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HOME THEATER'S AV GLOSSARY

F

• Feedback: The transmission of current or voltage from the output of a device back to the input, where it interacts with the input signal to modify operation of the device. Feedback is positive when it's in phase with the input and negative when it's out of phase.
• Fiber Optic Cable: Glass, plastic, or hybrid fiber cable that transmits digital signals as light pulses.
• FireWire: See IEEE 1394.
• FM: Frequency Modulated.
• Frequency: The number of cycles (vibrations) per second. In audio, audible frequencies commonly range from 20 to 20,000 cycles per second (Hz). In video, frequency is used to define the image resolution. Low-frequency video images depict large objects or images. Higher frequencies depict smaller objects (finer details).
• Frequency Response: A measure of what frequencies can be reproduced and how accurately they are reproduced. A measurement of 20 to 20,000 Hz ± 3dB means those frequencies between 20 and 20,000 Hz can be reproduced no more than 3 dB above or below a reference frequency level.
• Full-Range: A speaker designed to reproduce the full range (20 Hz to 20 kHz) of audio frequencies.