One of our primary objectives is to educate our clients as they explore the world of home technology. That's why we call this page "the layman's/laywomen's lounge." It's a place where you'll see some of the more familiar terms associated with home entertainment, networking and security systems. It's not all-inclusive, but it's a good place to begin getting your feet wet. Give us a call if we can be of any assistance.

INTRODUCTION

If you're serious about exploring audio/visual, communications, networking and security options for your home or business, you'll probably run into what may seem like a different language. To get you started, we've assembled some key terms and definitions. This won't make you an expert but it may prove helpful as you begin your planning. We call it the layman's/laywomen's lounge. The terms are arranged alphabetically under seven major categories. Click a category to begin - Home networking, Home Automation, Audio/Music, TV/Home Theater, Lighting Control, Security.

If you're looking for additional help in planning, designing, budgeting or just simply looking at options, we'd be glad to help. Click here to get our contact page (contact us).

HOME NETWORKING

Backbone: The low-voltage wiring that connects various electronic equipment together.

Bandwidth: A measure of the carrying capacity of a communications device, usually expressed in kilohertz (kHz) or megahertz (MHz).

Baseband: A band of frequencies and related equipment used to carry signals in an unmodulated form (i.e., in their original electric form, without any modification).

Bridge: A device that connects two networks together. Often found within Internet access devices like cable modems, where it connects a home LAN to the network of the Internet service provider and eventually to the Internet itself.

Broadband: A band of frequencies used to transmit voice, data, or video signals simultaneously. Use of broadband allows more information to be transmitted at the same time. Broadband is like a multi-lane highway.

CO: Incoming telephone lines.

Cable Modem: A high-speed Internet access device that uses the coaxial cable network of cable television providers to connect a home PC or LAN to the Internet.

Category 5e: A type of wiring used mainly to transmit data and voice signals.

CEBUS: Consumer Electronics Bus, an emerging standard for connecting consumer electronics devices to a home network. The most important part of the standard is the Home Plug and Play protocol, which allows compatible devices to identify and communicate with each other.

Computer Network: A system that transmits any combination of voice, video and/or data between computers. The network includes the network operating system in the client and server machines, the cables connecting them and all supporting hardware in between such as bridges, routers and switches. In wireless systems, antennas and towers are also part of the network.

Conduit: A plastic or metal pipe that is used to contain cable runs. It is often installed empty into new or renovated homes to allow easy running of new cables in the future.

Connected Home: A house that has been properly wired and designed to receive and distribute a variety of music, video and data signals throughout the house. Is also equipped to connect to services outside the home.

Daisy Chain: A method of connecting networked equipment such that each successive device in the network in connected in series from the previous device. This type of wiring is typically found in older telephone wiring installations, but it's not particularly flexible or reliable. Compare with Home Run.

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL): A dedicated digital high-speed broadband connection that is leased from the local phone company to provide a high bandwith, always-on internet connection.

Ethernet Local Area Network (LAN): A network of personal computers and peripheral devices configured to share information within the home. Ethernet is the most common computer network and is usually characterized by RJ-45 jacks.

Firewall: Hardware or software that prevents hackers from tampering with your computer and/or home network.

Futureproofing: The act of designing or installing a system that will meet the technological needs of a home today, as well as prepare it for future technologies.

Gateway: A software-driven device that receives a variety of information from the telephone company, cable company and internet service provider, distributes those signals to equipment in a way so that products of dissimilar networking protocols can communicate with each other.

Hardwired System: A system that uses its own dedicated cabling infrastructure to transmit commands to electronic devices.

High-Speed or Broadband Internet Access: A connection to the internet that transfers data faster than a traditional telephone (dial-up) connection. The most common services are digital subscriber lines (DSL), cable modems or direct broadcast satellite (DBS).

High Speed Digital Internet: Worldwide, fast and secure surfing on the internet, e-commerce, e-mail and e-banking.

Home Network: Two or more computers interconnected to form a local area network (LAN) within the home. A home network allows computer owners to interconnect multiple computers so that each can share files, programs, printers, other peripheral devices, and Internet access with other computers.

