Hello and welcome to your ultimate guide to AV receiver terminology! If you’ve ever found yourself puzzled over terms like “HDMI Through” or “Dynamic Loudness,” you’re in the right place. AV receivers are the unsung heroes of home entertainment, juggling both crisp audio and stunning video to bring your favorite movies and music to life. Our glossary breaks down the technical lingo into easy-to-understand explanations, covering everything from basic connections to advanced audiovisual enhancements. Whether you’re setting up your first home theater or looking to tweak your existing system for optimal performance, this guide is here to help. So, grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let’s demystify the world of AV receivers together—because when you understand your equipment, the possibilities for entertainment are endless!
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3D Audio: Audio technology that provides a three-dimensional sound experience, which mimics real-life soundscapes by placing sounds above, behind, and around the listener.
3D Pass-Through: The ability of an AV receiver to transmit 3D video signals from a 3D-compatible player to a 3D television, maintaining the video’s 3D format.
4K Pass-Through: A feature that allows a video signal in a 4K resolution to ‘pass through’ the receiver without any processing, maintaining the quality of the original signal.
A
A/B Speaker Switch: A feature on some receivers that allows the user to switch between two sets of speakers within the same room or in different rooms.
Adaptive Dynamics: A feature that dynamically adjusts audio processing in real-time to suit the content, enhancing both loud and quiet passages for optimal listening.
Adaptive Sound Control: A feature that automatically adjusts audio settings based on the content being played, ensuring optimal sound quality for movies, music, or games.
Amplifier: The component of an AV receiver that boosts the audio signal to a level suitable for driving speakers. An amplifier’s power is often measured in watts.
Analog Bypass: A feature that allows analog audio signals to bypass digital processing in the receiver, preserving the original analog quality.
Aspect Ratio Control: Allows users to adjust the aspect ratio of the video output from the receiver to match different types of displays or viewing preferences.
Atmosphere Processing: Refers to audio processing technologies that create immersive, three-dimensional soundscapes, typically associated with Dolby Atmos.
Audio Channels: Refers to the number of discrete audio paths leading to speakers. Common configurations include 5.1 and 7.1 channels, where the first number represents speakers and the second a subwoofer.
Audio Delay: An adjustable setting that compensates for timing mismatches between audio and video signals, ensuring that sound is perfectly synchronized with the visuals.
Audio Sync: A function that adjusts the timing of audio playback to match it with the video, correcting discrepancies that cause audio to be out of sync with visuals.
Auto Calibration Microphone: A microphone that comes with the AV receiver used during the automatic speaker calibration process to analyze the speaker and room acoustics and adjust the audio output settings accordingly.
Auto Lip-Sync: Automatically corrects any timing mismatch between audio and video signals, ensuring that sounds are perfectly synchronized with the visuals.
Auto Power Off: An energy-saving feature that automatically turns off the AV receiver after a specified period of inactivity.
Auto Standby: A feature that automatically turns off the AV receiver when it has not been in use for a certain period, helping to save energy.
Auto Switching: The capability of the receiver to automatically switch to the appropriate input channel based on the active signal source, simplifying user interaction.
B
Backlit Remote Control: A remote control that features backlighting for the buttons, making it easier to use in dark environments such as home theaters.
Balance Control: Allows users to adjust the volume levels between left and right speakers to achieve symmetrical audio output across the space.
Bass Management: A feature in AV receivers that processes and directs low-frequency sounds to the subwoofer, optimizing the audio performance of the surround sound setup.
Bass Reflex: A type of speaker enclosure that includes a port or vent to enhance bass response from the speaker. Often relevant when discussing the performance of AV receivers with built-in speakers.
Bi-amping: A technique where two separate amplifiers are used to power different components of a speaker, typically the high and low frequencies, improving overall sound quality.
Bi-directional HDMI Control: Allows two-way communication over HDMI, enabling the receiver and connected devices to send and receive control commands.
Bi-Wiring: Connecting two sets of speaker wires from the same amplifier output to separate inputs on the speaker, one for the tweeter and one for the woofer, potentially improving sound quality by reducing interference.
Bluetooth Standby: Allows the receiver to turn on automatically in response to a Bluetooth signal, ensuring it’s ready to play music from a paired device as soon as the device starts streaming.
Bluetooth/Wi-Fi: Wireless technologies integrated into AV receivers for streaming audio from compatible devices directly to the receiver without the need for physical cables.
