|
A
AC3
The former name for Dolby Digital
Actuator
A power controlled motor, that moves your satellite dish eastwards and westwards.
Controlled by an indoor unit.
Amplifier
A device used to increase or boost the power of an electronic signal.
Analogue
A form of transmission where the signal is continuously variable. This contrasts
with digital transmission where the information is characterised by discrete bits
of information in numerical steps.
Analogue transmissions will vary in quality, Digital transmissions will be off or
on but will be good quality when the signal is present.
Antenna
A device used for receiving or transmitting television and radio signals. It can
take the form of a single wire, a Di-pole, a grid, a horn, a helix or a parabolic
dish such as a satellite dish.
Alphacrypt
An encryption format for encoding signals for Pay TV services.
API
Application Programme Interface
ASTRA
The name a company that operates one of the many broadcast satellites.
ATV
Analogue Television. I.e. The Strong LCD ATV has a built in analogue receiver.
You can receive terrestrial analogue but will need an additional set top box to
receive digital broadcasts.
Audio L/R
Connectors for 2 speakers (Left Right).
AV
Audio Visual
B
Bandwidth
A range of frequencies occupied by a signal or passed by a channel.
Beamwidth
The acceptance angle of an antenna, usually measured between half power points.
Beta crypt
An encryption format for encoding signals for Pay TV services.
Bouquet
Programming selection offered by a broadcaster.
Broadcasting
The simultaneous transmission of a message to all receivers on the channel.
C
CA (Conditional Access)
An encrypted (Scrambled) service that requires authorisation from the broadcaster
to view. Usually involves a subscription. (see also CAM and CI)
Receivers described as CA have built in decoders for particular encryption formats.
You will need a card from the broadcaster to view the programmes.
Cable
The television and radio signals are fed to your TV using cables, usually underground.
You will not require a dish or aerial to receive cable.
C-band
Frequency range from 3700 to 4200 MHz (3.7 to 4.2 GHz)
CAM (Conditional Access Module)
A plug in unit for a CI (Common Interface) receiver. Used to decode an encryption
format of your choice. You will need a card from the broadcaster to view the programmes.
CAS
Channel Associated Signalling: A form of circuit state signalling in which the circuit
state is indicated by one or more bits of signalling status sent repetitively and
associated with that specific circuit.
CI (Common Interface)
Receivers with Common Interface slots can take a variety of CAMs (see CAM) so you
can choose the encryption system you want to decode.
CDMA
Acronym for Code Division Multiple Access, a form of multiplexing in which the
transmitter encodes the signal, using a pseudo-random sequence that the receiver
also knows and can use to decode the received signal. Each different random
sequence corresponds to a different communication channel.
Cigarette lighter-Adaptor
A lead which enables you to plug your equipment into the cigarette lighter
socket on a car, motor home or boat
Cinch-Cable
A standard of connector fitted to screened cable for connecting amplifiers and other devices together.
Coaxial cable
A screened cable for connecting high frequency signals between devices such as VCR’s and TV’s
Coaxial output
A facility to connect high frequency signals between devices such as VCR’s and TV’s
Component output
A facility to connect a device at a base signal level offering higher quality reception
Composite output
A facility to connect a device at a base signal level offering higher quality reception
CONAX
An encryption format for encoding signals for Pay TV services.
Converter (LNB)
A Low Noise Block down-converter amplifies and converts the frequency of the very low
microwave signal received by the antenna or dish.
Cryptoworks
An encryption format for encoding signals for Pay TV services.
CVBS
Composite Video Blanking Signal – a waveform containing analogue information
D
Decoder
A circuit or device that restores a coded signal to its original form based on knowledge
of the process used to code the signal.
Demodulation
The process of extracting the information signal from an analogue carrier signal. The reverse of modulation.
Digital audio output
A facility to allow for the connection of an external digital amplifier
DiSEqC 1.0/1.1/1.2
A digital control standard to operate DiSEqC components such as a motor to move your
dish from east to West, picking up a range of satellite transmissions.
Digital
Using a binary code - discrete, non-continuous values - to represent information. Analogue
information can be converted into a digital format.
Dolby Digital (Formally Dolby AC3)
The approved 5.1 channel (surround-sound) audio standard for ATSC digital television,
using approximately 13:1 compression. Six discreet audio channels are used: Left, Centre,
Right, Left Rear (or side), Right Rear (or side), and a subwoofer -- LFE, "low frequency effects".
