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The digital age has brought a lot of new terms, words, and expressions into our daily lives, but what do they all mean? This glossary will help you to learn and understand them.
| 480i/480p |
Indicates the number of scanning lines and scanning format of an image signal.
480i indicates 480 scanning lines with interlace format, and 480p indicates 480 scanning lines with progressive format. |
| 576i/576p |
Indicates the number of scanning lines and scanning format of an image signal.
576i indicates 576 scanning lines with interlace format, and 576p indicates 576 scanning lines with progressive format. |
1080i/1080p
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Indicates the number of scanning lines and scanning format of an image signal.
1080i indicates 1080 scanning lines with interlace format, and 1080p indicates 1080 scanning lines with progressive format. 1080i and 1080p are considered to be HDTV modes.
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| All-Write |
A technology specially developed by Lite-On for its DVD recorder that enables to record to DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, and CD-R/RW discs. With this technology you do not have to worry about compatibility and you have more versatile options for all recording purposes. |
| Aspect Ratio |
Aspect ratio refers to the length to height ratio of TV screens.
The ratio of a standard TV is 4:3, while the ratio of a high-definition or wide TV is 16:9. The letter box allows you to enjoy a picture with a wider perspective. |
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| BD-R |
Recordable Blu-ray Disc format, similar to CD-R and DVD+R/-R, for HD Video recording and data storage.
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BD-RE
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Rewritable Blu-ray Disc format, similar to CD-RW and DVD+RW/-RW, for HD Video recording and data storage.
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BD-ROM
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Read only Blu-ray Disc format, similar to CD-ROM and DVD-ROM, intended for HD movies, games, and software distribution.
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| Bit Stream |
The digital form of multi-channel audio data (e.g., 5.1-channel) before it is decoded into its various channels.
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Blu-ray
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Blu-ray Disc (BD) is developed to enable recording, rewriting and playback of High Definition (HD) video, as well as storing large amounts of data. The format offers more than five times the storage capacity of traditional DVDs and can hold up to 25 GB on a Single-Layer disc and 50 GB on a Dual-Layer disc.
The name Blu-ray is derived from the underlying technology, which utilizes a blue-violet laser to read and write data. This blue laser has a much shorter wavelength than the current red laser DVD system, which makes it possible to read and write smaller pits. As a result, Blu-ray Discs can hold more data on a single sided single layer 12 cm disc.
As with conventional CDs and DVDs, the Blu-ray Disc format will provide a wide range of formats of ROM (BD-ROM), Recordable (BD-R), and Rewritable (BD-RE).
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| Book type |
The book type is a writing mode of a DVD+RW disc or a DVD+R disc. It is a collection of bits within the lead-in section of a disc that tell your drive which type of media it is reading. For example, DVD+RW disc can be recorded as +RW type or ROM type, while DVD+R disc can be recorded as +R or ROM type.
Not every DVD-ROM or DVD player can read DVD+RW or DVD+ discs, and will give a 'disc error' message when a disc is not marked as DVD-ROM in its book type. To enhance the reading compatibility of the media you need to change the book type.
Download the BookType / Bitsetting utility in the download section to change the book type of a disc with your Lite-On drive.
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| Buffer |
A buffer is a digital memory unit that is used to temporarily store either input or output data. DVD recorders/players/writers read data from the disc in advance of when the data is needed for translation into video and audio. This data is stored in the buffer and extracted from the buffer when needed. Such a buffer is necessary because data, for example video frames, are not stored in sequence on an optical disc and because these frames are encoded in widely varying sizes.
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| Buffer underrun |
Buffer underrun occurs when a buffer, a digital memory unit that is used for temporary storage of either input or output data, is storing data at a slower speed than the speed at which data is being read from it. This causes the device that is reading from it, such as a DVD writer in a recording process, to pause, waiting for the buffer to refill. When this happens too often, it can cause the recording process to fail. This is a so-called buffer underrun error. Specially designed technology like Smart-Burn will optimize the writing speed eliminating buffer underrun errors.
