ESS Technology Glossary of Terms

ADC	Analog-to-digital converter.
ASIC	Application-specific integrated circuit.
DAC	Digital-to-analog converter.
DTS	Digital theater systems.
DSP	Digital signal processing.
fabless	A company that does not own its chip manufacturing facilities. Instead, it contracts with independent foundries to manufacture its products.
ISA	Industry-standard architecture.
ICP	Internet content provider.
ISP	Internet service provider.
MIC	Multimedia Internet computer.
MPEG-1	Video decoder chips used primarily in video CD players.
MPEG-2	Video, audio and systems decoding functions that enable full-screen, full-motion video at 30 frames per second with selectable CD-quality audio.
OEM	Original equipment manufacturer.
PCI	Peripheral component interconnect.
RISC	Reduced instruction set computer. In a RISC machine, the instruction set contains simple, basic instructions, from which more complex instructions can be composed.
STB	Set-top box
SVCD	Super video compact disk. This is an improvement on the VCD (see entry) that enables clearer, sharper video close to the maximum television resolution of 350 lines. Used in China’s consumer markets.
VCD	Video compact disk. This is the digital technology of choice in China, where personal computers are too costly for most people. Using the same format as an audio CD, the video CD provides an affordable and versatile medium for entertainment and education.
VIC	Video internet computer. This is a revolutionary family of ESS Technology appliances that provides state-of-the-art digital video capabilities, Internet access, and computerlike features. This is the first application for the new Chinese Windows CE (see entry).
VLSI	Very-large-scale integration.
VoIP	Voice over Internet protocol.
Windows CE	Subset of the Windows operating system that is used in many innovative computerlike appliances. ESS Technology has been working with Microsoft to develop a Chinese version of Windows CE.