Introduction
This A–Z glossary is designed to empower professionals, hobbyists, students, and curious learners by demystifying the jargon used across the AV industry.
A
- Amp: Often used as shorthand for “amplifier,” also refers to electrical current measurement (amperes).
- Amplifier: A device that increases the power of a signal
- An Audio Amplifier typically feeds loudspeakers
- A Video Amplifier extends the range of video signals over long distances.
- Aspect Ratio: The proportional relationship between a screen’s width and height (e.g., 16:9).
- Aux (Auxiliary): An auxiliary input or output used for routing audio or video signals.
B
- Balanced Audio: A method of audio signal transmission that minimizes noise by using two signal wires and a ground. Connectors include XLR and TRS (Tip-ring-sleeve).
- Bandwidth: the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over a cable or channel within a specific time. In AV, it’s important when referring to video and/or Ethernet cables.
- BNC: a bayonet-style connector used for video and RF signals.
- Body Pack Transmitter: a component of a wireless microphone system. Accepts different microphones such as lavalier or headset.
C
- Cable Bridge: a device placed in front of a doorway so that cables are routed up and over the door to prevent tripping.
- Cable Ramp: a device laid on the ground that protects cables from foot or vehicle traffic.
- Call Time: the specific time that the crew needs to be on site and ready to work. Don’t be late!
- Confidence Monitor: A video screen placed between the audience and the presenter, facing the presenter. used to display notes or content so the presenter can maintain audience eye contact..
- Control System: A centralized platform for managing AV equipment (lighting, video, sound, etc.).
- Contrast Ratio: The difference between the darkest black and the brightest white a display can show.
D
- DANTE: A protocol for transporting multichannel digital audio over Ethernet.
- Decibel (dB): A unit used to measure sound intensity or audio signal level.
- Delay (audio or video): an adjustment to the timing of a signal to compensate for distance (audio), or to synchronize video to broadcast requirements.
- Display Resolution: The number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed (e.g., 1920x1080).
- Distribution Amplifier: A device that duplicates and strengthens AV signals for multiple outputs.
- Distro: common term for a Power Distribution Panel. Connects to high-voltage main power and provides multiple outlets for AV Equipment.
- DMX: digital communication protocol for lighting. Also refers to a 5-pin connector on a lighting control cable
- DLP (Digital Light Processing): A projection technology that uses micro-mirrors to produce sharp, vibrant images.
- Down Stage: the area of the stage closest to the audience
- Dress Kit / Drape Kit: draperies specifically designed to surround a projection screen.
- DSM (Down-Stage Monitor): See Confidence Monitor.
E
- Encoder: A device or software that compresses and converts video signals to a different format for streaming or transmission.
- Equalizer (EQ): A tool for adjusting the balance of frequency components in audio.
- Ethernet Cable (network cable): a cable designed to carry data, network, and internet signals. When ruggedized, it is referred to as EtherCon.
F
- 4K-UHD Resolution: 3849x2160 pixels. Common for TVs, Monitors and Streaming.
- Feedback (Acoustic): The high-pitched noise caused by a sound loop between an audio input and output. Typically between a microphone and loudspeaker.
- Feeder Cable: a low gauge wire used to carry high voltage power over long distances.
- Fiber: Optical cables used to carry signal over long distances. Specific encoder/decoder devices are required depending on the signal type.
- Frame Rate: The number of video frames displayed per second (fps).
- Front Projection: setup where the video projector shines onto the surface facing the audience. This setup may be susceptible to shadows.
G
- Gaffers Tape: a cloth backed, low-tack adhesive tape used to hold down cables and other items during AV setup.
- Gain: The amount of amplification applied to an audio signal in dB.
- Gain Before Feedback: refers to the total system gain—the combined amplification of all open microphones and the sound system—before feedback occurs
- Gobo: A stencil placed inside a stage lighting fixture to project patterns or logos.
- Green Room: A backstage space where performers wait before going on stage.
- Ground stack, ground support: the act of placing equipment on a stage, stand or the ground as opposed to rigging and hanging overhead.
H
- H.264/H.265: widely adopted video compression standards designed for high-quality streaming.
- Haze Machine: A device that emits fine particles into the air to enhance lighting effects.
- HD (or FHD) Resolution: 1920x1080 pixels. Common for last-generation TVs, monitors, and streaming.
- HDMI: High-Definition Multimedia Interface; a digital video/audio connection.
- House left/right: the side of the room from the perspective of the audience. Opposite of Stage Left/Right.
I
- In-Ear Monitor: An audio device used by performers to hear a mix of audio sources.
- Intercom (“comms”): A wired or wireless communication system for the production crew.
- Interlaced Video: A technique for doubling the perceived frame rate of video without using extra bandwidth.
J
- Jack (Audio Jack): A receiving connector for audio equipment (e.g., 1/4”, 1/8”, XLR).
- Jumper Cable: A short cable used to connect equipment within a rack or system. Sometimes called a Patch Cord.
K
- Keystone Correction: Adjusting the shape of a projected image to make the image rectangular.
- Kilohertz (kHz): A frequency measurement unit equal to 1,000 Hz.
L
- Lavalier or Lapel Microphone: a miniature microphone clipped onto a presenter’s shirt, tie or jacket lapel.
- LCD: Liquid Crystal Display; used in monitors and projectors.
- LED: Light Emitting Diode; used in screens and stage lights.