Homerun: A wiring method that connects electronic components individually to a distribution hub (e.g., Start Network)

Hub: The central distribution point of a networking system where all wiring terminates. (Distribution Center/Box)

Infrared (IR): The part of the light spectrum just below the visible portion. Often used for wireless networked devices and remote controls in a home.

Internet Home Gateway: Acts as a router to direct the flow of digital signals throughout a building.

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network): A telephone system that allows two standard phone lines or medium-speed data networking over a single phone-line connection.

ISP: Abbreviation for Internet Service Provider. Internet service can be powered through the phone line, cable and power line.

Jack: A cable connector in the form of a receptacle, used with a plug to complete a cable connection. (also see plug).

LAN: (Local Area Network) LANs connect computers in a home, office or building. Each computer in a LAN can run its own programs, as well as access data on other computers on the LAN. The computers can also share printer and allow users on the LAN to communicate with each other. Most LANS use the Ethernet protocol.

Multimedia Outlet: An outlet that houses an assortment of cable, telephone/data and speaker jacks.

Modem: A device that converts a computer's digital signals into analog tones that can be carried over a telephone network. The name comes from the function, which is to MODulate and DEModulate these signals.

Panels: The metal or plastic enclosure which house and protect a microprocessor's circuitry, looks like an electrical circuit breaker box. Usually located in the home's basement.

Plug: The part of a connector system that goes into a jack to make an electrical connection. Typically, a plug is referred to as the male connector, while a jack is referred to as the female connector.

Prewiring: The practice of concealing wiring behind the wall of a home as it is constructed or renovated.

Protocol: A common language or specification used by devices communicating over a network.

Residential Gateway: A device that connects your home to the Internet via an Internet service provider.

RG-6: A type of wiring generally used to transmit video signals between devices. Often referred to as coaxial cabling.

Router: A device that connects different types of networks together. Is commonly contained within a gateway.

Satellite Dish-Based Internet: A high speed connection that uses a small disk antenna and digital transceiver to connect to the Internet.

Server: A computer program that provides services to other computer programs or other computers.

Shielding: A protective layer in a cable that prevents electromagnetic interference from outside sources.

Smart Homes: A relatively new term describing remote and in-house control of internet enabled household appliances like refrigerators, heating systems, smoke and fire alarm systems.

Streaming: Streaming video is a sequence of "moving images" that are sent in compressed form over the Internet and displayed by the viewer as they arrive. Streaming media is streaming video with sound. With streaming video or steaming media, a Web user does not have to wait to download a large file before seeing the video or hearing the sound. Instead, the media is sent in a continuous stream and is played as it arrives. The user needs a player, which is a special program that uncompresses and sends video data to the display and audio data to speakers.

Structured Wiring: A multipurpose system of in-wall wire and cable linking a central distribution center/hub with multimedia outlets located in key rooms of a home (home office/den/study, kitchen, family/great room and each bedroom). This system delivers all the voice, data and video (cable, internet access, telephone, etc.) performance you need today while providing the capacity to handle tomorrow's technologies as well.

Surge Suppressor: A device that prevents damage to electrical or electronic equipment by isolating them from unexpected rises in current or voltage (e.g., lightning strikes).

Switcher: A device that sends data from one computer directly to another computer.

Switches: A central device that connects PCs at higher speeds than a hub.

Telephony: A powerful telephone connection using the internet that offers security and good speech quality. You can also send and receive fax messages.

Terminate: Connecting a wire or cable to something, usually a piece of equipment or a jack or plug.

Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS): A device that includes a battery that keeps a computer running several minutes after a power outage.

Universal plug and play: An initiative to simplify the interconnection of PCs, appliances, networks and services by extending plug and play to include networking.

UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair): The cable used in most home telephone and data networks, this twisted-pair cabling contains no shielding to protect it from outside interference.

VOIP: Short for Voice Over IP. This refers to any technology offering voice telephony services over the Internet.

Voltage: The measurement of electrical force in a circuit, measured in volts.

X10: A proprietary technology that enables electronic devices to send and receive commands to and from each other via a home's standard electrical wiring.

