Jargon Buster

Hz (TVs)
Most TV pictures update at a rate of 50Hz, i.e. 50 times a second. 100Hz uses digital processing to double the frequency. This reduces the flickering on screen so you get a smoother motion, minimized blurring and vastly improved background clarity.

1080i (TVs)
A TV format found in HD TVs. The 1080 refers to the number of vertical pixels and it stands for interlaced. This is the minimum resolution needed to enjoy high definition programming.

1080p (TVs)
A TV format found in HD TVs. The 1080 refers to the number of vertical pixels and the p stands for progressive scan. This is the highest of high definition signals and uses progressive scanning.

720p (TVs)
A TV format found in HD TVs. The 720 refers to the number of vertical pixels and the p stands for progressive video.

AAC (Audio)
The default audio format used by iTunes and iPods.

Accurate viewfinder (Photography)
An accurate viewfinder means that what you see through the viewfinder is exactly what you’ll get in the picture.

ADSL modem (Computing)
This modem provides you with a fast and continuous internet connection.

Amps (Most appliances)
This term refers to the number of currents an appliance uses. The higher the number of amps, the more powerful it is. The power consumption in Watts = 240 times the number of amps used.

Analogue (TVs)
Analogue is the standard way television programming has been transmitted and recorded.

Anti-shock technology (Audio)
A function found on a portable CD player to provide continuous play even when the player is knocked. A specified number of seconds of the music is memorized in advance by the CD player. This allows it to compensate for any skips that may occur when reading the CD.

Aperture/Shutter priority (Photography)
By manually adjusting either the shutter speed or the aperture size, you can add your own creativity to an image. The camera automatically optimizes the other setting. This gives greater control and flexibility than the automatic mode, but is easier to use than the fully manual mode.

Aspect ratio (TVs)
There are 2 aspect ratios. The 4:3 is the square-ish, standard shape. The 16:9 is the wide-screen format dominating new HD TVs.

ATRAC (Audio)
This is the audio file format used on Sony MP3 Players. To convert audio to ATRAC2 plus, you need Sony’s SonicStage software, which you get with Sony digital audio players. It is also downloadable from Sony’s music store.

Audio dubbing (Camcorders)
You can add your own comments to your footage.

Auto focus (Photography)
The camera lens focuses automatically, usually when the shutter release is half-pressed.

Auto install (TVs)
Automatically detects and sets up the channels when you first switch on the TV.

Automatic modes (Photography)
Most digital cameras have pre-set programmes for specific subjects such as portrait, sport or landscape. When you select a programme, the camera automatically sets the exposure and focus settings to give you a professional result.

Auto tuning (TVs)
Will automatically tune in the channels that an aerial can receive.

AV socket (TVs)
Transmit pictures and sound using audio-visual connections.

Bass boost (Audio)
Get a fuller sound from your music by adding extra depth.

Bi-directional (PC cables)
A bi-directional cable carries input and output signals.

Bit rate (Audio)
This is to do with the way your music is compressed and determines the quality of the music file you are transferring. MP3s are generally transferred at 128kbps for the best compromise between speed and file size.
As a guide:
• The higher the bitrate, the larger the file, the less you can store, the better the music quality.
• The lower the bitrate, the smaller the file, the more you can store, the lower the music quality.

Blu-ray (DVD)
Sony’s Blu-ray is a next generation DVD format, promising high-definition gaming and films.

Bluetooth™ (Mobile phones)
A wireless technology that allows you to connect with other Bluetooth™-compatible devices without wires.

Brightness (TVs)
It’s the measurement of what impact and how vibrant the colours are. It’s measured in cd/m2, which is the equivalent to the number of candles required to power that image.
Built-in flash (Photography)
A built-in flash enables you to use the camera in varying light conditions. Many flashes also reduce “red eye” effect.

Cache (Computing)
The amount of information a computer can hold at once.

Camcorder (Photography)
A handheld portable video recorder. Today’s camcorders are all digital, allowing you to record onto a hard disk drive, digital videos or DVDs, depending on the model.
Card readers (Photography and Printers)
Plug into your PC and insert a memory card for quick and easy download of images to your PC. Photo printers and all-in-one printers often have memory card readers too so you can print directly from the memory card.

CCD (Photography)
Charged couple device. 3CCD delivers greater colour and detail.

CDR (Audio)
A recordable CD. Data is written to the CDR using a special CD Writer but, once it’s written, it’s permanently burned into the CD. If you need to be able to record, erase and re-record data, use CDRW.

CDRW (Audio)
Recordable and re-writeable CDs.

Charging Time
This refers to the length of time it takes to fully charge a rechargeable battery.

Child lock
Prevents children from altering any options or programmes you have chosen and prevents unnecessary accidents.

