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PureAV Glossary

5.1-channel, 6.1-channel, and 7.1-channel Surround Sound

Most home theatre systems utilise 5.1-channel surround sound consisting of three speakers (or channels) across the front (left, centre and right), two speakers in the back (left and right) and a subwoofer. The subwoofer is specifically for low frequency sounds like the 'boomy' bass sounds from an explosion in an action scene or a bass drum in music. Since the subwoofer doesn't carry the full range of frequencies as the rest of the speakers/channels, it's considered the ".1" in 5.1. 6.1-channel surround sound adds a centre-rear speaker to the 5.1 speaker arrangement. 7.1 adds two side speakers to the 5.1 arrangement. Dolby® Digital and DTS® are the prevalent audio formats for surround sound.

Analogue audio minijacks

Used primarily on portable devices like mp3 players and on computer sound cards. Most minijack outputs are stereo, but some output only a single mono channel.

Coax protection

There are two types of coaxial connections on PureAV Power Protection products: one for satellite systems (such as DirecTV or Dish Network) and one for cable TV and outdoor antennas. The satellite system connection is designed especially to handle the higher voltage satellite systems send between the dish and the satellite receiver.

Coaxial digital/Digital Coaxial audio

Similar in purpose to the Optical Digital jack, but using a different type of connector, the coaxial digital jack delivers audio including 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 surround sound. The coaxial digital jack has an RCA connector, which is different than the connector used on an RF Coaxial Analogue jack and is specially designed for the higher demands of digital signals.

Component video

Easily confused with the similar sounding "Composite Video," a Component Video connection involves a set of 3 cables: 2 cables to handle the colour (aka chrominance) and 1 to handle the brightness (aka luminance). PureAV Component Video cables are colour coded (red, green and blue) for easy identification when hooking up your components. Component connections are found on most DVD players and HDTVs and on mid- to upper-level AV receivers. Generally superior quality to S-video, but not quite as good as DVI or HDMI. For more on how the different video formats compare, check out "Source-To-Sense."

Composite video

Unlike Component video's 3-cable method, Composite video is a single cable, typically colour coded yellow for easy differentiation from similar looking audio cables. Composite video cables are designed specifically to handle video signals. Composite video does a capable job of delivering a good picture via a single cable, but there are several higher quality choices. See "Source-To-Sense" for more information on which type is best for you.

Custom Delay/Time Delay

Allows selected components to be turned on after other components. Most commonly used to avoid the annoying and potentially damaging speaker "thump" created by high-current amplifiers.

DVI (Digital Visual Interface)

DVI is one of the best methods for delivering video digitally and is available on most HDTV tuners and HDTV-ready televisions as well as on many DVD players, mid- to upper-level AV receivers and newer computer monitors. PureAV DVI Dual Link Cables are designed to handle all HDTV formats, including the highest resolution currently available, 1080p. DVI is an encrypted format so you can't record a signal delivered via DVI. However, you can use DVI for your TV and an Analogue video format (such as component video or S-video) to record to a DVR or DVD recorder. For more on how the different video formats compare, check out "Source-To-Sense."

Electromagnetic interference

Typically experienced as a loud buzzing or low frequency hum coming from the speakers. Numerous household appliances, either in your home or nearby can cause this, primarily those with electric motors like vacuums, washing machines or electric garden tools like mowers, trimmers and clippers.

FireWire

Also known as IEEE 1394 or i.LINK, FireWire is a two-way digital connection between computers and peripherals like digital camcorders and cameras. Most equipment uses 4-pin FireWire ports and connectors, but some peripherals use a 6-pin version. PureAV offers both types plus a hybrid 4-to-6 pin interconnect.

Ground fault

An electrical short caused by a circuit being grounded somewhere other than at your home's proper grounding source. Faulty or damaged wiring are the typical causes of a ground fault. Left unrepaired, a ground fault can lead to serious electrical problems. If a ground fault is detected, it's a good idea to have a licensed electrician check it out.

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)

HDMI is the current state-of-the-art in delivering the highest quality video and audio through a single cable. HDMI can send high definition video (HDTV) as well as surround sound. Most recent HDTV television and mid- to upper-end home theatre receivers and DVD players offer HDMI connections. HDMI is also compatible with most DVI connections for video so if you have, say a DVD player with DVI output and a plasma TV with HDMI input, you can use an HDMI-to-DVI cable to connect them, although you will need a separate connection for the audio, such as optical digital or coaxial digital. HDMI is an encrypted format so you can't record a signal delivered via HDMI. However, you can use HDMI for your TV and an Analogue video format (such as component video or S-video) to record to a DVR or DVD recorder. For more on how the different video formats compare, check out "Source-To-Sense."

Joules

The higher the joule rating, the better the protection. The technical answer: One joule is equal to the work done when a one amp of current is passed through a resistance of one ohm for one second. For example, a 100-watt light bulb uses 100 joules every second.

