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CVBS (Composite Video Baseband Signal)
A technology for transmitting video signals via a cable. Mixes luminance (brightness) and the
chrominance (colour) signals together.
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DiSEqC (Digital Satellite Equipment Control)
A DiSEqC compatible receiver relies on a switching box which detects the 22kHz tone pulsing rapidly on
and off. In this way, a specially designed receiver can control numerous LNBs through a DiSEqC switching
box.
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Dolby Digital
An encoding system that digitally compresses up to 5.1 discrete channels of audio (left front, centre,
right front, left surround, right surround) into a single Bitstream. A low frequency effect(LFE) channel is
included providing the sound needed for special effects.
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DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting)
Set of standards that define digital broadcasts using satellite, cable or terrestrial systems.
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EPG (Electronic Programme Guide)
An electronic equivalent to a printed television listings magazine; it is an application used with digital settop
boxes and digital television sets to list current and scheduled programs that are or will be available on
each channel, including a short summary or commentary for each program. The information supplied in
the EPG is sent and updated by the channel broadcaster.
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FEC (Forward Error Correction)
A technique for error control of data transmission.
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Frequency
The property of a signal measured in cycles per second (=Hz).
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FTA (Free- To-Air)
An unscrambled broadcaster allowing customers to view channels or services without paying any
subscription.
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HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
The primary computer storage medium, which is made of one or more aluminum or glass platters, coated
with a ferromagnetic material.
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HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)
An all-digital audio/video interface that supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus
multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. It transmits all ATSC HDTV standards and supports 8-channel
digital audio.
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Hi-Fi (High Fidelity)
The characteristics of audio devices that can play back all the audio frequencies a person can detect,
which is the range of 16Hz-20KHz. Sometimes, it is used to indicate good quality of audio devices such as
stereo tape recorders.
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LNB (Low Noise Block)
A device that is mounted on an arm facing your satellite dish, focusing on satellite signals. A LNB converts
signals received from satellite to a lower frequency and sends them to a satellite receiver via coaxial cable.
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NVOD (Near Video On Demand)
A technology that allows customers to view the start of popular programmes or films within a short period
from the time they make their selection. This is possible as the broadcaster sends multiple copies with
staggered start times.
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OSD (On Screen Display)
OSD displays the basic information necessary for the users to configure monitor or TV settings. OSD
information may include brightness, contrast, tuning, RGB adjustment, and screen size and position.
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OTA (Over the Air)
A standard for the transmission of software for equipment, through a broadcast system. Manufacturers
reserve the right for deciding the release of the software for their products.
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PID (Packet Identifier)
A set of numbers identifying stream packets contained within a single data stream.
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PIP (Picture In Picture)
A function that allows you to display two different TV channels (or TV inputs) on a single screen.
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Polarisation
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.
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PVR (Personal Video Recorder)
Video recorder that can record and playback programmes directly using the embedded hard disk drive(s).
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QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying)
Digital modulation technique in which the carrier phase can have one of four possible values.
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RF (Radio Frequency)
Television signals are modulated onto RF signals and are then demodulated by your television’s or STB’s
tuner.
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RF Modulator
Enables you to output the receiver’s digital signals to a TVs RF (Aerial) input, allowing you to connect the
receiver to a TV set without a SCART connection.
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RGB (Red – Green – Blue)
A technology for transmitting video signals via a cable. RGB is a system to represent red, green, and blue
colours on a TV or monitor display. Red, green, and blue can be combined in various proportions to obtain
any colour.
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RS-232C
A connection to allow you to connect to a PC to update receiver’s software.
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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.
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Smartcard
A credit card sized card that contains updateable chip memory. It is used for accessing Pay TV (encrypted)
channel or services when inserted into an appropriate receiver.
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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.
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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.
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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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Trick-Play
Pause, Fast Forward/Fast Rewind, Slow Motion, Instant Replay, Commercial Skip, Repeat A-B.
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TSR (Time Shifted Recording)
A function that records the present programme temporarily to support trick-play.
