CTS AV Signal Flow and Distribution 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'signal flow' refer to in an AV system?
- The path audio and video signals travel from source to destination (Correct answer)
- The electrical current rating of amplifiers
- The resolution of a display device
- The refresh rate of a video projector
Correct answer: The path audio and video signals travel from source to destination
Signal flow describes the path that audio and/or video signals take from the source device through processing and distribution equipment to the output devices.
Question 2: Which connector type is most commonly used for balanced analog audio in professional AV installations?
- RCA
- 3.5mm TRS
- XLR (Correct answer)
- BNC
Correct answer: XLR
XLR connectors are the standard for balanced analog audio in professional AV systems due to their locking mechanism and common-mode noise rejection.
Question 3: What is the primary advantage of using balanced audio cabling over unbalanced in a long AV cable run?
- Higher bandwidth
- Rejection of common-mode noise and interference (Correct answer)
- Lower cost
- Smaller connector size
Correct answer: Rejection of common-mode noise and interference
Balanced audio uses two conductors with opposite polarity, allowing the receiving device to cancel out electromagnetic interference picked up along the cable run.
Question 4: In video signal distribution, what does the term 'distribution amplifier' (DA) accomplish?
- Increases video resolution
- Splits and amplifies a single video signal to multiple outputs without degradation (Correct answer)
- Converts analog video to digital
- Compresses video for storage
Correct answer: Splits and amplifies a single video signal to multiple outputs without degradation
A distribution amplifier takes one video input and drives multiple identical outputs while restoring signal strength lost from splitting.
Question 5: What is 'impedance matching' critical for in AV signal distribution?
- Matching the color temperature of displays
- Ensuring maximum power transfer and minimizing signal reflections (Correct answer)
- Setting the correct audio sample rate
- Synchronizing multiple video sources
Correct answer: Ensuring maximum power transfer and minimizing signal reflections
Proper impedance matching ensures maximum power transfer between devices and prevents signal reflections that cause degradation, especially at high frequencies.
Question 6: Which cable type is the standard for SDI (Serial Digital Interface) video signal transport in professional AV?
- CAT6
- Fiber optic
- 75-ohm coaxial (Correct answer)
- HDMI
Correct answer: 75-ohm coaxial
SDI uses 75-ohm coaxial cable, which provides the correct impedance for the high-frequency serial digital signal used in professional broadcast and AV production.
CTS AV Signal Flow and Distribution 1
What does the term 'signal flow' refer to in an AV system?