Glossary

The following table contains a list of terms defined specifically for RealOne Player. 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 RealOne Player rather than the world or Internet at large.

Term	Definition
accessory	Part of the RealOne Player that is not necessary to its main function, but that enhance your experience during playback (for example, the Equalizer).
Add-on	Additions to the RealOne Player, such as the Roxio CD Creator, which work with, or may be launched from the RealOne Player, but are not part of the RealOne Player.
Album	A collection of music on an audio CD or phonograph record.
analog	A continuously varying signal. In contrast, a digital signal is a collection of numeric values representing the analog signal. The term is often used to refer to audio signals that can be heard from a speaker.
analog extraction	CD recording process; used when the CD-ROM drive does not support digital extraction. The audio track is sent (extracted) to the computer's sound card as an analog signal, where it is digitized and recorded.
Artist	The primary creator (band, composer, singer, etc.) of the content of a clip.
Audio Analyzer	A tool that analyzes the audio coming into the RealOne Player and displays it in a visual format in the status window. (See Visualizations.)
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 that can be sent to your computer over a short time; usually expressed as kilobits per second (Kbps or thousands of bits per second). The higher the bandwidth, the faster you receive data; similar to using a larger garden hose to get more water faster. Often referred to as bit rate. Sometimes this refers to a range of sound frequencies and is shortened to "band," as in "16-band Equalizer". In this case, the total range of audio is broken into equal portions, or bands, of sound to be displayed and controlled.
bit-rate	The speed of a connection, how fast information can be passed to your computer over an Internet or network connection. Sometimes known as bandwidth.
bit	The single smallest piece of digital information.
block	Unit of measurement describing an amount of data the RealOne Player reads from an audio CD. (One "block" equals 2 "frames".)
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 the same thing. (Packets are usually made up of many bytes.)
browser	Short term for Internet browser (for example, Netscape Navigator, Opera, or Internet Explorer). A program used to view information on the world wide web. (See also Media browser)
buffer	Data that is held in a temporary cache rather than being available immediately. (See Buffering and Streaming Media .)
CD Info	Information about a CD and the number and size of tracks is encoded on the CD and can be read by the RealOne Player Additional information about a CD and each audio track is available on the Internet and can be retrieved and displayed by the RealOne Player. (See Get CD Info.)
CD-R	Short for CD-Recordable. Referring to a recording drive and the recordable disks. CD-R disks can be recorded only once.
CD-RW	Short for CD-ReWriteable. Referring to a drive and disks that can record and re-record data many times.
cache	A temporarily store of data saved in a first in, first out format.
channel	A quick link to a media service; (news, sports, etc.) usually containing mixed media (video, audio, text).
check box	Input area in a window used to select an option.
click and drag	A technique to manipulate objects in a windows based OS. Place the cursor over an object on the screen, click and hold the mouse button, move the mouse to drag the object, and then release the mouse button.
clipboard	A temporary storage location that holds the item cut or copied on your computer.
clip	An encoded unit of text audio or video (media) that can be played by the RealOne Player. Available as either a streamed clip or a local clip. Not to be confused with a CD Track.
Clip Info	Information about a media clip. This includes file data (size, format, etc.), and content data (title, artist, etc.). The Information is stored in part as a digital segment of the clip itself, and as part of the RealOne Player database on your computer. Information about the clip is obtained from the source (CD, media stream, etc.), from online data services, and from user inputs. (See also Artist Info and Now Playing.)
Codec	Short for Compressor / DECompressor. A mathematic equation used to compress and uncompress data files.
compiled	A process where raw information or source-code (program) has been organized into a usable format for a computer. (For example, RMA, EXE, and COM file types.)
content provider	Those people who put all that great video, audio and the like on the Net.
continuous play	An option used to play a list of clips in a continuous loop. Playback is stopped by pressing STOP.
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.)
default	A "default" is any setting or selection automatically used by the RealOne Player when other options are available.
dialog	Options window that interrupts access to a program until it is closed. Usually used to change program settings.
digital extraction	Process of recording digital sound information directly from your CD. Digitally formatted audio data is retrieved from the CD, bypassing the sound card, and is processed by the RealOne Player without being converted into an analog signal. Produces the best possible sound quality.