- Leko: A type of spotlight used in theater and stage lighting.
- Lens: an optical device added to cameras, video projectors and lights to change the range of image capture or light output.
- Line Array: a loudspeaker system composed of multiple, usually identical, speaker elements arranged in a vertical line. The design combines each speaker sound wave to project sound farther and more evenly than other speaker designs.
- Load In / Load Out: The process of moving equipment into and out of a venue.
- Lumen: A unit measuring the brightness of a light source, typically video projectors.
M
- M/E: Mix Effect Bus. A core component of video switchers, referring to the ability to combine or switch between multiple video sources.
- Matrix Switcher: Routes multiple audio/video inputs to multiple outputs.
- Microphone: A device that captures sound; types include handheld, lavalier, and headset mics.
- Mixer (Audio): A device used to combine, route, and adjust audio signals.
- Mover (Moving Light): An intelligent light fixture capable of panning, tilting, and changing color.
- MP4 or MPEG-4: a popular and highly compatible video recording format.
- Multiviewer: A device that displays multiple video feeds on a single screen.
N
- Noise Floor: The level of background noise in a recording or system.
O
- OLED: Organic LED; a high-end display technology with superior contrast and color.
- Output: A port that sends signal data or power to another device.
P
- PAR: Parabolic Aluminized Reflector; a common stage lighting fixture.
- P-i-P, Picture-in-picture: a visual effect where a smaller image is placed in a box over a larger image.
- Pipe and Drape: a system of uprights and cross-bars that hold draperies of different lengths and colors to decorate an event space. Typically dreaded by AV teams.
- Pixel: The smallest element of an image or display.
- Pixel Pitch: the distance between two pixels in an LED panel. Expressed in mm.
- PowerCon: Specialized ruggedized AC Power connector. Features a twist-locking mechanism.
- Projector: A device that accepts a video signal and projects the corresponding image onto a large surface using a bright light source.
- ProRes: a high-quality professional recording format. Includes varieties such as ProRes LT and ProRes HQ, which balance quality and file size for different workflows.
- PTZ Camera: A camera with Pan, Tilt, and Zoom capabilities, often remote-controlled.
Q
- Q&A: Question and Answer segment of a meeting agenda.
- QR Code: A scannable code that links to digital content or AV settings.
R
- Rear Projection: A setup where images are projected from behind the screen.
- Receiver: accepts signal from corresponding transmitter. May be wired or wireless.
- Resolution: The clarity and detail of an image, typically measured in pixels.
- RF (Radio Frequency): Used for wireless transmission of audio and video.
- Rigging: the process of hanging equipment from a secure overhead point (see rigging point); may also refer to the equipment used to perform this task.
- Rigging Point: a specific place in the ceiling or overhead superstructure designated to hang motors or equipment.
- ROS: Run-of-show. An event agenda that includes details such as presenter name, media cues and other on-stage movements.
- Run Off Drape: see Pipe and Drape
S
- Screen Gain: A measure of a screen’s reflectivity.
- SDI: Serial Digital Interface; a standard for digital video transmission.
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: The ratio between the desired signal and background noise.
- Soundboard: See Mixer.
- SpeakOn: Specialized ruggedized speaker connector. Features a twist-locking mechanism.
- Stage left/right: the side of the stage from the perspective of the talent looking at the audience. Opposite of house left/right.
T
- Tally Light: Indicates when a camera is live.
- Teams (Microsoft): an online video platform used for meetings, webinars, and other live-stream events.
- Teleprompter: a device that displays a script read by a presenter. Executive prompters are reflective glass panels placed in front of the presenter. Camera prompters are placed directly in front of a camera lens.
- Throw Distance: The distance from a video projector to the screen. When combined with the screen dimensions allows the accurate calculation of lens specification and light (lumen) requirements.
- Transmitter: Sends signals to corresponding receivers. May be wired or wireless.
- Truss: structural framework used to mount lighting and AV gear.
U
- Unbalanced Audio: Audio connections with higher susceptibility to noise over distance.
- Up-stage: the area of the stage furthest from the audience
- Upscaling: Increasing the resolution of a video signal.
- USB: Universal Serial Bus; a standard connection for data and power.
V
- Video Switcher: A device for selecting and mixing video inputs during production.
- Video Wall: A large display made of multiple screens tiled together.
- Volt: A unit of electric potential.
W
- Watts: unit of power that measures the rate that which energy is used or produced. ELECTRICAL: the electrical power consumed by AV equipment; AUDIO: the power output of audio amplifiers; the power-handling capacity of loudspeakers.
- White Balance: A camera adjustment to compensate for different types of lights shining on stage. Makes captured images look natural.
- Wireless Mic: A microphone that transmits audio without cables.
X
- XLR Cable: A professional audio cable with three pins used for balanced audio.
Y
- Y-Cable: A cable that splits or merges audio or video signals.
- YUV Color Space: A color encoding system used in video applications.
Z
- Zoom: online video platform used for meetings, webinars and other live-stream events.
- Zoom Lens: A lens that can change focal lengths without changing the physical position.
Summary: A–Z Glossary of Audio Visual Terms
This comprehensive glossary provides clear definitions and explanations of essential audio-visual (AV) terms from A to Z. It serves as a valuable reference for professionals, students, and enthusiasts working with AV technology across events, broadcasting, live production, and installations.