C
Channel Assignability: The flexibility to assign certain amplifier channels to different speakers or zones, enhancing the customization of a home audio setup.
Channel Level Adjustment: Enables the adjustment of the volume level for each speaker independently, allowing for balanced sound across the home theater setup.
Channel Separation: A measure of the ability of an AV receiver to reproduce distinct audio on different channels without leakage between them.
Class A/B Amplifier: A type of amplifier in AV receivers that combines high efficiency with high fidelity, commonly used due to its balance between performance and cost.
Class D Amplifier: A type of amplifier known for its high efficiency and low heat production, often used in modern AV receivers for its power-saving benefits.
Coaxial Digital Input: A type of digital audio input that uses a coaxial cable to transmit audio data, offering robustness against signal interference.
Component Video: A video signal that is split into two or more component channels, typically used for high-quality video on older devices before the adoption of HDMI.
Component Video Upconversion: The ability of the receiver to convert lower quality video signals (like composite or S-video) to higher quality component video outputs.
Composite Video: A single cable video transmission that carries standard definition video quality, typically used for older equipment.
Crossover: An electronic circuit that divides an audio signal into two or more frequency ranges, so that each speaker or driver in a speaker system receives only the frequencies suited to its capability.
Custom Input Naming: A feature that allows users to assign specific names to input sources, facilitating easier identification and selection.
D
DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast): A method of broadcasting radio stations digitally, providing a wider array of channels and better sound quality compared to traditional analog broadcasts.
DAC (Digital to Analog Converter): Converts digital audio signals into analog form so that speakers can produce sound. Higher quality DACs can lead to better sound reproduction.
DCS (Digital Cinema Sound): An audio processing technology designed to replicate the acoustics of a movie theater, enhancing the home cinema experience.
Dialog Enhancement: A feature that isolates and enhances speech audio in a mix, making dialog clearer, especially useful in films and television shows.
Dialogue Clarity Enhancement: Enhances the audibility of speech in audio tracks, particularly useful in complex soundtracks where dialogue may be obscured by background noise.
Digital Audio Inputs: Inputs designed to receive digital audio signals, either through coaxial or optical cables, from external digital sources like CD players or media streamers.
Direct Mode: A listening mode on some AV receivers that bypasses the receiver’s tone control and other processing to provide the cleanest signal path from the source to the output.
DNR (Digital Noise Reduction): A feature that reduces the amount of noise in the video signal from digital sources, improving image clarity on the connected display.
Dolby Atmos: An audio format providing advanced spatial effects by adding height channels, allowing sounds to be interpreted as coming from above.
Dolby TrueHD: An advanced lossless audio codec used in Blu-ray and HD DVD formats, providing high-definition audio that is bit-for-bit identical to the studio master.
DRC (Dynamic Range Compression): Reduces the volume of loud sounds or amplifies quiet sounds by compressing an audio signal’s dynamic range.
DSP (Digital Signal Processor): A chip in the receiver that processes audio signals digitally to optimize and adjust sound based on the chosen surround sound mode or user adjustments.
DTS:X: An object-based codec that allows multi-dimensional sound independent of channels, enabling sounds to be placed and moved to where you would naturally hear them in a 3D space.
Dual-Zone/Dual-Source: The capability of an AV receiver to output two different audio sources to two different sets of speakers at the same time, allowing different listening experiences in different areas of the home.
Dynamic EQ: Technology that adjusts the audio levels dynamically to maintain the optimal sound balance at any volume level.
Dynamic Loudness: Adjusts audio settings to maintain a consistent perceived loudness for varying input levels, useful for watching TV shows and movies with varying audio mixes.
Dynamic Range: The difference between the quietest and loudest sounds a system can produce without distortion. A wider dynamic range allows for more detailed and realistic sound reproduction.
Dynamic Volume: A technology that automatically adjusts the volume to maintain consistent sound levels, useful for reducing the impact of loud commercials or fluctuating volume levels during movies.
E
Eco Mode: A setting on some AV receivers that reduces power consumption by adjusting the power output or turning off certain features when they are not in use. Contributes to energy efficiency without sacrificing performance.
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC): A feature of the latest HDMI standard that supports the transmission of uncompressed and high-bitrate audio formats between a TV and an AV receiver.
