There are a number of key terms used within the audio, video and data communication industry that can leave some people wondering what is being discussed or suggested.
HB Digital aerial and satellite engineers North Wales always use easy to understand language to ensure you know exactly what is going on, through any type of experience with us.
For those that wish to learn more themselves, here is a compiled list of some of the key words, terms and jargon that you might come across in conversation with members of the industry.
A
Amplifier
Boosts the signal of a TV, radio or satellite
Analogue
One of the traditional ways of broadcasting both television and radio. Analogue signals represent pictures and sound in their ‘raw’ format, whereas the digital signal codes the pictures and sound into computerised data.
Analogue Radio
Short, medium and long wave radio waves (FM and AM)
Aspect ratio
This is relationship between the width and height of a TV screen. Traditional TV screens have aspects of 4:3, whereas a widescreen set will have an aspect ratio of 16:9, which is how the black border is achieved to create the cinema screen shape.
Attenuato
This is an electronic device that reduces the power of a signal, without appreciably distorting its waveform
Audio description
Spoken commentary that is used on television, largely useful for visually impaired viewers. Commentary will fit in between dialogue and describes action sequences, facial expressions, costume, scenery etc.
B
Bandwidth
The range of frequencies that are employed to transmit signals. We can imagine this as the amount of space that is required on the airwaves to transmit a programme.
Booster
Another name for ‘Amplifier’
Broadband
Broadband is the system that carries signals over a range of frequencies and bandwidth. The wider the bandwidth, the more information that can be carried. Hence a broadband internet connection gives you high-speed downloading of video and audio.
C
Conditional Access (CA
The code used to refer to channels you require a viewing card to watch.
Chimney lashing kit
This is used to secure an aerial to a chimney
Coax
The type of cable that is used to carry signals to the aerial, dish or the receiving equipment
Combiner
A combiner using two or more aerial leads and signals into one single coaxial cable, such as TV/FM TV/SAT TV/DAB
D
Dipole
This is the part of the aerial that a cable will connect to
Downlink
A signal that has been sent down from a satellite all the way down to the ground
D-SAT
Digital satellite, used for by digital TV that are received through a satellite dish
DTT
Digital terrestrial television that is received via standard aerial – for example; the UK uses Freeview supplied through this method
DTV
An abbreviation for ‘Digital Television’
DVB
Digital Video Broadcasting, a worldwide standard for digital TV technology
DVD
Digital versatile disc (originally digital video disc) – which give superior picture and sound quality that a video cassette and have greater storage capacity than CDs.
DVI
Digital visual interface; a digital connection for high quality video; which is suitable for high definition televisions
DVR
Digital video recorder: more commonly known as a personal video recorder (PVR), which records TV programmes digitally to a hard disk, in similar fashion to how we save information on a computer
E
Earth Bond
This is commonly used to describe an equip
Element
These are a series of tuned elements that are forward of the dipole
Ensemble
A single frequency that contains a number of radio channels, a digital radio associated term
Electronic programme guide (EPG)
This is software that is built into a set-top box, giving on screen listing of what is being played now and what is on later. You might know this in the form of ‘TV guide’ or alike.
F
F Connector
This terminates coaxial cables for allowed insertion to appliances
F Coupler
The device that couples F Connectors together
FMStereo
Stereo analogue radio reception, alternative to DAB, however it can’t receive ALL radio signals
FM Aerial
Available in a variety of sizes, an FM Aerial boosts FM radio reception
Freesat
A system using a satellite dish and receiver. As the name suggests, it is free – however you have to pay your box and installation (and in some variants pay a provider, eg Sky).
Freeview
The main UK digital television service, whereby no subscription is required
G
Galvanised
Hot dipped treatment for steel to prevent and prolong rusting
Ghosting
Repeat images on analogues TV sets which is normally caused by reflected signals
Grid Aerial
A television aerial with two or more dipoles, and a grid reflector
Grouped Aerial
A television aerial that can receive a segment of UHF (terrestrial TV) channels
H
Hard Disk
An electronic storage device used for large amounts of digital information. Computers have hard disks inside of them, whilst other computer-like devices such as video recorders also make use of this technology. It allows the ability to store many hours of TV programmes on a hard disk.
High Definition (HD)
High definition television has up to 4x as many pixels more than standard screens. Standard screens have 625 lines, whereas HD screens have 720 or 1080 lines – giving clearer, sharper picture, with much more detail. Nowadays, HD is fairly standard and most households have transitioned to this type of television.
High Definition Recorder (HDR)
HDR is a term used for the device that is built into a satellite receiver or Freeview box
HDMI (High-definition multimedia interface)
This is a digital connection that uses a single cable for high-quality video and audio.
