Glossary to Television Terms

Audio/Video Inputs * Located on the rear of the DPTV these connectors (RCA phono type plug) are used for the input of audio and video signals. Designed for use with VCRs (or other accessories) in order to receive higher picture resolution and offer sound connection options.

Aspect Ratio * The proportions of a rectangular display screen. NTSC television has a 4:3 ratio; HDTV is 16:9.

ATSC * Advanced Television Systems Committee established by the Federal Communications Commission to set standards for digital television.

Coaxial Cable * A single solid antenna wire normally matched with a metal plug (F-type) end connector that screws (or pushes) directly onto a 75 Ohm input found on the Television or VCR.

Display * An on screen message or graphics that help the user operate and adjust DPTV feature controls. See On Screen Displays (OSD).

Dolby Digital * A digital 6-channel compression and surround sound audio standard developed by Dolby Labs Inc. (also known as 5.1.)

DPTV * Digital Projection Television comprised of ATSC, NTSC, and Monitor modules.

DTV * The broadly defined term used to describe the new digital television system adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in December 1996.

HDTV * High Definition Television which offers approximately twice the vertical/horizontal resolution of NTSC video, and sound quality approaching that of compact disc. (Usually taken to mean a picture of 1920 x 1080 pixels in a 16:9 aspect ratio.)

LED * Light Emitting Diode or indicator.

Major Channel * The RF transmitted channel on which an ATSC digital station is broadcast. (Also referred to as virtual channel.)

Menu * An on-screen listing of feature controls shown on the DPTV screen that are made available for user adjustments.

MPEG * Motion Picture Experts Group and the video compression formats devised for transmission of digital broadcasts.

Multichannel Television Sound (MTS) * The broadcast standard that allows for stereo sound to be transmitted with the TV picture.

NTSC * National Television Standards Committee format devised for TV broadcasting signals in the 1940s (525 lines; 30Hz.)

On Screen Displays (OSD) * Refers to the wording or messages generated by the DPTV to help the user with specific feature controls (color adjustment, programming, etc.).

Pre-Amplifier * The control center of a hi-fi system. Not only amplifies source inputs, but also allows for source selection, volume, tone, balance and all other controls that affect the sound.

Programming * The procedure of adding or deleting channel numbers into the DPTV’s memory circuits. In this way the DPTV “remembers’’ only the locally available or desired channel numbers and skips over any unwanted channel numbers.

PSIP * Program and System Information Protocol.

PTV * Projection Television (Rear and/or Front projection design systems are available.)

Remote Sensor Window * A window or opening found on the DPTV control panel through which infrared remote control command signals are received.

RF * Radio Frequency or modulated signal design used as the carrier for television broadcasts.

RGB * Red, Green, Blue color component inputs used for connection purposes with personal computers (PCs) and other high definition video devices.

Second Audio Program (SAP) * Another or additional audio channel provided for in the Multichannel Television Sound (MTS) broadcast standard. A monaural soundtrack included within the recorded or video signal (usually containing a second language translation for the displayed programming.)

SDTV * Standard Definition Television is a digital television transmission, but with approximately the picture quality and aspect ratio equivalent to NTSC video.

Status * Allows the user to quickly confirm what channel number is currently being viewed. Status can also be used to clear the DPTV of on- screen displays or information (rather than waiting for the displays to “time out” or automatically disappear from the screen).

Subchannel * A complete digital channel number is composed of both a major and minor (sub-) channel number. Located within the “major” channel’s transmitted signal the “minor” channel can be used and selected for additional programming.

Subwoofer * A speaker designed for audio playback of only the lowest-frequency notes (under 100 Hz.)

SVGA * Super Video Graphics Array

S-Video Input * Allows direct connection of high-resolution video sources, such as a Super VHS videocassette recorder, Laser Disc player, etc. Provides improved picture resolution, sharpness, and clarity.

Twin Lead Wire * The more commonly used name for the two strand 300 Ohm antenna wire used with many indoor and outdoor antenna systems. In many cases this type of antenna wire requires an additional adapter (or balun) in order to connect to the 75 Ohm Input terminals designed into the more recent Televisions and VCRs.

Variable Audio Output * An adjustable audio output which allows for volume variations at the source.

VGA * Video Graphics Array

YUV * Component video signals consisting of Y luminance and normalized color differences U and V.