Dolby Surround
Matrix analog coding of four audio channels - Left, Centre, Right, Surround (LCRS) -
into two channels referred to as Right-total and Left-total. The Dolby Surround system
originally was developed for motion pictures.
DTG
The Digital TV Group. The Industry association for Digital Television in the UK.
DTH
Direct to Home. When you have your own satellite dish rather that being supplied the signal
from a cable station.
DTS - Digital Theatre System
DTS works with the same channel configuration as Dolby Digital. The main difference being a higher
bit rate in DTS, which gives this system potential for an even higher sound quality.
DTT
Digital Terrestrial Television - terrestrial channels (BBC/ITV/C4/C5) are currently received
by most viewers via an analogue receiver. DTT is the next generation, replacing analogue transmission.
DTV – Digital TV
TV with Built in Digital Tuner giving access to all DTT broadcasts without the need for another
set top box. Sometimes refered to as IDTV
DVB
Digital Video Broadcast. The standard for all digital TV.
DVB-T/-S/-C
"T" for Terrestrial, "S" for satellite and "C" for cable
DVD
Digital Video Disk; a type of compact disc that holds far more information than the CD-ROMs
that are used for storing music files. A DVD can hold a minimum of 4.7 GB, enough for a
full-length movie. MPEG-2 is used to compress video data for storage on a DVD. DVD drives
are backward-compatible and can play CD-ROMs.
E
Embedded
Built in to the equipment
Encryption
Another word for Scrambling: A means of making data unreadable to everyone except the authorised receivers.
EPG
Electronic Programme Guide
Euro AV = SCART
21 pin European standard connector for Audio and Video devices
Eurocrypt
An encryption method
F
Favourite list
A means of organising your available channels so that you can assign numbers to your most
frequently watched channels making them easier to access.
Feedhorn
The device that focuses the data from the satellite dish to send it to the receiver.
Firmware
Any software stored in a form of read-only memory----ROM, EPROM or EEPROM---that
maintains its contents when power is removed.
Fixed dish
A Satellite Dish aligned with only one satellite. Not movable.
Freeview
The range of Digital Terrestrial TV and Radio programmes available without subscription in the UK.
Frequency/ (Frequency band)
The rate at which an electrical current alternates, expressed as the number of cycles per unit of
time (from crest to crest in a sine wave pattern); frequency is typically measured in Hertz
(Hz, KHz, MHz, GHz) .
FTA
Meaning Free to Air, the range of Digital Satellite TV and Radio programmes available without subscription
G
GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)
Greenwich Mean Time, the mean solar time of the meridian of Greenwich, England, used until
1972 as a basis for calculating standard time throughout the world.
H
HDTV
High Definition Television, digital television signals transmitted in higher line and
feed rates, providing a finer and wider TV picture. Now usually meaning digital transmissions.
HF-band
High Frequency Band: 3-30 MHz
High Band
A segment of frequencies above low and middle band. Sometimes referred to in satellite
reception as the range 10.75 to 11.75GHZ.
Horizontal
The plane of reception of an antenna, opposite to Vertical
Hotbird
The name given to a particular series of Eutelsat television transmission satellites
located at 13.0 Degrees East.
Hyperband
A range of frequencies used for transmission of Cable TV
Hz (Hertz)
A measurement of frequency.
A unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second.
I
iDTV (Integrated Digital Television)
A Television with a Digital Tuner built in. Suitable for receiving all UK FREEVIEW programmes.
IF
Intermediate Frequency. Refers to the resulting signal in a superhet receiver after the
incoming carrier is mixed with the oscillator signal.
Interactive TV (MHP or MHEG)
Multimedia Home Platform - a non proprietary facility being developed that allows interactive
applications within the DVB family of standards.
MHEG – UK standard for Digital Text and interactive applications
Intermediate Frequency
Refers to the resulting signal in a superhet receiver after the incoming carrier is
mixed with the oscillator signal.
Irdeto
An encryption format for encoding signals for Pay TV services.
IR Sensor
IR stands for "infrared." The most common home automation use of IR is in hand-held
remote controls for TVs, images and CD Players. Infrared light is invisible to the
human eye and cannot penetrate walls. The IR Sensor picks up the transmitted instructions
from your remote control.
IR Socket
If you wish to connect an external IR Sensor (See above) in order to conceal your set top
box this socket is necessary.
J
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)
Together with GIF, JPEG (or JPG) is one of the two commonly used image formats on the Web.