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| CD |
CD stands for Compact Disc.
A CD is an optical disc that can hold up to 700 MB of data or 80 minutes of music. Data is stored on the disc as small notches, which represent 1's and 0's. These notches are read and translated into useable data by a laser from an optical drive.
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| CD-R |
CD-R stands for Compact Disc Recordable.
A CD-R disc is a blank CD where data can be recorded. A CD-R can typically hold 700 MB of data or 80 minutes of music and the data that is recorded to the disc is permanent, which means it cannot be altered or erased.
Some authoring software programs can record data as "sessions", which means you can write multiple times to a CD-R disc until it is full.
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| CD-RW |
CD-RW stands for Compact Disc Re-Writable.
A CD-RW is a blank CD that can be written to multiple times. However, once data is burned it cannot be changed, only erased. In order to add or change data the whole CD-RW has to be erased completely every time.
CD-RW is a perfect medium when you want to make frequent backups.
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| Chapter / Title |
Chapter is the smallest division and title is the largest division on a DVD VIDEO.
A chapter is a division of a title and similar to a track for Video CD or Audio CD.
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| Component Video |
Video signals with three channels of separate information that make up the picture.
There are some types of component video, such as R/G/B and Y/Cb(Pb)/Cr(Pr).
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| Composite Video |
A single video signal commonly used in most consumer video products that contains all luminance, color, and synchronization information.
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| CPU |
CPU stands for Central Processing Unit.
The CPU is the brain of your computer. It processes everything from basic instructions to complex functions. It is often referred to simply as the "processor."
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| Disc at Once |
This burning process writes all of the data to a disc in one time and automatically closes the session and disc after the writing process is complete. In this mode, new data added later is not allowed.
This burning process is very suitable when you want to create an exact copy of a disc. This mode does not add 2-second gaps between tracks as the track-at-once recording does.
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| DivX® |
A video codec created by DivX, Inc.
DivX® compresses lengthy video segments into smaller bits while balancing the visual quality against the workability of the total size of the data. Over the past years, DivX® has become very popular due to its relative high quality and less space consuming characteristics.
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| DivX® VOD |
DivX® VOD (video-on-demand) service is designed to protect copyrights of digital videos. Through an online registration process, DivX® VOD prevents unauthorized downloads or file sharing.
For more information, please visit: http://www.divx.com/vod.
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| Dolby Digital® |
A six-channel system consisting of left, center, right, left rear, right rear and LFE (Low-Frequency Effect channel, for use with a sub-woofer) channels.
It requires a Dolby Digital® decoder, either in the player or in an external receiver to regenerate the sound. All processing is done in the digital domain.
Not all Dolby Digital discs contain six (5.1) channels of information.
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| Drive |
Related to computers and CD/DVD Recording, drive is basically a popular term for mass storage devices. For example: hard disk drive, floppy disk drive, CD-ROM drive, DVD-RW drive, etc.
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| Driver |
A driver is a small file with information that helps the computer to recognize and control a certain hardware device.
Unlike firmware, a driver it is not embedded in the hardware device, but located on your computers hard disk.
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| DTS® (Digital Theater Systems) |
DTS® stands for Digital Theater Systems.
DTS® is a Digital Surround audio encoding format configured with six (5.1) channels, similar to DolbyDigital®.
It requires a DTS® decoder, either in the player or in an external receiver to regenerate the sound. All processing is done in the digital domain.
Not all DTS discs contain six (5.1) channels of information.
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| DV |
DV stands for Digital Video and is one of the most used standards for consumer and semiprofessional video production.
Most DV devices support Firewire connections. For instance, a DV camcorder can be connected to your DVD recorder through Firewire to allow the video and audio to be transferred without any loss of quality. DV must be transcoded to MPEG-2 video in order to be used on a DVD.
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| DVD |
DVD stands for Digital Versatile Disc.
A DVD is a high-capacity optical disc that looks like a CD, but can store much more information. DVDs are mostly used to store Video content.
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| DVD-R |
DVD-R is a recordable disc that is the same size as a DVD-Video.
