A

Acetate: Transparency film for overhead projectors (see OHP)

AV: "Audio Visual", covering all aspects of audio (PA systems of various types, induction loop & IR hearing support systems) and visual / presentation / display products (including projection, flatscreen, CRT, and many other low and high tech forms of visual presentation technology)

B

Betamax: an alternative videocassette technology

Blu-ray: an alternative high definition optical disk format to HD DVD, both of which are at the forefront of current Home Cinema technology

C

Camcorder: Small format video camera, often handheld

Carousel Tray: To hold multiple slides in 35mm slide projector

C.C.T.V: Closed circuit television, usually part of a security system

Combi Unit: Combined Television and video or DVD player

D

DAT Recorder: Digital Audio Tape (see also Minidisc and Recording Equipment)

DDA: Disability Discrimination Act. Current legislation means that it is essential for organisations to provide certain facilities for employees or clients with disabilities.  Isis Audio Visuals can supply and install a range of hearing support systems (hearing induction loops & IR hearing support systems) to help you to comply with these regulations.

Document Camera: A camera system that can show objects or documents.  Often connected to presentation or videoconferencing systems.  Also used to show X-Ray and microscope images.  Main manufacturers include Samsung, Elmo and Wolfvision.  ( Also known as Object Cameras and Visualisers)

Drape Kit: Dark fabric surrounding larger screens (see Fastfold Screens)

DVD: Digital Versatile Disk

DVI: Digital Visual Interface

E

Electronic Whiteboard: Whiteboard with print interface (see also Interactive Whiteboards)

F

Fast-fold Screen: Large format screen (see also Drape Kit)

Flipchart: Easel with pad of portrait format paper for notetaking in meetings

G

Gyro Mouse: Wireless remote mouse

 

H

Headset Microphone: Type of radio microphone (see Radio Microphones)

HD DVD: an alternative high definition optical disk format to Blu-ray, both of which are at the forefront of current Home Cinema technology

HDMI: High Definition Multimedia Interface

I

Interactive Whiteboard: allow the presenter to interact with the computer presentation without having to touch the computer mouse or keyboard.  Brands include SmartBoard, CleverBoard, Promethean & Hitachi FX-Duo.  Usually used in conjunction with ceiling mounted projectors.  It is essential that neither the board or the projector move after setup, as they must be accurately configured prior to use

IP: Internet Protocol, used for communication with VC (videoconferencing) systems, IP cameras and other devices, a form of networking communication.  Also used by various other devices, including NTB (net-top-box) digital signage systems

IR: Infra Red - used to transmit commands from handsets, particularly on domestic level equipment.  Can be used to control AV devices from a control system using 'IR probes' that are attached to the IR receiver on the controlled device.  IR can be affected by environmental factors such as certain types of lighting (e.g. neon strips) and nearby plasma displays

ISDN: Communication line used for video conferencing (ISDN2).  This is rarely used now, with IP communication being much more common

L

Lapel Microphone: Radio microphone clipped to lapel or tie (see Radio Microphones)

Laser Pointer: A pointing device that allows the presenter to move a small red dot on screen – sometimes these are built into projector handsets

LCD Displays: An alternative flatscreen technology to Plasma Displays.  Much less prone to ‘screen burn’ than plasma displays

Lighting Control: Used to select or dim sections of lighting, often in conjunction with Touch Panels and Control Systems.  Manufacturers such as Lutron Lighting produce a range of lighting controllers

M

Matrix Switchers: Routes multiple audio/video signals to multiple outputs allowing you to have the ability to switch from any input signal to any output signal whenever needed

Minidisk Recorder: Used for basic audio recording in meeting rooms

Mixer: Part of a PA system or audio system used to correct sound levels (see PA Systems)

Multicore Cable: Large diameter cable with multiple smaller cables built in.  Also known as a Snake, this is often used in large PA System setups

 

N

 

NTB: 'Net-Top-Box' a range of digital signage products from Onelan.  This is a combined hardware / software digital signage product built on a Linux platform, connected to a computer network.  Access to the device over the network is via a standard web browser (Firefox, Internet Explorer or similar) which can address the NTB via the IP address assigned to the device on the network

NTSC: A standard for video and broadcasting used mainly in the US. In the UK the normal standard is PAL (see also PAL and SECAM)

O

Object Camera: A camera system that can show objects or documents.  Often connected to presentation or videoconferencing systems.  Also used to show X-Ray and microscope images.  Main manufacturers include Samsung, Elmo and Wolfvision.  ( Also known as Document Cameras and Visualisers)

OHP: Overhead Projector – these have largely been replaced by computer projectors, which are also known as Data Projectors (or sometimes as Beamers, LitePros or other terms)

P

PAL: A video standard that is used in the UK (see also NTSC and SECAM)

PA System: Public Address System, available as a portable or fixed installation (see also Radio Microphones & Mixer)

Plasma Screen: A flatscreen display device (see also LCD Displays)

Presentation Cabinets: Wall mounted or mobile cabinets incorporating screens, whiteboards and flipcharts. 

