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We have compiled a list of audio, video and home theater terms that you
might find helpful as you research your next purchase.
From A-Z, this glossary should have all the answers.
Glossary of Terms:
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
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T
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P
Parametric
Equalizer with adjust-able parameters, such as center frequency and bandwidth (Q), as well as amplitude.
Passive
Not active. A passive crossover uses no external power and results in insertion loss. A passive speaker is one without internal amplification.
Passive Radiator
A radiating surface (usually similar to a conventional speaker cone) that is not electrically driven but shares the same air space in a sealed cabinet with an electrically driven loudspeaker. This arrangement is functionally similar to a loudspeaker with a vented (ported) cabinet, with the passive radiator serving the duties of the air in the port.
PCM
Pulse Code modulation. Aa way to convert sound or analog information to binary information (0s and 1s) by taking samples of the sound and record the resulting number as binary information. Used on all CDs, DVD-Audio, and just about every other digital audio format. It can sometimes be found on DVD-Video.
Phase
Time relationship between signals; it's all relative.
Piezo
A type of speaker driver that creates sound when a quartz crystal receives electrical energy.
Pixel
Contraction of
Plasma
Flat-panel display technology that ignites small pockets of gas to light phosphors.
Port
An aperture in a loudspeaker enclosure that helps extend the usable low-frequency output. A ported enclosure is also called vented or bass reflex.
Power Output
A measure, usually in watts, of how much energy is modulated by a component.
Pre Outs
Connectors that provide a line-level output of the internal preamp or surround processor.
Pre Outs/Main In
Connectors on a receiver that provide an interruptible signal loop between the output of the internal preamp or surround processor portion of the receiver and the input of the amplifier portion of the receiver.
Pre/Pro
A combination preamp and surround processor.
Preamplifier
A control and switching component that may include equalization functions. The preamp comes in the signal chain before the amplifiers.
Processor
Anything that processes an incoming signal in some way. Surround processors, for example, can decode a Dolby Digital signal to send to an amplifier so it can be heard.
Projection System
A video display system that uses a light projector to project images on a screen.
PVR
Personal Video Recorder. A marketing term for Video Hard Disc Recorders.
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