In AV systems, what does the term "latency" refer to?

Latency in AV systems specifically refers to the delay that occurs between audio and video signals as they are processed and transmitted. This delay can occur for several reasons, such as processing time in AV equipment, transmission times over various media, and converting signals between different formats. If the latency is significant, it can lead to a mismatch where the audio does not align with the video, causing viewer discomfort or confusion. This is particularly crucial in live events, video conferencing, and multimedia presentations, where synchronization enhances the overall experience.

Understanding latency is vital for AV professionals because it impacts the quality of the system's performance. Managing and minimizing latency where possible is often required to create a cohesive and seamless audio-visual experience for the audience. The other choices pertain to different aspects of AV systems—power consumption refers to efficiency, resolution deals with image clarity, and data packet size concerns network data transmission, but they do not relate to the timing aspects that latency addresses.