DirectX	A collection of command interpreters created by Microsoft, that allow sound and video to work faster in Windows95/98 or later, and Windows NT 4.0 or later.
electronic certificates	Digital fingerprints. Each file carries a special code identifying it as officially sanctioned and approved by RealNetworks to work with your RealOne Player.
encode	The process of converting media (audio, video, animation, or text) so it can be streamed to and played by the RealOne Player.
extraction	See analog extraction or digital extraction.
equalizer	See graphic equalizer.
Favorites	Quick links to content on the Internet that you create. Similar to bookmarks in a browser.
file-type	Files can be either data or application, and are formatted to work with particular programs. Each file has a code in its header (first part read in a file) that declares what the file is and what programs use it. Often file-type and file extension (for example, .ram) can be used interchangeably, but extensions can be changed and are not always an indication of file-type.
Finalization	The final process of creating an Audio CD, where the list of tracks, and other reference information used by CD players, is added to the CD. A CD must be finalized before it can be ‘read’ or played by a CD player.
firewall	Security devices used to protect networks 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.
format	See music file formats.
frame	Unit of measurement. Each frame contains 1/75th of a second of audio data.
genre	Type or category: Rock, Classical, Country, Sports, Movies, News etc. Pertaining to all media clips.
graphic equalizer	RealOne Player feature that allows you to fine-tune your audio playback by increasing or decreasing the volume within specific frequency ranges.
GUID	Globally Unique Identifier (GUID), an alphanumeric identifier used in the RealOne Player to allow access to content for authorized viewers. The GUID is disabled by default and is only enabled if you turn on the feature in Preferences. A GUID is randomly generated by the RealOne Player during installation. 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 transporting information across the Internet.
Hypertext	Text that is not arranged linearly (start to finish) but is structured like a spider web, using hyper-links to interconnect sections.
LAN	Local Area Network: A group of local computers and other devices connected by a communications link that enables device in the group to share information and functions.
ID3	Format used to store clip information along with the audio signal data in an MP3 file.
IP	Internet Protocol. Part of the TCP/IP group of information languages.
IP address	Internet address of a computer; in number format (for example, 127.0.0.1).
ISP	Internet Service Provider. Company that provides access to the Internet via dial-up modem, DSL, LAN, or other network connection. Usually includes an e-mail account and server.
local	Refers to computer resources (such as drives or files) that are part of a computer, or available on a local area net (LAN).
Kbps	An abbreviation for Kilobits per second; used to indicate a data transfer rate. (See also bit rate.)
media	A general term that includes any visual, audio or text file, or broadcast.
Media Browser	Area of the RealOne Player used to display features such as the Web, Library, CD, Device, Radio, and Channels.
Mode	A specific setup or view of a single tool. (For example, you can view the RealOne Player in Toolbar Mode or Normal Mode.)
MP3	MPEG Layer 3 Audio. A popular compression and file format for digital audio.
Multicast	Technique 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	A string of RealMedia clips linked from within a single file or link. Similar to a Playlist.
music file formats	Digital encoding and compression formats for audio files. (For example: MP3, RM, WAV.)
network drive	Computer drive located on a Local Area Network (LAN) and accessible by your computer.
normalize	To adjust all volume levels within a group of files to the same standard level or range.
offline / online	Not connected / connected to the Internet
packet	A single package of data sent to a computer. Usually one part of a larger file or data stream.
peak	The highest level for a particular sound at a given point in time. Used when viewing some Visualizations or the Graphic Equalizer.
Playlist	A collection of media clips selected from the clips available on your computer. Playlists contain only shortcuts to the media files, rather than copies, so they take up very little disk space.
plug-in	A component of the the RealOne Player that extends its ability. (For example: MIDI, or MP3)
PNM or PNA	An early protocol standard for streaming media to the RealPlayer; used before the current RTSP standard.
Portable Music Player	Small handheld player that can download, store and play digital audio files. Used like a portable CD player.
Portable Storage Device	Freestanding, high-capacity, removable storage device (such as CD ROMs, Zip® drives, or Jaz® drives) which allow you to store or transport large amounts of data on compact discs, diskettes, or cartridges. For more information, see Devices/Storage.
protocol	Language used by a computer to communicate with other computers or to its own hardware. In the case of two computers, they must use the same language to understand each other. The standard Internet protocol is TCP/IP.
progress indicator	Feature of the RealOne Player that shows the current position of the clip being played. You can jump to any point in a clip by clicking on a location on the indicator or by dragging the slider.
