Glossary

Glossary

The following table contains a list of terms defined specifically for RealPlayer. While some of these concepts may have broader meanings and implications, the definitions in this Help file will relate directly to your use of the RealPlayer rather than the world or Internet at large.

	Term	Definition
	accessory	Accessories are parts of RealPlayer that are not necessary to its main function, but that enhance your experience during playback (for example, the Equalizer).
	add-in	Additions to RealPlayer, such as RealJukebox, that may or may not be part of RealPlayer, but that can be launched from or works with RealPlayer.
	Audio Analyzer	A tool that analyzes the audio coming into RealPlayer and displays it either in a visual format in the status window (Mac only).
	background	When a process is set to run “in the background” there is often no visual cue to alert you that something is happening. During a background process, you can continue to work normally.
	bandwidth	The amount of data over a short time that can be sent to your computer; usually expressed as kilobits per second (Kbps or thousands of bits per second). The higher the bandwidth, the faster you receive data. Very much like using a larger garden hose to get more water faster. Sometimes known as bitrate. Sometimes this refers to a range of sound frequencies and is shortened to “band” as in the “16-band bar-graph Equalizer”. In this case, the range of sound that is measurable is broken into equal portions, or bands, of sound to be displayed.
	bar	A portion of the RealPlayer interface that can be rearranged vertically and is only a single line tall (for example, the Clip Info bar).l
	bitrate	The speed of a connection, how fast information can be passed to your computer over an Internet or network connection. Sometimes known as bandwidth.
	bits	The single smallest piece of digital information.
	Byte	A unit of digital data usually made up of 8 bits. Often used synonymously for packet when talking about the Internet even though it is not actually the same thing. Packets are usually made up of bytes. (See also packets.)
	browser	Short term for Internet browser (for example, Netscape, Opera, or Internet Explorer).
	buffered	Data that is collected but held back rather than made available. Similar to a translator on the news listening to a whole statement before telling you what the speaker has said, rather than trying to give you a less accurate, halting, word by word translation.
	channel	Represented by an icon in the Channels tab. It is a quick link to a service (news, sports, etc.). Channels also update headlines from there associated services on a regular basis when connected to the Internet.

