Area in the center of an image that is certain to be displayed on any monitor. Used to hold vital information if other configurations are not available.#
The bit depth used to record the values found in digital waveform files. CD quality audio uses 16 bits for each stereo channel. Sample depth affects the digital representation of a signal╒s dynamic range.#
1. The process of taking audio/video bits and pieces out of a complete work to use in other environments, such as data clips in an interactive system.
2. The process of digitizing, or measuring an analog signal and converting those measurements to numbers, usually integers.#
The rate at which digital data is measured from an original analog source or converted to an analog signal. CD audio is sampled at 44 kHz (kilohertz). Standard computer sampling rates are 11,000 22,000 and 44,000 cycles per second. Sample rate affects the digital representation of a signal╒s frequency range.#
See sampling rate.#
Strong, bright colors that do not reproduce well on video and tend to bleed around the edges, producing an unclear image.#
(Graphics) When referring to colors, saturation means the extent to which a color is made purely of a selected hue rather than being diluted with white. It is this property that makes pale pink different from a pure red of the same hue, for example.#
To transfer data from memory to a storage medium. You should save files after working with spreadsheets. #
This allows the user to modify a document or window and keep both the original and the altered versions by giving the altered version a different name. Note that the different name need not be radically different. It can be just one character in difference. #
(QuickTime) One of two methods of saving a movie file. Saving a file normally creates a record of any changes made to the movie but does not add or alter any movie data in the file. If any movie segments were copied from other files the new movie is said to have a dependency on the original files; they must be present for the movie to play. See dependency, self-contained.Scan
1. In television, and video, the rapid movement of the scanning spot across the scan lines on the inside of the screen.
2. Mode of play in which a videodisk player skips over several frames to display the sequence at a higher rate.
3. The process by which a printed image is transferred to digital form.#
Parallel lines across the inside of a display along which the scanning spot travels, to paint the image displayed on the screen. The higher the number of scan lines, the higher the image resolution.#
(Computer Graphics) A device used to convert an image from print or film form to an electronic file. #
The act of storing the image on the computer display in a bitmap file or a program for doing so.#
An image taken directly from the computer display and incorporated in another document, usually to illustrate computer operations.#
Fonts displayed on the screen that give an idea of the way they will look on the printed page. #
Message boxes appearing on a computer display over the top of the currently running applications or desktop that alert the user to incoming e-mail, voice telephone calls, fax messages or other external events.#
(Computer Graphics) Usually, the number of available dot or line positions in each dimension of a display. Sometimes the number of color or gray-scale values is also added, usually given in bits. The density of dots per inch or millimeter is occasionally referred to as the resolution, though it's more properly called the screen density.#
A utility program that continuously changes the screen display to prolong the life of a display monitor. #
A sequence of interactive instructions to be executed by a multimedia application.#
A multimedia application development language developed by Kaleida for maximum portability between devices.#
To move the contents displayed in a window vertically or horizontally. #
The bars in Windows that move the window vertically or horizontally to reveal objects that are not otherwise visible. #
Small Computer Systems Interface. For related terms see SCSI-1, SCSI-2, SCSI-3, Fast SCSI, Fast and Wide SCSI, SSI and Ultra-SCSI.#
Small Computer Systems Interface (pronounced scuzzy). Device independent interface used to control a wide range of peripherals.#
Small Computer Systems Interface 2 (pronounced scuzzy too). Second generation standard for device independent interfacing. Faster than the original SCSI standard. Provides for fast and wide SCSI data transfer at up to 40 MB/second.#
Small Computer Systems Interface 3. Third generation standard for device independent interfacing that allows for serial transmission of data at ultra-high speeds (in addition to the parallel data transmission protocols outlined in the SCSI-2 specification).#
Super Compact Disk. Two sided high density compact disc format proposed by Toshiba and Time Warner. Capable of holding 5 gigabytes of data per side.#
(Video) The television broadcast standard for France, the USSR and various eastern European countries. Like PAL, SECAM is based on a 50 Hz power system, but utilizes a different encoding process and displays 819 lines interlaced at 50 fields per second. SECAM is not compatible with NTSC or PAL, though conversion between the standards is possible. See NTSC, PAL.#
The latency between the moment a drive begins to look for data on the disc and the moment the drive head is actually over a particular track. See also access time.#
