Descriptions of equipment and definitions of technical terms.
Audio Equipment
- Audio Mixer
- Allows multiple audio sources (microphones, CD player, computer audio, etc.) to be mixed together for easy recording or live sound reinforcement.
- Digital Audio Recorder
- A portable recording device that records audio as a MP3 or WAV file on compact flash storage cards. After recording, the files can be transferred to a Mac or PC computer by connecting the recording device and computer with a USB cable.
- Microphone, Floor Stand
- A wired microphone attached to a floor stand that stands 3-6' off the ground.
- Microphone, Lectern
- A fixed microphone at the lectern.
- Microphone, Table
- Wired microphones on a table top stand used for panelists.
- Microphone, Wireless Handheld
- Most often used for Q & A.
We recommend microphones for Q & A when an event is being recorded or is in a room that seats over two hundred people. Q & A microphones can be setup on floor stands or someone from your event can pass them to audience members asking questions.
- Microphone, Wireless Lapel
- A small microphone that clips onto the speaker's shirt or lapel and allows him or her to move around during their presentation.
Recommended for the primary speaker of all events.
- Press Box
- Audio device that splits one audio signal (ex: sound from a lecturer's microphone) into multiple connections for press outlets to use for audio and video recordings.
- Sound System, Portable (<30 people)
- One small speaker with built in amplifier that has one microphone (XLR) and one line in (1/4 in.) (CD player, computer audio, etc.) inputs.
- Sound System, Portable (30-75 people)
- One speaker with built in amplifier that has two microphone (XLR) and one line in (1/4in.) (CD player, computer audio, etc.) inputs.
- Sound System, Portable (75-150 people)
- Two speakers with built in amplifier that has two microphone (XLR) and one line in (1/4in.) (CD player, computer audio, etc.) inputs.
Computer Equipment
- Annotation Tablet
- A touchscreen display, with stylus, for annotating or otherwise interacting with a computer.
- Computer Audio Connection
- Playback sound from a laptop through a portable sound system or a sound system already installed in a room.
- Computer, Client's Mac
- Mac laptop provided by instructor/event organizer/lecturer, not by Media & Technology Services.
- Computer, Client's PC
- PC (Windows) laptop provided by instructor/event organizer/lecturer, not by Media & Technology Services.
- Computer, MTS Mac
- Mac laptop provided by Media & Technology Services.
- Computer, MTS PC
- PC laptop provided by Media & Technology Services.
- Media Access Control (MAC) Address
- A unique identifier assigned to network adapters (Ethernet, wireless, etc.) for communications on the network. See this FAS-IT page on how to find your network card's MAC address.
- Mac Video Adapter, Single
- Adaptor required to convert the video output of a Mac laptop to the connection used by MTS projectors. All Macs require one of these adaptors to project, and there are many different models of these adaptors, depending on the model of the Mac. Request the 'single' adapter if you will only be projecting one Mac laptop. MTS will need to know the model of your Mac laptop.
- Mac Video Adapter, Set
- Adaptor required to convert the video output of a Mac laptop to the connection used by MTS projectors. All Macs require one of these adaptors to project, and there are many different models of these adaptors, depending on the model of the Mac. Request the 'set' of adapters if you will be projecting multiple Mac laptops of varying models.
- Skype Speakerphone
- A USB microphone and speaker that can be used by small groups for a variety of computer based conferencing.
Display/Projection
- Computer/Video Projector
- A digital projector used to show images from a computer or a video device (DVD player, etc).
- LCD/DLP Projector
- Same as "Computer/Video Projector". A digital projector used to show images from a computer or a video device (DVD player, etc).
- High Definition LCD/DLP Projector
- A digital projector used to show images from a computer or a video device (DVD player, etc). Although both types of projectors typically accept a high def. signal as an input, high definition projectors actually output a higher quality/resolution image (1280x720 or higher) than standard definition projectors (typically up to 1024x768).
- Document Camera
- A device used to digitally project any object, such as a picture, coin, or notes written by the presenter.