Cinema-quality sound (Vision)
Digital sound can be separated into discrete channels. This makes full cinema stereo surround possible from your rear speakers.

CMOS sensor (Photography)
This gives a wider dynamic range and reduced light smear to your video footage. It results in high quality images with realistic colour and definition.

Component lead (TVs)
A superior way to connect your DVD player to your TV.

Compression (Audio)
The process of reducing the size of a music file to save space.

Continuous shooting mode (Photography)
When the shutter button is held down, some cameras are able to take several rapid-fire exposures. This is great for fast-moving action.

Contrast ratio (TVs)
The measurement of range between the brightest and darkest points on a TV screen. A high contrast ratio gives you a great looking, rich, deep picture with excellent shadow details.

CRT (TVs)
A cathode ray tube TV is the standard large-bodied television set, as opposed to a flat-panel design.

DAB digital radio (Audio)
These radios receive digital radio signals. They can tune into more radio stations with digital quality sound and no interference.

Databack (Photography)
The databack facility records and prints the time and date of the photograph, so you'll never forget when it was taken.

DDR RAM (Computing)
Double Data Rate Random Access Memory. This is the laptop’s memory. The higher the number, the more tasks it can do at once.

Digital amplification (Audio)
More power from a smaller unit combined with hiss-free and better sound quality.

Digital camera card readers (Printers)
By inserting a camera’s memory card into the card reader in the printer, you can select and print photos without needing to use your computer.

Digital camera facility (Camcorders)
Some camcorders have a memory card slot that let’s you capture still photos onto the card.

Digital comb filter (TVs)
This separates combined colour and black and white picture information to provide a sharp picture.

Digital Theatre System (Vision)
DTS is an alternative system of encoding six-channel digital surround-sound, used in some cinemas and on some DVD discs. Jurassic Park was the first film to use this technology.

Digital TV (TVs)
Digital TVs have an integrated digital tuner to receive digital TV channels, known as Freeview, through a TV aerial. This delivers digital quality picture and sound, more channels and interactive services.

Digital TV recorders (TVs)
These record digital TV. Normally, you can watch a digital channel while recording a non-digital channel or vice versa.

Digital zoom (Photography)
Digital zoom allows you to enlarge the image by increasing the size of the pixels. The image may become fuzzier as you enlarge.

Docking station (Audio)
A stand that enables you to recharge iPods and MP3 players. Often incorporated into portable speakers.

Dolby digital 5.1 (TVs)
A sound technology that delivers five separate channels of sound (left, right, centre, rear left, rear right), plus a sixth channel devoted to bass. Dolby Digital 5.1 is now available from DVDs, Sky Digital's Sky+ boxes, PlayStation 2 and the Xbox.

Dolby pro logic (TVs)
This is a five-speaker system which most programmes broadcast in.

DPI (Printers)
Dots per inch. DPI is a measurement of printer resolution that defines how many dots of ink are placed on the page when the image is printed. The higher a printer's DPI, the smoother and sharper your printed image will appear.

DRM (Audio)
Digital Rights Management Software that encrypts a file to control sharing and use of digital music.

DSLR (Photography)
Digital SLR (single lens reflex) cameras have advanced features, manual controls and interchangeable lenses for greater creativity.

Dual core processor (Computing)
This processor acts like two processors in one, enabling simultaneous running of demanding applications.

Dual layer DVD RW (Vision)
Dual layer recording records almost twice as much data on a DVD than normal DVD recording.

Dual recording mode (Camcorders)
A feature to take a still image while shooting videos.

DVB (TVs)
Digital Video Broadcasting is the transmission standard for digital television.

DVD camcorder (Photography)
These camcorders record straight onto a disc slightly smaller than a standard DVD. You can play it back on your DVD player immediately.

DVD recorders (TVs)
They record programmes from TV onto a DVD in digital quality.

DVD recorders with hard drive (TVs)
Record and store all your favourite TV programmes on a built-in hard drive. You can transfer recordings onto a DVD to keep or share it.

DVD rewriter drive (Computing)
Read, play and create both DVDs and CDs using a DVD rewriter.

DV input (TVs and Photography)
This type of a connection is typically used to connect a digital device, such as a digital camcorder, to your DVD recorder. You can then record your home movies onto DVD.

Energy efficiency & rating (All household appliances)
This refers to the amount of energy the appliance consumes. Appliances are rated for energy, with ratings between A (the most efficient) and C (the least efficient).

EPG (TVs)
An electronic programme guide is a feature of many digital TVs. It is an onscreen guide and allows you to view what’s on each channel now and in the future.
Expandable memory (Various)
You can use memory cards to increase the amount of music and photos you can store.

Fastext (TVs)
An updated version of Teletext that uses coloured keys on a remote as shortcuts to particular pages.

