New Media Glossary

The world of new technology and entertainment has its own vocabulary. To help you speak the language, below is glossary of some commonly used terms, entities, and acronyms.

3G – stands for 3rd Generation cellular network.  It is a group of standards by which mobile phones can have broadband [link to glossary term] connections to a voice and data network. Two of the popular standards are EVDO and HSDPA.

BitTorrent – is a method for delivering content more efficiently to a consumer that enables pieces of content to be simultaneously delivered from more than one distributor. BitTorrent is one of several peer-2-peer protocols.

Blu-ray – is Sony’s high-density optical disc format for the storage of digital media, including high-definition video.

Broadband – is a high-speed network connection that makes video delivery possible. Broadband can carry data, voice, TV and video simultaneously over long distances at much higher speeds and in greater quantities than a conventional telephone line. DSL, otherwise known as digital subscriber line, is an example of broadband technology.

CinemaNow – is Lionsgate’s venture into an online movie rental service. It is similar to Netflix, but without the need to use the mail or DVDs.

Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) – is used in the movie effects world to do things such as replace miniatures, do animations, and even to increase the number of actors in crowd scenes. Although it is used mostly to compliment traditional filmmaking, CGI can allow an artist to produce content without the use of additional equipment or personnel.

Convergence – is the merging of gadgets, types of content, and/or industries. One such example is Apple’s iPhone that combines the personal computer, the PMP, and the telephone.

Digital Cinema – refers to the use of digital technology to distribute and project motion pictures.

Digital Rights Management (DRM) – is a collection of systems that attempts to control how content is used. In its most basic form, think of DRM as a lock and key.  Content that is protected by DRM is put in to a lock box and only authorized users have the key to open the box. The four major types of DRM currently in use are: AACS – used on HD-DVD and Blu-ray disks, CSS – used on DVDs, Fair Play – used by Apple for sales made through the iTunes store, and Plays For Sure – created by Microsoft and used by many others including Vongo.

Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) – are like digital VCRs that allow consumers to “time-shift” programming. Most DVRs also allow viewers to skip over commercials in recorded programs, and some even enable users to transfer programs to personal computers, DVDs, and PMPs.

DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting – Handheld) – is a technical specification for bringing broadcast services to handheld receivers such as smart phones.

HD-DVD (High-Definition DVD or High-Density DVD) – is a high-density optical disc format designed for the storage of data and high-definition video.

HDTV (High Definition Television) – is a group of standards with a significantly higher resolution [link to glossary term] than traditional TV formats.

High-Definition (HD) – means to have a high resolution .  In other words a High-Definition video has a high degree of detail.

Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) – is like cable TV, but it uses a broadband connection to the Internet instead of cable for the delivery of video services. IPTV works on your TV with a set-top box that accesses channels, subscription services, and movies on demand. The advantage over cable is that the communication can be two-way, making customized programming and interactive media possible without an additional connection.

iTunes – is a media player and online store run by Apple which sells movies, TV shows, and music. As of September 2007 it is the third largest retailer of media content in the U.S.

Location Free – is a group of software and hardware technologies that allow a consumer to send content from their home to a remote portable device for viewing. The major players in this space are Sling Media, Orb, and Sony.

MediaFLO – is Qualcomm's DVB-H like new technology to broadcast data to portable devices such as smart phones and PDAs.

Metrics – are tools for measuring things such as the amount of distribution a movie receives.

MMS (Multi-Media Messaging Service) – enables content distributors to push audio-visual content to mobile phones. The most common types of content are video messaging and ringtones.

Mobisodes – are content usually based on TV shows that are delivered to mobile phones through a service provider such as Verizon or Sprint. Mobisodes are usually short in length, however longer content is now becoming available as well.

MobiTV – is a group of 3G services for Sprint and AT&T used to deliver movies, TV and other audio-visual content to their subscribers.

Monetization – is the process of converting something of value into money. For example when a studio sells a film they are monetizing their product.