Enhanced Channel Scanning: A feature that allows the receiver to scan for available channels more efficiently, particularly useful for setups involving AM/FM radio or satellite channels.
Enhanced Stereo Mode: Expands stereo audio signals to use all available speakers in a surround sound setup, providing a fuller audio experience even from two-channel sources.
EQ (Equalizer): Adjusts the balance between frequency components within an electronic signal. AV receivers often have built-in equalizers for fine-tuning audio output.
Equal Power Amplifier Design: A design where each channel of the receiver’s amplifier has identical circuitry, ensuring uniform quality and power distribution across all channels.
Ethernet Port: Allows the AV receiver to connect to a home network for accessing internet-based content and updates, as well as for system integration with other networked devices.
External Control and IP Control Capabilities: Features that allow the receiver to be integrated into home automation systems, controlled remotely via IP networks.
F
Firmware: The software programmed into an AV receiver that controls its functionality. Users can often update firmware to improve performance or add new features.
Firmware Updates: Software updates for an AV receiver that can add new features, improve existing functionalities, or fix bugs in the system.
Flat Amplifier Response: Ensures that the amplifier outputs audio signals without coloration or emphasis on any part of the frequency spectrum, maintaining the purity of the original audio.
Flexible Speaker Solutions: Refers to the receiver’s capability to work with different types of speaker setups, accommodating various room sizes and layouts.
FM/AM Tuner: Integrated radio tuner that allows the receiver to tune into FM and AM radio stations, providing access to live broadcasts.
Front Panel Display: The display on the front of the receiver that shows the current status, volume level, input source, and other operational information.
Full Bandwidth Power: A measurement of an amplifier’s ability to deliver power across the entire audio spectrum, from the lowest bass to the highest treble, at certain distortion levels.
G
Gain: The level of amplification applied to an audio signal in the receiver. Adjusting gain can help match the volume level of different sources.
Gold-Plated Connectors: High-quality connectors used in some receivers that resist corrosion and provide a better signal connection, enhancing both audio and video quality.
GUI (Graphical User Interface): The on-screen interface of the AV receiver, which allows users to navigate through settings, controls, and system configurations visually.
H
HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection): A form of digital copy protection developed to prevent copying of digital audio and video content as it travels across connections.
HDCP 2.2 Support: Compliance with version 2.2 of High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection, which is necessary for transmitting and receiving 4K Ultra HD content, ensuring compatibility with the latest video formats.
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface): A type of connection used for transmitting audio and video signals from a source device to an AV receiver or display without loss of quality.
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel): Allows for the transmission of audio from a television back to the AV receiver over the same HDMI cable already being used to send audio and video to the television, reducing cable clutter.
HDMI CEC (Consumer Electronics Control): Allows control of compatible connected devices through a single remote, facilitating easier management of home theater components.
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel): The next generation of ARC, supporting higher bandwidth audio and capable of handling advanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
HDMI Standby Pass-through: Allows HDMI signals to pass through the receiver to the TV when the receiver is in standby mode, conserving energy while still providing access to connected devices.
HDMI Through: Allows HDMI audio and video signals to pass through the receiver to the TV even when the receiver is turned off, conserving energy while maintaining functionality.
HDMI Zone Out: A feature that allows HDMI audio and video signals to be sent to a second zone or room, independent of the main zone.
HDR (High Dynamic Range): Enhances the quality of video by expanding the range of both color and contrast, making bright parts of the image brighter and dark parts darker.
High Current Capability: Refers to an amplifier’s ability to deliver large amounts of current to speakers, important for maintaining sound quality at high volumes.
High Dynamic Range (HDR) Compatible: Indicates that the receiver can handle HDR video signals, providing greater detail in both bright and dark areas of the picture.
High Pass Filter: A filter that only allows frequencies above a certain point to pass, used primarily to protect speakers by preventing low frequencies from reaching smaller speakers.
High-Resolution Audio: Audio that exceeds the resolution of standard CD quality, offering better clarity and detail. Compatible receivers can decode and play high-resolution audio formats.
I
Impedance: A measure of electrical resistance specified in ohms. In AV receivers, it refers to the load impedance the amplifier can handle from connected speakers.
Input Lag: The delay between sending a signal into the AV receiver and the processed audio or video appearing on the output device. This is particularly important for gaming.
Input Selector: A control feature that enables users to switch between different audio and video sources connected to the AV receiver.
