xenaRadio - Glossary

For listeners who demand the ultimate in streaming audio... 24-bit 96-khz DVD quality!

Glossary

24-bit Audio: Digital Audio uses binary information (computer talk for a numbering system with only 2 numbers) to create sound... as opposed to Analog Audio (such as broadcast radio, tape, or vinyl disks). In binary, a byte of information can be 2 or more bits... A bit is either off or on, 0 or 1... that's all binary is... a two number system. The more bits in a byte... the more numbers are available for controlling such things as speaker movement change. Standard audio CDs are digital audio at 16bit definition with 44,100 changes in speaker voltage per second (44khz or 44,100 samples per second). Better DVDs are usually digital audio at 24-bit definition. Sound at higher sample rates than 44khz is possible. We use higher sample rates when converting to our Enhanced Audio. We take 16bit-44khz CD audio and convert it to 64bit-96khz audio, using the latest dithering techniques (more computer talk!). This allows better audio control and enables us to create higher compressions (smaller file sizes) with very little audio quality loss.

96-khz Audio: Digital audio using 96,000 samples per second.

ActiveX: ActiveX is an advanced scripted computer language developed by Microsoft to specifically enhance their Internet Explorer browser. Other browsers, such as Netscape, now have ActiveX support enabling such things as Windows Media Player to be incorporated into their browser. We use ActiveX to control how the Windows Media Player on xenaRadio interacts with your computer. It gives us the ability to do such things as control the volume, manipulate playlists (play straight through, play at random (shuffle), etc.). ActiveX must be enabled to enjoy xenaRadio.

Browser: A browser is a computer program that allows users to connect to and enjoy the internet.

Buffering: You can't play online audio or video until the content downloads. Buffering (storing a few seconds of the download) allows you to start playing the content before download is completed (called streaming). If the download is faster than the play rate... the content plays continuously to the end. If the player catches up with the download it must stop play and buffer again. Faster internet connections (cable or DSL) require less buffer time.

Compression (file): File compression is sort of like dehydrating food. Add water to reconstitute! Successfully streaming audio requires that the listener be able to receive the audio faster than the audio plays. Since the file size of music CD audio is too large to successfully do this, the files must be reduced in size. Compressing the file size and maintaining audio quality is difficult. The resulting compression is seldom as good as the original, but can be suprisingly good if compressed correctly (see Dithering). Basically a sound file (it's much the same in graphics such as a digital photo) can be reduced to one half size by removing every other byte of information and playing the resulting audio at double speed (the resulting audio loses quality). A better method is to average the values of 2 bytes to create one single byte. Digital files can also be increased in size to improve sound quality. You can double many times or cut in half many times to change the file size (and audio quality). It works!

Dithering: Dithering is a method of mathematically filling in blank values when compressing or decompressing audio or graphics digital files. You simply double the size... add an extra byte of information between each two bytes of the original file, then compute the value of the added bytes mathematically. You could set the value half way between the original bytes, but better dithering codecs look at more samples ahead and behind for change trends and use higher mathematics (calculus) to set the value. The latest sound dithering looks at multiple tracks (stereo [2] or better) and computes how changes can be implemented while keeping the info on one of the other tracks!

JavaScript: JavaScript is an advanced scripted computer language embedded in many browsers to enhance browser capabillties. xenaRadio uses JavaScript for such tasks as controlling how your browser displays our content, creating the Windows Media Player and it's controls in your browser, creating random playlists, and adding creative content. Javascript must be enabled to enjoy xenaRadio.

Script Blocking: Script Blocking is a recent browser security addition that prevents a site from running scripts which may control your computer in some way. Script types commonly encountered include Javascript, ActiveX, and VB (Visual Basic). Scripts can be malicious and cause damage to your computer. All content on xenaRadio is safe. xenaRadio uses scripts to enhance your experience on our site, controlling such things as play list control, audio volume, etc. Script Blocking must be disabled to enjoy xenaRadio.

Speakers: A speaker is just a speaker? Well... no! Speakers are electro mechanical devices that convert electrical voltage changes to sound. Some do a good job and some don't. Common speakers have a fixed ferrous magnet with a flexible cone containing an electro magnet. Voltage changes in the electromagnet move the cone to produce the sound. The cone has to be flexible, light, and strong. A perfect cone would have a mass of zero (impossible). The magnet has to be small but strong... the smaller and stronger, the better. Better speakers have super lightweight cones and extremely strong rare earth magnets. The best speakers can produce sounds well above and below the normal human hearing range. Speakers should also be matched in power and size to the space in which they are used. The best sound is produced when the speakers are driven at about 50% power (or volume), so matching them to the space is important. You wouldn't want arena size loud speakers in a bedroom! Money spent on good speakers is money well spent!