	Channels tab	The portion of the Content Panel that displays Channels.
	clip	Any media that can play within RealPlayer.
	Clip Info bar	Displays Title, Author, Copyright information (when available) about the active clip.
	Codec	Short for Compressor / DECompressor. An algorithm used to compress and uncompress data files.
	compiled	Term describing a file when the raw information, or source-code, has been organized into a usable format for your desktop. (for example, RMA, EXE, and COM file types)
	Content Panel	Opposite the Display Panel. Both the Channels tab and the My Favorites tab are displayed on this panel.
	Control bar	The portion of the RealPlayer that contains the controls that act on the active clip (for example, Play, Pause, Stop, etc.) as well as the position slider, the Equalizer, and any plug-ins or RealPlayer Add-ins (RPA’s).
	datatype	Determined by the program that creates the media you are viewing and usually distinguished by the extension on the end of the file (for example, AVI, WAV, RM, RMA, etc.)
	DirectX	A collection of interpreters created by Microsoft, that allow sound and video to work faster in Windows95/98 or later, and Windows NT 4.0 or later.
	Display Panel	Opposite the Content Panel. Used to display visual elements of a clip as well as the Audio Analyzer and controls for Volume, Zoom, and Display.
	Drag & Drop	A technique for moving files in a windows environment. Click and hold on a file with the cursor, then drag the file to an application. Release the mouse button to drop the file into the application.
	electronic certificates	Electronic certificates are digital fingerprints. Each file carries a special code identifying it as officially sanctioned and approved by RealNetworks to work with your RealPlayer.
	encode	The process of converting media (sound, video, etc.) so it can be streamed to and played by RealPlayer.
	equalizer	see graphic equalizer.
	Favorites	Quick links to reach content on the Internet, similar to the station buttons on a car or home radio.
	file-type	A file’s “type” is described at the front of every file and alerts your computer to what programs can use the file. Some programs can use other programs’ file-types (for example, word processors can often read other word processor documents). When programs are installed, certain file-types are associated with that program. When you click on a link or a file, Windows checks to see what program is associated with that file-type and automatically launches that program (for example, double-clicking on a .ram file should launch RealPlayer Plus and begin to play a clip). File-type is determined by code in the file header, that portion of the file that is read first and tells your computer what programs can read it. Often file-type and file extension (for example, .ram) can be used interchangeably, but in actuality, extensions are not always an indication of file-type.
	firewall	Security devices used to protect companies from unauthorized access to their servers. A firewall ensures that all communication between an organization’s network and the Internet conform to the organization’s security policies using either proxy services or packet filtering.
	graphic equalizer	A graphic equalizer divides the sound input into smaller ranges of tones. This lets you adjust each range of sound to fit your preferences rather than just all the high or low frequencies as typical treble and bass buttons do.
	GUID	A Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) is an alphanumeric identifier in RealPlayer that is disabled by default and is only enabled if you turn on the feature in Preferences. GUIDs are often used to allow access to content for authorized viewers. A GUID is randomly generated by RealPlayer during installation. RealNetworks uses publicly documented standards to create a GUID. A GUID is used to indicate a unique installation of a product, and is found in many popular software applications
	HTTP	Hyper Text Transport Protocol. A standard language for pushing information across the Internet. A good fall-back to use, though with reduced quality, when a company employs a firewall that blocks other protocols.
	IP	Internet Protocol. Part of the TCP/IP group of information languages.
	IP address	Internet address to another computer in number format (for example, 127.0.0.1)
	ISP	Internet Service Provider. Who you use to dial up to the Internet if you do not have a permanent network connection.
	media	A general term that includes any visual, audio or text broadcast.
	Media Access Bar	Portion of RealPlayer Plus that offers several ways to quickly find contend: Radio Tuner, Search, and Real.com Guide.
	Mode	A specific instance or view of a single tool. For instance, Compact Mode versus Normal Mode for the player View.
	Multicast	Used for broadcasting large events over the Internet. Allows a single computer to create the content (concert, film, etc.) and many computers to play the same single stream.
	multi-clip	Any string of clips linked within a file that can play within RealPlayer.
	normalize	To choose a base setting to which all volume, or other measurements, are adjusted to match.
	packet	A single package of data sent to a computer. Like an individually wrapped slice of cheese.
	panel	Any one of the separate areas of the RealPlayer. Each is separated by lines on the top and bottom. Bars can be dragged above and below the panel to change the top-to-bottom order you see in your Player.
	peak	The highest level for a particular sound at a given point in time. Used when viewing some Visualizations.
	Playlist bar	Displays the name of the current clip within a multi-clip (see multi-clip).
	plug-in	A component of the RealPlayer that extends its ability.
	PNM or PNA	The previous standard protocol for streaming media to your RealPlayer.
	protocol	Language used by computers to talk to each other or to its own hardware. In the case of two computers, they must speak the same language to understand each other. The standard Internet protocol is TCP/IP.
	proxy	Used in conjunction with a firewall , a proxy or proxy service is a server that acts as an intermediary to first determine if a requested connection between a computer on the internal network and one on the outside is permitted. If the connection is authorized, the firewall sets up the necessary communication links between the two computers. The firewall can then monitor the communication between the two networks and suppress any unauthorized activity.
	RPA	RealPlayer Add-in. Authorized 3rd-Party program additions that give you access to other media or functions.
	Radio Tuner	Portion of Media Access bar that connects to the Web to find lists of radio and TV programming available.
	RealMedia	Any media that is specifically created to be streamed, from RealServer to your computer.
	RTSP	Real Time Streaming Protocol. The newest and fastest protocol used to stream media to your RealPlayer over the internet.
	sampling rate	How often a sample (measurement) of an audio signal is taken over a specific period of time.
	Scanning	RealPlayer Plus can scan Favorites so you can find the clips that interest you most. The process is similar to using the scan feature of a car radio.
	server	Any machine or program that is ‘serving’ information to another machine or program. RealServers, for instance, serve content to RealPlayers.
	session	Each time you start RealPlayer you begin a new session, or round, of using the product. While some information, such as Preferences, are retained from session to session, others, such as which clips have been played, are not.
	Status bar	Portion of RealPlayer Plus that displays connection and other information about the currently active clip.
	streaming	When a large media file (audio, video, etc.) is broken into smaller pieces so it can viewed immediately rather than having to wait for the whole file to be downloaded.
	TCP	Transmission Control Protocol. Part of the TCP/IP group of information languages. More reliable than UDP , but often slower.
	TCP/IP	Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. Standard protocol used by the Internet to send information back and forth.
	transport	Specifically how data is broken up and sent to your computer over the Internet or your company intranet or network. Each type of transport is handled differently. Most machines will only recognize a single type of transport, though this is not always the case. Synonymous with protocol.
	troughs	The lowest level for a particular sound at a given point in time. Used when viewing the Wave mode Analyzer.
	tuner	see Radio Tuner.
	UDP	User Datagram Protocol. Part of the TCP/IP group of information languages. Similar to, but less reliable than, TCP, though often faster.
	URL	Uniform Resource Locator. This is the complete address that tells your browser and your RealPlayer where to get the information to show or play (for example, www.real.com/thankyou.rm) and how to interpret that information.
	Video controls	Controls for Contrast, Brightness, Color Level, Tint, and Sharpness for visual presentations. Located next to the Zoom control on the Display Panel. Not all visual presentations support Video controls. They will only be available if the clip supports the controls.
	Web Server	A server that makes HTML pages and other content available to your Web Browser.