Input Sensing: Automatically switches the receiver to the appropriate input when a new source starts playing, simplifying the user interaction with the device.
Input Sensitivity: The level of input signal required to produce a full output level from an amplifier, indicating how much signal amplification is necessary.
Integrated Streaming Services: Built-in access to popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, or Spotify directly through the receiver, eliminating the need for external streaming devices.
Intelligent Room Acoustic Analysis: An advanced form of room correction that uses microphones and software algorithms to analyze and adjust the audio output for optimal sound in a given space.
IR (Infrared) Extender Port: Allows the use of an external IR receiver to extend the range of the remote control, especially useful in large rooms or when the receiver is placed out of sight.
IR (Infrared) Input/Output: Ports on a receiver that allow it to send and receive IR signals, useful for remote control systems, especially when the receiver is placed out of sight.
ISF Certification: Certification by the Imaging Science Foundation, indicating that the receiver has advanced video calibration options to help achieve better picture quality.
J
Jitter: A disruption in the timing of digital audio signals that can degrade sound quality. Good AV receivers have built-in technology to minimize jitter.
Jitter Reduction: Minimizes timing errors in digital audio signals, improving sound quality by ensuring a more stable and accurate signal transmission.
JPEG Viewing: The ability of the receiver to display JPEG images from a connected USB device or over the network, adding multimedia capability.
L
Linear Phase Filter: A type of digital filter used in audio processing that preserves the time relationships between different frequencies, ensuring a coherent sound wavefront.
Lip Sync: A feature in AV receivers that corrects the timing between audio and video signals. This ensures that the sound matches perfectly with what’s seen on screen, particularly important in complex digital systems.
Lip Sync Correction: Adjusts the timing between audio and video output to ensure they are synchronized, crucial for maintaining immersive viewing experiences.
Lip Sync Dynamic Adjustment: Automatically adjusts the timing of audio to match the video when delays are introduced by complex digital processing or display technologies.
Lossless and Lossy Compression: Terms used to describe the type of audio compression used in digital formats. Lossless retains all the data from the original audio file (like FLAC), whereas lossy (like MP3) compresses by removing some data.
Lossless Digital Audio Formats: Includes formats like FLAC, ALAC, and WAV, which compress audio data without loss of information, preserving original sound quality.
Loudness Compensation: A feature that adjusts frequency response to compensate for the human ear’s decreased sensitivity to bass and treble sounds at lower volumes.
Low Pass Filter: A filter used in AV receivers to allow frequencies below a certain cutoff point to pass through to the subwoofer, ensuring that only appropriate frequencies reach the subwoofer.
LPCM (Linear PCM): Uncompressed audio format that is often used on Blu-ray discs, providing high-quality sound with no loss due to compression.
M
Mono Mode: This mode outputs the same audio signal through all speakers, useful for older mono recordings or in situations where only a single speaker is preferable.
Multi-CAD Support: Capability of the receiver to decode multiple types of digital audio formats from various sources, ensuring compatibility and flexibility.
Multi-Channel Analog Input: A feature on some receivers that allows direct input from multi-channel sources like SACD or DVD-Audio players, bypassing the receiver’s digital processing.
Multi-Channel Input: Separate inputs for each channel of audio, allowing for direct, unprocessed connection from multi-channel sources to the receiver.
Multi-Channel Stereo Mode: A mode that takes two-channel (stereo) audio and replicates it across multiple speakers, enhancing the audio experience in a multi-speaker setup.
Multi-Room Audio: Allows the distribution of audio to multiple rooms or areas from the AV receiver. This can be controlled independently or played through the entire system.
Multi-Source Audio Distribution: The ability to play different audio sources in different zones simultaneously, from the same receiver.
MusicCast: A wireless multi-room audio system developed by Yamaha that allows streaming of music between compatible devices using a dedicated app.
Music Enhancer: A technology in some receivers that restores quality lost during digital compression, improving the listening experience for streamed or MP3 audio.
Music Optimizer: Enhances the quality of compressed audio tracks in real-time, improving clarity and detail when listening to MP3s or streaming music.
N
Network Ready: Indicates that an AV receiver can connect to a home network to access and stream media from devices connected to the same network or from online services.
Network Standby: A low-power standby mode that keeps the receiver connected to the network for quick wake-up and use, especially beneficial for network-driven activities.
Night Mode: A sound setting that reduces the dynamic range of audio, making loud sounds quieter and quiet sounds louder, ideal for watching movies without disturbing others at night.
