Glossary
Smart home and AV terms, explained
Plain-English definitions for the words you will hear when planning a project.
- Access point (AP)
- A device that provides Wi-Fi. Wired access points connected to a switch give the most reliable coverage.
- Backhaul
- The connection that carries data from an access point back to the network. Wired backhaul is faster than wireless.
- Blackout shade
- A shade with fabric that blocks light through the material.
- Cat6
- A type of network cable used for data, video and power over Ethernet.
- Cellular shade
- A honeycomb-style shade with air pockets that adds insulation.
- Control4
- A smart home platform that connects lighting, shades, audio, video, security and more.
- Dimmer
- A switch that adjusts light brightness.
- Dolby Atmos
- A surround format that adds height sound from above.
- Field of view (FOV)
- How wide an area a camera can see.
- Keypad
- A wall button panel that runs scenes such as Movie Time or Good Night.
- Low voltage
- Wiring for data, audio, video and control that carries much less power than household electrical wiring.
- Mesh Wi-Fi
- A system of units that connect wirelessly to extend coverage.
- NVR
- A network video recorder that stores video from IP cameras.
- PoE (Power over Ethernet)
- Sending power and data over one network cable, used for access points and cameras.
- Pre-wire
- Running cables during construction before walls close.
- Rough-in
- The first stage of wiring, done before drywall.
- Routine
- A scene with a schedule and flexible triggers, as in the new Control4 experience.
- SSID
- The name of a Wi-Fi network.
- Scene
- A saved group of actions, such as lights, shades and music, triggered together.
- Session (media)
- What is playing in a room or group of rooms.
- Structured wiring
- A planned wiring system that brings network, TV and audio cables to a central location.
- Subwoofer
- A speaker that reproduces deep bass.
- Throw distance
- How far a projector must be from the screen to make a given picture size.
- Trim-out
- The final stage where devices are installed, programmed and tested after finishes.
- VLAN
- A way to separate parts of a network, such as guests and smart devices.
- Wi-Fi 6, 6E, 7
- Generations of Wi-Fi technology, each with more speed and capacity.
- Zone
- An area of the home with its own audio, lighting or climate control.
- eARC
- A HDMI connection that sends high-quality audio from a TV to a soundbar or receiver.