The Audio T
Hi-Fi Gobbledegook Decoder (Click the Blue
Links for a more
in-depth explanation from Wikipedia)
4K VIDEO- The
future of high definition displays with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels or
an 8 Megapixel image, giving 4 x the resolution of current 1080(Full HD
Screens)
AAC-
Compressed audio format, largely used by Apple that sounds better than MP3 for
a given bitrate, though fewer products use it.
ACTIVE SPEAKER- design
in which the crossover, used to split frequencies between the drive-units, is
located before the amplification. Each drive-unit, or group of drivers (e.g.
for bass or treble), then has its own dedicated amplifier. Not all 'active'
speakers are fully active: some are merely conventional speakers with
amplification built-in, which really should be termed “Powered Speakers”
AIFF-(Audio
Interchange File Format) Apple terminology for CD-quality files. Uncompressed
16-bit/44.1kHz music is stored on Apple computers as .aiff files
AIRPLAY- Apple's
solution for audio and video streaming between its portable devices, computers
running its iTunes software, and third-party components enabled for the
service. Using it, music can be streamed over a home network to a connected
audio system or, via the Apple TV device, video and audio can be streamed
directly to a television.
ALIGNMENT- Most commonly used to describe positioning the cartridge
within the head-shell of the turntable. There are many different alignments,
all trying to achieve the lowest distortion across the playing surface of the
record. It is crucial that this is accurate and an “Alignment Protractor” will
be used to exactly line up the cartridge as the position will vary in the
head-shell depending on the arm/turntable combination
ANALOGUE- The
original way of storing audio data, as used by LPs and cassettes.
APP-
Short for 'application': small piece of software available for
download to add functionality to a device, usually at relatively low cost if
not for free. For example, various consumer electronics manufacturers now offer
control apps, able to be downloaded from Apple's iTunes Store to iPods, iPhones
and iPads, to control items of equipment such as Streamers and Hi-Fi systems
APPLE LOSSLESS-(aka
ALAC) audio compression format from Apple: has the advantage of (theoretically)
identical sound to uncompressed audio, while reducing file size; has the
disadvantage of being a proprietary Apple format, and thus not playable on some
network devices.
ARC- (Audio
Return Channel), a convenient way of getting audio from your TV, back to your
amplifier using the HDMI connection to the TV, requires equipment to be
compatible though.
BALANCED CONNECTION- A type
of audio signal connection designed to reject noise, particularly over longer
length cables, hence its popularity in professional applications. This type of
connection can be used for both analogue and digital connections in the hi-fi
world, although it is relatively uncommon and uses XLR connectors normally.
BASS REFLEX- A
Speaker design using airflow from a port in the cabinet to help deliver
extended bass reproduction.
BIAMPLIFICATION- (or
bi-amping) Each drive unit of a speaker is driven by a separate amp channel, so
a pair of two-way speakers needs two stereo amps and two runs of cable to each
speaker.
BITRATE- The measure of the
quality of a digital file, in units of kilobits per second. However, simply
having a higher bitrate doesn't guarantee better sound as the encoding format
also plays a major part, but on the whole bigger is better!
BIWIRING- Is
thought by some to give some of the benefits of bi-amping, but at lower cost.
You need suitable speakers (with two sets of inputs and a split crossover),
then send twin runs of cable from the same amp to each loudspeaker.
BLU-RAY-
Digital disc format aiming to provide a higher-quality successor to DVD.
Blu-Ray offers a high-definition image and less-compressed sound than DVD
CARTRIDGE-The
device that plays a record. It converts the undulations in the record grooves
into electrical signals for an amplifier to boost up.
COAXIAL DIGITAL- A
digital audio connection, using 75 ohms interconnect cable. Can be terminated
with either conventional phono plugs or locking BNC connectors.
COMPRESSION- The process of squeezing data files to
make them smaller, sometimes by discarding some of the musical information to
make the files more portable, a “Lossy” compression system like MP3 uses this
as opposed to FLAC and ALAC which are “Mathematically” compressed so they can
be restored to their full glory, like a computer ZIP file for example.
CROSSOVER- A
circuit designed to split the incoming signal, sending high frequencies to the
tweeter, and low ones to the woofer.
