ms incorporate screens that can show the faces of distant-end participants, graphics, close-ups of documents or diagrams and other objects. connection A path that is established between two devices and which provides reliable stream delivery service. content In the context of video, the information object or objects that are packaged for playback by a viewer. continuous presence A technique used in video processing and transmission in which the sending device combines portions of more than one video image and transmits those separate images in a single data stream to a receiver or receivers. The receiver displays these multiple images on a single monitor where they are arranged side-by-side or stacked vertically. Continuous presence images can also be displayed on multiple monitors. contone Continuous tone. Used to describe the resolution of an image, particularly photographic-quality images. contrast The range of light-to-dark values of an image that are proportional to the voltage differences between the black and white levels of the signal. convergence The trend, now that media can be represented digitally, for historical distinctions between the boundaries of key industries to blur. Companies from consumer electronics, computer and telecommunications industries are forming alliances and raiding each other's markets. Convergence will be accelerated with the coming of the much-heralded U.S. information superhighway. Glossary of Terms Central processing unit: the chip in a microcomputer or printed circuit board in a mainframe or minicomputer in which calculations are performed. crossconnect The equipment used to terminate and manage com- munications circuits in a premises distribution system. Jumper wires or patch cords are used to connect station wiring to hardware ports of various types. CSMA/CD Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection. A baseband LAN access method in which terminals "listen" to the channel to detect an idle period during which they can begin the transmission of their own message