Technology Definitions
Technology changes so fast, and so does all the "terminology" associated with it. In this section, we help you understand the basics of Audio-Video Technology. If you have a question about something that's not listed here, send us an email and we'll help you sort it all out.
Entry Level Surround is typically located in a den or great room with basic television, five speakers, and a subwoofer.
The Media Room is generally located in a great room, game room, or family room. The room typically consists of a large rear projection or plasma television and dedicated audio equipment. Depending on room size, some media rooms can accommodate overhead front projectors and seven-channel surround sound.
The Private Cinema is dedicated for the sole purpose of screening films, and/or listening to music in an intimate, family-friendly environment. This type of entertainment usually requires more extensive audio engineering. Room size, décor, acoustics, and equipment placement are all designed around the concept of maximum viewing and listening pleasure.
A Screening Room is a private cinema that is designed to seat between 20 and 45 people.
A generic term for a device that is similar to a VCR but records data in a digital format on a hard drive. A DVR (sometimes called a PVR) looks like a VCR and has the ability to skip to any part of a program without having to rewind or fast forward.
The level of resolution directly affects picture quality. The higher the resolution, the more picture detail there is.
The Dedicated Listening Room is very similar to a private cinema, but for 2-channel or multi-channel audio listening purposes. Typically no video signal is used.
Cinema Quest offers several lines of custom furniture, tailored to fit your room perfectly. Offering everything from custom home-theater chairs to customized cabinetry, Cinema Quest can insure your room will be exactly what you dreamed it would be.
The multimedia server gives you the ability to store, manage, instantly locate, and play audio, video, and personal multimedia content throughout your home. Cover art is automatically downloaded from the Internet. You can create custom play lists to suit your every need.
The original impetus for HDTV came from wide-screen movies. Now we can enjoy High Definition Television in our homes and private cinemas. HDTV is high-resolution digital television (DTV) combined with Dolby Digital surround sound. It 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 equipment for reception by the consumer.
Never come home to a dark house again. Create personalized lighting moods and scenes with ease. Operate lights for safety, comfort, and energy savings. At bedtime, turn off all lights with a touch of a button, and replay lighting habits while you are on vacation.
Close all shades in the house with the touch of a button. Block harmful UV rays with sheer shades that automatically close during the brightest part of the day. Great for home theater or media rooms to block ambient light.
Connect your personal computer to the Internet with a high-speed cable or DSL modem. Link your computer to the children’s computer and share devices or play interactive games. Move about with freedom using wireless Access points for laptop connectivity.
Watch the same movie on all TV’s in the home with a single DVD player. Watch the baby’s room from the kitchen TV set while you are cooking dinner. Check to see who is at the front door without getting out of your chair.
Sleep soundly knowing you and your family are protected by a state of the art security system. All lights come on during an alarm so you can exit safely and ward off intruders. Monitored 24 hours a day by a UL certified central station.
Listen to different music sources in every room of your home. Change music source and volume from individual keypads on the wall or by remote control.