HOME AUTOMATION

CPU: Central Processing Unit. The brains behind a home control system, which can come in the form of a PC or a standalone processor.

Feedback: A feature of some keypads, sensors and home control systems that enables the status of electronic equipment to be communicated back to the homeowner.

Icons: Symbols or graphics that may represent electronic components, features, or functions. Icons are generally displayed on a touchscreen.

Macro, Mode or Scene: Any sequence of commands or functions issued by a single operation, such as pressing a button.

User Interface: Any tool, product or method (e.g., a touchscreen, a keypad or a remote control) designed to allow a homeowner to utilize another more complex product or system.

AUDIO/MUSIC

Amplifier: A device that amplifies (boosts) the signals from source components (CD player, DSS receiver, etc.) and transmits the amplified signal to the speakers.

Analog: The old, non-digital way of producing images on a screen, or music through a stereo system.

Digital Audio Server (DAS): A device that is equipped with a big hard drive on which to store, then replay through a stereo system a variety of audio content, including CDs, MP3s and Internet radio stations.

Dolby Digital: The new name for the most popular 5.1-channel home theater sound system. Used to be called Dolby AC-3. Consists of front left/right speakers, a center speaker, left/right surrounds, and a Low Frequency Effects (LFE) channel, usually used with a subwoofer.

Dolby Pro-Logic: Most popular surround format. Almost any receiver nowadays has it. Uses matrixed surround in order to encode four channels of sound; left/right front channels, a center channel, and one surround channel. It is quite a common occurrence to see two speakers used for the one surround channel however, as well as a subwoofer to supplement the speakers.

Equipment Closet: Main level of the house, holds the audio components of a whole house music system (amplifiers, receivers, CD players, satellite receivers, etc). Needs to have rear access.

Impedance: Electrical resistance (measured in ohms) to the flow of alternating current. The lower the number of ohms, the more efficient a loudspeaker and the more power that can be used to drive it.

Matrixed Surround: Term used to describe the process to make Dolby Pro-Logic compatible material. It fits four channels of sound into a space meant for two channels.

Multimedia Center: A combination of several audio, video and data sources that offers homeowners access to a variety of content through one device or system.

Multiroom, Single-Source System: A system that is able to distribute a single source of music to multiple rooms.

Multiroom, Multisource System. A system that is able to distribute different sources (CD player, DSS receiver, etc.) to multiple rooms simultaneously.

Rear Speaker: The term wrongly applied to surround speakers.

Sources: CD players, DSS receivers, AM/FM tuners and other equipment that produces music or video.

Speaker Selector: A device capable of distributing the output of a single amplifier to multiple speakers.

Subwoofer: This is a separate speaker used to handle the bass of movie soundtracks, and can be used with the Low Frequency Effects channel in the new digital sound formats.

Surround Sound: The popular term used to describe an experience where the sound 'surrounds' you. This is best achieved using surround-encoded material, a receiver, and surround speakers.

Surround Speaker: Buy these to best achieve the surround sound effect. This type of speaker diffuses the sound so as to make it harder to discern where the sound is coming from.

Tweeter: The part of a speaker that produces mid to high-frequency sounds.

Watt: A measurement of power to drive speakers. More watts is typically better than less.

Woofer: The part of a speaker that produces a spectrum of low- to mid-frequency sounds.

Zones: Individual sections of a house (for example, the sleeping area, the living area, the basement) that can be managed autonomously. Speakers in one zone might receive music, for example, while another zone receives no music.

CLIMATE CONTROL

Communicating Thermostat: A thermostat that not only controls heating/cooling equipment, but also communicates with other devices inside and/or outside the house. For example, a communicating thermostat could automatically adjust when it receives a signal from the utility that energy rates are high.

Energy Management System: A system that manages the energy consumption of a home's systems and appliances to maximize their operational efficiency.

HVAC: Short for heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

Motorized Dampers: Devices installed into the air ducts of a heating/cooling system that open or close to direct airflow to specific areas of the house.

Programmed Thermostat or Multi-Zone HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning): A temperature management system that automatically adjusts the temperature based on time of day and/or can maintain different temperature settings in separate parts of the house.

