Multimedia and graphics

Terms related to multimedia, including graphics, animation and video definitions and words and phrases about images and sound.

2D - DYS

2D barcode (two-dimensional barcode) - A 2D (two-dimensional) barcode is a graphical image that stores information both horizontally -- as one-dimensional bar codes do -- and vertically.
3-D (three dimensions or three-dimensional) - In computers, 3-D (three dimensions or three-dimensional) describes an image that provides the perception of depth.
3-D scanner - A 3-D scanner is an imaging device that collects distance point measurements from a real-world object and translates them into a virtual 3-D object.
3270 (Information Display System) - The 3270 Information Display System, a product from IBM, was, prior to the arrival of the PC, the way that almost the entire corporate world interfaced with a computer.
360-degree photograph - 360-degree photos simulate being in the shoes of a photographer and looking around to the left, right, up and down as desired as well as sometimes zooming.
360-degree VR (360-degree virtual reality) - 360-degree VR (360-degree virtual reality) is an audiovisual simulation of an altered, augmented or substituted environment that surrounds the user, allowing them to look around them in all directions, just as they can in real life.
3D audio (three-dimensional audio) - 3D audio is a simulation of the natural positioning of sounds for various applications including video presentations and games, virtual environments and sound stages.
3D camera - A 3D camera is an imaging device that enables the perception of depth in images to replicate three dimensions as experienced through human binocular vision.
3D gaming - 3D gaming is interactive computer entertainment that is graphically presented in the three dimensions of height, width and depth; the addition of depth to 2D gaming enabled the exploration of virtual worlds with more realistic representation.
3D mesh - A 3D mesh is the structural build of a 3D model consisting of polygons.
3D model - 3D models are used to portray real-world and conceptual visuals for art, entertainment, simulation and drafting and are integral to many different industries, including virtual reality, video games, 3D printing, marketing, TV and motion pictures, scientific and medical imaging and computer-aided design and manufacturing CAD/CAM.
3D modeling - 3-D modeling is the use of software to create a virtual three-dimensional model of some physical object.
3D mouse - A 3D mouse is a pointing and control device specialized for movement in virtual 3D (three-dimensional) environments.
4K video resolution - 4K video resolution is high-definition (HD) video that has four times the resolution of 1080p HD video.
720p - 720p is the standard high-definition (HD) display resolution of 1280x720 pixels, with progressive scanning, at a 16x9 aspect ratio.
A Symphony of Lights - A Symphony of Lights is a multimedia event in Hong Kong featuring a spectacular lighting display synchronized to orchestral music.
a2b - a2b was a Web site that let you download and play samples or complete songs from popular music recordings, using a music player developed by AT & T.
AC-3 (Dolby Digital) - AC-3, also known as Dolby Digital, is a perceptual digital audio coding technique that reduces the amount of data needed to produce high-quality sound.
aliasing - In sound and image generation, aliasing is the generation of a false (alias) frequency along with the correct one when doing frequency sampling.
alt text (alternative text) - Alt text (alternative text) is a word or phrase that can be inserted as an attribute in an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) document to tell Web site viewers the nature or contents of an image.
AMOLED (active matrix OLED) - AMOLED (Active Matrix OLED) is a screen technology based on pixels made of tiny red, blue and green organic material-based light emitting diodes.
animated GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) - An animated GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) file is a graphic image on a Web page that moves - for example, a twirling icon or a banner with a hand that waves or letters that magically get larger.
anime - Anime (pronounced AH-nee-may) is a term for a style of Japanese comic book and video cartoon animation in which the main characters have large doe-like eyes.
antialiasing - Antialiasing is the smoothing of the image or sound roughness caused by aliasing.
Apple CarPlay - Apple CarPlay is an automotive software interface that integrates an end user's iPhone’s operating system (OS) with a car's infotainment display.
Apple Retina display - The Apple Retina display is a backlit LCD (liquid crystal display) that provides resolution levels of 220 to 326 pixels per inch.
Apple TV (Apple TV 4) - Apple TV is a set-top box that allows end users to stream multimedia content from the Internet over a television.
ARCore - ARCore (Google ARCore) is a development platform for building augmented reality apps (AR apps) for Android mobile devices.
