What does the term 'latency' refer to in audio-video systems?

The term 'latency' in audio-video systems refers specifically to the delay between the input and output of an AV signal. This delay can occur at various points in the signal chain, whether it’s caused by processing, transmission, or conversion. High latency can result in noticeable timing issues, where audio may not match up with video, leading to an unsatisfactory experience for viewers and listeners. Understanding latency is crucial for ensuring synchronization in AV presentations, such as in live events and multimedia productions.

The other options focus on different aspects of audio-video systems; synchronization pertains to aligning sound and vision perfectly, while audio quality and video resolution relate to the characteristics of sound and video outputs, respectively. These elements are certainly important in AV systems, but they do not define the concept of latency.