AV terminology
After 23 years of designing and developing audiovisual systems with our clients of different levels of technical knowledge, we realized that AV terminology can be confusing to a lot of people. Even for experts in the field, it is hard to keep up with all the new terms in a world that is constantly changing. To make things easier for our clients, we have compiled a list of commonly used audiovisual terms that we use.
Assistive Listening System
An electronic system for providing the audio signal from the sound reinforcement system to hearing impaired participants. The hearing impaired can hear the audio through a personal belt pack/earbud that is supplied upon request.
Audio Foldback
A separate audio mix from the audio mixer is sent back to the musician so that they can hear themselves, loudspeakers or in-the-ear systems are typically used.
Automatic Gating
This function automatically turns microphone(s) on and off. When you are in close proximity to the microphone and start speaking into the microphone automatically turns on and when you stop speaking the microphone automatically turns off.
Button Panel
A plate (size varies) typically wall or surface mounted with labeled pushbuttons. The buttons are pre-programmed to control various functions of the system. Some of the functions are power on/off, projection screen up/down, sound system volume, and source selection.
BYOD
This is an acronym for “Bring Your Own Device”, and includes cell phones, tablets, iPad’s, etc.
Control System
A control system is the device which receives and sends out commands from other devices, “controlling” them.
Display Port
Display Port is an audiovisual connector typically used to connect a video source to a video display device. It is backward compatible with HDMI and DVI with the correct adaptor.
Distribution Amplifier
A distribution amplifier takes a signal (audio or video) and electronically splits it into two (2) or more identical outputs.
Document Camera
A pedestal mounted camera pointing down at a lighted surface, this device converts any object that will fit on the surface to a video format that can be viewed on different types of video displays.
Digital Signal Processor
A Digital Signal Processor (DSP) in this application is an electronic device that inputs various audio signals, applies functions such as equalization, compression, level control, routing, etc., and then outputs the various audio signals to the appropriate devices.
Echo Cancellation
Echo cancellation (EC) is an advanced electronic technology that is used to increase audio conferencing call quality by reducing the amount of audio created by local speakers that enters open microphone(s) in the same vicinity.
Electronic Annotation
The electronic annotation processor gives one the ability to highlight (annotate) by checking, circling, etc. over portions of a displayed image. Annotated images can then be printed out and/or saved depending on the associated system.
Graphic User Interface
The graphic user interface (GUI) is the layout on the screen of the touch panel that is used to send command to the control system which in turn send those commands to the devices you want to control. The layout typically will display various buttons, sliders, on/of lights, etc. with color coordination, such as green for on and red for off. These are custom typically custom-made for each client.
HDCP
HDCP is an abbreviation for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection. It is a form of digital copy protection developed by Intel Corporation to prevent copying of digital audio and video content as it travels across connections.
HDMI
HDMI is an abbreviation for High-Definition Multimedia Interface. An HDMI cable has a unique connector that can only “connect” to HDMI ports and transmits digital video, audio, CEC (Consumer Electronics Control), and Ethernet data.
LAN
Local Area Network. This is the building’s data network.
Laptop Input
A set of audiovisual jacks for connecting the video and audio output of a laptop computer so that whatever is displayed on the laptop is simultaneously displayed and/or heard on the room’s audio and video systems.
LED Display
LED (Liquid-emitting Diode) display are flat panels that show video and computer images.
Lumen
The brightness of a video projectors light output is measured in lumens. The higher the number, the brighter the projector.
Mix-minus
A method of mixing the loudspeaker feeds in such a way as the loudspeaker nearest the microphone of the person speaking its volume is reduced to prevent feedback. As the distance between other loudspeakers and the microphone being spoken into increases, the volume of the other loudspeakers increases as well.
Program Sound
Sound from a pre-recorded source, such as DVD, VCR, CD, computer or laptop.
RF
This is an abbreviation for Radio Frequency. Many assistive listening systems are RF based, the radio frequencies allocated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is 72-75MHz and 216MHz.
RS-232
This is a protocol that is used by devices (computers, DVD’s, lighting panels, etc.) to communicate with each other.
Sound Masking
The use of white noise played through loudspeakers in a particular area so that those in proximity to the loudspeakers will not be able to understand what others are saying that are nearby.
Speech Reinforcement
The reinforcement of live vocals picked-up through microphones and amplified by loudspeakers.
Tab-tensioned
A tab-tensioned motorized projection screen provides the benefit of a tensioned screen and the ability to roll-up out of the way when not in use. A tensioned projection screens surface is less likely to curl-up or distort over time.
Touch panel
An interactive flat glass screen with a touch sensitive surface. Using the touch panel, a user can turn the audiovisual system on and off, select sources for the various displays, and control individual devices, among other functions.
Video Graphics Array
Video Graphics Array (VGA) is a video standard developed by IBM in 1987 for their line of personal computers. VGA connectors, although having been phased out some years ago for being analog and unable to use the new copy-protection protocols, it is still widely used.
VoIP
VoIP is an acronym for Voice over Internet Protocol. Hardware and software enable voice phone calls to be made over an internet connection instead of a Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) system.
White Noise
White noise is random noise that has an equal amount of energy at all frequencies. Commonly used in sound masking systems.
Updated October 6, 2020