R

Radio Microphones: Wireless microphones, using either UHF or VHF frequency transmission.

Rail Systems: Sliding rail systems enable the walls of a meeting room to be used in a very flexible, space efficient way.  Screens, whiteboards, flipcharts are equipment supports can be suspended from the rail and moved along the rail to customize the room layout to the preferences of the presenter.  Rail equipment from Sahara, Pendax, Anders+Kern is available amongst others.  Please note: when ordering rail equipment, the brackets for the equipment must match the profile of the existing rail system

Rear Projection: A useful way to hide the projection equipment away from the audience – requires a special screen surface

Roleplay Equipment: Video recording / playback system used in training

RS-232 Control: A specific way of controlling AV devices using 9 pin serial cables

S

 

Scalers & Scan Converters: A scan converter changes the scan rate of a source video signal to fit the needs of a display device.  A scaler takes a video signal and converts it into a different resolution output.

Screens: available in a huge variety of formats, sizes and finishes.  These include portable and installation, manual and electric and are available in different aspect ratios for different applications.  Electric screens can be connected to control systems for full integrated room control.  Historically screens were available in high brightness (reflective) and parabolic formats.  With advances in projection technology these types of screen are not normally used.

SECAM: A video standard that is common in France and the Middle East (see also PAL & SECAM)

Slide Projector: 35mm projectors, now less common as computer projectors are more widely used (see Carousel Tray)

SmartBoard: A leading brand of Interactive Whiteboards.  Also available as an interactive overlay system for specific flatscreen technologies and as a small format flatscreen display (see Sympodium)

SVGA: Computer resolution of 800 x 600 pixels – now XGA (1,024 x 768) is the lowest resolution you would expect to encounter (see also VGA, XGA, WXGA, UXGA)

SXGA: Computer resolution of 1,280 x 1,024 pixels

Sympodium: A tablet version of an interactive SmartBoard system, which can be operated as a touch sensitive screen on the front desk

T

Talkback: a communication system to enable camera & lighting technicians and other AV / theatre / event crews to communicate during a live show

Tieclip Mic: tieclip microphone, a radio microphone that is attached to a speaker's lapel or tie

TFT Screens: Thin Film Transistor technology, a form of flatscreen technology (see also LCD Displays)

Touch Panels: Often used as a user-friendly front end for a Control System, these enable all aspects of a room to respond to the user touching the appropriate part of the screen surface.  At one touch the lighting can be dimmed, electric screen lowered, projector powered on and the correct source selected for the projection and audio systems.  Manufacturers such as AMX and Crestron are at the forefront of the control system market.  Alternative products are available, such as Procon panels, featuring push button technology, or the Pixie products which can be wall mounted.

U

UHF: Ultra High Frequency, a frequency band used for radio microphone transmitters and receivers (see also VHF).  Usually less affected by environmental factors than VHF radio mics, and often more reliable than VHF mics where there is not a clear line of sight

Unicol: Manufacturer of AV mounts, supports, stands and trolleys using universal fittings that in many cases are interchangeable

UXGA: Computer resolution of 1,600 x 1,200 pixels – now XGA (1,024 x 768) is the lowest resolution you would expect to encounter (see also VGA, XGA, WXGA, UXGA)

 

V

 

VCR: Video Cassette Recorder.  Now the DVD player has largely replaced these, however this is a standard, and video cameras are still used for Roleplay Equipment

VGA: Computer resolution of 640 x 480 pixels – now XGA (1,024 x 768) is the lowest resolution you would expect to encounter (see also SVGA, XGA, WXGA, UXGA)

VHF: Very High Frequency, a frequency band used for radio microphone transmitters and receivers (see also UHF)

Video Camera: now in many different formats, the humble video camera is often the preferred format for Roleplay Training (see Roleplay Equipment).  Supplied with a camera tripod and using standard video tapes, this will play back on any normal VCR.  Cameras using more modern storage technologies have many advantages, but are less standard

Visualisers: A camera system that can show objects or documents.  Often connected to presentation or videoconferencing systems.  Also used to show X-Ray and microscope images.  Main manufacturers include Samsung, Elmo and Wolfvision.  ( Also known as Document Cameras and Object Cameras)

W

Whiteboard: A more modern version of the old blackboard, used with dry wipe pens.  Also available with integrated printers (see Electronic Whiteboards) and as full interactive systems (see Interactive Whiteboards)

Wireless Projectors: Allows a presentation to be sent to a projector without cables, using a wireless transmission card.  Despite the attractiveness of this proposition for many users, in fact there are complications and limitations to consider.

X

 

XGA: Computer resolution of 1,024 x 768 pixels – now XGA this is the lowest resolution you would expect to encounter (see also VGA, SVGA, WXGA, UXGA)