Noise Floor: The level of background noise present in an audio system when no signal is being processed. A lower noise floor indicates a clearer audio output.
Noise Shaping: A digital technique used to improve audio quality by shifting the frequency of quantization noise to frequencies less audible to the human ear.
Non-Volatile Memory: Memory within the receiver that retains settings and preferences even after it is turned off, ensuring consistency between uses.
O
Onboard Diagnostics: Built-in tools that help troubleshoot issues within the receiver, providing error codes or messages to aid in problem-solving.
Optical Digital Audio Input: A type of digital input that uses fiber optic cables to transmit audio signals without electrical interference, providing a pure digital connection.
Optical Digital Output: A type of digital audio output that uses optical cables to transmit audio signals, providing an interference-free connection.
OSD (On-Screen Display): A graphical user interface displayed on a TV or monitor connected to an AV receiver that provides a visual readout of current settings and adjustments.
Overload Protection: A feature that protects the receiver’s amplifier and other components from damage by reducing output or shutting down in case of signal overload.
Oversampling: A digital processing technique that increases the sampling rate of the digital signal for improved audio fidelity and reduced aliasing.
P
Parametric Equalizer: An equalizer that allows users to adjust the amplitude, center frequency, and bandwidth of bands of frequencies, offering precise control over the audio output.
Pass-through: A feature allowing video or audio signals to ‘pass through’ the receiver to another device (like a TV or projector) without processing, useful for maintaining quality and reducing lag.
Passive Cooling: Design feature that allows the receiver to cool without the use of fans, reducing noise and potential mechanical failures.
PCM (Pulse Code Modulation): A method used to digitally represent analog signals, which is the standard form for CD digital audio in computers and various Blu-ray, DVD, and other digital audio applications.
Phase Control: Adjusts the timing of audio signals to the speakers to ensure that sound waves from different speakers arrive at the listener’s ears in sync, improving sound clarity and imaging.
Phase Shift Adjustment: Corrects phase discrepancies between speakers, which can occur due to speaker placement or room acoustics, improving the coherence of the audio output.
Phono Equalization: A built-in feature in some receivers that applies the necessary RIAA equalization curve to the signal from a turntable, compensating for frequency distortions caused by vinyl recording methods.
Phono Input: An input on an AV receiver specifically designed for connecting a turntable, often including a built-in preamplifier to boost the lower signal level of the turntable to a line level.
Power Bandwidth: The range of frequencies over which the receiver can deliver a specified amount of power without exceeding a defined level of distortion.
Power Supply: Refers to the component within the AV receiver that provides the necessary power to all of its circuits and components.
PQLS (Precision Quartz Lock System): A jitter-reduction technology used in some receivers when paired with compatible devices, ensuring stable and precise audio signal transmission.
Preamp Output (aka Pre-Out): Outputs that send a line-level signal from the receiver to external amplifiers, allowing users to use the receiver as a source or control center while utilizing more powerful or specialized amplifiers. This is useful for expanding the system to additional rooms or upgrading power amplification without replacing the entire unit.
Pre-set Listening Modes: Factory-defined audio settings that adjust the AV receiver’s sound processing to match specific types of content, such as movies, music, or games.
Progressive Scanning (p-scan): Video display technology that draws all the lines of the image in sequence for smoother and clearer motion, especially noticeable with fast-moving scenes in movies or sports.
Pure Audio Mode: Enhances audio playback by turning off all unnecessary video circuitry to minimize possible audio interference.
Pure Direct Mode: A sound mode found on some AV receivers that turns off unused portions of the receiver to minimize noise and interference, providing clearer sound quality.
Q
Qdeo Processing: A video processing technology that enhances video quality by reducing noise, scaling output resolution, and improving color consistency.
Quick Setup Guide: Often provided with AV receivers to facilitate easy and straightforward initial setup, covering basic connections and settings.
Quick Source Preview: Enables the preview of audio or video content from connected sources without switching fully to that source, convenient for checking content on various devices.
R
RDS (Radio Data System): A communications protocol standard for embedding small amounts of digital information in conventional FM radio broadcasts, like station identification and song information.
Real-Time Audio Calibration: Uses a microphone and software to adjust audio settings dynamically as environmental conditions change, ensuring optimal sound at all times.
