iTunes Definition
iTunes is an audio playback program developed by Apple Computer. You can use iTunes to import songs from CDs as well as other audio files from your hard drive. The program can also download songs (for a small fee) from the iTunes Music Store. While songs are the most common files played by iTunes, you can also play spoken word files, such as audio books or other recordings. iTunes also has a radio option that allows you to play live streams of Internet radio from a variety of s...
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Encoding Definition
Encoding Definition
Encoding is the process of converting data from one form to another. While "encoding" can be used as a verb, it is often used as a noun, and refers to a specific type of encoded data. There are several types of encoding, including image encoding, audio and video encoding, and character encoding.
Media files are often encoded to save disk space. By encoding digital audio, video, and image files, they can be saved in a more efficient, compressed format. Encoded media files are...
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Firewire Definition
Firewire Definition
FireWire is an I/O interface developed by Apple Computer. It is also known as IEEE 1394, which is the technical name standardized by the IEEE. Other names for IEEE 1394 include Sony i.Link and Yamaha mLAN, but Apple's FireWire name the most commonly used.
There are two primary versions of the FireWire interface – FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394a) and FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b). FireWire 400 uses a 6-pin connector and supports data transfer rates of up to 400 Mbps. FireWire 800 uses a...
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Bitrate Definition
Bitrate Definition
Bitrate, as the name implies, describes the rate at which bits are transferred from one location to another. In other words, it measures how much data is transmitted in a given amount of time. Bitrate is commonly measured in bits per second (bps), kilobits per second (Kbps), or megabits per second (Mbps). For example, a DSL connection may be able to download data at 768 kbps, while a Firewire 800 connection can transfer data up to 800 Mbps.
Bitrate can also describe the quali...
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MP3 Definition
MP3 Definition
Stands for "MPEG Audio Layer-3." MP3 is a compressed audio file format developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG). A typical MP3 file sounds similar to the original recording, but requires significantly less disk space. MP3 files are often about one tenth the size of an uncompressed WAVE or AIFF file, which have the same audio quality as a CD.
The small file size and high fidelity of MP3 files helped popularize digital music downloads in the late 1990s and early 2000s. ...
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DVD Definition
DVD Definition
Stands for "Digital Versatile Disc." A DVD is a type of optical media used for storing digital data. It is the same size as a CD, but has a larger storage capacity. Some DVDs are formatted specifically for video playback, while others may contain different types of data, such as software programs and computer files.
The original "DVD-Video" format was standardized in 1995 by consortium of electronics companies, including Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba, and Philips. It provided a number...
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ISO Definition
ISO Definition
Stands for "International Organization for Standardization." Yes, technically the acronym should be "IOFS," but I guess ISO sounds better. The ISO works with standards institutes from over 150 countries to develop technology and product standards. These standards lead to a more efficient, safer, and cleaner development of products. It also leads to more standardized products for consumers.
The ISO is important to the computer industry, since the organization standardizes many of ...
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Media Compression Definition
Media Compression Definition
Like file compression, the goal of media compression is to reduce file size and save disk space. However, media compression algorithms are specific to certain types of media, such as image, audio, and video files.
Most popular image formats use some type of compression. Three of the most common include JPEG, GIF, and PNG. JPEG compression, which is commonly used for digital photos, incorporates a lossy compression algorithm that averages nearby colors and removes co...
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MPEG Definition
MPEG Definition
Stands for "Moving Picture Experts Group." MPEG is an organization that develops standards for encoding digital audio and video. It works with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to ensure media compression standards are widely adopted and universally available.
The MPEG organization has produced a number of digital media standards since its inception in 1998. Examples include:
MPEG-1 – Audio/video s...
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Animated GIF Definition
Animated GIF Definition
An animated GIF is a GIF file that includes multiple images or "frames." These frames are played back in sequence when the file is opened or displayed in a web browser. The result is an animated clip or a short movie.
The GIF file format includes a Graphics Control Extension (or "GCE block"), which enables a single GIF file to store multiple frames. This section also specifies the delay between frames, which can be used to set the frame rate or insert pauses at certain p...
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