Specifications

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Appendix A: Glossary
Menu
A list of selectable options displayed on the screen.
NTSC Video
A video output format of some video tape and disk players. There are two types of NTSC
(National Television Standards Committee) video: NTSC 3.58 and NTSC 4.43. NTSC 3.58
is used primarily in North America and Japan. NTSC 4.43 is less commonly used.
Optical Screen
A type of rear-projection screen which re-directs light through the screen to increase
image brightness in front of the screen. Screen gain is usually greater than 1 but audience
viewing angles are reduced.
PAL Video
PAL (Phase Alternating Line) video is a 50 Hz standard with 768 x 576 resolution. It is
found on some video tape and disk players (used primarily in Europe, China and some
South American and African countries).
Pixel
The smallest discernible element of data from a computer-generated image.
Pixel Phase
The phase of the pixel sampling clock relative to incoming data.
Pixel Tracking
The frequency of the pixel sampling clock, indicated by the number of pixels per line.
Projector-to-Screen
Distance
The distance between the projector’s lens and the screen. Also called “Throw Distance”.
Protocol
The syntax used by the communication system.
Pull-down List
A selectable menu item that unfolds into a list of options pertaining to it.
Rear Screen
A translucent panel for screen projection. Incident light travels through the incident surface
of a rear screen and forms an image on the other surface.
Resizing
The ability to manipulate through software commands the physical size, placement and/or
aspect ratio of an image.
Resolution (lens)
The maximum number of alternate white and black horizontal lines that can be
distinguished on a screen when a photographic target is placed between the lens and a
light source and illuminated by that source.
Resolution (projector)
The maximum number of pixels that the projector can display horizontally and vertically
across an image, such as 1024 x 768 (called XGA).
Retrace Time
(Horizontal)
The minimum time required for a CRT projector to move the position of the scanning spot
from the right edge to the left edge.
Rise Time
The time required by the video amplifier of the projector to increase its output from 10% to
90% of the maximum value.
RGB Video
The video output (analog or digital) of most computers. Analog RGB video can have 3, 4,
or 5 wires — one each for red, green, and blue, and either none, one or two for sync. For
three-wire RGB, the green wire usually provides sync. (See TTL Video).
RS-232
A common asynchronous data transmission standard recommended by the Electronics
Industries Association (EIA). Also called serial communication.
RS-422
A less common asynchronous data transmission standard in which balanced differential
voltage is specified. RS-422 is especially suited to long distances.
S-Video
The output from certain video tape players and video equipment. S-Video separates sync
and luminance from color information, typically producing a higher quality display than
composite video.
Scan Frequency
The horizontal or vertical frequency at which images are generated. Also known as scan
rate or refresh rate.
Scan Line
One horizontal line on the display.
Scan Rate
The horizontal or vertical frequency at which images are generated.