(QuickTime) One of two methods of saving a movie file. A self-contained movie file stores all the movies contents exactly as they are played, rather than storing only references to the locations where the movie data is stored (in other movies or other locations in the current movie). See also dependency, saving normally.#
The act of bringing ones own multimedia title to market. Involves package design, manufacturing and direct or indirect sales.#
Procedure for choosing an object or group of objects that will be subject to subsequent commands or procedures. #
Edit menu option available in Windows 95 and many applications to choose every object in the active window. #
An AV device that allows you to choose the audio or video sources that are displayed on or recorded to other audio or video devices. For example, a selector allows a VCR to record from many sources even if it has only one input jack.#
(MIDI) A series of notes arranged on a MIDI sequencer and played on a MIDI instrument.#
The time sequential handling of individual items by a computer in which each bit of data is transferred individually.#
An interface used for serial communications devices such as modems. Usually a 9-pin and sometimes a 25 pin connector. #
A system on a network where shared resources reside. #
In Windows 95, the Start Menu pull across menu that provides access to the Control Panel folder, Printers folder, and to Taskbar settings. #
See configuration. #
The protocol for telecommunications devices and networks to adhere to for Windows telephony compatibility. #
Standard Generalized Markup Language. The pre-cursor and superset of HTML, SGML allows for wider definition and flexibility of elements in a document. See also HTML, URML.#
(Modeling) Gives objects dimension by controlling the way one or more light sources illuminate objects. More sophisticated shading techniques provide smooth transitions on curved objects and let objects cast shadows.#
(Modeling) Algorithms that establish the appearance of solid object surfaces. Examples of such algorithms are Phong (Pixel) Shading and Gouraud (Vertex) Shading.#
A color selecting electrode system in the form of an electrically conductive sheet containing a plurality of holes that uses masking to affect the selection of the different colored phosphors on the CRT surface. Basically, this thin sheet of metal has holes corresponding to each phosphor dot on the CRT and causes the correct (red, green, and blue) electron gun beam to hit the correct color (red, green, and blue) phosphor.#
A key you press to access uppercase letters or punctuation marks. #
In Windows 95, the ability to place an object anywhere and access it from anywhere else. #
In Windows 95 Help Topics, a button that initiates the action associated with a selected topic. #
A combination of keys that provide one-stroke access to menu commands. #
The Start Menu option to select when you wish to safely turn off your computer. #
(Editing) Advancing or reversing a VTR deck by discrete steps at a variable speed, usually by use of a jog/shuttle controller knob.#
The electronic representation of a natural waveform such as sound, light or even earthquakes. Can be analog or digital.#
Single In-Line Memory Module. A set of RAM memory chips mounted on a small plug in module.#
Slots designed to hold single in-line memory modules.#
When referring to windows, the horizontal and vertical dimension currently occupied by the window on screen. #
Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, a standards setting organization in film and video. Also used to refer to the standard type of time code used in professional video and audio production.#
(Modeling) A model relating the surfaces into boundaries that define mass. Mass properties may be associated with various boundary definitions in the model.#
A list of instructions created with a programming language, in the form of an operating system, application program, or utility. Technically, includes any form of computer data (whether or not it includes executable instructions) but this meaning is less generally used.#
Windows 95 control panel that allows the user to associate various sound effects with a variety of events that take place within Windows. #
An audio card capable of responding as if a Creative Labs Sound Blaster interface were being used. This standard is still used by many DOS games. #
A computer adapter board that enables the recording and playback of digital audio wave files and that usually includes MIDI capabilities. #
A program that allows the user to record and play back sounds, turning the computer into a digital tape recorder. All sound files associated with a sound recorder end in a .WAV extension. #
A travelling wave of compressed air that can be heard by the human ear, or converted to an electric signal by a microphone. #
In Windows 95, the keyboard option that can be used as a keyboard shortcut to depress outlined or highlighted function keys after they have been selected. #
Connector receptacle found on multimedia sound cards that connects to 1/8 jack on speaker cable to provide audio output. Found on sound cards and stereo system amplifiers.#
The component of a multimedia personal computer (MPC) that actually produces sound. The audio signal is sent from the sound card to the speakers which transduce, or change the electrical signal into mechanical motion of the speaker cone, thus producing sound waves.#