- Flat Panel Display
- A flat panel display that can show images from computers and video devices (such as a DVD player).
- Overhead Transparency Projector
- An old fashioned projector used to display plastic transparencies.
- Touchscreen Display With Embedded Computer
- A large, touch input sensitive, flat panel display that can accept video from various sources. The display has an attached computer that is optimized for use with a touchscreen.
Film
- 16mm Film Projector
- Projector used to display 16mm motion picture film.
- 35mm Film Projector (pair)
- Projectors used to display 35mm motion picture film.
Miscellaneous Equipment
- PowerPoint Remote
- Advance and reverse PowerPoint and Keynote slides wirelessly using this handheld remote. Works with Mac and PC laptops, and also contains a laser pointer.
- Easel (paper not included)
- Supports flip chart paper. Paper and markers are not supplied by Media & Technology Services.
- Laser Pointer
- Wireless handheld device that creates a laser beam for highlighting items on a projection screen.
Multimedia Production Terms
- Mastering
- The process where recorded material is taken from a master tape or file and prepared for duplication in the format of the final release media.
- Stereo
- Any sound reproduction (or reproduction system) with two speakers or channels that provides the listener with an illusion of directional realism.
- Multitrack
- Involves the recording and play back of multiple sound sources on separate record tracks for greater flexibility when producing an audio recording.
- Surround (sound)
- A term applied to several types of processes that enable the listener to experience sound coming from all directions.
- Sequencing (video)
- The act of arranging or rearranging the order of video footage in order to convey an idea or story.
- Color Correction
- The process of correcting for and eliminating an unwanted color cast or over/under- exposure of an image.
- Voice-over
- The speaking of a person or presenter (announcer, narrator, commentator, etc.) who is generally not seen while his or her voice is heard.
- DVD Authoring
- The process of creating a DVD video capable of playing on DVD player. This often includes the creation of chapter marks to index the program, and menus to allow easy navigation among chapters.
Service Request Terms
- Course Title
- The common name for a course (e.g. "Principles of Economics," "Elementary Arabic," etc.)
- Course Registration Number (CRN)
- 4 or 5 digit numbers found in the course catalogs for each school.
- Repeating Days
- Service requests that will recur on a weekly basis on the same day(s) of the week.
Slides
- 35mm Slide projector
- A projector that shows 35mm slides.
Videoconferencing
- Videoconferencing
- Equipment that links two or more remote locations together so that groups in each location can see and hear each other.
- Content Collaboration
- In many video conferencing locations it is possible to simultaneously transmit and receive both video of the participants and information from a computer, document camera or any other video source. Using this technology, presenters can easily share their PowerPoint presentations and other computer data files with all ends of the videoconference.
- IP
- A videoconferencing connection over the Internet.
- ISDN
- A videoconferencing connection type using specialized phone lines. These conferences have additional data fees that IP based conferences do not.
- Multipoint Videoconference
- Conferences where more than two sites are participating are called multipoint. These conferences can be more complex and may require the use of a third party agent who would facilitate the connectivity of all the parties.
- Point-to-point Conference
- Videoconferences between two sites are referred to as point-to-point conferences. The side of the videoconference taking place locally at Harvard is called the near site and the other end of the call is referred to as the far site
- Video streaming
- Technology that allows live video and audio broadcast of an event or the ability to have it hosted for on-demand viewing later. Typically a camera image of the speaker and an audio signal from a microphone streamed online.
Video Playback
- DVD Player, Multi-Region
- A DVD player that can play DVDs produced in any country.
- DVD Player
- A DVD player that can play DVDs produced in North America.
- VHS Player, Multi-Standard
- A VHS cassette player that can play cassettes produced in any country.
- VHS Player
- A VHS cassette player that can play NTSC cassettes, such as those produced in the United States.
- VHS, DVD & Monitor Cart
- Rolling cart that contains a television monitor, VCR, DVD player, and small speakers.