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| Component Video
| Component Video uses three channels to transmit video, inputs look like Composite Video cables, except Component Video has three, separate inputs -- yellow, red, and blue. In this instance, the video signal components have been separated physically (i.e., run along different cables) and thoroughly (i.e., by color). The luminance information is combined with the sync data, so that fine detail and display data are carried along a single cable (YELLOW). The chrominance information is further separated into its own color components, blue minus luminance and red minus luminance. The BLUE input is called B-Y (blue minus luminance), Cb, or Pb. The RED input is called R-Y, Cr, or Pr. Component Video gives a higher quality picture than Composite Video.
Note: Component Video connections may be of an RCA-type or what is known as a BNC-type. BNC cables twist and lock into place, rather than just plugging in, so they offer a more secure connection between your plasma TV and its source video device (e.g., DVD, tuner, etc.)
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| Composite Video
| Composite Video uses one channel to transmit video and has three TV formats, NTSC, PAL and SECAM. This type of video connection utilizes a single coaxial or shielded cable, which has been fitted with RCA-type plugs at either end, and is devoted to video (YELLOW). This video signal is a "composite" one in the sense that it has been sub-divided into luminance information (black and white detail), chrominance information (color detail), and sync pulses (the vertical and horizontal scan frequencies) and then combined into a single, composite signal.
Note: Because it is an all-in-one video signal transmitter, Composite Video is a convenient way to transport video information, but it has the same drawbacks of the video portion of composite A/V signals -- poor picture quality. Because all the signal component are lumped together, it is possible for them to be imprecisely stripped apart for display, resulting in all sort of possible picture defects owing to the interference of luminance with chrominance information or vice-versa.
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| Cache
| a computer's short-term memory and is measured in Kilobytes (kB) and Megabytes (MB). Recently modified documents are stored in the computer system’s cache allowing you to access them quicker. The more cache in a computer’s processor, the better the computer will perform.
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| CD-ROM drive
| The majority of modern computer programs are huge and as such can’t fit onto a simple floppy disk. Therefore, they are placed on Compact Disc (like normal audio CDs but filled with data rather than music) and then can be read by the CD-ROM drive. The ROM part stands for Read Only Memory and like the name suggests, this acts as computer memory than can only be read from (not saved to like floppy disks.
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| Comparative Data Space
| A floppy disk can hold 1.44MB of information whilst a CD-ROM can hold 650MB (about 450 times more). The DVD specification supports disks with capacities from 4.7GB to 17GB - up to approximately 26 times more than CD-ROM).
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| Chipset
| The Chipset controls some of the most important functions of the PC, such as communication between the RAM, hard disk and graphics card.
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| High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
| HDMI takes DVI another step by adding up to eight channels of digital audio to DVI's digital video. HDMI is full "backwards compatible" with DVI. That is, you connect a DVI-enabled satellite receiver, say, to your brand-new HDMI-enabled plasma monitor (without getting the digital audio, of course). This way, your plasma TV remains compatible with "older" DVI-only equipment.
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| High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP)
| Hollywood has begun to implement new technologies to protect copyrighted material from being "pirated" -- i.e., reproduced for free. This only applied to high-resolution material, like DVDs or HDTV. All it means is that you will need a DVI or HDMI connection in order to view these copy-protected signals at full resolution.
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| Hard Disk
| The hard disk provides the long term storage for information and software and it is not lost when you turn the PC off. When you save something on your PC (unless you have specified that you are saving to the A drive: Floppy disk) you will be saving it to the hard disk.
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| Memory
| is measured in Megabytes (MB) and Gigabytes (GB).The more memory you have in your computer, the quicker the processing of documents, downloads and programs.
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| Motherboards
| The motherboard of a computer is the primary circuit board where all the internal components of a computer are connected.
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| Modem
| The modem allows communication with other PCs or the Internet over the telephone. The modem converts digital computer data into analogue signals that can then travel down phone lines. On receiving an analogue phone signal it converts them back to digital to be worked with. This may be fitted as a complete modem card or performed by part of the chipset on the motherboard.
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| Monitor
| The monitor is the screen that you work from and looks rather like a TV. However, monitors are designed for use with computers and as such can display much more precise images than the average TV. Obviously the bigger the monitor the larger the picture but this also means that more information can be displayed on one screen whilst keeping text legible. Normally a 15” is the standard whilst bigger monitors are better for different purposes such as games, spreadsheets and design work.
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| RGB
| RGB is a type of Component Video as well as being one of two popular methods for defining colors for websites as it has 16.7 million color combinations. It consists of three signals—red, green and blue—carried on three separate cables/pins. Extra cables are sometimes needed to carry synchronizing signals. RGB signal formats are often based on modified versions of the RS-170 and RS-343 standards for monochrome video. This type of video signal is widely used in Europe since it is the best quality signal that can be carried on the standard SCART connector. Outside Europe, RGB is not very popular as a video signal format; S-Video takes that spot in most non-European regions. However, almost all computer monitors around the world use RGB.
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| Rootkit
| Software tools that conceal running processes, files or system data so that an intruder can maintain access to a system without detection. A rootkit is a type of malicious software that is activated each time your system boots up. Rootkits are difficult to detect because they are activated before your system's Operating System has completely booted up. A rootkit often allows the installation of hidden files, processes, hidden user accounts, and more in the systems OS. Rootkits are able to intercept data from terminals, network connections, and the keyboard.
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| RAM
| RAM (Random Access Memory) is where the computer system stores software applications and data that are being used. DDR or Double Data Rate effectively almost doubles the stated data transmission rate. Like DDR, DDR2 is a form of RAM. DDR2 is the next evolutionary step in the DDR infrastructure.
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| Reset button
| Used to restart the PC when the normal Windows shutdown/restart routine is not available. However, if within Windows, always attempt to shutdown from the Start menu.
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| Sandboxing
| Nsecuring the entry point of almost all malware — the Web browser. A technique known as sandboxing (i.e., isolating) the Web browser prevents spyware from infecting the enterprise. Non-trusted components can run safely in the sandbox, thereby restricting the interaction the browser has with the system. It contains, analyzes and eradicates any damage.
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| Spyware
| Malicious software designed to intercept or take partial control of a computer without your consent.
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| S-Video
| To get around the picture degradation that can occur with composite video, S-Video was created. In the S-Video format, chrominance information is kept separate from luminance and sync information. S-Video signals are transmitted via twin coaxial or shielded cables, which are fitted to miniature 4-pin DIN-type plugs or two RCA-type plugs -- one marked "Y" for luminance/sync and the other marked "C" for chrominance.
Note: Most video equipment that is fitted with S-Video inputs also has Composite Video inputs in case the device to which you are connecting is not S-Video compatible.
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| Sound card
| Together with the speakers, a sound card determines a computer’s ability to reproduce sound for watching DVD movies, listening to music and realistic game sound effects. Most computers come with a built-in sound card, a separate sound card that can be fitted into a computer’s expansion slot offers better sound quality and added features for recording and creating digital music and sounds.
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| Serial/Com
| External devices using the serial (RS232) interface will connect to these ports.
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