Glossary of Terms

This glossary provides definitions for key terms used in Moonbeam and game streaming in general. Understanding these terms will help you better navigate the Moonbeam documentation and optimize your streaming experience.

A

Auto Mode

The default operating mode of Moonbeam where it automatically determines the optimal streaming settings based on your network conditions and system capabilities.

B

Bitrate

The amount of data transferred per second, typically measured in kilobits per second (Kbps) or megabits per second (Mbps). Higher bitrates generally result in better video quality but require more bandwidth.

F

FPS (Frames Per Second)

The frequency at which consecutive images (frames) are displayed in an animated display. Higher FPS generally results in smoother motion.

H

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

A technique used in imaging and photography to reproduce a greater dynamic range of luminosity than is possible with standard digital imaging or photographic techniques.

L

Latency

The delay between an input being processed and the corresponding output. In game streaming, it refers to the delay between a user’s action and the visible result on the screen.

M

Moonbeam

A tool that auto-configures Moonlight for optimal performance, adjusting settings based on network conditions and device capabilities.

Moonlight

An open source implementation of NVIDIA’s GameStream protocol, allowing you to stream your PC games to other devices.

N

NVIDIA GameStream

A proprietary protocol developed by NVIDIA for streaming games from a GeForce GTX-powered PC to other devices.

R

Resolution

The number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed. Common resolutions include 1920x1080 (1080p), 2560x1440 (1440p), and 3840x2160 (4K).

S

Streaming Host

The computer that runs the game or application being streamed. In the context of Moonbeam, this is typically a PC with an NVIDIA GPU.

Sunshine

An open-source implementation of NVIDIA GameStream, allowing AMD and Intel GPUs to act as streaming hosts for Moonlight clients.

V

V-Sync (Vertical Synchronization)

A graphics technology that synchronizes the frame rate of a game with the refresh rate of the monitor. It can help prevent screen tearing but may introduce input lag.