Glossary
SCART
(Syndicat des Constructeurs d’Appareils Radiorécepteurs et Téléviseurs), Radio and Television Receiver Manufacturers’ Association is a French-originated standard and associated 21-pin connector for connecting audio-visual (AV) equipment together. For the best picture, look for SCARTs that support the high-standard RGB signal. This splits the video signal into its red, blue and green components to give an improved picture.
SD Memory Card
Secure Digital is a solid state storage device commonly used for still images, video footage and music. More than 520 companies worldwide support the SD standard.
SECAM
The French broadcast system. Sequential Colour A Memoire uses 625 lines scanned at 50Hz.
Shooting Modes
Automatic modes
In fully automatic mode, when the shutter release button is pressed halfway, the camera selects all settings including focus, lighting and brightness of a scene.
Digital cameras with Program AE mode (P mode) set the shutter speed and aperture automatically. However, the user can adjust some settings such as ISO and white balance.
Semi-automatic modes
Aperture priority mode (AV) – Select the aperture (lens opening) and the camera automatically sets the shutter speed.
Shutter priority mode
(TV) – Select the shutter speed and the camera automatically sets the aperture.
Manual mode
You have complete control by selecting both the shutter speed and the aperture. Digital cameras with manual modes have a manual assist indicator that indicates whether or not exposure is adequate.
Scene modes
From a variety of pre-programmed modes such as a portrait, landscape or fireworks. The settings change with each selection.
SIS
This function makes it possible to snap off a still shot (VGA) while continuing to record a moving picture. There isn’t even any need to change recording modes. The moving pictures are recorded onto tape, and the still is recorded onto the SD Memory Card. This two-in-one capability makes it possible to catch sudden photo opportunities without interrupting a moving picture scene.
Smart Accessory Shoe
Port on the top of the camcorder, which allows the user to attach peripheral equipment. The port has connections that allow the equipment to draw power and information from the camera.
sRGB
Abbreviation for Standard RGB. sRGB is the international colour space standard created by the IEC (International Electro technical Commission). Performing all colour adjustments in this colour space minimizes colour disparities from input and output data collected via PC peripheral devices, such as digital cameras, printers, and monitors.
SSD
Solid State Drive, or SSD for short. Like camera memory cards, these use silicon chips rather than magnetic discs to store data. They’re popular in laptops because they use very little power, so extend battery life, and are hard to damage. But they are expensive per gigabyte of space compared to traditional drives.
Static Contrast Ratio
Measures dark and light in a static shot, or the highest contrast ratio achievable within the same scene at the same time. This is a smaller number but a truer measurement in terms of overall picture quality.
Stuck pixels
A pixel that is stuck either ‘on’ or ‘off’, meaning that it is always illuminated, unlit, or stuck on one colour regardless of the image the LCD monitor displays can also be called a dead pixel.
Subwoofer
A speaker dedicated to producing powerful low frequency sounds. Ideal for explosions, rumbling thunderstorms, etc.
Super Image Stabilizer
In recording situations where shaking is likely to happen i.e. when using zoom mode, filming from a vehicle or whilst walking, this function will stabilize the recording. (Also see Optical Image Stabilizer).
Super Multi
Is a term used to describe a type of CD and DVD recorder that writes CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R/DVD-RW, DVD+R/DVD+RW and DVD-RAM formats. Some recorders are also able to write DVD-R DL and DVD+R DL formats.
This term was coined by LG and is now officially protected by LG. It is also used by NEC for some of their products. LiteOn uses the term “Super AllWrite” instead, which essentially has the same meaning.
Surround sound
Some TVs come with an extra set of speakers you place away from the set to create surround sound. Many other TVs have ‘virtual’ surround sound: they mimic the effect using the two main speakers, but this is usually disappointing.
SVGA
Abbreviation for Super Video Graphics Array. Resolution is 800 x 600 pixels. One of the standard PC display modes.
S-VHS
An enhanced version of the VHS video cassette system. The ‘S’ stands for Super and offers superior picture quality from video tapes – but you need a compatible VCR, tapes and sockets to take advantage of it.
S-Video
4 pin socket used to carry video signals. Luminance (brightness) and Chrominance (colour) signals are carried separately to optimise picture quality. They are slightly inferior to SCART RGB but better than composite.
Switch (Network) – see Network switch
SXGA
Abbreviation for Super eXtended Graphics Array. Resolution is 1280 x 1024 pixels. This resolution is a vertical and horizontal expansion of XGA (1024 x 768 pixels).
