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Glossary9.
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 automat-
ically 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 denition television (HDTV).
CVBS Composite Video Baseband Signal. In broadcast television this refers to the video signal, includ-
ing the colour 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-
denition
television (HDTV) and standard-denition television (SDTV).
DOLBY Digital Dolby Digital - Six-channel digital audio standard that is part of the U.S. digital television stan-
dard; 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 cable receiver box.
HDTV The generally agreed upon denition 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 nest (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,
1080p - The picture is 1920x1080 pixels.
SPDIF SPDIF (Sony and Philips Digital Interconnect Format) is highly recommended for high quality
digital sound output.