A - Jargon Buster

Jargon Buster & dedicated Buying Guide will aid you in understanding the world of technology and consumer electronics. Select from the alphabetical order below.

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AAC (Audio)
The default audio format used by iTunes and iPods.

Accurate viewfinder (Photography)
An accurate viewfinder means that what you see through the viewfinder is exactly what you’ll get in the picture.

ADSL modem (Computing)
This modem provides you with a fast and continuous internet connection.

All-in-one printer (Printers)
This type of printer has a scanner, photocopier and printer in one.

AMD Athlon (Computing)
The AMD Athlon 64 and Turion 64-bit models are processors from AMD.

Analogue (TVs)
Analogue is the standard way television programming has been transmitted and recorded.

Anti-shock technology (Audio)
A function found on a portable CD player to provide continuous play even when the player is knocked. A specified number of seconds of the music is memorised in advance by the CD player. This allows it to compensate for any skips that may occur when reading the CD.

Aperture/Shutter priority (Photography)
By manually adjusting either the shutter speed or the aperture size, you can add your own creativity to an image. The camera automatically optimises the other setting. This gives greater control and flexibility than the automatic mode, but is easier to use than the fully manual mode.

Aspect ratio (TVs)
There are 2 aspect ratios. The 4:3 is the square-ish, standard shape. The 16:9 is the wide-screen format dominating new HD TVs.

ATRAC (Audio)
This is the audio file format used on Sony MP3 Players. To convert audio to ATRAC2 plus, you need Sony’s SonicStage software, which you get with Sony digital audio players. It is also downloadable from Sony’s music store.

Audio dubbing (Camcorders)
You can add your own comments to your footage.

Auto focus (Photography)
The camera lens focuses automatically, usually when the shutter release is half-pressed.

Auto install (TVs)
Automatically detects and sets up the channels when you first switch on the TV.

Automatic modes (Photography)
Most digital cameras have pre-set programmes for specific subjects such as portrait, sport or landscape. When you select a programme, the camera automatically sets the exposure and focus settings to give you a professional result.

Auto tuning (TVs)
Will automatically tune in the channels that an aerial can receive.

AV socket (TVs)
Transmit pictures and sound using audio-visual connections.

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