AV & Video Streaming Glossary

Plain-English definitions of the terms that come up before you've even picked a product category — what they mean, why they matter, and where to read the full explanation.

Capture & Encoding

Capture card vs hardware encoder
A capture card gets video into a PC; a hardware encoder is a standalone box that needs no PC at all. Read → Multiview
A single output showing several sources at once in a grid — for monitoring, not switching. Read → HDR10 vs HLG
Two HDR formats — HDR10 for on-demand content with metadata, HLG for live broadcast. Read → Genlock
Locking multiple cameras to the same timing reference so switching between them doesn't glitch. Read →

Network & Streaming Protocols

NDI
A protocol for moving professional video and audio over a standard Ethernet network in real time. Read → SRT vs RTMP vs RIST
Three internet streaming protocols, each suited to a different destination and link reliability. Read → PoE vs PoE+
Two power-over-Ethernet standards — PoE+ supplies roughly double the wattage of standard PoE. Read →

Signal & Audio

EDID
The handshake a display sends a source describing which resolutions and formats it supports. Read → AES67
An open standard for sending uncompressed digital audio over a standard IP network. Read →

Buying Guides

What PC do I need for 4K capture?
USB vs PCIe bandwidth requirements, and what storage/CPU actually matters. Read → How much does a capture card or encoder cost?
What actually drives price up or down, without a published price list. Read →

Not sure which product you need?

Find My Product walks through your use case in under a minute and points you to the right model.

Find My Product Talk to Us

Stay Updated

New products and Magewell updates

No marketing noise. Just new product launches, firmware updates, and the occasional guide.

No spam. Unsubscribe any time. Your email is never shared.