Jargon Buster

If you find yourself getting lost in the continuously growing world of TV technology and wonder what all those abbreviations mean, then use our Jargon Buster list below to help understand what features you are getting with your TV.

1080p: This is the ultimate high definition resolution! 1080p is a 'progressive' scan in which all the pixels are displayed at any one time, providing a better, smoother picture. Many believe 1080p is the ultimate resolution format since it combines the best attributes of 720p and 1080i resolutions to create the sharpest picture yet.

16:9 FORMAT: Provides a picture close to that of which you would see in the cinema. The Widescreen shape (16:9) allows a greater picture size to that of traditional (4:3) television when displaying modern films or DVD`s.

ACTIVE ROOM CONTROL (ARC): Every room is different; this system has been developed to deliver the very best low frequency performance. Quickly tune-out unwanted effects using the supplied Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter and set-up CD. The SPL meter can also be used to accurately set-up channel levels across you Home Theatre system using the 'test tone' function on AV receivers.

ADVANCED AUTO-SET UP: Automatically tunes in all the channels in the correct order for both the TV and the VCR on combination sets

AMBILIGHT: Ambilight is part of Philips' unique selling feature that illuminates light behind the LCD panel which enhances the overall viewing experience with ambient light surrounding the screen. The automatic adaptation of the Ambilight colours with the images on the screen will maximise the viewing experience. The light can also be switched to fixed colours and different shades of white. In standby mode the lights can be operated to any colour and create a unique ambiance in the room.

ASPECT RATIO: The relationship between the width and height of a television screen that defines its shape. A standard TV set has an aspect ratio of 4:3, i.e. four units wide by three units high. So, for example, if the screen is 24 inches wide it will be 18 inches high. A widescreen set has an aspect ratio of 16:9, giving a 'letterbox' shape like that of a cinema screen. The programmes on most of the major TV channels are now in 16:9 format.

BRIGHTNESS: Level of luminance, or quantity of light emitted from the image area, measured in ANSI lumens.

COMPONENT VIDEO INPUT: Typically found on professional broadcasting equipment, now available on TVs and DVD players. This type of connection has the same quality as RGB but additionally allows the brightness and contrast of the picture to be adjusted to suit room conditions.

DIGITAL COMB FILTER: Clear separation of the combined colour and black and white signals, preventing smudging, vibrating edges and ensuring precise details.

DIGITAL TV: Programmes broadcast in digital form rather than analogue signal. The UK's TV broadcasts will switch to digital-only between 2008 and 2012.

DVI: The Digital Visual Interface (DVI) is a video interface standard designed to maximize the visual quality of digital display devices. The DVI is aimed at maximizing the picture quality of digital display devices such as digital projectors and LCD screens. It is the only standard that uses both digital and analogue transmission options in the same connector DVI is the best way to connect to a computer, for using the TV as a large monitor.

ELECTRONIC PROGRAMME GUIDE (EPG) : Simple but comprehensive on-screen menu offering previews of what is on now and next, reminders, and the ability to control certain VCRs.

FASTEXT: When using Teletext, a way to switch quickly between pages of text without waiting for each to display separately.

FULL ACTIVE CONTROL: The TV automatically analyses the incoming signal and adjust the key picture parameters of: noise, sharpness, colour, contrast and format; giving the best possible picture at all times.

HD: High definition television, or HD TV, is a new standard that delivers higher picture quality and better sound than traditional TV technology. High Definition (HD) television uses the latest technology to bring clearer and sharper television picture to your screen. High Definition offers picture quality four times more detail than standard definition (SD) TV delivering vibrant colour, stunning detail and incredible depth. It�s the ultimate way to watch your favourite movies, TV programmes and sporting events.

HDMI: The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is an industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. HDMI provides an interface between any compatible digital audio/video source, such as a set-top box, a DVD player, or an A/V receiver and a compatible digital audio and/or video monitor, such as a Digital TV.

LCD: LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display, and is a screen technology comparable to Plasma. LCD TVs have a longer life span and use less power than Plasma and CRTs, and can double as Computer Monitors with their ability to display very sharp images. Like Plasma TVs, LCDs are also very thin, and recent improvements have given them better viewing angles at up to 170 degrees, making them perfect for family viewing and playing games. With the introduction of HD Ready models, the future of home entertainment is brighter than ever before.

PARENTAL LOCK: Allows parents to "lock" out certain content so that children cannot see unsuitable channels - commonly using a PIN number system for access to locked channels.

PICTURE IN PICTURE (PIP): Picture in Picture (PIP) allows you to watch more than one TV channel or input at the same time. 1 Tuner picture in picture (PIP) televisions require the use of an external tuner to provide a second TV signal, or they can display a combination of other inputs.

PIXELS: Pixels are dots used to display an image on a screen. There are millions of pixels that create images on screen the more pixels the better the picture. High-definition TV has up to four times as many pixels as standard-definition TV.

PIXEL PLUS : By doubling the number of pixels on a line and increasing by 33% the number of lines, PIXEL PLUS enhances both broadcast signals and DVD or Digital TV input towards near HD resolution and natural details.

PLASMA: Plasma TVs are very large and thin, with high contrast ratios, smooth images and superb colour reproduction. The difference between conventional CRT Televisions and Modern Plasma Screens is huge, and with a HD Ready Display, you can watch films in Movie Theatre quality. You can also view television broadcasts in High Definition, and Next Generation Gaming in glorious colour.

PROGRESSIVE SCAN: A superior way of viewing images compared with the traditional interlaced method. With progressive scanning all of the horizontal lines are displayed in the frame in one go.

SCART: A type of connection and cabling used to carry video signals, usually found on the back of televisions and videos.