Jargon Buster
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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| Amplifier |
TV or Radio Signal amplifier/booster |
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| Antenna |
Term for an aerial used in European/U.S. |
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| Attenuator |
Reduces Signal Strength |
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| Booster |
TV or Radio Signal amplifier/booster |
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| CAI |
Confederation of Aerial Industries - represents manufacturers, installers & other interested parties. |
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| CATV |
Community Aerial TV - covering a set neighbourhood/Town/City/County |
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| Chimney Lashing Kit |
Used to secure an aerial to a chimney |
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| Coax Coupler |
Used to join together 2 |
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| Coax Plugs |
Coax plug Terminates coaxial cable for insertion to TV etc via a coax plug |
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| Coaxial Cable |
Aerial lead to appliance |
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| Cob |
Coaxial (aerial lead) outlet box, surface mounted within the room |
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| Combiner |
Combines two or more aerial leads into one single aerial (coaxial) lead |
| DAB |
Digital audio broadcast |
| DAB Aerial |
Enhances DAB reception |
| DAB Radio |
Stereo Digital Radio Offeringa wide range of channels, as an alternative to FM. |
| Db |
Decibel - signal measurement |
| Digital Aerial |
Aerial/Antenna capable of receiving the new digital signal, providing more channels and enhanced services for the UK |
| Diplexer |
Combines two or more aerial leads into one single aerial (coaxial) lead |
| Dipole |
This element connects to the aerial downlead, receiving signals from the director and reflector elements. |
| Director Element |
Forward of the dipole, these are a series of tuned elements. |
| Dish Pack |
The satellite dish or external part of a sky installation |
| Distribution Amplifier |
When sending signals to two or more TV’s or Radio, this is the signal booster. |
| Downlead |
This is the cable which connects the aerial or dish to TV, radio or set top box |
| DTT |
Digital Terrestrial TV |
| F Connector |
Terminates coaxial cable for insertion to appliance |
| F Coupler |
Enables 2 f connectors to be joined |
| Fascia Mount |
Used to mount an aerial to a soffit |
| FM |
Stereo analogue radio reception, alternative to DAB, but cannot receive all radio signals |
| FM Aerial |
Boosts FM radio reception |
| Freesat |
New non subscription digital satellite system from BBC & ITV, featuring over 80 digital channels and estimated 200 by 2009. Broadcast in HD with no subscription required |
| Freesat |
Sky Broadcasting subscription free package |
| Freeview |
Digital Terrestrial TV, channels are provided by the UK’s mainstream broadcasters |
| Ghosting |
Repeat image(s) on analogue TV sets, caused by a reflected signal |
| Grid Aerial |
A TV aerial with 2 or more dipoles and a grid reflector |
| Grouped Aerial |
A TV aerial that will receive a segment of UHF (terrestrial TV) channels |
| High-Gain Aerial |
Multi-element aerial that utilises 32 elements, or more |
| IRS |
Integrated Reception System: A system providing UHF, Sky and radio, wich also enables connection of individual Sky boxes |
| LCD |
Liquid Crystal Display: A flat panel TV, alternative to plasma screens. |
| LNB - Quad |
This is a dish mounted device, which converts Sky signals to send the reception through to multiple (2 - 4) Sky boxes via the Coaxial (Aerial) cable. |
| LNB - Quattro |
This is a dish mounted device, which converts Sky signals to send the reception through to multiple switches |
| LNB - Solo |
This is a dish mounted device, which converts Sky signals to send the reception through to a single Sky box via the Coaxial (Aerial) cable. |
| Loft Mount |
Internal aerial mounting. |
| Magic Eye |
Device which the Sky box can be controlled from another room. |
| MATV |
Master Aerial TV: a UHF (terrestrial TV) reception distribution system |
| Multiplexer - MUX |
This is where groups of freeview channels are broadcast on a single UHF channel. This is known as a multiplexer |
| Multi-Switch |
One Sky dish receives the signal for multiple Sky boxes, usually used in apartment buildings & hotels. |
| Outlet Plate |
Mounted to the backbox or Patras, this plate is flush to the mount. |
| Pixellating |
Caused by a defective signal which produces a mosaic or frozen image on the screen. |
| Plasma |
Flat Panel/Screen TV which is an alternative to LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) |
| Polarity |
The UHF signal is transmitted on either horizontal or vertical polarities. |
| Pre-Amplifier |
The signal booster is installed directly on the aerial, with a power supply unit which is required. |
| PSU - Power Supply Unit |
This converts the mains voltage to 12v, and is used to energise the pre-amplifier via the downlead. |
| Reflector Element |
Rear element of an aerial |
| Set Back Amplifier |
Sits next to the TV and boosts TV reception signal. |
| Set Top Box |
Sits on top of the TV set - usually a Sky box, Freeview box, DVD player or VCR |
| Sky Digital |
Sky digital satellite system providing access to hundreds of digital channels and a vast range of pay to view movies, interactive services and radio stations |
| Sky Freesat |
Sky digital system providing access to a range of Free To Air channels, no monthly subscription required |
| Sky HD |
Sky HD brings a new home viewing experience, providing images in much greater detail and vibrant colours, complete with full recording facilities as Sky+. HD Compatible TV & Subscription required to take full advantage of a Sky HD system |
| Sky+ |
Sky digital with recording facilities. Provides the viewer to control what they watch by pausing, rewinding and playing live TV! You can also record and watch 2 channels at the same time |
| SMATV |
Satellite Master Aerial TV: Sky/UHF reception distribution system |
| Splitter |
Splits signal to two or more TV’s |
| Tetra |
Terrestrial Trunked Radio. Used by the Emergency Services. |
| Tetra Filter |
Blocks interference from Tetra transmissions |
| Top-Up TV |
Pay as you view Digital TV |
| UHF |
Terrestrial TV reception |
| VHF |
Redundant frequency bands 1, 2 & 3. Part of Band 3 is now used for DAB. |
| Wall Bracket |
Secures an LCD or Plasma screen TV to the mounting surface. |
| Wideband aerial |
A TV aerial used to receive UHF channels 21-68 |
| Yagi |
A tv aerial that has a dipole, director and reflector elements |
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