References
59
English
Aspect ratio
The ratio of vertical and horizontal sizes of a displayed image. The 
horizontal vs. vertical ratio of conventional TVs is 4:3, and that of 
wide-screens is 16:9.
Chapter
Refers to individual chapters included in a title.
Composite video signal
Refers to video signal comprised of three kinds of signals 
combined: an image signal made up of luminance and chrominance 
signals using the frequency multiplication technique; burst signal 
providing the basis for color reproduction; and synchronization 
signal.
Component video signal
A video signal system where parts of information necessary for 
reproducing image signal comprised of the three primary colors of 
light are transmitted via separate signal lines. Types of signal, such 
as R/G/B, Y/P
B/PR, etc., are available.
Disc menu
A screen display prepared for allowing selection of images, sounds, 
subtitles, multiangles, etc. recorded on a DVD.
Interlaced scan
In the conventional video system, a picture is shown on the display 
monitor in two halves. The Interlaced scan system places lines of 
the second half of the picture in-between lines of the first half of the 
picture.
JPEG
A still-picture data compression system proposed by the Joint 
Photographic Expert Group, which features small decrease in 
image quality in spite of its high compression ratio.
Letter box
A method of displaying wide images like movies in the center of a 
4:3 TV screen with no part of the image deleted, by placing black 
bands on the top and bottom of the screen. This name has resulted 
from the screen form looking literally like a letter box.
Linear PCM (PCM: Pulse Code Modulation)
A system for converting analog sound signal to digital signal for 
later processing, with no data compression used in conversion.
MP3
A file format with a sound data compression system. “MP3” is the 
abbreviation of Motion Picture Experts Group 1 (or MPEG-1) 
Audio Layer 3. By using MP3 format, one CD-R or CD-RW can 
contain about 10 times as much data volume as a regular CD can.
Multiangle
By recording multiple scenes progressing at the same time in a 
single title, the user can select view angles. This feature is called 
the multiangle function.
Multichannel
DVD is specified to have each sound track constitute one sound 
field. Multichannel refers to a structure of sound tracks having three 
or more channels.
Multilanguage
When a title is created to cope with multiple languages, it is 
generally called a multilanguage title.
Parental Lock
A feature of this system to automatically determine whether or not 
to reproduce particular DVD software by comparing its parental 
level (a measure of undesirability of scenes, etc. from educational 
viewpoint) set for the software beforehand with that set on this 
system by the user; if the software’s level is less restrictive than the 
user-set level, it will be reproduced.
Playback control (PBC)
Refers to the signal recorded on video CDs or SVCDs for 
controlling reproduction. By using menu screens recorded on a 
Video CD or SVCD that supports PBC, you can enjoy interactive-
type software as well as software having a search function.
Progressive scan
Progressive scan displays all the horizontal lines of a picture at one 
time, as a single frame. This system can convert the interlaced 
video from DVD into progressive format for connection to a 
progressive display. It dramatically increases the vertical resolution.
Region Code
A system for allowing discs to be played back only in the regions 
designated beforehand. All the countries in the world are divided 
into six regions, each region being identified by a specified Region 
Code (or region number). If the Region Code given to a disc 
includes a numeral which matches one in the Region Code of a 
player, the player can play back the disc.
Sampling frequency
Frequency of sampling data when analog data is converted to 
digital data. Sampling frequency numerically represents how many 
times the original analog signal is sampled per second.
Surround
A system for creating three-dimensional sound fields full of realism 
by arranging multiple speakers around the listener.
Transfer rate
The rate of transferring digital data. Usually the measure is in baud 
per second. The DVD system applies a variable transfer rate system 
for high efficiency.
Glossary
TH-M65-55-45[C].book  Page 59  Tuesday, April 1, 2003  10:11 AM