JPEG format is best suited to photographic images.
K
Ku-Band
Radio spectrum in the 10.9 GHz to 17 GHz range used by satellite communications systems.
KHz
Kilohertz: Unit of frequency, equal to one thousand hertz or cycles per second.
L
LCD-TV (Liquid Crystal Display Television)
An ultra thin TV suitable for wall mounting or stand mounting.
Letterbox
Image of a wide-screen picture on a standard 4:3 aspect ratio television screen, typically
with black bars above and below. Used to maintain the original aspect ratio of the original source
LNB - Low Noise Block (down-converter)
Low Noise Block Down converter. A device that processes weak satellite signals directed by an antenna
reflector into a feedhorn, whilst introducing as little electrical noise as possible in the process.
LNB In
Socket for connecting the cable from your satellite dish to your receiver.
LNB Out
Socket for connecting the cable from your receiver to your TV.
Loop through
A facility to allow the original signal to pass through to another device
Low band
A segment of frequencies below middle band. Sometimes referred to in satellite reception
as the range 9.75 to 10.75GHZ..
M
Mediaguard
An encryption format for encoding signals for Pay TV services.
Mediahighway
An encryption format for encoding signals for Pay TV services.
MHEG 5 (6)
Software for Digital Text and interactive TV services used by UK DTT broadcasters
MHP (DVB-T/ DVB-S) – Mulitmedia Home Plattform
Multimedia Home Platform - a non proprietary facility being developed that allows
interactive applications within the DVB family of standards.
MHz
(Megahertz). A measure of signal frequency expressing millions of cycles per second.
Modem (V90/ V92)
A device that allows computers to communicate with each other over telephone lines or
other delivery systems by modulating digital signals by converting to a higher frequency
for transmission, and then back at the receiving the end. Modems can handle differing data
rates: the higher the rate, the faster the data is transmitted.
Modulation
The process of impressing information on a carrier wave by changing some of the wave's
characteristics (such as amplitude, frequency, or phase) to reflect the changes in the
information it delivers.
Modulator
(Video/Audio). An electronic signal processor that combines a video/audio signal with
a carrier signal for distribution. A later demodulator removes the carrier following
transmission to restore the original signal.
MPEG 1,2,3,4
Motion Picture Experts Group. A committee of experts from the audio, video, and computer
industries developing an evolving series of standards for compression of moving images.
Files encoded using this standard are referred to as MPEG files. MPEG-1 is a low-resolution
format currently used on the World Wide Web for short animated files. MPEG-2 is a much higher
resolution format developed for digital television and movies.
Multifeed
A satellite dish where with more than one feed and LNB can be fitted
Multiswitch
A device for connecting multiple feeds to a switching matrix for delivery to more than
one household or satellite receiver, as in IF distribution.
MUSICAM ( Masking Pattern Adapted Universal Integrated Coding and Multiplexing)
A digital audio encryption format
Mute
The MUTE button on a remote control disables the sound on the receiver or television
N
Nagravision
An encryption format for encoding signals for Pay TV services.
NDS
An encryption format (among others: Conax, Nagravision, Cryptoworks, NDS) for encoding signals for
Pay TV services especially for Scandinavian countries.
NDS is a leading supplier of open end-to-end digital pay TV solutions for the delivery of entertainment
and information to television set top boxes.
Now and next (EPG)
A type of Electronic Programme Guide that only displays the programme showing now and the next programme
to be shown.
NTSC (National Television Standards Committee)
(National Television Standards Committee) Standard broadcast signal received by televisions in
the United States. All television broadcasts in the United States must meet this standard. If
a device is designed for NTSC, it will most likely not work with other television standards
such as PAL, which is the standard broadcast signal used in Europe. However, there are certain
types of equipment that support both standards.
O
OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing)
A multi-carrier modulation scheme that is based on splitting the signal over numerous narrowband
channels ("carriers"), which are subsequently modulated and transmitted on selective frequencies.
OFDM is currently used for Digital Terrestrial Television broadcasting.
Open TV
TV platform for advanced interactivity including features such as on line payment for pay per view services.
Optical output
A facility for connecting digital signals to external devices using light as the carrier frequency
OSD (on screen display)
For viewing menu options on a display such as a TV receiver.
Oscillator frequency (LNB)
The frequency mixed with the transmission that result in the IF.
