Open request to A/V Experts

[doctorsteve]

Hi. I'd like to ask experts in audio and video if (when they have time) they could submit definitions to the glossary section. I've been trying to read posts to learn more about info transmission, sound formats, decoding, encodes, lossless vs. lossy, bit rates, etc. The answers posted often assume knowledge of other items.

This makes it really difficult for me - and especially since we are gaining new members everyday, I was wondering if we could flesh out the glossary with easily digestible, but thorough definitions and explanations. (running them through mods or admin first, of course.

suggestions:
What does PCM mean, what does it do
What is Bitstream, what does it do
List each sound format and list it's capability for bitrates/lossless audio
What does lossless mean
what's a bitrate and why is it important
what is each type of cable connection capable of carrying for audio/video
what is pulldown in video, why is it done
If set my player to PCM, what sound formats can be transmitted properly
If set my player to bitstream, what sound formats can be transmitted properly

We've got a Glossary on the home page, it would be easy to point people to solid, agreed upon answers in the glossary. Personally, it would make learning about this new world of hi-def media much easier.

Anybody up to it???

Cheers,

Doc

[camerino]

That's a good idea.

maybe put differences between running 24 hz and 60 hz on video

[Stinkin Mushroom]

would be great, i don't know either what most of those things mean lol

[Zaphod]

Originally Posted by doctorsteve

Hi. I'd like to ask experts in audio and video if (when they have time) they could submit definitions to the glossary section. I've been trying to read posts to learn more about info transmission, sound formats, decoding, encodes, lossless vs. lossy, bit rates, etc. The answers posted often assume knowledge of other items.

This makes it really difficult for me - and especially since we are gaining new members everyday, I was wondering if we could flesh out the glossary with easily digestible, but thorough definitions and explanations. (running them through mods or admin first, of course.

suggestions:
What does PCM mean, what does it do
What is Bitstream, what does it do
List each sound format and list it's capability for bitrates/lossless audio
What does lossless mean
what's a bitrate and why is it important
what is each type of cable connection capable of carrying for audio/video
what is pulldown in video, why is it done
If set my player to PCM, what sound formats can be transmitted properly
If set my player to bitstream, what sound formats can be transmitted properly

We've got a Glossary on the home page, it would be easy to point people to solid, agreed upon answers in the glossary. Personally, it would make learning about this new world of hi-def media much easier.

Anybody up to it???

Cheers,

Doc

I don't swear by it, but I recommend Wikipedia for stuff like this. Even though you can't be sure that EVERYTHING is true but you will get the idea of what it means...for example:

What does PCM mean, what does it do
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCM

[doctorsteve]

I certainly don't trust Wiki like I trust the names I've come to know here. Hell, even Amir can post to Wiki... That's why I'm trying to "keep it in the family". Just got a reply from JadedRaverLA that made the clouds part and the Heavens sing. Would rather ask here...

[dobyblue]

This is a good one for PCM.

http://www.tech-faq.com/pulse-code-modulation.shtml

[JadedRaverLA]

Wickywoo (or another mod) -- PM me if you're interested... I'd be happy to take care of this.

[gearyt]

I think it would be great !!

Local, Standard, agreed upon answers would help newbies and oldies alike !!

[doctorsteve]

I checked both links for PCM provided by Doby and Zaphod... and although thorough, I struggled to find what a newbie would be looking for (and I consider myself a sound noob to be sure).

Maybe a bridge can be built. I really liked JRLA's explanation to me in the Tiesto thread (was off-topic, I know). But, it was streamlined, explained what I wanted to know - as it related to home hi-def media, and not too choked with jargon. Maybe experts would be willing to take PM's for key glossary items, give PM replies, thereby passing them through an idiot filter (folks like me) to see if they're understandable to us non-experts - or those that just haven't had enough experience to put all the pieces together...

Either way - I hope there are people enthusiastic enough to make this happen, I'll help in any way I can (an easy way for me to learn )

[jsteinhauer]

Originally Posted by Zaphod

I don't swear by it, but I recommend Wikipedia for stuff like this. Even though you can't be sure that EVERYTHING is true but you will get the idea of what it means...for example:

What does PCM mean, what does it do
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCM

One of my assistants comes to me sometimes with things he learned on Wikipedia, and I bust out laughing. DO NOT TRUST IT.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by trentv85050

List each sound format and it's capability.
1.PCM/Dolby/dts. As of now, because of the latest codecs, Dolby/dts, are identical to the original source material, PCM samples, recordings, etc.

What does lossless mean?
1. Original, Uncompressed, Raw.

Not quite I'm afraid.