Mini-optical/Mini-Toslink

Used on portable audio devices, especially MiniDisc recorders, for digital audio, including surround sound in some cases. See Optical digital. This type of jack is commonly used for the digital audio input and output of portable audio devices. A mini-optical jack is the same shape and size as a standard Analogue audio minijack. This allows portable MiniDisc recorders to use a single input jack that accepts both mini-optical connectors and standard Analogue audio minijacks. The MD portable detects whether you're making a digital or an Analogue connection based on the type of cable you're using, and automatically selects the appropriate recording mode.

Optical digital (Toslink)

The most common type of digital audio connection on DVD players, AV receivers and PC soundcards with surround sound capability. Sometimes labelled "SPDIF," these connectors utilise fibre optics to deliver the digital audio signal.

Over-voltage

A power surge that happens when high-current items like air conditioners are switched off. The suddenly surplus voltage is dissipated across the rest of the circuit and can sometimes far exceed the peak current of your electronic equipment.

Radio frequency interference

Typically experienced as "snow" in a TV screen or "pops" in your speakers, there are numerous sources of radio interference. Some sources are nearby like CB or Ham radios, or cell phones. Other sources can be far away like radio stations, microwave towers and the like.

RCA jacks (Analogue)

The basic method for passing Analogue mono and stereo audio between devices such as CD players, turntables, VCRs and DVD players. While there are higher quality types of audio connections available, older components, especially CD players, often only offer RCA jacks. For more information on which audio connections offer the best performance, check out "Source-To-Sense."

RF coaxial Analogue

Also known as "75 ohm input" or simply "coaxial input," this is the basic connector for hooking up antennas, cable boxes, VCRs and TVs. This connector carries both video and audio (though only stereo, not surround sound). For more information on better choices, visit our "Source To Sense" guide.

S-video

Virtually all DVD players, most satellite receivers and AV receivers and most newer TVs have S-video connections. In the "Good-Better-Best" scenario of choices, S-video is somewhere between 'Good' and 'Better.' Utilising a round, 4-pin connector, S-video provides better picture quality than RF Coaxial or Composite video, but not as good as Component video or the two digital formats, DVI and HDMI. For more on how the different video formats compare, check out "Source-To-Sense."

Speaker Cable

Speaker cable consists of two leads, one for the positive signal, and one for the negative. PureAV speaker cable is marked (+) and (-) to help ensure proper polarity. In addition to the standard round speaker cable, PureAV also offers flat speaker cable that makes it easy to run along baseboards and under carpets, which is especially useful when setting up a surround sound system. While speaker cable can be used without connectors by simply stripping off the insulation at the ends and wrapping the bare wire around the speaker terminals, it's not the best solution for long term performance due to corrosion and risks of short circuits (due to the positive and negative wires touching). See Speaker wire connectors for better solutions.

Speaker wire connectors

PureAV speaker wire connectors are specially designed to ensure optimal contact while remaining corrosion-free. All PureAV speaker cables come with Pin-type connectors that work great with spring clip speaker terminals as well as with binding posts. Available separately, PureAV Banana plugs an ideal choice for binding post terminals since they are so easy to install. Banana plugs have a flexible metal collar that compresses when you insert it in the binding post, resulting in a strong connection.

Super VGA

Also sometimes referred to as RGB (D-sub 15-pin), Super VGA cables are used to connect a computer to a projector, computer monitor, plasma TV, LCD TV or other digital flat panel TV's. Super VGA provides high quality Analogue video by separating the video signal into 3 parts which allows for exceptionally clear and bright images.

Switched outlet

An AC outlet that delivers power only when the power protection component is turned on. Some A/V receivers have switched outlets, but rarely with the added power protection features that PureAV Power Protection components provide.

UL listed

UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories Inc., an independent, non-profit, product safety testing and certification organisation. Since 1894, UL has been one of the leaders in testing products for public safety. If a product is UL listed, it has been tested and approved by the laboratory.

Under-voltage

Sort of like a "brown out" when insufficient voltage is available to properly run an electrical device. This can be particularly damaging to devices that have motors like DVD players and VCRs . Typically caused when too many electrical devices are trying to draw power at the same time. Under Voltage is a very common problem during hot weather.

Unswitched outlet

An AC outlet that delivers power all the time, as long as the device with the outlet has power to it. Useful for components that have memory.

UPS (uninterruptible power supply)

A battery backup that will continue to deliver power during brief outages. Highly recommended for components that have extensive personalised settings such as high-end AV receivers, HDTV's, and media centres.

USB

USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports are on virtually every PC and Mac made in the past 5 years (and on many that are older than that). A USB connection is often used to connect digital camcorders, digital cameras, mp3 players and other portable A/V devices as well as more recent products like digital media servers to a home theatre system. There are a few types of USB connectors. The USB Type A connector plugs into the USB port on your computer. The USB Type B connector plugs into a peripheral device (such as a monitor or printer). Compact devices like cameras and mp3 players typically have smaller USB jacks called a mini USB. All USB cables have a Type A connector on one end (for the computer) and either a Type B or mini USB connector on the other end.

Voltage spike

This is what most people think of when they realise they need surge protection. Typically caused by lightning or when the power suddenly comes back on after an outage. Power spikes like this often result in serious damage to electronic components.