GB 36
AC-3
A multichannel digital audio encoding system.
Access control
A feature that allows parents to ”lock” programmes that
they consider to be unsuitable for children. A ”locked”
channel or programme can only be ”unlocked” using the
special access code.
Access code
A four-digit code stored in the Mediamaster. It is used to
lock/unlock the Mediamaster.
AGC
Automatic Gain Control.
AUX
Auxiliary.
BER
Bit Error Rate. A signal quality measure.
C/N
Carrier to Noise. Signal quality measure
DiSEqC
DiSEqC™ (Digital Satellite Equipment Control) system
which is a communication bus between satellite receiv-
ers and peripheral equipment using only the existing co-
axial cable.
DVB
The Digital Video Broadcast group, which was created
to establish a technical framework for the introduction of
digital video broadcasting systems.
GHz
GigaHertz. The prefix giga means milliard, and Hertz
means cycles per second. Signals in the GHz range are
often called microwaves.
LNB (low-noise block converter) or LNBF
An electronic unit mounted on a satellite dish. It receives
the signals that are reflected by the dish and converts
them to signals that can be used by the Mediamaster.
MHz
MegaHerz. The prefix mega means million, and Hertz
means cycles per second.
MPEG
Moving Picture Experts Group. Established by the Inter-
national Standards Organisation to provide the basis for
a picture coding and compression system.
Network
A number of digital channels that are transmitted from
one source. The networks are grouped under separate
headings in the channel list.
Glossary of terms
PCM
Pulse Code Modulation. Non-compressed digital audio
format.
PCR
Program Clock Reference.
PID
Packet Identifier.
Polarisation
Polarisation allows several programmes to fit into the
same frequency band. The signals from a satellite are
transmitted either with linear (vertical or horizontal) po-
larisation or circular (right or left) polarisation.
RCA
A coaxial connector used to connect the Mediamaster to
an external amplifier.
RF
Radio frequency (known as HF in some countries).
RGB
Red, Green, Blue. Colour signals are routed through
separate cables in order to provide a high-quality TV pic-
ture.
SatScan
SatScan is a one-cable positioning system, allowing re-
ception of 29 different preprogrammed satellite positions
within a range of 60 degrees.
SERIAL RS 232
A serial communication standard data port.
SCART
A 21-pin connector used for connecting the Media-
master, VCR and TV. Also named Euroconnector or
Peritel connector.
Scrambled TV programme
Some TV programmes are transmitted in scrambled
form.
S/PDIF
Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format. Digital audio output.
Symbol rate
Speed of the digital transmission
SW
Software. Programme code.
TS
Transport stream.
VCR
Video Cassette Recorder.