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Rabbit Ears: Popular name given to set-top TV antennas. When one thinks of “rabbit ears” with two long posts sticking out of the antenna’s base, it is a VHF antenna. A clip-on or other attachment must be used to receive UHF signals. Most HDTV signals are on the UHF band so when purchasing a set-top antenna, make sure it supports UHF as well. Rabbit ears antennas make outstanding FM radio antennas and are far more effective than dipole antennas included with most receivers. See Silver Sensor.
Radial-tracking Tonearm: The most common tonearm type found on turntables. Radial tracking tonearm have a pivot point near the counterweight and the angle of the tonearm changes as the record plays and the cartridge tracks the record. See Linear Tracking Tonearm.
Rainbow Effect: Term used to describe “rainbows,” flashes of multicolored artifacts seen in the picture of single-chip DLP projection TVs. The ability to see the rainbows varies from person to person. Some people see them regularly, others do not see them at all, at any time. See DLP.
RAW: Digital camera file format that saves pure digital data from the camera’s memory card, bypassing the image processor. The data is processed in software to create more common file formats such as PSD, JPG, or TIFF. Examples of RAW conversion software are Adobe RAW converter, Phase One, and manufacturer-provided software such as Pentax Photo Laboratory. By processing the data with a computer and software, greater control can be exercised and higher image quality achieved. An increasing number of cameras allow you to process RAW files inside the camera as well, but this defeats the purpose of a RAW to a certain extent. See CRW, DNG, NEF, and PEF.
RCA Jacks: Coaxial connections used in audio and video components, most commonly used to transmit analog signals. (An exception is coaxial digital audio connections.) Some examples of the use of RCA jacks is for component video, stereo analog audio, and composite video. RCA jacks and connection cables were by far the most commonly used connections when audio and video were solely analog, and are still in widespread use today.
Realta: See HQV.
Receiver: Audio component consisting of an amplifier, preamplifier, and tuner sharing a single chassis. The receiver was invented by Harman/Kardon in the 1950s and is the most popular audio amplification component, though performance can be compromises compared to separates.
Receiver (A/V): A receiver that incorporates surround sound processing and additional amplifier channels to drive center and surround speakers. Most A/V receivers also include video switching.
Redeye Effect: The redeye effect is caused by flash reflections off the back of the subject’s retinas, producing a glowing, unnatural red center to the eyes. Redeye is occurs when there is a narrow angle between the flash, subject, and the lens. Compact cameras typically have the flash located very close to the lens and thus exhibit the greatest occurence of redeye. (Professional using camera or bracket-mounted flashes never experience redeye because the flash source is sufficiently distant from the lens opening.) Low ambient light levels and telephoto lens settings both increase the incidence of redeye. To reduce redeye effect when using a compact camera, turn on the room lights as much as possible and use the wide-angle setting of the zoom lens. See Redeye Reduction, Redeye Removal.
Redeye Reduction: Camera feature or flash mode utilizing multiple pre-flashes to cause the subject’s pupil’s to shrink. The smaller pupil makes the redeye less noticeable (smaller points of red) or eliminating it entirely (though this is very rare.) That is why they call it redeye reduction, not removal. See Redeye Removal.
Redeye Removal: Digital camera feature that is turned on or utilized in the camera’s playback menus. Cameras with redeye removal analyze the frame and remove any redeye in the image after the picture is taken. Redeye removal is far more effective than redeye reduction flash modes.
Reference Level: Most audio/video receivers have volume settings that start at a negative number such as -90 dB and increase to 0, then go to +1, +2 dB, etc. When speaker levels are properly calibrated, the volume setting 0 corresponds to the exact volume level you would experience in a movie theater, or in the case of TV programs, in the editing studio. This is the “reference level.” A setting of -8 dB would mean 8 decibels under reference level, +2 dB would mean 2 decibels above reference level, etc. To calibrate your system to reproduce reference level at the 0 setting, activate the receiver’s test tones and use a sound pressure level meter to calibrate each speaker to 75 dB. (Sound pressure level meters are available at Radio Shack for under $50- get the analog version as it is more accurate than the digital version, and easier to use as well.)
Reference Quality: A component or software that exhibits the very best performance available, used as a benchmark for others to compare to. For example, the very best surround sound processor on the market (such an Anthem Statement model) would be considered “reference quality.” Blu-ray Disc movies from Disney/Pixar are referred to as “reference quality” as they exhibit state-of-the-art image and sound reproduction. There is no absolute reference, as any number of high performance components or movie discs can exhibit extremely high performance up to the level of considered reference quality. Suffice it to say if something is reference quality, it exhibits best of its breed performance across the board.
Reon: See HQV.
RIAA Equalization: Equalization curve applied by a phono preamp. The frequencies recorded on a record are not in perfect proportion to each other andd cannot be due to physical limitations. The RIAA Equalization curve brings them back into proper proportion so the sound is corrrect. See Phono Preamp.
Ribbon Tweeter: Tweeter using a thin metal ribbon driven by an intense magnetic field. Ribbon tweeters are extremely transparent, detailed and open-sounding, but can be a challenge for inexpensive receivers and amplifiers to drive. Some of the most highly regarded speakers ever made, the Apogee full-range ribbon speakers, used ribbon drivers for the midrange and bass as well. They were extremely expensive and had reliability problems, which played a part in the company’s eventual demise. Magnepan speakers use ribbon tweeters in a much more reliable implementation. See Magnepan.
Rokkor: Name brand used by Minolta on their SLR lenses and highest quality optics.
Room Correction: System incorporated into a receiver or surround processor to compensate for less-than-ideal acoustical environments. (”Less than ideal” applies to pretty much every home environment, save a purpose-built listening or theater room.) Room correction systems utilize a microphone that is placed in the main listening area and connected to the receiver. The system is activated and the receiver plays test tones which are received by the microphone. The system analyzes the tones and applies equalization and volume adjustment to each speaker to compensate for acoustical shortcomings of the environment, improving sound quality throughout the room. Audyssey and Anthem Room Correction are two examples of room correction systems. Room correction systems are not foolproof; you should compare sound with the system turned on and off to see which you prefer.
Rootkit Fiasco: The “rootkit fiasco” was a 2005 scandal involving Sony/BMG music CDs found to have a hazardous “rootkit” embedded in them as copy protecion. When the CD was placed in Windows computers, this rootkit would install itself on the owner’s computer without their knowledge or consent, exposing the computer to hazardous viruses- all in violation of federal law. The rootkit was described by computer experts as spyware. The rootkit fiasco led to class action lawsuits filed against Sony, legal action by attorneys general of several US states, and serves as an example of the conflict between consumer’s rights and the efforts of corporations to protect their assets from piracy.
Rumble: Low-frequency vibration in a turntable platter.
RPTV: Rear projection television.
RF: Radio frequency, used to describe any transmission by radio waves as well as television signals. RF television signals contain both audio and video information and must be tuned by a tuner. Though the term “radio” is used, analog cable signals are also RF though they are not sent over the airwaves. See Tuner.