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.
quality, audio	The quality of digital sound recordings is dependent on sampling rate (measured in kilobits per second). The higher the sampling rate, the higher the quality.
.ra, .rm	RealMedia file extensions used by the RealOne Player.
.rmj	File extension for unsecured RealMedia files. Unsecured files can be moved to and played on other computers or portable players.
.rmx	File extension for secured RealMedia files. Secured files can only be played on the computer from which they were recorded. (Feature of older RealJukebox files.) A Security key is needed to access these files. (See also: Playing RealJukebox Files.)
RTSP	Real Time Streaming Protocol. The newest and fastest protocol used to stream media to the RealOne Player over the Internet
Radio	Page accessed with the Media Browser that lists radio programming available on the Web.
RealAudio	Digital audio format designed to be steamed to and played by the RealOne Player. Saved as RealAudio files (.ra), secured RealMedia files (.rmx), or unsecured RealMedia files (.rmj), or Streaming Media Metafiles (.ssm).
RealMedia	Any media that is specifically created to be streamed from a RealServer to your computer.
RealServer	Any Internet server running RealServer software, used to provide streaming RealMedia.
right-click menu	Menu of alternate commands; available when you click the right mouse button while using an application. Usually context specific (dependent on cursor location).
sampling rate	How often a sample (measurement) of an audio signal is taken over a specific period of time. Higher sample rates equal better audio quality. Lower sample rates equal smaller files.
security key	Encryption key generated and used by RealJukebox when creating secured RealMedia files (.rmx). go to Options>Preferences>My Library>Advanced My Library to backup or restore the key.
server	Any machine or program that is ‘serving’ information to another machine or program. RealServers, for instance, serve content to RealOne Players.
session	Each time you start the RealOne Player you begin a new session 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.
shuffle play	Plays current CD tracks or selected Playlist clips randomly.
Skin Mode	Custom control panel you can create or download for the RealOne Player.
SMIL	File type; SMIL presentation. (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language) Sends different steams for each of the components of a presentation (each steam having a different optimum bit-rate associated with it).
storage device	See Portable Storage Device.
streaming	The process of breaking a large media file (audio, video, etc.) into smaller pieces and transferring it, piece by piece, so it can be viewed immediately rather than waiting for the whole file to be downloaded. (See Streaming Media Basics.)
TCP	Transmission Control Protocol. Part of the TCP/IP group of information languages.
TCP/IP	Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. Standard protocol used on the Internet to send information back and forth.
Task bar	Area at the bottom of the Media Browser that shows the available RealOne Player feature pages, listed as icons and names.
Track	A segment (usually a song) on an audio CD, containing both encoded audio data and content information. CD audio tracks can be played and coped by the RealOne Player.
tracking button	Button on Position Slider that indicates relative progress of clip.
transport	How data is broken up and sent to your computer over the Internet or your company Internet 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.
tuner	See Radio Tuner.
update	Revision to existing program that improves functionality.
URL	Uniform Resource Locator. This is the complete address that tells a browser or the RealOne Player where to get the information to show or play, and how to interpret that information. (For example: www.real.com/thankyou.rm)
Video Controls	Controls for Contrast, Brightness, Color Level, Tint, and Sharpness for visual presentations. Not all visual presentations support Video controls. Video Controls will only be available if the clip supports the controls.
Video Screen	Area in the the RealOne Player that displays video content.
Visualization	A RealOne Player tool that lets you view a digital representation of the audio being played. Various visualizations are available.
.WAV	A music file format. Wave files are uncompressed and tend to be much larger than RealAudio or MP3 files.
WWW	World Wide Web; an Internet protocol for displaying HTML documents (web sites).
Wizard	A tool that walks you through a process, such as configuring the RealOne Player or creating a CD. Wizards usually contain a series of screens, each containing one or more options, and buttons that allow you to proceed (Next), or back up (Back), or close the wizard and save your settings (Finish).
Window	Visual area displayed by a computer operating system to allow you to interact with a program.
Web Server	A server that makes HTML pages and other content available to your Web browser.