Setback: Generally an energy-saving setting on a thermostat used when energy is expensive or when a house is unoccupied.

Setpoint: The desired temperature for heating or for cooling.

Touchscreen or Touchpanel: A device featuring a built-in screen that is used to control various aspects of a house. Icons displayed on the screen behave like the buttons of a remote control.

Window Covering Controls: These devices, which may include a motorized track mounted above the windows, open and close shades and drapes.

TV/HOME THEATER

Analog: The old, non-digital way of producing images on a screen.

Aspect Ratio: The width-to-height ratio of a television screen. A standard-definition set has an aspect ratio of four units by three units (4:3), and is essentially a square. The aspect ratio of a high-definition set is 16 units by 9 (16:9), and is rectangular, like a movie screen.

Black level: The level of the darkest portions of the video. Blacks are just as important as colors when it comes to achieving a quality television picture.

CATV: Cable TV

Cabinet: Holds HT components on a pull-out rack.

Cable TV/ (Jacks): Wall plates/jacks with a threaded "F" connector commonly used to distribute a video signal from a VCR, cable television service or other video source to televisions over coaxial cable. These coaxial cables and jacks also can provide high-speed internet connectivity and PC networking services.

CRT Projector: One type of front projector, it consists or three tubes each putting out one color: red, green and blue. They offer brightness and detail, but are difficult to setup, and convergence is required about two times a year.

Direct-View: A TV set that uses a picture tube to create images.

Digital Light Processing (DLP): A technology that projects video images using a light deflecting off thousands of microscopic mirrors. Used in projector and rear projection televisions.

DTV (Digital Television): The next generation digital television system that has been approved by the Federal Communications Commission as a replacement for today's NTSC system. Allows a wide variety of video resolution and quality, including HDTV. Compare with NTSC.

DVD (Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc): A CD-sized digital disc used for playback of movies or music. The heir apparent to video cassettes.

DVD-R: A DVD player that works like a VCR (video cassette recorder), allowing users to record programming onto blank DVDs. There are five formats of recordable DVDs: DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, and DVD-RAM. When shopping for a DVD recorder, look for a player that can handle as many formats as possible.

DVR: Stands for digital video recorder. These are players and recorders that store video on a hard drive, such as TiVo and Replay TV. New hybrid DVR/DVD players are emerging, allowing users to save on a DVD the television programs they've recorded onto a hard drive.

EDTV (Enhanced-Definition TV): It offers a picture that is crisper than standard definition television, but not as good as high definition. If you're upgrading your set, the experts recommend skipping EDTV and going straight to high-definition TV.

Flat screen/Flat panel: Flat screen refers specifically to the front of the television. Almost any television can be a flat-screen television, including a traditional CRT. Flat panel refers to thin models such as plasma and LCD sets, which resemble panels and can be hung on the wall. Also called flat displays.

Front Projection: A type of TV system in which the picture is projected onto a reflective screen. Front-projector sets are capable of producing an image of more than 12 feet diagonal.

HDTV: High-Definition Television. A TV or some other type of video source that's able to produce images digitally and with high resolution (officially defined as a resolution of 720 progressive or 1080 interlaced) for better clarity and realism. Designed to allow widescreen, film-quality video programming. The sound that comes through an HDTV is also digital.

High Definition Television (HDTV): A very high-resolution, high-quality television standard that is. See also DTV.

Home Theater Pre-Wire: Concealed speaker wires that could drive detached, in-wall or in-ceiling audio loudspeakers located to provide front left, center and right main channels, at least two side or rear channels and a subwoofer.

In-Wall Speakers Installed: Audio loudspeakers recessed in walls or ceilings, typically as part of a home theater or whole house audio system.

LCD: Liquid Crystal Display: A type of display that can be used for TV monitors; competes with plasma TVs as a flat display.

Lines of Resolution: A method of comparing the relative amount of detail of an image. (See Resolution)

Multi-Room In-Wall Audio/Video Wiring: Wiring inside the walls that could drive detached, in-wall or in-ceiling audio loudspeakers located in another part of a room or in other rooms in the house for home theater, music or paging/intercom functions.