DAB-
(Digital Audio Broadcasting) or digital radio in the UK.
DAC-
(Digital-to-analogue converters) change digital strings of bits (i.e
Digital/Optical Outputs) into analogue audio that can be amplified and
reproduced through loudspeakers.
DECIBEL- (dB)
Measures sound pressure. A change of 1dB is just about audible, +10dB is a
doubling of level.
DECODING- Blu-ray
soundtracks usually include multichannel audio eg Dolby HD or DTS Master Audio.
You need a processor or AV amplifier to decode the data and pass it on to your
speakers.
DHCP-
(Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), the system by which all devices
including computers and music streamers etc, on your computer network are
automatically assigned an IP Address, or location if you like, where it can be
found by others.
DIGITAL- Digital
data is stored in bits – as on/off signals (or pulses), able to be transferred
with little overall loss of quality.
DLNA- The
(Digital Living Network Alliance), an organisation set-up by leading consumer
electronics manufacturers to ensure compatibility between components, for
example for the streaming of audio and video between computers and components
such as TV and Blu-ray players (see also UPnP).
DOLBY- A
company whose technology is used to encode the multichannel soundtracks for
films, which get transferred to Blu-ray and DVD.
DOLBY ATMOS- A
surround sound format launched in cinemas in 2012 and then for home use in
2014. It adds overhead sound effects to the already established 5.1 or 7.1
channel layouts. At home it is achieved by adding 2 or 4 overhead ceiling
speakers or upward firing traditional speakers to bounce sound off of the
ceiling. This adds a new dimension to the sound with airborne effects actually
flying over your head for much greater realism and immersion. New decoding
equipment is required along with material carrying the Atmos soundtrack. The
good news is that older equipment will play the new Atmos based material as
normal 5.1/7.1 channels.
DTS- Like
Dolby, DTS is a system for encoding audio on to movie soundtracks for playback
on compatible AV receivers.
DYNAMICS- The range in decibels between the largest and smallest audio
signals reproduced by hi-fi, or stored on a recording.
ETHERNET- Commonly
accepted term for the IEEE802.3 standard for wired Local Area Network (LAN)
connections between devices, using simple twisted-pair cabling, often referred
to as Cat5 or Cat6 and terminated in standard RJ45 plugs. The type of cable
used to plug your computer into your broadband router. Although replaced by
Wi-Fi wireless networking in many homes, Ethernet can give much more reliable
connectivity for the streaming of music.
FLAC- (Free
Lossless Audio Codec). An open-source (i.e. free) audio coding and decoding
system, using lossless compression to reduce file sizes, theoretically without
loss of quality (though some feel they can hear a difference between music
stored in FLAC and uncompressed CD-quality WAV files).
FRAME RATE- Films
on Blu-ray are produced at 24 frames per second, PAL TV at 25 frames per second
and American Video at 30 frames per second. Your TV must handle all these to
keep motion natural and most current TVs have this capability.
FREEVIEW- 70-plus
TV and Radio channels including HD broadcasts available for free using a normal
aerial. One of the main platforms for the digital TV switchover in the UK.
FREESAT- The
satellite equivalent of Freeview offering over 150 free TV and Radio stations
including HD channels using a dish in the UK.
FULL HD- Whereas
HD uses 720 horizontal lines of picture, Full HD uses 1080. It offers even more
detailed TV images.
HARD DRIVE/DISK- This is
a device for storing large quantities of data. Hard disks first appeared in
computers, and are now found in MP3 players (for audio and photos), set-top
boxes, DVD recorders (for video and audio), and network music servers.
HDMI-
(High-definition multimedia interface) A High-quality digital video/audio
connection used between Blu-ray and DVD players and AV amplifiers and Displays.
It is able to carry multichannel high-resolution audio as well as digital video
and now has a return for TV tuner audio, see ARC.
HIGH-RESOLUTION AUDIO- Usually understood to mean any audio
format beyond the 16 bit/44.1 kHz Compact Disc standard. Common high-resolution
formats which should offer better sound quality include 24 bit/96 kHz and 24
bit/192 khz. However these require special players to handle them, including
some streaming players and even a few amplifier/receivers. As with all
things matters can be confused in this case by internet streaming services
offering 'HD Radio' for example. At 320kbps this is not HD Audio as we expect
it, but is 'higher definition' than most existing web-streamed services (and
indeed DAB) but not actually better than CD quality.