OTA (Over-the-Air)
Over the Air. This is the acronym commonly used to describe standard television broadcast signals
received by a rooftop antenna. Software upgrades can be sent to your receiver this way.
P
PAL (Phase Alternate Line)
Standard colour broadcast signal received by Televisions in many European countries. Differs
from NTSC by alternating the phase of the colour on each line of transmission hence between
NTSC, the television standard used in the United States, and PAL is that NTSC delivers 525
lines of resolution at 60 half-frames per second, whereas PAL delivers 625 lines at 50
half-frames per second.
Pan ( Scan)
A facility on your remote control that allows you to move the picture to view the edges
of a 16:9 ratio picture on a 4:3 ratio TV when in letterbox mode. Can also mean to remotely
control a closed circuit TC camera
Parental lock
A code system that allows parents pin code control over channels that may be unsuitable for children
Pay TV
A television service requiring subscription to view.
PCMCIA
The Personal Computer Memory Card International Association, which standardises credit card-sized
interface cards used in portables and other small computers. Shortened to CI slot as used in DTT
and satellite receivers
Positioner
Term used for a device that controls the position of a satellite dish or antenna
PID (Packet Identification)
Every digital TV channel has a Video, Audio and PCR PID, usually a scan of a transponder will
find this automatically. Many digital receivers allow you to input these if they aren’t automatically found.
PIG (Picture-in-Graphic)
Allows you a small view of the picture when you are in a text screen.
PIN Code (Personal Identification-Number)
To give added security and parental control. You can lock a receiver with a PIN to prevent
certain or all programmes being viewed by those who do not know the PIN.
PIP (Picture-in-Picture)
The effect of showing one picture/channel on the main part of the screen and another picture/channel
in a small format, usually in the corner of the screen
PLL (Phase-Locked Loop)
An electronic circuit used for the high stability of the phase of a of a down-converted frequency,
locking onto your chosen station to give clear drift free reception.
PMT (Programme Map Table)
An information table which is transmitted along with TV programs and the other digital information.
Polarisation
The plane of a transmitted or received signal as observed by the antenna. Horizontal, Vertical
and Circular are methods of polarisation.
PVR (Personal Video Recorder)
For recording TV programs or video images from a video source onto a hard disk or other device
than can store the images digitally.
Q
QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying)
A type of modulation used in broadcasting.
Quad LNB
Where 4 LNB’s are encased in one unit having the same polarities and bands at each of the 4 outputs
Quattro LNB
Where 4 LNB’s are encased in one unit having different polarities and bands at each of the 4 outputs.
R
RCA
The Radio Corporation of America; conveniently used to describe phono style jack and plug,
one of the audio/video connectors.
Receiver
The part of a television system that picks up or accepts a signal or message from a channel
and converts it to perceptible forms.
RF
Abbreviation for Radio Frequency.
RGB
Red, Green and Blue, the additive primaries. RGB is the basic additive colour model used
for colour video display, as on a television screen
RS 232 serial port
A standard for serial transmission of data between two devices such as your receiver and
a laptop computer. This defines the pin and plug in terms of size, shape and number of
pins. An interface based on the RS232 standard.
S
Satellite
An electronics retransmission device serving as a repeater, normally placed in orbit
around the earth in geostationary orbit for the purpose of receiving and retransmitting
television and radio signals. It normally receives signals from a single source and
retransmits them over a wide geographic area, known as the satellite's "footprint."
These signals are received by, either, the satellite antenna on your roof or a cable
station that distributes them on a network to homes.
SCART (TV, VCR) (Syndicat des Constructeurs d’Appareils Radio récepteurs et Télévision)
21 pin European standard connector used for combined audio and video connections switching and
other special purpose.
SCPC (Single Channel per Carrier)
Where one channels occupies the bandwidth of one transponder
SCSI (Small Computer System Interface)
(pronounced "scuzzy"). An interface standard for connecting peripheral devices to computers.
Hardware components for implementing a SCSI interface include connector ports on computers
and cables for connecting peripheral devices to the computer. SCSI is gradually being
supplanted by the newer USB standard.
SECA (SocieteEuropeene de contrôle d’Access)
An encryption format for encoding signals for Pay TV services.
SECAM (Séquence couleur à Mémoire)
A colour television system used in France, Russia and other countries that do not use
either the NTSC or PAL system. It has 625 horizontal scan lines and 25 frames per second.
