What does AFD mean in HARDWARE
AFD stands for Active Format Descriptor, and it is an 8-byte code used in digital television broadcasting to provide information about the image size or aspect ratio. This code can also contain information regarding color space, active lines per frame, and other technical parameters. The AFD enables various receivers or broadcasters to adjust the picture size according to the encoded aspect ratio of the incoming signal. When broadcasting a video signal in different formats, such as wide-screen or letterbox formats, broadcasters can encode this information in the AFD so that receivers are able to recognize it and properly display the video.
AFD meaning in Hardware in Computing
AFD mostly used in an acronym Hardware in Category Computing that means Active Format Descriptor
Shorthand: AFD,
Full Form: Active Format Descriptor
For more information of "Active Format Descriptor", see the section below.
What is AFD?
The Active Format Descriptor (AFD) is an 8-byte code used in digital television broadcasting and audio/video streaming to indicate how a transmitted image should be displayed on a receiving device. It contains information on aspect ratio, color space, active lines per frame, active pixels per line, and other technical parameters which allow the receiving device to properly interpret and display the received image. It was adopted by EBU (the European Broadcasting Union) as part of its specifiation EB 140 for High Definition Television (HDTV). AFDs are sent together with compressed MPEG-2 video data streams and stored within its transport stream packet headers. With this information broadcasted alongside with video content, receivers can adjust their viewing experience based on what broadcaster chose as optimal viewing experience for their viewers.
What Does AFD Do?
The primary purpose of AFD is to enable various receivers or broadcasters to adjust the picture size according to the encoded aspect ratio of the incoming signal. An AFD can tell a receiver whether it should display fullscreen 16:9 content or 4:3 content with black bars either side – allowing it to make sure that viewers get the best possible viewing experience regardless of what format they are watching in. This helps broadcasters ensure that all viewers have a consistent experience when watching their broadcast; rather than some viewers having stretched images due to incorrect scaling settings at their end. Additionally, when broadcasting a video signal in different formats – such as wide-screen or letterbox formats – broadcasters can encode this information in the AFD so that receivers are able to recognize it and properly display the video according to its native format. This ensures that videos look as intended by both creators and broadcasters alike regardless of which device they are viewed on.
Essential Questions and Answers on Active Format Descriptor in "COMPUTING»HARDWARE"
What is Active Format Descriptor (AFD)?
Active Format Descriptor (AFD) is a code in the vertical blanking interval of an analog television signal or MPEG-2 transport stream that carries information about the aspect ratio and active picture characteristics of the video image. It contains eight bits of data which provide information to adapt the image size and position to match a video display's native shape.
What does AFD tell a television?
AFD tells a television what kind of geometry is being used to encode the video, such as 4:3 or 16:9, and what kind of cropping will be used for different aspect ratios. It also tells them what size the active picture will be within the frame, so that they can resize it properly.
How does AFD communicate with TV sets?
The AFD code is communicated between audio/video decoders and TV sets via vertical ancillary (VANC) data that is embedded within the television signal in line 23 of the vertical blanking interval. VANC transmits audio/video data from one device to another without affecting the actual video content.
What are some common uses for AFD?
Common uses for AFD include telling TV sets how to adjust their zoom mode accordingly and providing support for advanced features like dynamic stretch and content adaptive scaling (CAS). Additionally, it can be used to customize closed captioning support on TVs with digital displays.
Why is AFD important for broadcasters?
Broadcast equipment such as encoders need to send correct AFD codes so that they can ensure their broadcasts are compatible with various types of TVs available on the market. If incorrect codes are sent, viewers may experience improper cropping or stretching issues while watching broadcasts.
Is there any standard governing AFDs?
Yes, there are two standards that define how Active Format Descriptors should be used when broadcasting digital signals – SMPTE 2016-1/EBU Tech 3341 and EBU Tech 3366 v1.0. These standards define how different aspect ratios should be encoded using appropriate AFD codes.
Final Words:
In summary, AFDs provide essential information for broadcasting digital television signals across multiple platforms in order for devices such as TVs and streaming media players correctly interpret them so that viewers received optimally formatted images consistently across all platforms they watch on. Aspect ratios encoded into an AFD ensure that no matter what type of reception device receives a broadcast signal from a broadcaster – be it analog transmission towers or satellites – downstream equipment will correctly scale images accordingly without any visible distortion being present when viewed by audiences everywhere.
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