Digital text | The display of text not broadcast as part of the programme content, for example a 'What's coming next' message during the closing credits of a TV show. |
| 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. |
| Digital TV recorder | A recording device that uses a hard disk to store programmes chosen from an Electronic Progamme Guide. |
| DVD recorder | A recording device that stores programmes on writable DVDs, including DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and DVD-RAM. |
| DVD combi recorder | A recording device that uses a combination of internal hard disk and removeable DVDs to store your programmes. Very flexible and easy to use. |
| DVD+R/DVD-R | Allows you to record to the disc once, then play as many times as you want on most DVD players. If you want to archive recordings, rather than record over them, choose DVD-R or DVD+R discs. |
| DVD+RW and DVD-RW | Allows you to continually re-record onto DVD. +RW discs automatically locate and record onto available blank disc space without wiping existing content, so you can record a series of shows onto one disc. |
| DVD-RAM discs | Can be re-recorded and also allows for live TV pausing. Recordings can only be played back on a DVD-RAM enabled device, which are less common than other formats. |
| EPG | Electronic Programme Guide. An on-screen guide that provides details of current and future programmes. |
| Fastext | When using Teletext, a way to switch quickly between pages of text without waiting for each to display separately. |
| Freeview | The UK's free digital TV service, needing only a Freeview set top box or Freeview-equipped TV/recorder to receive up to 70 channels. |
| High Definition / HD ready | A standard giving a clearer picture, made up of 720 or 1080 lines rather than the 625 common today. |
| HDMI | A standard for cables and connectors that makes sure the higher-quality video and audio are transmitted reliably between your TV and recorder. |
| PAP | Picture and Picture. A technology that allows two TV signals (e.g. two different channels) to be displayed on the same screen at the same time. |
| PIP | Picture in Picture. A technology that allows one channel to be displayed in a small 'window' in the corner of the main picture (which may be another channel.) |
Plasma | A display technology that involves lighting up millions of small dots or 'pixels'. Allows excellent colour reproduction and contrast. |
Scart | A type of connection and cabling used to carry video and audio signals, normally located on the back of TVs and videos. |
Choosing a flatscreen TV whether its LCD or Plasma is an excellent choice. It gives a higher quality picture than a standard CRT TV and a wider viewing angle making it suitable for any position in the room. Flatscreen TVs are available in a large range of sizes from 15-20” which is suitable for bedroom or kitchen viewing to 37-50” which can provide a cinematic experience. The screen size is measured diagonally from corner to corner in inches and can either be standard (4:3) or widescreen (16:9.) As movies are filmed in widescreen larger screen TVs are usually the (16:9) format. To check whether your TV is widescreen or not, simply look at the shape of your screen. If it is more rectangular in shape rather than square then it I widescreen
| LCD | PLASMA |
| Display Speed | Not quite as fast as Plasmas but still excellent quality | Better with faster moving images or action scenes |
| Depth | Usually several centimeters slimmer and lighter than | Tend to be wider and heavier than LCDs |
| Plasmas | ||
| Screen Size | LCDs can go up to large screen sizes although | Best option for the largest screen sizes (42 inches +) |
| Plasmas tend to have the edge at 42 inches+ | ||
| Viewing Angle | Slightly smaller viewing angle to the Plasmas | Plasmas have a slightly larger viewing angle |
| Wall Mountable | Can be wall mounted and is usually slightly lighter than | Can be wall mounted although ensure the brackets are |
| a Plasma | strong enough | |
| Energy Consumption | Uses the least amount of energy | Uses slightly more energy than the LCD |
High Definition refers to the number of lines which make up the picture on the screen of the TV. A standard TV consists of 625 lines where as High Definition means there is between 720 and 1080 lines making up the picture giving you a much more detailed image. By choosing a HD Ready TV, you will see a sharper more vivid image which will give you a better viewing experience.
Types of High Definition
HD 720- Picture consists of 720 lines and is better quality than on a non-HD. HD1080i- Picture consists of over 1000 lines. The “i” stands for the way the waves are broadcast- only half the signal at a time to save space on the airwaves but this happens so rapidly that the eye doesn’t notice it happening. HD1080p- This is the highest definition currently available and gives you the sharpest image possible. This means that the picture consists of over 1000 lines but the waves are broad cast all at once making it good for fast moving scenes. Currently, no channels are broadcasting 1080p quality programmes but they will be in the future.
Note on Image Enhancement- Words such as Bravia, Viera, XDEngine and PixelPlus are manufacturers own brand technology designed to improve your picture quality.
To make the most of HD broadcasts you will need a HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) lead to connect your TV. It is worth checking when you buy a new TV whether it has a least one if not two HDMI port as this will make receiving the higher quality picture easier.
For the best viewing experience HDMI with a High Definition TV will give you the best quality picture.
By 2012 all TV Broadcasts in Britain will be digital. It up to you to ensure that by the time you region has changed over; your TV equipment will be compatible. Analogue TVs and Videos will no longer work without the addition of a Freeview or set top box. Alternatively you can buy a TV with Freeview built in which would not need to be upgraded for the switchover.
The Digital Switchover means more choice for the viewer and as digital broadcasts take up less space on the airwaves; this means that more channels can be received giving you more variety.In addition to the large number of channels available you will also receive extra features and services such as the red interactive button which gives you up to minute headlines, sports and weather forecasts. If you already have a Sky box, Cable or BTVision then you are ready for the digital switchover but if you don’t have either of these you need to make sure you have a Freeview or set-top box connected to your TV in order to receive these extra channels.
The Digital Switchover will happen by region between now and 2012.
The screen resolution refers to the number of dots or pixels which make up the image. The higher the resolution the detailed the image will be. A typical screen resolution would be 1024 x 768 which refers to the number of columns and rows of pixels which make up the image on the screen.
Digital Recorders are an upgraded version of a standard Freeview or Set-Top Box. They have a built-in hard disk which can be used to record and store you favorite shows and movies. It works very similarly to Sky Plus and enables you watch one channel whilst you record another as well as pause and rewind live TV to allow you to see the replay!
In addition to this you get a 7 Day Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) which enables you to see what’s coming up next and set programmes to record in advance at the touch of a button.
In addition to the DVDs there are two new types of discs, HD-DVD and Blu-Ray Disc. These are formatted to work with High Definition TVs to show a sharper, higher quality image because they have the ability to hold more information that a standard DVD
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