Serial Port (RS 232)
A standard for serial transmission of data between two devices such as your
receiver and a laptop computer. This defines the pin and plug in terms of size, shape and
number of pins. An interface based on the RS232 standard.
SES (Sociéte Européenne des Satellites)
Satellite operator of the ASTRA satellites
Signal
The information conveyed through a communication system.
Single LNB
An LNB designed to receive transmissions from only one satellite at a time. (See LNB)
Slot
An opening where smartcards or CAMs can be inserted to connect with the CA or CI software
inside the receiver.
SMATV (Satellite Master Antenna Television system)
A communal distribution system for satellite and terrestrial TV and radio signals, usually
installed in a block of flats for shared used, where each service is separately modulated
to produce a channel
Scrambling
Another word for encryption: A means of making data unreadable to everyone except the authorised receivers.
Smartcard
A card issued and authorised by the broadcaster to give access to their programming
S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface)
Standard audio file transfer format. Developed jointly by the Sony and Phillips corporations,
S/PDIF allows the transfer of digital audio signals from one device to another without having
to be converted first to an analogue format. Maintaining the viability of a digital signal
prevents the quality of the signal from degrading
STB (Set Top Box)
Any device that connects to your television to add a function. E.g. Satellite Receiver,
Digital Terrestrial Receiver, VCR, DVD, etc.
Subscription
A type of Licensing Agreement by which a Licensee pays for access to information by
payment of a periodic fee.
S-VHS (Super VHS)
A higher quality extension of the VHS home videotape format.
S-Video
Transmits luminance and colour (Y / C) portions separately, using multiple wires, thus
avoiding the colour encoding process and its inevitable loss of picture quality.
SW Update via Satellite and over the air
The software on your receiver can be upgraded by transmissions sent via satellite or
terrestrial broadcast rather than you having to connect to a PC and upload software upgrades yourself.
T
Terrestrial
A term used to distinguish broadcasting from transmitters situated on the earth's surface
from broadcasting from satellite (celestial)
Teletext (via VBI)
This feature allows you to access text transmissions provided your TV has Teletext.
TFT = Thin-Film-Transistor (LCD Technology)
An LCD screen technology used in laptop's and some of the newer type monitors and TVs.
Timer
A regulator that activates or deactivates a mechanism at set times. E.g. for recording or
switching receiver on.
Timeshift-function
This gives the appearance of pausing live programming. It actually begins recording when
it is paused then plays back from the point it was stopped while simultaneously continuing
to record the rest of the programme.
Top UP TV
UK Digital Terrestrial TV subscription service.
TPS
Pay TV service available in France.
Transmission
Communication by means of transmitted signals
Transponder
Electronic package aboard a telecommunications satellite that 1) receives transmissions
from earth (uplink); 2) changes signal frequency; 3) amplifies the signal; and, 4)
transmits the signal to earth (downlink). Modern communications satellites use 24
or more transponders and can be C-Band, Ku-Band, or both.
Tuner
An electronic receiver that detects and demodulates and amplifies transmitted signals
Twin LNB
Where 2 LNB’s are encased in one unit having the same polarities and bands at each of the 2 outputs
U
UHF – Ultra-High-Frequency
Ultra High Frequencies. UHF refers to the frequency range 300MHz-3000 MHz.
Universal LNB
An LNB with 2 separate Local Oscillators to allow coverage of the Low and High satellite bands
Universal RCU
A remote control that can be set up to be used on several devices such as VCR, TV and DVD
V
VBI (Tele/ Videotext via VBI)
This feature allows you to access text transmissions provided your TV has a Teletext decoder.
VCR (Video Cassette Recorder)
A magnetic tape recorder for recording (and playing back) TV programs
Vertical
The plane of reception of an antenna, opposite to Horizontal
VHS (Victor Home System)
A standard for video tape recording invented by the Japanese Victor Company (JVC)
VHF (Very-High-Frequency)
VHF refers to the frequency band 30MHz-300 MHz.
Viaccess
An encryption format for encoding signals for Pay TV services.
Video Output
The facility to video signals to an external device
Video Sender
A high frequency device, commonly 2GHz, used to transmit signals from one room to another
without wires . Requires two parts: a sender and a receiver. E.g. the sender could be
attached to your satellite receiver and transmits the signal to the receiver part. The
receiver can be in another part of your house attached to another TV and can accept
commands from your remote control, allowing you to watch satellite TV in your bedroom
or kitchen without needing another satellite receiver.
W
X
Y
Z
|