hightidelity

High fidelity, often abbreviated hi-fi, refers to the degree to which a reproduced signal or image preserves the quality of the original recording. The term emerged in mid‑20th‑century consumer audio as equipment improved beyond earlier broadcast and phonograph standards. Today, hi-fi is used to describe audio and video systems that aim to reproduce sound and images with minimal coloration, distortion, or noise; the phrase is also used as a brand name.

In audio, high fidelity emphasizes accurate frequency response, low distortion, and a wide dynamic range. Typical performance indicators include total harmonic distortion, signal‑to‑noise ratio, and flat response across audible frequencies. Designers and listeners seek equipment such as turntables, amplifiers, DACs, and loudspeakers that preserve the original recording with transparency, within the constraints of room acoustics and listening preferences.

In video and imaging, high fidelity denotes faithful reproduction of color, contrast, detail, and motion. This includes high resolution, color accuracy, and minimal compression artifacts. Advances in codecs, displays, and color management have raised fidelity expectations in cinema, broadcast, and consumer devices, though tradeoffs with bandwidth and storage remain a consideration.

In design and software development, high‑fidelity prototypes or simulations resemble the final product in appearance and interactivity. They support realistic usability testing and stakeholder evaluation, at greater cost and effort than low‑fidelity prototypes that focus on structure and concept. The term is also used more broadly to denote realism in simulations, virtual environments, and other media.