Glossary of Terms

If there are definitions you would like to see added, feel free to comment below.

• ATSC: The defined protocol for over-the-air digital broadcasts, including HDTV
• Component Video: Analog video connection similar to RCA jack. Rather than a single cable, the video is separated into 3 different inputs. Supports up to HD resolutions up to 1080.
• Composite Video: Analog video connection (also known as a RCA plug in layman's terms). SDTV only, relatively low video quality compared to modern signals.
• DLP Display: Digital Light Processing TV. One of the 3 most common types of HDTVs. A type of projection TV. Also becoming more common in commercial movie theaters as a digital video solution.
• H.264: Highly efficient video compression standard also known as MPEG4-AVC. Comparable to VC1, but less proprietary.
• HDMI: Digital Audio/Video cable. Standard is still evolving, but capable of latest audio and video standards. Supports the DHCP (copy protection) necessary to use
• HDTV: High Definition TV. Video resolutions of 1280x720 and higher, the 2 standard resolutions are 1280x720 and 1920x1080
• Interlaced:
• LCD: Liquid Crystal Display. LCD TVs are one of the 3 most common types of HDTVs.
• MPEG2: Common audio/video compression standard. Most commonly used in DVD and satellite broadcast standards.
• MPEG4: Common compression standard having multiple definitions. Becoming very popular among Blu-Ray discs, HD camcorders and HD sources.
• NTSC: North American analog television standard. Standard definition resolutions only.
• Plasma Display: Another of the 3 most common types of HDTVs.
• Progressive Scan:
• SDTV: Standard Definition TV. Video resolutions of 720x480 and below.
• VC1: Another highly efficient video compression standard developed by Microsoft. Comparable to H.264, but not as supported outside of the PC/HD media world.