Reference Level: A standard used to calibrate audio levels in a home theater system to match the sound production levels in professional studios.
Remote App: An application for mobile devices that allows users to control the AV receiver’s functions via a smartphone or tablet, providing convenience and enhanced accessibility.
Remote Monitoring: The ability to check and control the status of the AV receiver through a network, useful for troubleshooting and system management in professional installations.
RF (Radio Frequency) Compatibility: Refers to the ability of the receiver to accept RF signals for remote control operation, allowing the remote to function without direct line-of-sight.
RF (Radio Frequency) Remote Capability: Allows the remote control to operate without direct line-of-sight, useful for controlling equipment stored in cabinets or in another room.
Room Calibration: Automatic or manual setup processes used by AV receivers to analyze the acoustics of the room and adjust audio settings for optimal sound quality.
Room Correction Software: Advanced software used by receivers to analyze the acoustic properties of a room and automatically adjust audio output to compensate for sound-distorting factors like room dimensions and speaker placement.
Room Tuning: Adjusts audio settings based on the acoustics of the room, optimizing sound quality for the specific environment.
S
S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface): An interface for transmitting digital audio signals between devices, using coaxial or Toslink optical cables.
Secondary Audio Support: Allows playback of secondary audio streams, such as director’s comments or other special features, without disrupting the primary audio output.
Signal Strength Meter: A tool within an AV receiver that measures and displays the strength of incoming signals, useful for tuning radio stations or aligning satellite dishes.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): A measure used to describe the level of a desired signal to the level of background noise, where a higher ratio indicates less perceived noise.
Sleep Timer: A function that allows users to set a timer that turns off the receiver automatically after a predetermined duration.
Source Direct Mode: A feature on some AV receivers that bypasses unnecessary processing to deliver the source audio or video signal directly to the output, preserving original quality.
Speaker A/B Switching: Gives the option to switch between two sets of speakers connected to the receiver, enabling different listening environments or zones.
Speaker Configuration: Refers to the number and types of speakers set up with the receiver, such as 5.1, 7.1, or more complex Atmos configurations.
Speaker Impedance Matching: The process of coordinating the speaker impedance with the amplifier’s output impedance to ensure optimal power transfer and sound quality.
Streaming Services Integration: The capability of an AV receiver to connect directly to internet streaming services like Spotify, Tidal, or Apple Music, allowing users to stream music without needing additional hardware.
Subwoofer Crossover Adjustment: Allows users to specify the frequency at which low bass sounds are redirected from the speakers to the subwoofer, optimizing the balance of sound.
Subwoofer Output: A specific output designed to send low-frequency audio signals to a subwoofer, optimizing the bass response in a home theater setup.
Surround AI: Advanced artificial intelligence technology used in some receivers to analyze the audio environment and optimize the surround sound settings dynamically for the best listening experience.
Surround Sound: An audio technology designed to create the impression that sound is coming from multiple directions. Common surround sound formats include Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
S-Video Input: A type of analog video connection that offers better quality than composite video by separating the black-and-white and color signals.
T
THD (Total Harmonic Distortion): A specification that indicates the amount of distortion introduced by an amplifier or a receiver; a lower THD means higher sound fidelity.
THX Certification: A standard set by THX Ltd. that guarantees a high standard of audio and video performance in home cinema equipment.
THX Certified Select: A certification from THX that guarantees the receiver meets high fidelity sound and performance standards for medium-sized viewing environments.
THX Listening Modes: Specialized audio modes certified by THX to replicate the dynamics and sound of a theater environment in home settings.
THX Post Processing: A set of enhancements and adjustments certified by THX to ensure that audio and video playback meets high cinematic standards.
Tone Control: Adjustments available in a receiver that allow the user to modify the balance of treble, midrange, and bass frequencies to suit their listening preference.
Tone Defeat: A feature that bypasses the receiver’s tone control circuits (bass and treble adjustments), allowing the audio signal to pass through without alteration.
Total Purity Concept: An audio design philosophy that emphasizes minimal signal path, high-quality parts, and overall purity of sound to reduce distortion and enhance audio clarity.
Transcoding: The capability of the receiver to convert input signals from one form of video signal to another, such as from composite or component video to HDMI, simplifying connections to modern TVs.
Transient Response: The ability of an AV receiver to respond to quick changes in audio signal levels, important for maintaining clarity and accuracy of sound, especially in dynamic soundtracks.
