DAC -

Digital-to-analog converter.

In an application, an element of a data structure (such as a file, an array, or an operand) that is needed for program execution and that is named or otherwise specified by the allowable character set of the language in which the program is coded.

All data transmitted through a data channel.

Real-time, continuous flowing of data.

See device control panel.

(1) To convert data by reversing the effect of previous encoding. (2) To interpret a code. (3) To convert encoded text into plaintext by means of a code system. (4) Contrast with encode.

(1) Refers to where video is displayed when an application does not indicate an application-defined window with the MCI_WINDOW message. This is provided by and managed for the application by MMPM/2. (2) See also application-defined window.

See default video window.

Refers to one or more frames occurring between reference frames in the output stream. Unlike a reference frame, which stores a complete image, a delta frame stores only the changes in the image from one frame to the next. See reference frame.

An abstract region which defines the size of an image to be created when recording images for software motion video playback. The ratio of this rectangle's size to that of the source rectangle determines the scaling factor to be applied to the video.

See destination rectangle.

The functionality of a device, including supported component functions.

The device status and characteristics associated with an opened instance of an Media Control Interface device.

An integrated set of controls that is used to control a device or media object (such as by playing, rewinding, increasing volume, and so on).

See standard multimedia device controls.

(1) A file that contains the code needed to use an attached device. (2) A program that enables a computer to communicate with a specific peripheral device; for example, a printer, a videodisc player, or a CD drive.

A data object, such as a file, utilized by a compound device.

An object that provides a means for communication between a computer and the outside world. A printer is an example of a device object.

(1) The ability to share a device among many different applications simultaneously. If a device is opened shareable, the device context will be saved by the operating system when going from one application to another application. (2) Allowing a device context to be switched between Media Control Interface devices.

The storage or transmission format used by a device, especially if it is different from an accepted standard.

In an interactive system, a series of related inquiries and responses similar to a conversation between two people.

(1) Pertaining to data in the form of numeric characters. (2) Contrast with analog.

(1) Material that can be heard that has been converted to digital form. (2) Synonym for digitized audio.

A high-speed coprocessor designed to do real-time manipulation of signals.

(1) Material that can be seen that has been converted to digital form. (2) Synonym for digitized video.

An online editing technique that manipulates on-screen a full video image; activity for creating sophisticated transitions and special effects. Digital video effects (DVE) can involve moving, enlarging, or overlaying pictures.

A system for bringing full-screen, full-motion television pictures and sound to a regular PC. DVI is a chip set and uses delta compression; that is, only the image-to-image changes in each frame are saved rather than the whole frame. Data (video footage) is compressed into a form that reduces memory requirements by factors of 100 or greater. This compressed data is stored on optical discs and can be retrieved at a rate of 30 frames per second. (The DVI technology was developed by RCA and then sold to Intel. IBM has chosen this technology for future use in the PS/2.)

(1) A functional unit that converts data from a digital representation to an analog representation. (2) A device that converts a digital value to a proportional analog signal.

To convert an analog signal into digital format. (An analog signal during conversion must be sampled at discrete points and quantized to discrete numbers.)

Synonym for digital audio.

Synonym for digital video.

A device that converts to digital format any image captured by the camera.

A set of techniques that allow a user to work with an object by dragging it with a pointing device or interacting with its pop-up menu.

The transfer of data between memory and input and output units without processor intervention.

A videodisc produced directly from a videotape, one copy at a time. A DRAW disc usually is used to check program material and author applications before replicated discs are available.

Alternate spelling for disk.

In data streaming, requests that the data stream be stopped and the data remaining in the stream buffers be discarded.

A round, flat, data medium that is rotated in order to read or write data.

A collection of display elements or segments that are represented together at any one time on a display surface. See also background image and foreground image.

To fade down one picture as the next fades up. Synonym for crossfade.

When different pixels in an image are prebiased with a varying threshold to produce a more continuous gray scale despite a limited palette. This technique is used to soften a color line or shape. This technique also is used for alternating pixel colors to create the illusion of a third color.

Dynamic-link library.

A wheeled platform for a camera; a camera movement where the tripod on which the camera is mounted physically moves toward or away from the subject.

An internal I/O procedure, provided by the MMPM/2 system, that supports DOS files.

In SAA Advanced Common User Access, to press and release a mouse button twice within a time frame defined by the user, without moving the pointer off the choice. See click. See also drag select.

In SAA Advanced Common User Access, to press a mouse button and hold it down while moving the pointer so that the pointer travels to a different location on the screen. Dragging ends when the mouse button is released. All items between the button-down and button-up points are selected. See also click, double-click.

Direct-read-after-write disc.

A nonsequential time code used to keep tape time code matched to real time. Must not be used in tapes intended for videodisc mastering.

Digital signal processor.

Dual-tone modulation frequency.

Refers to when graphics from the graphics adapter are separate from the analog video. That is, there is a separate graphics plane and video plane. The analog video appears behind the graphics, showing through only in the areas that are transparent. Since graphics and video are separate, capturing the graphics screen will only obtain graphics, and capturing the video screen will only obtain video. This is also true for restoring images. See also single plane video system.

A push button that has two states, in and out. It is used for setting and resetting complementary states, such as Mute and Unmute.

Pushbutton phone tones.

To copy a tape; to add (sound effects or new dialog) to a film; to provide a new audio track of dialog in a different language. (Often used with "in" as "dub in".)

Digital video effects.

Digital Video Interface

An icon that changes to convey some information about the object that it represents. For example, a folder icon can show a count, indicating the number of objects contained within the folder. Also, a tape player icon can show an animation of turning wheels to indicate that the machine playing.

In the OS/2 operating system, the delayed connection of a program to a routine until load time or run time.

A file containing executable code and data bound to a program at load time or run time, rather than during linking. The code and data in a dynamic link library can be shared by several applications simultaneously.

An allocation technique in which the resources assigned for execution of computer programs are determined by criteria applied at the moment of need. (I) (A)

A multimedia program unit of data that resides in system memory. Contrast with static resource.