Glossary

 

Here is a glossary of common home networking, automation and entertainment terms and their meanings.  

Communications

  • CAT5:  CAT, Category 5 wiring used for phone, fax, modem, and high-speed Ethernet connection and Internet access. Supports up to four phone lines with one cable.
  • CAT5 E:  Category 5 Enhanced cable for 300 megahertz of delivery power.
  • DSL:  Digital Subscriber Line is an always-on broadband Internet connection that transmits high-speed data from 50 to 270 times faster than today’s standard modems.
  • Ethernet:  A networking standard for sending information between computers. Computers are connected via CAT5 cables to an Ethernet hub and each computer must have an Ethernet network interface card.
  • HDTV:  High Definition Television. A high resolution, high-quality television standard that is designed to allow wide-screen, film-quality video programming.
  • ISDN:  Integrated Services Digital Network transmits high-speed data three times faster than today’s standard modems.
  • RG6:  Used for cable TV, digital satellite, cable modem and high-speed interactive video services. Supports the connection of closed-circuit television and video distribution throughout the home.
  • Universal Outlet:  Your way of communicating from room-to-room between computer, TVs, telephone, and much more. Includes 1 phone jack, 1 data port, and 2 video connections in one integrated wall plate (2 RG6 and 2 CAT5).

Entertainment

  • Dolby Digital (DD):  The audio format for high definition television and most DVD discs.  DD has five discrete full range channels of sound and one channel devoted only to the lower frequencies, which is reproduced by a subwoofer.
  • Dolby ProLogic:  Provides the two stereo channels – front left and right, a center channel, and a mono surround channel – usually reproduced by two surround speakers.
  • THX:  A certification system that sets a series of electronic and loudspeaker standards designed to accurately reproduce movie sound at home.

Security

  • Central Monitoring Station:  An organization utilizing sophisticated computer technology to identify incoming emergencies and dispatch local authorities.
  • LED:  A security keypad-using indicator lights for status.
  • LCD:  A security keypad using an alphanumeric display for status.
  • PIR Motion Detector:  A passive infrared device used for internal motion detection.