Humax HDCI-2000 PID Packet Identifier, Qpsk Quaternary Phase Shift Keying, Smartcard, Transponder

Polarization

The direction of the electrical and magnetic fields of a signal. Satellites use both vertical and horizontal polarisation. Means that a frequency can be used twice.

PID (Packet Identifier)

A set of numbers identifying stream packets contained within a single data stream.

QPSK (Quaternary Phase Shift Keying)

Digital modulation technique in which the carrier phase can have one of four possible values.

SCART

A 21-pin connector standard to connect two pieces of Audio-Visual equipment such as a TV and a VCR. Each device will have a 21-pin female connection; a cable with male connection at both ends is used for connecting the devices.

Smartcard

A chipcard the same size as a credit card which must be inserted into the digital receiver in order to descramble the TV signals.

S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface format)

A standard format for the transfer of digital audio signals. It allows the transfer of digital audio between two devices without any conversion to and from analogue, which could degrade the signal quality.

S-Video (Super-Video)

Sometimes referred to as Y/C video; a technology for transmitting video signals via a cable. It is a video signal transmission in which the luminance (brightness) and the chrominance (colour) signals are transmitted separately to achieve superior picture clarity.

Transponder

A satellite is divided up in parts called transponders. A transponder is one distribution section of the satellite. Each transponder can be used for distribution of several channels or services.

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