Contents can be recorded only once to a DVD-R, and will have the same format as a DVD-Video.
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| DVD-RAM |
DVD-RAM stands for Digital Versatile Disc Random Access Memory.
DVD-RAM is a writable DVD format. A DVD-RAM disc can be erased and rewritten like the DVD-RW and DVD+RW formats.
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| DVD-RW |
DVD-RW is a recordable and rewritable disc that is the same size as a DVD-Video.
DVD-RW has two different modes: VR mode and Video mode. DVD created in video mode has the same format as a DVD-Video, while discs created in VR (Video Recording) mode allow the contents to be programmed or edited
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| DVD+R |
DVD+R is a recordable disc that is the same size as a DVD-Video.
Contents can be recorded only once to a DVD+R, and will have the same format as a DVD-video.
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| DVD+RW |
DVD+RW is a recordable and rewritable disc.
Recording can be erased and you can record on the same disc again for the maximum of 1,000 times. DVD+RW use a recording format that is comparable to a DVD-Video format.
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| Easy Guider |
Easy Guider is an advanced user-friendly interface that has been specially developed by Lite-On to make DVD recorders more user-friendly and easy to use. Easy Guider uses an intuitive graphical menu system which, at the press of a few buttons, guides you step-by-step through all the major features available.
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| EZ-DUB |
EZ-DUB is a patented technology that has been developed by Lite-On for its external DVD writers. EZ-DUB enables you to copy your favorite discs and instantly back up your valuable data with the touch of a button, so you will not have the need to go through complicated burning software.
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| Finalize |
In CD/DVD recording, finalize is the process that finishes a recording. Extra data is written to the disc, so you can play it on other, most of the time older standalone CD and DVD players.
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| Firmware |
Firmware is a software program or a programmable set of instructions that is embedded in a hardware device. Simply put, the Firmware forms the "brains" of a hardware device and enables the device to communicate with other hardware devices.
Because firmware is usually stored in flash memory chips it can be updated or changed.
Refer to the download section for updated firmware for your Lite-On product.
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| Flash Memory |
Flash memory is a programmable memory circuit that is housed in a hardware device. It can be erased or rewritten. Flash memory is typically used for storing data or small software programs in a wide range of electrical appliance such as DVD burners, digital cameras, cell phones, etc.
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| Format |
The term "Format" used in relation to CD/DVD recording means to erase everything stored on a disc and to bring it back to a blank condition.
In some cases with new equipment, you have to format new discs before you can use them. Formatting in this case will make the disc able to work with the files of the operating system of the equipment.
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| Hard disk |
The hard disk is a spindle of magnetic disks where data on a computer is magnetically recorded and stored. Because the data is stored magnetically, it stays on your computer after you turn off your computer. The hard disk is housed inside the hard drive that communicates with the CPU.
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| Hard drive |
Hard drive is a short name for hard disk drive (HDD).
The hard disk is the disk inside the hard drive that physically stores data. The hard drive reads and writes data from and to this disk when instructed by your computers CPU.
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| HDCP |
HDCP stands for High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection.
HDCP is a form of digital rights management (DRM) developed by Intel Corporation to control digital audio and video content as it travels across Digital Visual Interface (DVI) or High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connections.
HDCP's main target is to prevent transmission of non-encrypted high definition content.
HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc playback devices allow content providers to set an Image Constraint Token (ICT) flag that will only output full-resolution digital signals using HDCP. If such a player is connected to a non-HDCP-enabled television set and the content is flagged, the player will output a downsampled 480p signal. For computers systems this flagging means that playback of HD content will not be possible unless there is an HDCP compliant monitor and a HDCP compliant graphics card. This kind of hardware are becoming more widespread available.
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HDMI
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HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface.
It is a new connection standard which can be found on displays like HDTV's and sources like DVD recorders and A/V-receivers.
It is the first and only digital industry-supported interface for consumer electronics that can transfer uncompressed high resolution video and high definition multi-channel audio (up to 8 channels) through a single cable.
