Jargon Explained - Plain English Glossary
Confused by technical terminology? Our glossary explains common terms in plain English so you can make an informed purchasing decision.
- Aspect Ratio
- The ratio of width to height of a screen. Standard TV is 4:3, widescreen is 16:9.
- Burn-in
- A condition affecting plasma screens where a static image displayed for long periods leaves a permanent ghost image. Modern plasma screens have features to minimise this risk.
- Component Video
- An analogue video connection using three cables (YPbPr) that carries higher-quality video than composite or S-Video. Supports Progressive Scan and HD signals.
- Composite Video
- A single-cable analogue video connection (usually yellow RCA). The lowest quality video connection, suitable only for basic use.
- Contrast Ratio
- The difference between the darkest black and brightest white a display can produce. Higher is better. Dynamic contrast ratios use measurement techniques that inflate the number.
- DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting)
- A digital radio standard that offers clearer sound, more stations and text information compared to traditional FM/AM radio.
- Dolby Digital
- A digital audio compression technology used in DVDs, digital TV and cinema. Dolby Digital 5.1 provides five full-range channels plus a subwoofer channel.
- DTS
- Digital Theater Systems - an alternative digital audio format to Dolby Digital, often found on DVDs. Many consider DTS to offer better sound quality due to lower compression.
- DVI (Digital Visual Interface)
- A digital video connection, often used for computer monitors. Some TVs include DVI inputs with HDCP for connecting HD sources. HDMI is the newer, more common standard.
- Freeview
- A free-to-air digital TV service providing over 30 TV channels and 20 radio stations via a standard aerial. No subscription required. Many modern TVs have Freeview tuners built in.
- HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection)
- A copy protection system used with HDMI and DVI connections to prevent unauthorised copying of HD content.
- HD-Ready
- A certification standard indicating that a TV can display HD signals (720p or 1080i) when connected to an HD source via HDMI or component video. Does not include a built-in HD tuner.
- HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)
- A single-cable digital connection that carries both high-definition video and multi-channel audio. The standard connection for modern HD equipment.
- Hertz (Hz)
- Unit of frequency. In TV terms, 50Hz means the screen refreshes 50 times per second. 100Hz doubles the refresh rate for smoother motion and reduced flicker.
- Interlaced (i)
- A scanning method where alternate lines of the picture are drawn in two passes (e.g. 1080i draws odd-numbered lines first, then even-numbered). Progressive scan (p) draws all lines in one pass for a smoother image.
- LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
- A display technology using liquid crystals that modulate light. LCD TVs are known for their brightness, low power consumption and suitability for smaller screen sizes.
- NTSC / PAL
- Analogue TV broadcast standards. PAL is used in the UK and Europe (625 lines, 50Hz). NTSC is used in the US and Japan (525 lines, 60Hz).
- Optical Digital Audio
- A fibre-optic cable connection for digital audio. Carries multi-channel sound from a DVD player or TV to a receiver. Also known as TOSLINK.
- Plasma
- A display technology using tiny cells of ionised gas (plasma) that emit ultraviolet light, causing phosphors to glow. Known for deep blacks, excellent motion handling and wide viewing angles.
- Progressive Scan (p)
- A scanning method that draws all lines of the picture in a single pass, resulting in a smoother, sharper image than interlaced scanning. Denoted by "p" (e.g. 720p, 1080p).
- Refresh Rate
- The number of times per second a display redraws its image, measured in Hertz (Hz). Higher refresh rates can reduce motion blur.
- Resolution
- The number of pixels in a display, expressed as width x height (e.g. 1366x768). Higher resolution means more detail. Common resolutions: 852x480 (EDTV), 1024x768, 1366x768 (HD), 1920x1080 (Full HD).
- Response Time
- The time it takes for a pixel to change from black to white and back, measured in milliseconds (ms). Lower is better for LCD TVs to avoid motion blur. 8ms or less is recommended for gaming and sport.
- RGB
- Red, Green, Blue. The primary colours used in TV displays. An RGB Scart connection provides better picture quality than composite video.
- Scart
- A 21-pin connector common on European TVs and video equipment. Carries RGB, composite and S-Video signals plus audio. Being phased out in favour of HDMI.
- SD Card
- Secure Digital memory card. Some TVs have SD card slots for displaying digital photos. Some camcorders record directly to SD cards.
- S-Video
- A video connection that separates brightness and colour signals for better quality than composite video, but lower quality than component or RGB.
- Subwoofer
- A speaker designed to reproduce low-frequency bass sounds. The ".1" in 5.1 refers to the subwoofer channel. Essential for home cinema impact.
- Tuner
- The part of a TV or radio that receives broadcast signals. An integrated tuner means it's built into the device. Freeview tuners receive digital TV via aerial.
- VESA Mount
- A standard mounting interface for flat-panel displays. VESA sizes (e.g. 100x100, 200x200, 400x400mm) indicate the spacing of the mounting holes on the back of the TV.
- Widescreen
- A 16:9 aspect ratio display, the standard for digital TV, DVDs and most modern content. Matches the shape of cinema screens.
Still puzzled by a term not listed here? Contact our technical team and we'll be happy to explain it.