1) Dolby and dts are still Dolby and dts.
There are:

Dolby Digital (5.1)
Dolby Digital EX (matrixed 6th channel)
Dolby PLII
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby TrueHD
dts
dts:es matrix (6.1 matrix)
dts:es discreet (6.1 discreet)
dts 24/96
dts-hd
dts-ma

Dolby Digital is generally accepted as meaning 5.1, but can be used for any configuration: 1.0, 2.0, 2.1, 4.0, 4.1, 5.0, 5.1, etc.

2) Lossless does not mean uncompressed.

.flac, .ape, .shn, Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio (as well as a few other schemes) all use lossless compression.

[gvortex7]

Just ask crackinheadz. He is the newest mod and AV is his forte. Let him "earn his keep" a little.

[BluWave]

Different Cables and Connections capabilities

HDMI: Is capable of transfering 1080P video and 7.1 Ch audio - Digital Connection

DVI : Capable of passing 1080P video/ no Audio - Digital Connection

IEEE1394 ( Firewire) : Capable of transfering High definition video, digital Audio and typically allows communication between devices.- Analog style connection

Component Video, ( Y Pr Pb ) or as the Enemy Toshiba calls it Color stream: Is used to transfer non full HD video content only. It was the HD video standard for a good 8 years.

S-Video,( Super Video, Seperated Video) : Capable of passing 400 lines of resolution of strictly video. This connection seperates the Chromus and Luminence of the picture.

Composite Video ( RCA ): Yellow is designed for transfering low resolution video and the red and white is the left and right analog audio connections.

Optical cable : Digital audio connection typically used between optical drive devices. Uses a pulsating light path to transfer information.

Digital Coax : Digital audio connection typically used as a connection between
DVD/ BD players to Surround Receivers.This connection offers a more flexible application when it comes to custom installation vs optical as it can be field terminated.

RS 232: Connection typically used in high end application for control and communication between a component and a control device.

[Zaphod]

Originally Posted by jsteinhauer

One of my assistants comes to me sometimes with things he learned on Wikipedia, and I bust out laughing. DO NOT TRUST IT.

I definately don't trust Wikipedia, for anything but a guide for kind of getting a quick general overview on a topic. Typically their wiki's on technology (as long as it is about a technical aspect about a product or a technical process, meaning no brands associated with it) are a good way to get a brief description of what something does and how it accomplishes it.

[doctorsteve]

This is why I'd like to shop around to the experts and pass it through an idiot filter.

Not everyone may have it right, but even a right answer may have too much info for a Glossary submission. But since glossary submissions will have been checked by admin, mods - once they're in there they should be more "iron-clad".

And along with "Use the search function!" in the threads, we can start seeing "Look at the glossary entry for PCM"

Might free up space in the threads and minimize mmm, erroneous answers...

If any "experts" are willing to help me, please PM me and maybe we can work on specific entries for submission.

Oui?
Si?
O-Tay?

[red_5ive]

Here's what I found on Wikipedia:

PCM - Post Combat Maneuver. In aerial dog-fighting, any maneuver that is performed by either pilot after a head to head engangement, in an effort to gain an advantageous position.
Bitstream - A very small stream or inlet of water. Not a quite a big stream, but a bit stream.
Lossless - Nessie's older brother.
Bitrate - A very low rate on a loan (mortgage, auto, etc.).
Pulldown - an exercise designed to condition and/or develop the latissimus dorsi.

[Zaphod]

Originally Posted by red_5ive

Here's what I found on Wikipedia:

PCM - Post Combat Maneuver. In aerial dog-fighting, any maneuver that is performed by either pilot after a head to head engangement, in an effort to gain an advantageous position.
Bitstream - A very small stream or inlet of water. Not a quite a big stream, but a bit stream.
Lossless - Nessie's older brother.
Bitrate - A very low rate on a loan (mortgage, auto, etc.).
Pulldown - an exercise designed to condition and/or develop the latissimus dorsi.

Heh, heh

[doctorsteve]

When I Googled "pulldown", a website with Cartman's mom popped up and asked for my credit card number...

[doctorsteve]

With JadedRaverLA's explanation to me, I've written submissions for PCM, Bitstream, and Compression. Could I get an Expert volunteer to review them before I submit them? I'll PM them to you...

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by BluWave

Component Video, ( Y Pr Pb ) or as the Enemy Toshiba calls it Color stream: Is used to transfer non full HD video content only. It was the HD video standard for a good 8 years.

S-Video,( Super Video, Seperated Video) : Capable of passing 400 lines of resolution of strictly video. This connection seperates the Chromus and Luminence of the picture.

This is incorrect.

Component is capable of 1080p, it's the devices that most often do not. There are a handful of sets out there that allow for 1080p across component, like those HP Wobulation sets that were out two years ago.

S Video is not limited to 400 lines otherwise it wouldn't be NTSC certified or PAL certified.

It is capable of a PAL signal, which is 576i.