NTSC: The standard by which TV is broadcast in the U.S. It has a theoretical maximum resolution of 525 lines. Also has an aspect ratio of 4:3.

Progressive can/Interface scan: Since the advent on television, video pictures have been created by something called interlaced scan. This technology sometimes results in a noticeable flicker in the picture. Progressive scan reduces that flicker and gives a smoother picture.

PVR: (Personal Video Recorder): A device that uses a hard drive to record, stop and pause TV programs.

Rear Projection: A TV system where the picture is produced from behind the screen by red, blue and green electron guns.

Receiver: The guts of many home theaters. It has a decoder, audio/video switcher, AM/FM tuner, and an amplifier section all in one.

Resolution: A term associated with the number of lines that make up the vertical portion of the picture. The higher the number, the more detailed the picture is. If the resolution is too low, and the picture size too big, you get scan lines.

Satellite TV (Small Dish or Large Dish): Small disk or Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) is a subscription service that uses high-powered satellites to broadcast a digital TV signal to small 18" dish antennas. Large dish satellite TV, or a C-Band satellite system, uses lower powered satellites to transmit an analog signal to larger dishes.

SDTV: Stands for standard definition television. A lower resolution than high definition, generally 480 lines per frame.

Streaming Audio/Video: A technique for transferring audio or video in a continuous stream while the entire signal is still being received.

Universal (Programmable) Remote: A IR or RF remote control that can be programmed to control multiple devices. Can be taught control signals from just about any other remote.

LIGHTING CONTROL

Ambient Light: Sometimes called "environmental light." It is the general fill-in light of a room or area; can be natural light (sunlight) as well as artificial light.

Ballast: Some lamps can't run off a 120-line-volt charge. A ballast is a device that converts the electrical energy on a 120-volt line into the voltage required to illuminate a light.

CPU: Central Processing Unit: The brains behind a home control system, which can come in the form of a PC or standalone system.

Fixture: The physical housing of a lamp (light source), not the light bulb itself.

Hardwired System: A lighting control system that uses its own dedicated cabling infrastructure to transmit on, off, brighten and dim commands to lights.

Lamp: The actual light source (e.g., a light bulb).

Load: A group of lights that is tied together on one switch, or one circuit.

Multi-Room Lighting Control System: These systems coordinate large numbers of lights without using the switches in each room. Programmable lighting scenes can be activated automatically or from remote controllers, touch screens, keypads or telephones.

Path Lighting: Lighting that defines a pathway both inside and outside the house.

Ramp Up/Down: The effect of gradually brightening and dimming lights.

Single-Room System: A lighting control system design specifically for the control of lights in one room.

Whole-House System: A lighting control system designed specifically for the control of lights throughout the entire house.

SECURITY

Alarm System: A security system that combines various sensors, a central control panel, and signaling devices to warn of emergency situations such as a break-in, a fire, and flooding.

Annunciator: The element of an alarm system that alerts you to the status of the security system.

Automatic Dialer: When connected to a phone line, it dials emergency numbers automatically when an alarm is tripped.

Central Monitoring Station: A facility operated by a security company that remotely monitors (over telephone lines or wireless links) a home security system.

CCTV: Closed-Circuit Television. A system consisting of a transmitter (a surveillance camera) that feeds one or more receivers (monitors) pictures captured by the camera.

Home Security System: A system designed to detect the presence of an intruder or other hazard in a residence or surrounding area. Most are professionally installed, will sound an alarm at the site, and report to a central station for a monthly fee.

Keyfob: A wireless transmitter, small enough to carry in a pocket, that can remotely arm and disarm a security system.

PIR: Passive Infrared. The technology used in most motion detectors. Infrared radiation emitted by the warmth of a human body is detected by a PIR detector.

Remote Monitoring: The ability to monitor a home from a remote location.

Security Panel: The part of a security system that receives information (signals from alarms, disarm command, etc.) and responds by transmitting a command to other equipment.

Sensors: The devices that notify a security system of trouble, be it a break-in, a fire or water in the basement.