Peer-To-Peer (P2P) – is a term used to describe a group of methods for more efficiently delivering content to a consumer over the Internet.  These systems make it possible for pieces of content to be simultaneously delivered from more than one distributor.  For example, when a movie is delivered over a p2p network, the first and second frames may come from two different distributors.

PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) – are handheld computers that function as personal organizers. Today PDAs have become much more powerful often including PMP [link to glossary term] functionality as well as the ability to surf the Internet.

Performance Capture – is a technique of digitally recording movements. These recordings can then be used to animate digital characters.

Placeshifting – is the practice of watching or listening to video or audio programs in a different venue than was originally intended. One such example would be to send a live broadcast of a TV show from your home to your mobile phone so you could enjoy the program while on the road. Location free technology makes this possible.

PMPs (Portable Media Player) – allow users to take digital content with them on the go. The iPod is an example of a PMP.

Portals – are web sites like Google, Yahoo, YouTube and MySpace that can either act as a starting point to discovering content on the Internet, or that can actually deliver content themselves.

Podcasts – simply put, are syndicated webisodes. RSS technology is used to deliver these webisodes on a regular subscription basis.

PS3 – is Sony’s new PlayStation video gaming system. It has the ability to receive games and other audio-video content over the Internet.

PSP – is Sony’s Portable PlayStation. It is capable of receiving content over the Internet using a built in WiFi connection.

Resolution – describes the level of detail an image holds.  The higher the resolution the more detail in the picture. Resolution can also refer to the quality of audio as well.

RSS (Real Simple Syndication) – is the technical specification used to deliver podcasts.

Search Engines – are tools that help you to find things on the Internet. One example of a popular search engine is Google.
 
Set-Top-Boxes – connect to your cable, phone, or Internet connection and produce video output for your TV. They are commonly used to receive and decode digital TV broadcasts, record TV shows (e.g. DVRs), and sometimes even make it possible to surf the Internet through the television.

Smartphones – are cell phones that are no longer limited to making voice calls. This category includes devices such as the BlackBerry, the Razr, the iPhone and the Palm Treo. Think of these devices as little computers in your pocket that can run software, play media, connect to the Internet, as well as make calls.

Snack-Size Media – refers to short length content. Consumers may not watch a two-hour movie on their cell phones, but they may watch a few minutes.

Social Networks – are online communities where people meet, socialize, exchange digital files, etc. These sites are often used to launch new bands and to promote TV shows and movies through viral marketing. Some popular examples of social networks are Facebook and MySpace.

Time-Shifting – is the act of consuming content exactly when you want it, not on the broadcaster or distributor’s schedule. VCRs and DVRs make this possible.

WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) – is a technical specification for formatting Internet content for mobile devices.

Watermarking – is a form of DRM that does not limit use. Instead content that is watermarked contains hidden messages with information such as copyright notices, the name of an authorized user, or possibly, in the case of digital cinema, the time and place of projection.

Webcasts – are programs that allow users from all over the Internet to watch content simultaneously. The experience is much like watching a TV channel.

Webisodes – are generally short form content that is distributed on the Internet through a website such as YouTube.

WiFi – is a means by which portable devices can connect to the Internet wirelessly.

V Cast – is Verizon’s 3G service for delivering music, movies, and TV content to their mobile phone subscribers.

VoD ( Video-on-Demand) – is an umbrella term for a wide range of technologies that enable consumers to select videos for viewing on a television or computer screen at the time they want to view them.

Vongo – is Starz new service for Internet delivered movie rentals. Vongo works similarly to Netflicks, but without the use of the mail or DVDs.

Viral Marketing – is a technique that is based on the assumption that people will share interesting and entertaining content. Blogs and seemingly amateur videos are often used to create word-of-mouth buzz for a new product or service, generating exposure that is often much more valuable than traditional advertising.

XBox 360 – is Microsoft’s new video gaming system, which includes the ability to receive games, movies, TV, and music over the Internet.