The HDMI connection simply transfers the High Resolution signal to the HDTV without loosing any quality enabling resolutions up to four times as high as "regular" standard definition signals, making the picture quality far more detailed. |
| HDTV |
HDTV stands for High Definition TV.
High Definition TV is high-resolution digital television combined with Dolby Digital surround sound (AC-3). HDTV is the highest DTV resolution in the new set of standards. This combination creates a stunning image with stunning sound.
HDTV requires new production and transmission equipment at the HDTV stations, as well as new television equipment for reception by the consumer.
The formats used in HDTV are: 720p, 1080i, and 1080p. |
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| IDE |
IDE stands for Integrated Device Electronics.
It is the most widely used hard drive interface on the market.
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| Image copy |
Image copy is a copying method where an image is produced of the original disc on the hard drive. Only after the image building process is completed, the burning process will start.
This method requires that you have sufficient free space on your hard drive, as the image is temporarily stored there during the process.
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Interlace Output |
NTSC, the video signal standard, has 480 interlaced (I) scan lines, The Interlaced scanning system places lines of the second half of the picture in-between lines of the first half of the picture.
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| JPEG |
A popular file format for still image compression and storage.
JPEG stands for 'Joint Photographic Experts Group' There are two sub-types of the JPEG format as follows:
- Baseline JPEG: used for digital cameras, the web, etc.
- Lossless JPEG: an old type, rarely used now.
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| Lead-in |
This is the portion of the CD/DVD information that precedes the data area.
The lead-in helps your burner or player to know where the data area starts.
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| Lead-out |
This is the portion of the CD/DVD information that follows the data area.
The lead-out tells your burner or player that it has reached the end of the data area, or it has gone too far if it is seeking data sectors.
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| LightScribe |
LightScribe is a recording technology that has been developed by Hewlett-Packard (HP). LightScribe uses recordable discs with special coatings to create professional looking laser-etched Labels. The coating on a LightScribe disc changes color when it's exposed to the CD/DVD drive's laser. In order to burn LightScribe certified discs you need a DVD writer that is LightScribe compatible.
For more information about LightScribe, please visit: http://www.lightscribe.com.
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| Linear PCM Audio |
PCM stands for 'Pulse Code Modulation'.
Linear PCM is the usual method for digitally encoding audio without compression, and is used for the audio tracks on DVD VIDEO discs, Audio CDs, etc.
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| MP3 |
MP3 (MPEG1 audio layer 3) is a compressed audio file format.
Files are recognized by their file extension .mp3 or .MP3.
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| MPEG |
MPEG stands for 'Motion Picture Experts Group'.
This is an international standard for compression of moving images. On some DVDs, digital audio has been compressed and recorded in this format.
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| Multi session |
This burning process creates multiple virtual discs on a single disc. This means that each session is separated. For each session a lead-in, program area, and lead-out are created.
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| NTSC |
The initials stand for National Television Standards Committee.
This is the committee that established the standards for television systems in the United States. The NTSC standard broadcasts 525 or 480 lines of resolution per second and 30 frames per second of refresh rate, 60 Hz field frequency. NTSCTV system is widely used in USA, Canada, Latin America and Taiwan.
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| On-The-Fly |
On-The-Fly is a copying method where data is directly read from the original disc and written to a blank disc during the copy process.
This method does not make a copy of the original disc to the hard drive first and requires that you have at least two drives installed of which at least one is a writer.
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| PAL |
PAL (Phase Alteration Line) is the color television broadcast standard throughout the Western Europe (except in France, where SECAM is the standard), Australia, China, Singapore and Malaysia.
It has 625 lines of vertical resolution per second and 25 frames per second refresh rate, 50 Hz field frequency.
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| PBC |
Playback Control.
A special feature that enables interactive use on a Video CD or Super VCD.
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| PDC |
PDC stands for Program Delivery Control.
PDC is a signal sent by the TV station a few moments before a broadcasting will start to tell your recording device when it has to begin recording. PDC is often a function that can be enabled on a recording device. When enabled, the recording device will wait for the signal. Even when the program starts earlier or later than scheduled, it should begin recording at the correct time.