IMPEDANCE- A low
impedance draws a high current from the source, while high value impedance
draws a little. Loudspeakers or headphones with low impedance are likely to be
more difficult to power. Bear in mind that the impedance figure given by
speaker manufacturers is usually a nominal one and that impedance can vary with
frequency, to a greater or lesser degree depending on the speaker design.
INFINITE BAFFLE- Describes
the mental state of an individual before reading this Gobbledegook Decoder and
to a lesser extent a type of speaker cabinet design without bass ports, forming
a sealed box instead.
IP ADDRESS- A
unique identifier for a device on a home network that enables other devices to
find it. Think of it as being like your house number within your street for
example. On many home networks IP addresses are assigned dynamically
according to the order in which components are connected, using something
called Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, or DHCP: this can cause problems if
an item is turned off and then on again or disconnected and reconnected. For
example, in a streaming music system the player may find that the network music
storage is no longer where it 'expects it to be' – i.e. its IP address has been
reassigned by DHCP – and so music can't be played. It is the same situation as
if your neighbour ran across the street and moved into another house when you
were out, then the next time you knocked on his usual door he would not be
there! The solution is to assign, a static (Fixed) IP address to crucial
components on such a network, so they can always 'find' each other.
KBPS- (or Kb/s Kilobits per second). This is either a transfer rate –
how fast data can be piped down a cable – or, more commonly, a compression
rate: how much data has been retained when a music track (e.g. an MP3) has been
compressed. A higher figure means larger files, but usually better sound.
LINE LEVEL- Inputs
that don’t need additional amplification/equalisation before a preamplifier can
handle them. For example, the analogue output from CD players, radio tuners,
etc.
LCD- Along
with plasma, the main flat screen TV technology. LCD is the dominant type for
sets with screens up to 40in. Picture quality is improving with the addition of
LED backlights. Similar technology is used for many projectors.
MP3- Audio
compression for music files. Can reduce file sizes up to a factor of 10
compared with CDs, but can also reduce quality.
MQA - stands for Master
Quality Authenticated, which is a codac using lossy compression and a form of
file fingerprinting intended for high fidelity audio internet streaming and
down loading.
NAS- A
(Network Attached Storage) device: a hard-disk storage unit connected to the
router for a home network, allowing its content (music, video, pictures, other
files) to be accessed by any computer or other device on that network.
NETWORK SERVER- Stores
tracks from a large number of CDs, in a variety of formats such as
AAC,ALAC,FLAC,MP3 and WMA, so they can be piped around your home.
NETWORK PLAYER- Connects
to a router or a network server via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, and allows you to access
music or video files stored on your network, most likely on a computer or NAS
drive in your home.
NFC- (Near
Field Communication), mainly used in Home Entertainment circles to enable the
simple “pairing” of streaming devices by simply touching them together, with
the same action to disconnect.
OLED-
(Organic Light Emitting Diode) Upcoming flat screen technology will combine the
high contrast and fast response of Plasma screens with the high brightness of
LED. Currently in its infancy as far as large screen technology goes with high
cost and unknown long term reliability. A very exciting technology, one day
your TV might roll up when you are not watching it!
OPTICAL DIGITAL- A
digital audio connector, using light to transmit data down a transparent fibre,
sometimes made of glass, but more usually plastic. (See Coaxial.)
PAL- (Phase
Alternating Line) the European system of TV broadcasting.
PCM- ( Pulse
Code Modulation) Digitally stored, uncompressed audio, as used by CDs. Also
available as a soundtrack option on some Blu-ray discs.
PASSIVE LOUDSPEAKER- The
most commonly available speaker type, where an external amplifier is used to
power the loudspeaker and the crossover is built into the speaker cabinet.
PHONO STAGE- A
turntables cartridge outputs signals at a much lower level than a CD player so
it needs extra amplification from a phono stage as well as audio equalisation
to the RIAA curve. Some amplifiers have them built-in.
POWER AMPLIFIER-
Increases the level of audio signals from a preamplifier to a sufficient level
to drive loudspeakers.
