I

Icons - Symbols or graphics that may represent electronic components, features, or functions. Icons are generally displayed on a touchscreen.

IEEE 1394 - A type of digital connection between audio/video components.

Impedance - Electrical resistance (measured in ohms) to the flow of alternating current. The lower the number of ohms, the more efficient a loudspeaker and the more power that can be used to drive it.

ISF Certified - Imaging Science Foundation conducts approximately 6 seminars per year for retail dealers to help them understand the parameters of what makes good video. Training includes hands-on experience in video calibration. The ISF expects their dealers to stress good pictures and superior service in their respective marketplaces.

K

Keyfob - A wireless transmitter, small enough to carry in a pocket, that can remotely arm and disarm a security system.

L

LCD - (Liquid Crystal Display) A type of display that can be used for TV monitors; competes with plasma TVs as a flat display.

Lines of Resolution - A method of comparing the relative amount of detail of an image.

Load - A group of lights that is tied together on one switch, or one circuit.

M

Macro, Mode or Scene - Any sequence of commands or functions issued by a single operation, such as pressing a button.

Modules - Pieces of technology that give a hub the smarts to route audio, video and data signals throughout a house.

Multimedia Center - A combination of several audio, video and data sources that offers homeowners access to a variety of content through one device or system.

Multimedia Outlet - An outlet that houses an assortment of cable, telephone/data and speaker jacks.

Multiroom, Multisource System - A system that is able to distribute different sources (CD player, DSS receiver, etc.) to multiple rooms simultaneously.

Multiroom, Single-Source System - A system that is able to distribute a single source of music to multiple rooms.

P

PARA - Professional Audio/video Retailers Association (PARA) is an international organization of independent specialty audio/video, custom installation, and home theater companies dedicated to providing customers with expert advice, quality products, leading edge technology and world-class customer service.

Path Lighting - Lighting that defines a pathway both inside and outside the house.

PIR - Passive Infrared. The technology used in most motion detectors. Infrared radiation emitted by the warmth of a human body is detected by a PIR sensor.

Powerline Carrier (PLC) - A way of transmitting information and commands from one product to another via the electrical wiring in a home.

Prewiring - The practice of placing wiring behind the wall of a home as it is being constructed.

Programmable Thermostat - A thermostat that offers scheduling of temperature adjustments according to the time of day and day of the week.

PVR (Personal Video Recorder) - A device that uses a hard drive to record, stop and pause TV programs.

R

Rear-Projection - A TV system where the picture is produced from behind the screen.

Remote Monitoring - The ability to monitor a home from a remote location.

RG-6 - A type of wiring generally used to transmit video signals between devices. Often referred to as coaxial cabling.

Router - A device that connects different types of networks together. Is commonly contained within a gateway (see definition of “gateway” on page 123).

S

Security Panel - The part of a security system that receives information (signals from alarms and keypads) and responds by transmitting a command to other equipment.

Sensors - The devices that notify a security system of trouble, be it a break-in, a fire or water in the basement.

Single-Room System - A system designed specifically for the control of devices in one room.

Sources - CD players, DSS receivers, AM/FM tuners and other equipment that produces music or video.

Speaker Selector - A device capable of distributing the output of a single amplifier to multiple speakers.

Streaming Audio/Video - A technique for transferring audio or video in a continuous stream while the entire signal is still being received.

Structured Wiring - A bundle of wire that usually includes RG-6 (coaxial wiring) and Category 5 (or better) communications wiring.

Surround Sound - This usually implies an audio system with more than two channels of information. The additional channels provide "ambiance" or sound information that is happening somewhere other than from the left or right speaker.

Switcher - A device that sends data from one computer directly to another computer.

System Integration - Incorporating various systems in the home (audio, video, HVAC, lighting, security...etc) into one main controlling device.  Such controllers are usually LCD touchpanels that contain all system info on-screen.

T

Touchscreen or Touchpanel - A device featuring a built-in screen that is used to control various aspects of a house. Icons displayed on the screen behave like the buttons of a remote control.

Tweeter - The part of a speaker that produces mid- to high-frequency sounds.

Two-piece Projection - This term is refers to the video projector and the screen onto which it shows its image.

U

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) - A device that includes a battery that keeps a computer running several minutes after a power outage.

Universal (Programmable) Remote - A remote control that is able to operate several devices within an entertainment system.

User Interface - Any tool, product or method (e.g., a touchscreen, a keypad or a remote control) designed to allow a homeowner to utilize another more complex product or system.

V

Volume Control - A device used to control the level of audio in a specific room/location in your home.  These devices a typically mounted on the wall using a decora style wall-plate.

W

Watt - A measurement of power to drive speakers. More is typically better than less.

Web Tablet - A portable touchscreen that receives and displays Internet content.

Whole-House System - A system designed specifically for the control of devices throughout the entire house.

Woofer - The part of a speaker that produces a spectrum of low- to mid-frequency sounds.

X

X10 - A proprietary technology that enables electronic devices to send and receive commands to and from each other via a home’s standard electrical wiring.

Z

Zones - Individual sections of a house (for example, the sleeping area, the living area, the basement) that can be managed autonomously. Speakers in one zone might receive music, for example, while another zone receives no music.