U
Ultra HD Upconversion: Enhances lower resolution video content to near Ultra HD quality, providing improved clarity and detail on UHD televisions.
Upscaling: The process of converting lower resolution video content to a higher resolution. This can make older media appear clearer and more detailed on modern high-resolution displays.
Upscaling to 4K: Refers to the capability of the receiver to convert lower-resolution video to a higher resolution, such as 4K, enhancing the visual detail on compatible displays.
USB Charging Port: A USB port that provides power, allowing users to charge devices like smartphones or tablets directly through the receiver.
USB DAC: A feature in some receivers that allows them to accept digital audio directly from a USB source and use the receiver’s internal DAC for playback, often resulting in higher quality sound.
USB Host Functionality: Allows the AV receiver to read and play music files directly from a connected USB device, expanding the audio source options available to the user.
USB Playback: Enables direct playback of audio files from USB storage devices such as flash drives or external hard drives, supporting various audio formats.
V
Variable Crossover: Adjustable crossover settings that allow the user to determine the frequency at which audio signals are divided between speakers and subwoofers, optimizing performance based on specific speaker capabilities.
Video Conversion: The capability of an AV receiver to convert various types of video signals from one format to another (e.g., composite video to HDMI), simplifying connections to the TV.
Video Enhancement Technologies: Includes various processing technologies designed to improve video quality, such as contrast enhancement, edge smoothing, or color correction.
Video Pass-Through: Allows video signals to bypass the receiver’s video processing, maintaining the original quality of the signal when sent to a display.
Video Processing: Technology in an AV receiver that enhances the quality of video signals through upscaling, conversion, or improvement of color balance and sharpness before sending it to a display.
Video Scaler: A component in an AV receiver that converts and scales video signals from one resolution to another, enhancing the image quality on higher-resolution displays.
Video Shielding: A design feature in AV equipment that prevents interference from the device’s electronic components on CRT televisions. While less relevant in the era of LCD and OLED TVs, it’s still noted in the specifications of some older or retro-focused models.
Virtual Surround Sound: Simulates the experience of surround sound from fewer speakers, often using psychoacoustic algorithms to create the illusion of spatial effects.
Voice Canceler: Reduces or eliminates the vocal track from audio playback, often used for karaoke or other vocal-removal applications.
Voice Control Compatibility: The ability of the receiver to integrate with voice control systems such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Siri, allowing users to control playback, volume, and other settings with voice commands.
W
Wi-Fi Direct: A feature that allows devices to connect to the AV receiver directly via Wi-Fi without needing a home network connection, facilitating easier setup and streaming.
Wide Range Frequency Response: Indicates the receiver’s ability to reproduce a broad range of frequencies, from very low bass tones to high treble notes, accurately.
Wireless HD Audio: Supports high-definition audio streaming wirelessly, reducing the need for cables and allowing more flexible speaker placement.
Wireless Multi-Room Audio: Allows the AV receiver to connect with compatible wireless speakers in different rooms, enabling a unified audio experience throughout the home.
WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology): A design philosophy aimed at reducing noise and distortion across a broad frequency range, improving audio fidelity and clarity.
X
XLR Balanced Audio Output: Professional-grade audio outputs that provide balanced audio to reduce noise and interference, ideal for high-quality audio setups.
XLR Inputs: Professional-grade audio input connectors that provide balanced audio input, commonly found in high-end AV receivers. They help to minimize noise and interference, especially over long cable runs.
Y
YPAO (Yamaha Parametric room Acoustic Optimizer): A system used in Yamaha AV receivers that automatically adjusts the audio settings to suit the acoustics of the room, enhancing the overall sound performance.
Z
Zero Signal Terminal: A feature found on some high-end receivers that provides a reference ground for all audio/video components, reducing potential ground loop issues and ensuring a cleaner setup.
Zone 2/Zone 3: Refers to the ability of some AV receivers to send a second (or third) source signal to speakers or another system in a different location than the main zone.
Zone Control: Allows different audio sources to be played in different rooms or zones simultaneously, controlled from the AV receiver. This can be managed via remote control or a dedicated app.
Zone-Specific Tone Control: Allows tonal adjustments to be made differently across multiple zones, accommodating the acoustic differences in various parts of a larger space.
Zone Volume Equalization: Allows the adjustment of volume levels for each zone independently, ensuring consistent audio output throughout different areas of a home or venue.