High-gain aerial
A multi-aerial that utilises at least 13 elements
I
IDTV
An integrated digital television that uses a TC set with built-in digital TV receiver, which can get a digital terrestrial TV signal without a set-top box
Interactive TV
Beyond normal television watching, it allows extra information about programmes, the ability to watch other news stories and sports coverage, join quizzes and voting. This is often accessed via the ‘red button’ on your remote, though not all providers offer this.
L
Lashing kit
A kit used in order to effectively secure an aerial or satellite dish to a chimney
LCD
A technology used within televisions that stands for ‘liquid crystal display’. It is particularly suitable for large televisions
LNB (Low Noise Block) – Quad
A dish mounted device that converts satellite signals to send the reception through multiple receiver boxes via the coaxial cable
LNB (Low Noise Block) – Quattro
A dish mounted device that converts satellite signals to send the satellite reception to multiple switches onto multiple receivers
LNB (Low Noise Block) – Solo
This is a dish mounted device which converts satellite signals to send the reception through to a single input satellite receiver via the coaxial cable
Loft mount
Internal aerial mounting various types
Letterbox
This is a type of widescreen picture (16:9) that can be displayed on a standard TV screen, which can be commonly recognised by the black bands at the top and bottom of screen.
M
Magic Eye Device
This is the ‘sensor’ at the top of the remote which communicates with the box to control the guide/change channel
Multiroom
A system that distribute signal to more than one room in a property
N
NTSC
The broadcast standard in America and Japan
O
Omni
A multi-directional aerial that is used with FM and DAB radio reception
Outlet plate
A plate flush to the mount patris or back box set in the wall
P
PAL
Broadcast standard that is used in United Kingdom, Australia and some other countries
Phone jack
A small transmitting device and receiver that is used when a telephone point is required in a position where hard wiring a cable is not a viable option
Pixel
A picture element – it is one single dot on a screen. The more pixels, the better the picture
Plasma
A technology that displays a TV picture on a flat-panel screen by using gases behind the glass – particularly effective and suitable for large-size screens
Polarity
UHF signal that is transmitted on either horizontal or vertical polarities, satellite signal is both horizontally and vertically transmitted
Pay Per View (PPV)
An individual show or series that you must pay separately to receive access to
Pre-Amplifier
A signal booster that is directly installed on the aerial, with power supply unit that is usually next to the TV
Power Supply Unit (PSV)
This converts the mains voltage to 12v and energises the pre-amplifier via the ‘down lead’
R
Radio Data System
Found in many car radios, a radio data system automatically chooses the strongest FM signal available so you don’t need to retune when moving around. This also detects and switches to travel bulletins broadcast by BBC local radio stations
Receiver
Equipment that receives and decodes signals from a transmitter so you can see and hear TV and radio broadcasts. The set top boxes are examples of the receivers
Relay
A low-power transmitter that enables you to receive signals from a main transmitter and retransmits them to a localised area
Radio Frequency (RF)
Used to feed a TV signal from an aerial to a TV, set top box, video recorder etc.
RF loop
Where RF connectors are used to feed in TV signals from an aerial to a set top box and then again to a TV or recorder
RS232 Interface
This is used for downloading software updates from your PC, which can also be achieved via satellites via installation menu
S
Scan
When you plug in your TV set-top box, or a DAB radio, it will scan to find all available channels
Scart
A scart lead has a large, rectangular, 21-pin plug at each end and is a way to connect equipment like TVs, video recorders, DVD players and set-top boxes
Standard Definition (SD)
Used to describe a standard definition receiver as opposed to High Definition
SECAM
The broadcast standard used in France in some other countries
Sky
Sky digital satellite system that gives users access to hundreds of digital channels and a range of pay to view movies, interactive services and radio stations
Sky+
Sky digital that comes with recording facilities, enabling users to view and control what they use such as pausing, rewinding and replaying
Sky HD
Sky in high definition, giving a better picture with vibrant colours – only available full with certain subscribed channels
Sky Free Sat
The sky digital system that provides access to a range of free to watch channels, so no monthly subscription is required
Satellite Master Aerial TV (SMATV)
Sky/UHF reception distribution system
Splitter
An item used to share the signal from one to a number of outputs
STB
A set top box used to describe digital decoder or satellite receiver
T
Terrestrial TV
Television that is broadcasted from transmitters on the ground and then received through an aerial
U
Uplink
A signal that is sent up to a satellite from the ground
W
Webcasting
Broadcasting television and other media via the internet
Wide Band
A term that is used to describe a TV aerial that covers transmissions from bands 21-68
Widescreen
TV pictures that are set with an aspect ratio of 16:9 – most programmes on most of the major TV channels are now in widescreen format
Wi-fi
Short for ‘wireless fidelity’, Wi-Fi is a technology that lets you get on the internet and share computer files without cables