Any of a variety of alterations made to media designed to convey impressions not inherent to the original material. Examples of special effects commonly used in multimedia titles today include morphs between two still graphics, blue screened digital video and reverb sound effects.#
(Modeling) The component of reflection seen at a surface point of an object that is produced by reflection about the surface normal. It depends on the observer position, whereas the diffuse component does not. Often this appears as a highlight.#
(Modeling, Illustration) A mathematically defined curve used instead of polygons for describing 2D and 3D objects.#
(Animation) One piece of artwork at one point in time. Sprites are pieces of animated artwork. It is a term used by video game programmers.#
Swedens National Institute of Radiation Protection.#
The jagged edge on low resolution representations of circles and diagonal lines, typically seen in analog video and computer monitors.#
The start button displays the start menu that contains a list of commands that allow you to launch programs. #
The menu that appears when the start button is clicked that allows you to launch applications and gives you quick access to the majority of files, folders, accessories and other resources. #
An electrical charge that can accumulate on the surface of any conductive, non-grounded item, especially the CRT of a desktop computer monitor when it is turned on. Not only does this electrical charge cause a shock when the CRT is touched, it also attracts dust to the surface of the CRT.#
The bar at the bottom of the window that gives the status or other information about the program. #
To move through a movie one frame at a time, using the Step Forward or Step Backward button on the control bar (or the arrow keys on the keyboard).#
Popular approach to greater realism and depth in sound recording and transmission achieved by separating audio into distinct left and right channels.#
1. A single frame of video presented as a static image.
2. Information recorded to a videodisk intended to be displayed as a still image.#
The retention of information on a magnetic or optical media. #
A directory structure within a directory. #
A subordinate menu within a pull-down menu. #
Color that is derived from reflected light. Especially, the creation of color by varying the amounts of Cyan Magenta and Yellow ink, a common methodology used in the print industry.#
Two sided high density compact disc format proposed by Toshiba and Time Warner. Capable of holding 5 gigabytes of data per side.#
(Modeling) A model relating edge lines into polygonal or curved boundaries that define the exterior or interior "skin" of an object. Surface properties may be associated with the polygonal or curved boundaries.#
(Modeling) An object made by turning it around an axis, such as a vase made from half of its outline. Sometimes called a sweep.#
Any of several graphics standards capable of graphics resolution greater than VGA. This includes resolutions with different vertical frequencies and allows a variety of color depths.#
(Video) A format for recording S-Video. This video standard records color signals independently of luminance signals, avoiding the need to combine them in a composite video signal. The result is an image with significantly higher vertical resolution than normal VHS (400 TV lines instead of 230).#
(Video) A video signal that separates luminance and color (Y/C). This method results in images of higher resolution and better color quality than composite video. Though designed for high-end television production, similar recording methods have recently become available to the consumer market. See also Composite Video, Component Video.#
A special virtual memory file in Windows that uses the hard disk to perform functions normally performed in RAM, such as to temporarily store files and code. #
(Swedish Board for Technical Accreditation) This council produces the recommendations for the magnetic field emissions guidelines. Its previous name was MPR.#
Any of a variety of digital video algorithms that require the same amount of time to compress as they do to play. Sometimes referred to as real-time compression.#
(Video) The control of the timing of the video signals when switching between two video sources so that the frames of each video source are aligned precisely. If the sources are not in sync, a "glitch" will appear when a fraction of a frame is displayed on the screen.#
(Video) A device or component that generates the sync signals required for overlay, editing, effects and other purposes.#
(Computer Graphics) Some computer systems combine the sync signals with the green color signal. Special circuitry is required to utilize this form of video sync. #
The horizontal and vertical signals that control the scan rates of the monitor.#
A device that creates sound using an electronic chip. Typically used to create MIDI music, they often are included in sound boards and music keyboards.#
Allows the user to view their computer System properties, including Device Managers, Hardware Profiles, and System Performance. #
A program or data file used exclusively by the operating system. #
All the files and applications supplied as part of the operating system and environment.#
Audio feedback provided to the user by Windows when certain operating system or program events occur.#
