Planning an event can be daunting and figuring out the type of Audio Visual equipment you might need can be scary. There are so many different types of equipment that you can rent we have compiled a list of terms we think you should know. With audio visual equipment you have 3 main types of equipment categories Audio, Video, and Lighting. We want to start off by talking about some video production terms you may need to know.

Video Production Terms:

• LED Wall Pixle Pitch: Pixle pitch is basically the amount of pixels per inch except the smaller the number the closer you can stand to an LED wall and your eyes can make sense of it.
• Codec: If you are putting together a presentation or videos for your event your AV company might ask for a specific codec. You might recognize this as .mp4 or .mov.
• Throw Distance: The throw is the distance between a projector lens and the screen. It is the distance that the projector throws the image. The throw distance determines what lens is needed for the image to properly fit the screen. This is important because your AV company will need to plan the right equipment for the size of room you have and how close people are sitting to the screen.
• aspect ratio  – the ratio of image width to image height (typically  widescreen  or  standard).
• focal length  – abbreviated as FL, it is the distance, in millimeters, between the center of a lens and the point where the image comes into focus. The value given to a lens, stated in inches or millimeters. The shorter the focal length, the wider the angle of the image.
• front screen projection  – a system that employs a light reflecting screen for use when the image will be projected from a source in front of the screen.
• MPEG-2 – Moving Pictures Expert Group; refers to a compression scheme that reduces the number of bits needed to code the video image.
• native resolution – the number rows of horizontal and vertical pixels that create the picture. The native resolution describes the actual resolution of the imaging device and not the resolution of the delivery signal.
• NTSC – National Television System Committee; the standard for analog video transmission in North America.
• PAL – Phase Alternate Line; the video standard for much of Europe and Australia.
• ratio – the comparison of two quantities.
• scaler – feature in a display device that changes the size of an image without changing its shape. Scaling may be required when the image size does not fit the display device.
• viewing angle – the viewing angle determines how far off the axis (screen centerline) a viewer can still sit and still see a quality image. This is no greater than 45 degrees off the projection axi
• webcast – a one-way flow of information dispersed to a large audience over the Internet. The audience does not usually contribute to the content of the webcast, which might include an audio stream, presentation slides, video clips, or live speakers.
• webinar – an online interactive meeting or seminar. The audience is typically smaller than a webcast and contributes to the discussion via polling, Q&A, or other collaborative means.

Audio Production Terms:

• loudspeaker – a transducer that converts electrical energy into acoustical energy. Loudspeaker components are primarily a driver within an enclosure.
• microphone sensitivity – a specification that tells how much electrical energy is derived from a specified sound level input.
• omni-directional – describes the shape of the area for microphones that have equal sensitivity to sound from nearly all directions.
• phantom power – a direct current (DC) power source available in various voltages.
• polar pattern – (or pickup pattern); the shape of the area that a microphone will be most sensitive to sound.
• shotgun microphone – a long, cylindrical, highly sensitive, unidirectional microphone used to pick up sound from a great distance.
• distributed sound  – a sound system in multiple loudspeakers separated by distance and typically operates in a lower sound pressure level than a high pressure system. The loudspeakers are most often suspended over the heads of the listeners.
• distribution amplifier  – an active device used to split one input into multiple outputs, while keeping each output isolated, and the signal level constant.
• dBSPL  – a measure of sound pressure level measured in dynes per centimeter squared. Its reference, 0 dBSPL equals 0.0002 dynes/cm2. dBSPL is used as a measure of acoustical sound pressure levels, and is a 20log function.

Rigging Terms:

• Rigging points – specific places in the ceiling from which you’re able to hang things within a venue. These are regulated and maintained by the venue to ensure the weight limits (and therefore, safety) are appropriate.
• Rig plot – this is the diagram created by the venue that shows where the rigging points are (where you can hang from the ceiling throughout the room).
• Truss – the metal framing pictured to the right. Motors are connected to the rigging points and the truss. The lighting, projectors, speakers (and the associated cabling) are then attached to the truss. The size of the truss will depend on the space and, in part, the weight restrictions for the points.
• Cabling – endless amounts of cable are what gives all of the equipment power. It’s typically carefully run in accordance with the truss for overhead equipment (and on the floor for everything else).
• Motors – these small machines are attached to the rigging point and the truss. This enables techs to lower the truss to attach the equipment, and then raise it after it is all attached.
• Genie Scissor Lift – this vehicle-like machine is driven around, and can be used to lift 1-3 people (depending on size) as high as need be (sometimes 20 to 30 feet in the air). A scissor lift is used by the rigger to get up to the points in the room, and then by technicians to make adjustments to the equipment. Safety is obviously a big issue with this lift!
• Allowable Load - Also referred to as weight rating; the basic equation used by riggers to determine the maximum operating weight that can be supported
• Box Truss - Structure composed of four or more chords connected by transverse and/or diagonal structural elements used in event design for hanging lights, audio equipment and more
• Breaking Strength - The tension at which a line will part when a load is applied
• Bridle - V-shaped arrangement of rigging equipment that enables a load to be placed in between two rigging points at the “legs” of the bridle for customizable position
• Chain - Weight-verified, welded, link steel hoisted with chain motors to raise truss, on which luminaires or audio speakers may be clamped
• ETCP - Entertainment Technician Certification Program Rigger; certified technician who adjusts, assembles and specializes in event or stage production
• Fly - To lift equipment into the air with a rigging system
• Hoisting Cable- Strong and flexible wire used in fly systems; classifies as a 6X19 (six larger strands of 19 wires each)
• I-Beams - Structural steel beams in a venue where points are designed and installed to support rigging
• Reflected Groundplan - Also known as ceiling plan; a drawing of the venue’s ceiling that indicates where rigging points are located
• Safety Factor of a Line - Ratio between Breaking Strength and Safe Working Load (SWL)
• Safe Working Load - Load that can be applied without causing any kind of damage to a line Trim » Distance from the floor to various rigging elements including venue (ceiling), truss and lighting fixtures

Networking/ IT Terms:

• WAN – Wide Area Network; a data communications system that uses telecommunications circuits to link local area networks (LANs) that are distributed over large geographic distances.
• WLAN – Wireless Local Area Network; a network that shares information by radio frequency (RF).
• LAN (local area network) – a computer network limited to the immediate area, usually the same building or floor of a building.
• IP (internet protocol)  – standard networking protocol, or method, which enables data to be sent from one computer or device to another
• bandwidth  – a measure of information carrying capacity without distortion.
• coaxial cable  – a cable consisting of a center conductor surrounded by insulating material, concentric outer conductor and optional protective covering, all of circular cross-section. Abbreviated coax.
• category 5 (Cat 5)  – the designation for 100-ohm unshielded twisted-pair cables and associated connecting hardware whose characteristics are specified for data transmission up to 100 Mb/s. (Part of the EIA/TIA 568A standard.)
• category 5e (Cat 5e)  – enhanced version of the Cat-5 cable standard that adds specifications for far end crosstalk. (Part of the EIA/TIA 568A standard.)
• category 6 (Cat 6)  – cable standard for Gigabit Ethernet and other interconnect that is backward compatible with Category 5 cable, Cat-5e and Cat-3. Cat-6 features more stringent specifications for crosstalk and system noise. (Part of the EIA/TIA 568A standard.)

If all of these terms made your head spin then thats okay! Mac Production group can be your Audio Visual partner to help you with all your event production needs. We can offer AV equipment rentals like sound systems and lighting or offer turnkey services like Live Streaming.