ARKit - ARKit (Apple ARKit) is Apple’s augmented reality (AR) development platform for iOS mobile devices.
artificial passenger (AP) - An artificial passenger (AP) is a device that would be used in a motor vehicle to make sure that the driver stays awake.
aspect ratio - Aspect ratio is an image projection attribute that describes the proportional relationship between the width of an image and its height.
audio content - Audio content is any type of published material or information that is consumed through listening.
audio introduction - This page provides a brief overview of audio and its production for computer users.
augmented reality (AR) - Augmented reality (AR) is the integration of digital information with live video or the user's environment in real time.
augmented reality app (AR app) - An augmented reality app (AR app) is a software application that integrates digital visual content (and sometimes audio and other types) into the user’s real-world environment.
augmented reality gaming (AR gaming) - Unlike virtual reality gaming, which often requires a separate room or confined area to create an immersive environment, augmented reality gaming uses the existing environment and creates a playing field within it.
autoplay video - Autoplay video is audiovisual content that starts automatically when someone goes to the host web page.
AVI file (Audio Video Interleaved file) - An AVI (Audio Video Interleaved) file is a sound and motion picture file that conforms to the Microsoft Windows Resource Interchange File Format (RIFF) specification.
backward mapping (inverse mapping or screen order) - Backward mapping (also known as inverse mapping or screen order) is a technique used in texture mapping to create a 2D image from 3D data.
betamaxed - To be betamaxed is to have your superior product lose out in the market to an inferior one as a result of marketing, influence or some other factor unrelated to product quality.
Bezier curve - A Bezier curve is a mathematically defined curve used in two-dimensional graphic applications.
binaural sound (binaural beats) - Binaural sound is audio that is recorded through specialized dual microphone setups, allowing for a stereophonic 3D audio effect that simulates sound as heard when physically present.
bit depth - In digital audio, bit depth describes the potential accuracy of a particular piece of hardware or software that processes audio data.
bit map - A bit map (often spelled "bitmap") defines a display space and the color for each pixelor "bit" in the display space.
black level (brightness) - On a display or television monitor, black level is the technical term for what is usually called brightness.
Blu-ray - Blu-ray is an optical disc format designed to display high definition video and store large amounts of data.
body cam (bodycam) - A body cam (bodycam) is an audio/video recording device that is clipped to one’s clothing, on the torso.
bookmarklet - A bookmarklet is a JavaScript applet that runs directly in the browser.
brain hijacking - Brain hijacking is the application of principles from fields including neuroscience, behavioral psychology and sociology to develop compulsive elements for consumer technologies.
BURN-Proof (Buffer Under Run Error Proof) - BURN-Proof (Buffer Under Run Error Proof) is a technology developed by Sanyo that allows compact disc (CD) recording to automatically stop in the event of an unplanned interruption and then to resume recording.
CAD (computer-aided design) - CAD (computer-aided design) is the use of computer-based software to aid in design processes.
CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing) - CAD /CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing) is software used to design products such as electronic circuit boards in computers and other devices.
cam - A cam, homecam, or Webcam is a video camera, usually attached directly to a computer, whose current or latest image is requestable from a Web site.
camcorder (camera recorder) - A camcorder (camera recorder) is a portable electronic recording device capable of recording live-motion video and audio for later playback.
capacitive touch screen - A capacitive touch screen is a touch-sensitive control display that uses the conductive touch of a human finger or a specialized device for input.
Cartesian coordinates (rectangular coordinates) - Cartesian coordinates, also called rectangular coordinates, provide a method of rendering graphs and indicating the positions of points on a two-dimensional (2D) surface or in three-dimensional (3D) space.
CAVE (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment) - CAVE (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment) is a virtual reality environment consisting of a cube-shaped room in which the walls, floors and ceilings are projection screens.
CGI (computer-generated imagery) - CGI (computer-generated imagery) is used to produce visual content for many purposes including visual art, advertising, anatomical modeling, architectural design, engineering, video game art and film special effects, as well as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) applications.
chorus - In audio production, chorus is one of the two standard audio effects defined by the Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI).
Chromecast - Chromecast is a streaming media adapter from Google that allows users to play online content such as videos and music on a digital television.
cinematography (cinematographer) - Cinematography is a blend of science and art used to capture, manipulate and store moving images for the purpose of creating a motion picture.
clipboard hijack attack - A clipboard hijacking is an exploit in which the attacker gains control of the victim's clipboard and replaces its contents with their own data, such as a link to a malicious Web site.
closed captions - Closed captions are a text version of the spoken part of a television, movie, or computer presentation.
