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Glossary
Aspect Ratio
The ratio between the width and height of the TV picture on the screen. In a normal TV set the aspect
ratio is 4 to 3 (4:3). The new aspect ratio in HDTV is 16:9 which resembles the aspect ratio in a movie
theatre (Widescreen). New TV systems support both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratio and can automatically
switch between them.
Audio Video (A/V)
A term often used when discussing a channel on a TV receiver or on video equipment, which has been
especially designed to accept VCR audio-video signals. This channel automatically activates special circuitry
within the TV set to prevent picture distortion and skewing. It is also used for audio-video processors,
which handle both types of signals.
ATSC
ATSC: Advanced Television Systems Committee. Formed to establish technical standards for advanced
television systems, including digital high definition television (HDTV).
CVBS
Composite Video Baseband Signal. In broadcast television this refers to the video signal, including the co-
lour information and syncs.
Component Video
Input (Y Pb Pr)
Component Video Input is a type of connection that uses a cinch-type connector to allow set top boxes
or analog DVD players to connect a signal to the TV. By offering the cinch-type input (YPbPr) the primary
colors, red, green and blue are connected from a set top box directly into the TV allowing for the signal to
display on the screen.
DTV
Digital television. Generic term that refers to all digital television formats, including high-definition
television (HDTV) and standard-definition television (SDTV).
DOLBY Digital
Dolby Digital - Six-channel digital audio standard that is part of the U.S. digital television standard; also
called AC-3 or Digital 5.1. The channels consist of front left, front right, front center, surround or rear left,
surround or rear right, and a separate subwoofer.
Digital Tuner
A digital tuner serves as the decoder required to receive and display digital broadcasts. It can be included
inside TV sets or via a set-top box.
HDTV
The generally agreed upon definition of HDTV is approximately twice the vertical and
horizontal picture resolution of today’s NTSC TV, which essentially makes the picture twice as sharp.
HDTV also has a screen ratio of 16:9 as compared with most of today’s TV screens, which have a screen
ratio of 4:3. HDTV offers reduced motion artifacts (i.e. ghosting, dot crawl), and offers 5.1 independent
channels of CD-quality stereo surround sound, (also referred to as AC-3).
NTSC
National television system committee. The organization that developed the analog television standard
currently in use in the U.S., Canada, and Japan. Now generally used to refer to that standard. The NTSC
standard combines blue, red, and green signals modulated as an AM signal with an FM signal for audio.
Progressive Scan
In Progressive Scanning all the horizontal scan lines are scanned on to the screen at one time. The Digital
TV and HDTV Standards accept both Interlaced Scan and Progressive Scan broadcast and display methods.
Resolution
Resolution: A measurement of the finest (smallest) detail that is visible in a video image. TV Resolutions
may be expressed as number of pixels in an image; or more commonly,
As Total Number of (horizontally scanned) Lines used to create the image.
Standard Digital TV Resolutions:
SDTV: 480i - The picture is 704x480 pixels, 480p - The picture is 704x480 pixels.
HDTV: 720p - The picture is 1280x720 pixels, 1080i - The picture is 1920x1080 pixels.
SPDIF
SPDIF (Sony and Philips Digital Interconnect Format) is highly recommended for high quality digital sound
output.