POWER-HANDLING- The
highest safe power for speakers. Note: it’s easier to damage speakers with an
amplifier of low output power driven hard, than with a high power amplifier
working well within its limits.
PREAMPLIFIER- The
control part of an amp, allowing input selection, possibly tone control and of
course volume. Built into integrated amps, but can be separate and used with a
power amp or active speakers.
PROGRESSIVE SCAN- is the
term to describe creating a TV picture on screen in one hit, writing all the
lines of picture information at once rather than writing alternate lines and
relying on persistence of vision, effectively fooling our brains, to build up
the whole picture as in interlaced TV scanning. This method gives clearer,
flicker-free images. Blu-ray is capable of delivering 1080p (1080 lines,
progressive scan), while HD TV via satellite or terrestrial platforms is 1080i
(interlaced) at best.
PROJECTOR-
currently the best way of achieving a cinematic image at home, requires a dark
environment to give its best, usually a ceiling mounted device that illuminates
a large fixed or retractable screen from across the room, just like an actual
cinema!
RIAA EQUALISATION-
(Recording Industry Association of America) During the production of vinyl
records the bass content of the recording is reduced and the treble content
boosted prior to transferring the recording on to the vinyl itself to improve
playability and quality. This means that on playback the reverse must happen.
The phono stage will not only amplify the tiny signal from your record player
but also reverse the changes applied when making the record according to the
RIAA equalisation curve.
RTFM- Refers to making sure you have read the flipping manual before
deciding your kit is broken!
SENSITIVITY- Most
likely used to describe how much output a loudspeaker can produce in Decibels
when measured with 1 Watt of input power at a set distance of usually 1 metre,
for example 89dB@1m.
THX- A set
of standards for home cinema that should ensure a certain quality of sound.
Equipment and software (i.e. DVDs/Blu-rays) are submitted to THX for testing to
ensure they adhere to the standards the company sets, but that's not to say
products without the THX certification are any less capable.
TRACKING WEIGHT- The downward force applied to a turntables stylus when
playing vinyl, adjusted by moving the counter-weight at the rear of the arm.
Each cartridge will specify the optimum weight for the best performance and
will be set during the Alignment procedure (See Above)
TRANSIENTS- Short and sudden events in music such as a cymbal crash or
the crack of a stick on a snare drum, all of which are difficult for a hi-fi to
reproduce.
UPnP- (Universal Plug and
Play) is a set of networking standards designed to ensure compatibility between
computer devices and suitable audio/video components. As an example, UPnP
server software loaded onto a home computer or network storage device will
allow it to be accessed by streaming music and video players on the network
around your house.
USB-
(Universal Serial Bus) A type of data connection originally used on computers,
but now commonly used with MP3 players and other hi-fi and home cinema
products, superseded by USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 but the system is backwardly
compatible.
VALVE- these
are also known as “Tubes” in the USA. Electrical components used to amplify
signals that use electrodes in a vacuum tube, now replaced by the Transistor in
most applications. Felt by some enthusiasts to give a warm, seductive sound
with great tonality that transistors lack.
VTA- (Vertical Tracking Angle), applies to the angle of the Stylus
Cantilever relative to the record playing surface, generally adjusted by
raising/lowering the turntable arm height and set during the Alignment
procedure. (See Above.)
WATT- More
Watts can equal more output, but the levels achievable depend on speaker
sensitivity and room size.
WIDESCREEN- The
16:9 (1.78:1) screen shape used on most modern TVs and DVDs. Many cinema films
are made in an even-wider 21:9 (2.35:1) shape, so your picture will still have
black bars top and bottom on a widescreen TV.
WI-FI-
Commonly accepted term for the IEEE802.11 standard that wirelessly connects
data and AV devices and commonly found on laptops and tablet computers.
Available in various versions such as Wireless b, g and n, in ascending order
of speed. The standard requires that faster versions should be backwardly
compatible with the slower ones, but bear in mind that using a wireless “b”
device on a wireless “n” network for example will slow everything down to the
lower speed.
WMA- (Windows Media Audio) is
Microsoft's rival to MP3 which is claimed to offer similar sound with more
effective audio compression.