AV Terms & Definitions
This page lists all of the terms used in describing the AV amenities found in our classrooms. If you've come across a term you don't understand, you'll find a definition below.
AV Control System: provides an intuitive interface in the form of a touchscreen or button panel, to allow the user to control all elements of the AV system from a single location, rather than controlling each device independently with multiple remote controls.
Document Camera: a video camera enabled device used for presenting pre-printed images, items, or writing to be projected via a multimedia projector.
VCR: plays VHS video tapes (NTSC format).
DVD Player: plays digital video discs (DVDs) (NTSC format).
Blu-Ray /DVD: plays both Blu-Ray Hi-Definition discs and NTSC digital video discs (DVDs) (HDCP compliant).
Computer, Windows PC: comes installed with Microsoft PowerPoint, Word and Excel. Internet access requires a UBC campus-wide login (CWL). For more information please visit http://www.cwl.ubc.ca
Computer, Mac: comes installed with Microsoft PowerPoint, Word and Excel. Internet access requires a UBC campus-wide login (CWL). For more information please visit http://www.cwl.ubc.ca
Connection, Laptop VGA with Audio: these inputs are used for connecting your laptop to the AV presentation system. This is an analog connection.
Connection, HDMI: this type of input is used to connect your laptop, iPad, or newer digital devices to the AV presentation system. This is a digital connection.
Connection, Auxiliary video, with Audio: these types of inputs are used to connect your device’s video and audio output to the AV presentation system. This is a general connection to the AV presentation system for older devices IE: Camcorders, VCRs, etc. This is an analog connection.
Network/Internet Wireless Access: this allows you to access the internet through your laptop, tablet, smart-phones, etc. via UBC’s wireless network. No cables required, but requires a UBC campus-wide login (CWL). For more information please visit http://www.cwl.ubc.ca
Network/Internet Access Port(s): this allows you to access the internet through a wired connection from your laptop to the Internet access port via UBC’s wired network, and requiresa UBC campus-wide login (CWL). For more information please visit http://www.cwl.ubc.ca
Microphone, Wireless Lapel: used for voice amplification, comes with a clip to attach the small microphone to your lapel (No mic cable required to connect to the AV presentation system).
Microphone, Wireless Handheld: used for voice amplification, either held in your hand or placed on a microphone stand (No mic cable required to connect to the AV presentation system).
Microphone, Lectern Mounted: used for voice amplification and is fixed on the lectern.
Microphone, Wired Connection: used to connect wired microphones to the AV presentation system (Mic cables are required to make this connection to the AV presentation system).
Projection Screen Only: a projection surface located in the room for use with an overhead transparency projector or a portable multi-media projector. Rooms with this description do not have an AV presentation system in the room, and so portable equipment needs to be arranged for visual presentations.
Projector, Overhead Transparency: used for projecting images or writing from transparencies onto a projection screen (cannot be used for video projection IE: from laptops or DVD players).
Projector, Multimedia: used for projecting video presentation material from a laptop/DVD/VCR/Document Camera etc.
Independent Source to multi-screens YES: this means you can project different content on two or more screens through the AV presentation system (IE: laptop on one screen and a document camera on another).
Independent Source to multi-screens NO: this means you can only project the same content on two or more screens (IE: laptop only on multiple screens, or document camera only on multiple screens).
Flat Panel Display (FPD): a Plasma or LCD/LED screen that is used for AV presentations.
Monitor (Computer): displays the built-in classroom computer’s video signal.
Monitor (Preview): displays one of multiple video signals (computer, DVD, Document Camera etc.) selected by user.
Monitor (Annotation): displays one of multiple video signals (computer, DVD, Document Camera etc.) selected by user, and allows notes to be handwritten on the screen and saved to the room PC.
Video Conferencing: allows live communication between two or more geographically separated locations, including live camera and sound feeds, as well as transmission of presentation materials. All locations require compatible video conference systems
Lecture Capture: allows the recording of a video camera feed, audio, and presentation materials for later viewing and distribution.
Listening Assist: provides individual wireless headphone receivers for those with hearing disabilities (available upon request in most theatres/tiered rooms with 100 or more seats).
Lectern: a fixed presentation station, usually consisting of a countertop surface as well as easy access to AV system components such as room computer, DVD player, Document Camera, and AV Control.
i-Clicker Base Station: an audience response system that can be used for polls and quizzes and must be connected to a laptop or built-in computer. Questions can be embedded directly into a presentation in PowerPoint. For more information please visit http://www.elearning.ubc.ca/toolkit/clickers/