CMOS sensor - A CMOS sensor is an electronic chip that converts photons to electrons.
CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, key) - CMYK is a scheme for combining primary pigments.
compositing - Compositing used to create layered images and video in advertisements, memes and other content for print publications, websites and apps.
computational photography - Computational photography is the use of computer processing capabilities in cameras to produce an enhanced image beyond what the lens and sensor pics up in a single shot.
Computed Dental Radiography (CDR) - Computed Dental Radiography (CDR) is a technology for capturing a computerized image or radiograph of your teeth and gums that requires 90% less radiation than conventional x-ray film.
computer worm - A computer worm is a type of malware whose primary function is to self-replicate and infect other computers while remaining active on infected systems.
continuous media - Continuous media is data where there is a timing relationship between source and destination.
CPI - For a given font, cpi (characters per inch) is the number of typographic character that will fit on each inch of a printed line.
crossfade - In digital audio production, a crossfade is editing that makes a smooth transition between two audio files.
d3.js (data-driven documents) - D3.js (data-driven documents) is a library of JavaScript code that enables users to input their own data into prebuilt visualizations.
data compression - Data compression is a reduction in the number of bits needed to represent data.
data glove - A data glove is an interactive device, resembling a glove worn on the hand, which facilitates tactile sensing and fine-motion control in robotics and virtual reality.
dead pixel - A dead pixel is a picture element in which all three RGB sub-pixels are permanently turned off, which creates a black spot in the display.
demo and demoscene - A demo is a non-interactive multimedia presentation that is rendered in real time.
desktop publishing (DTP) - Desktop publishing (DTP) is the use of personal computers to design books and booklets that are intended to be printed by ink jet or laser jet printers.
digital audio workstation (DAW) - A digital audio workstation (DAW) is a computer that is specially equipped with a high-quality sound card and programming for editing and processing digital audio at a professional level.
digital camera - A digital camera records and stores photographic images in digital form.
digital evidence presentation system (DEPS) - A digital evidence presentation system (DEPS) is a system with an overhead camera and a liquid crystal display (LCD) used in courts to present and record evidence digitally.
digital projector (digital projection display system) - A digital projector, also called a digital projection display system, is a specialized computer display that projects an enlarged image on a movie screen.
digital television (DTV) - Digital television (DTV) is the transmission of television signals using digital rather than conventional analog methods.
digitization - Digitization is the process of converting information into a digital format.
Direct3D - Direct3D is the Microsoft 3D application programming interface (API) component of the DirectX API package.
DirectX - DirectX is an application program interface (API) for creating and managing graphic images and multimedia effects in applications such as games or active Web pages that will run in Microsoft's Windows operating systems.
discoverability (in UX design) - Discoverability, in the context of product and interface design, is the degree of ease with which the user can find all the elements and features of a new system when they first encounter it.
display - A display is a computer output surface and projecting mechanism that shows text and often graphic images to the computer user, using a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode, gas plasma, or other image projection technology.
display modes - The term display mode refers to the characteristics of a computer display, in particular the maximum number of colors and the maximum image resolution (in pixels horizontally by pixels vertically).
DisplayPort - DisplayPort is an interface for digital displays, particularly computer monitors.
dithering - Dithering is the attempt by a computer program to approximate a color from a mixture of other colors when the required color is not available.
document reader - A document reader is a device that converts an electronic file or printed matter to a form suitable for use by people with visual impairment.
Dolby Digital - Dolby Digital, formerly known as AC-3, is a digital audio coding technique that reduces the amount of data needed to produce high quality sound.
dots per inch (dpi) - In computers, dots per inch (dpi) is a measure of the sharpness (that is, the density of illuminated points) on a display screen.
drone glasses (drone goggles) - Drone glasses are eyewear that gives someone flying an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) a first-person view of where the drone flies.
drone journalism - Drone journalism is the capture of still images and video by remotely operated or autonomous drones (more formally known as unmanned aerial vehicles or UAV) to record events for report by news agencies and citizen media.
drone photography - Drone photography is the capture of still images and video by a remotely-operated or autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), also known as an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) or, more commonly, as a drone.
dronie - A dronie is a self-portrait photograph (selfie) still or, more commonly, video recorded by a camera attached to a personal drone.
DVD-Audio (DVD-A) - DVD-Audio (DVD-A) is a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) format, developed by Panasonic, that is specifically designed to hold audio data, and particularly, high-quality music.

DYN - MUL