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| Progressive scan |
A video display method which describes a whole picture frame at a time in contrast with interlaced output.
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| SATA |
SATA stands for Serial ATA.
Serial ATA is a computer bus technology primarily designed for transfer of data to and from a hard disk. Your optical storage drive is connected through such a connection with the hard disk.
SATA is the successor of PATA (Parallel ATA) and has advantages that it is faster than PATA and connects through a single connection. In the future more and more Lite-On drives will be equipped with SATA instead of PATA. |
| Session at Once |
This burning process writes all of the data to a disc in one time, but does not close the disc after the process is complete. New sessions can be added later in this mode until the disc is full or the disc is closed. The sessions are not separated.
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| ShowView |
A programming system for video recorders developed by Gemstar TV-Guide International. Also known as Video Plus+ in the UK.
With Showview/Video Plus+, you can instantly schedule recordings or TV shows by entering a set of numbers corresponding to a specific TV program, its broadcast channel and time.
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| Smart-Burn |
Smart-Burn is a recording technology that has been developed by Lite-On for its CD/DVD writers. Smart-Burn eliminates buffer under-run errors and optimizes writing speeds for all media.
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| Smart-X |
Smart-X is a playback technology that has been developed by Lite-On for its CD/DVD writers. Smart-X sets the optimum speed for playback including high performance data extraction for smooth and stable audio reproduction.
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| Smart-Write |
Smart-Write is a recording technology developed by Lite-On.
SmartWrite optimizes the writing strategy for each particular writing session. Through the drive's self learning mechanism, it automatically detects and decides the optimal write strategy for DVD±R recordable media to get the best quality burns. With Smart-Write it is also possible to increase the maximum writing speed of media. |
| Super AllWrite |
A technology specially developed for its DVD writers by Lite-On that enables to record to DVD-RAM, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, and CD-R/RW discs. With this technology you do not have to worry about compatibility and you have more versatile options for all recording purposes.
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| S-Video |
A video signal, which improves picture quality over standard composite connections.
Used on Super VHS, DVD, high end TV monitors, etc.
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| Time Shift (Pause Live TV) |
A popular feature for DVD recorders with hard disk drive. This feature enables you to "virtually" freeze a live TV show. When pressing the Time Shift button on your remote control the picture will be frozen while the show will be instantly recorded on the hard disk drive. At any time you are able to resume viewing. With this feature you never have to miss anything from a show again.
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| Track |
SVCD, VCD, Audio CD discs use tracks to divide up the content of a disc. |
| Track at Once |
This burning process writes data to a disc, one track at a time, with a maximum of 99 tracks.
This burning process is very suitable when compiling audio/music CDs. New tracks can be added later until the disc is closed, free disc capacity runs out, or the maximum of 99 tracks/songs is reached. This mode also automatically places 2-second gaps between tracks.
Please note that music CDs cannot be played in a CD/DVD player or DVD/CD-ROM until the disc is closed.
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| USB |
USB stands for Universal Serial Bus.
USB is the most common type of computer port used in today's computers. It can be used to connect all kinds of devices to a computer e.g., keyboards, printers, scanners, digital cameras, DVD writers, etc.
The USB 1.1 specification supports data transfer rates of up to 12Mb/sec and USB 2.0 has a maximum transfer rate of 480 Mb/sec. A 16X DVD-ROM for example works with a data transfer of approximately 170 Mbit/s.
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| Video Plus+ |
See ShowView. |
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| WAV/Wave |
A standard audio format used for computers and developed by IBM and Microsoft. Wav/Wave files come with the extension .wav.
Unlike MP3 or WMA this format is not compressed and keeps all the sample of an audio track. Professional users or audio experts may use the WAV format for maximum audio quality.
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| WMA |
WMA stands for 'Windows Media Audio', an audio codec standard proposed by Microsoft. Music/audio files, which are compressed using this standard, come with the file extension, .wma or .WMA.
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Glossary 