Film speed (Photography)
Film speed measures a film's light sensitivity. Different film speeds perform better in different lighting environments. For example, 100 ISO works better in bright lighting conditions, whereas 400 ISO is more sensitive to light and is good in poor light.

Firewire connection (Audio)
An alternative type of connection to a USB that’s found on all modern Apple Computers, some digital devices and sound and graphics cards.

Fixed focus/autofocus (Photography)
Basic camera models are fixed focus which is fine for general shots. Compact cameras with autofocus produce sharper images automatically, as they measure the distance between the camera and the subject.

Flash (Audio)
It refers to a type of memory, i.e. how much you can store. The memory can be erased and new information can be stored. It tends to come in the form of a memory card or a memory stick.

Flash memory players (Audio)
They are compact and lightweight and perfect for storing just a few songs, instead of your whole music collection. They have a built-in solid state memory and resemble USB sticks.

Flat panel TFT monitor (Computing)
These monitors offer clear, crisp images in a slim chassis.

Flatscreen (TVs)
Flatscreen TVs are also known as plasma and LCD TVs. They deliver improved picture definition and minimise screen reflection.

FM transmitter (Audio)
An FM transmitter is a device that lets you listen to music from a music device through the speakers of a regular FM radio.

Freeview (TVs)
Free-to-air digital channels that you can receive through a built-in digital receiver or by connecting a Freeview box to your analogue TV. It offers over 41 channels.

GB (Computing, Audio)
Gigabyte. It refers to hard drive capacity i.e. how much you can store on it. One GB is equal to 1024MB (megabytes).

GHz (Computing)
The speed a processor runs at.

Gigabyte (Audio)
It refers to a unit of memory and is abbreviated to GB. The amount of memory determines how much you can store.

GPRS
General Packet Radio Service. It means that multiple users can share the same transmission channel but only transmit when they have data to send. Web browsing, instant messages and receiving emails are examples that require intermittent data transfers and will benefit from this.

GPS (Sat-Nav)
Global Positioning System that determines your location.

Hard disk drive players (Audio)
They have a built-in hard drive. They have much bigger memories than flash drive versions.

Hard drive (Computing and other digital devices)
This is where your device stores all its data and files. This includes everything from the programmes you run to photos, music and videos.

HD DVD (TVs)
A new media format for recording and playing back high-definition video with improved picture quality of 1080p.

HDMI (TVs)
A digital picture and audio connection method.

HD ready (TVs)
HD means High Definition and refers to the technologies that give TVs a clearer and sharper picture. HD ready means that the TV is able to accept and display HDTV programming. It needs to be connected to an HD source and will have HDMI or DVI terminals so they can get the HDTV signal.

HDTV (TVs)
HDTV refers to high-definition programming and the equipment, such as digital receivers that is able to receive HDTV.

Headphone socket (TVs, Audio)
This allows you to connect a headphone set.

High definition players (Vision)
These play high definition DVDs. If you don’t have an HD ready TV, the image will be downscaled.

Hz (TVs)
The picture refresh rate for a TV image.

ID3 Tags (Audio)
A “tag” is data stored in an MP3 (as well as other formats) that contains data such as the title, artist, album and track number.

IDTV (TVs)
Integrated digital television that has a Freeveiw receiver built in.

Image enhancing technologies (TVs)
TV makers are incorporating image-enhancing technologies into the latest televisions to deliver better picture quality. It's particularly helpful in digitally improving lower resolution images watched on an HD TV.

Image stabiliser (Photography)
Image stabilisers digitally reduce camcorder and camera shake for steadier pictures.

Inkjet printer (Printers)
These printers work by propelling tiny droplets of liquid ink onto the paper. They’re the most common and popular type of printers for home and small businesses as they are low cost.

Intel Celeron processor (Computing)
Intel is the world's largest PC chip manufacturer. The Celeron processors are targeted at budget PCs.

Intel Centrino processor (Computing)
Intel’s Centrino range is designed for laptops and includes wireless networking technology.

Intel Pentium 4 processor (Computing)
Intel’s Pentium 4 processor is the mainstream processor for PCs.

ISO (Photography)
ISO is a rating to show the camera's results in much lower light level. High ISO sensitivity, up to 3200, means you'll be able to get beautiful, atmospheric photography without needing to use flash. Low light levels is one of the most frequent causes of unsuccessful shots so a high ISO level can mean more of your shots come out better.

itunes (Audio)
Apple’s software package for organising audio tracks, ripping CDs, downloading songs and transferring songs to iPods.

Java™ enabled (Mobile phones)
This technology lets you download the latest games from the Internet on your phone.

JPEG files (Camcorders)
Joint Photographic Experts Group is a format for storing still images.

Laptop card drives (Computing)
Laptop card drives let laptops read and record to removable memory cards from digital cameras, MP3 players and PDAs.

Laptop mouse (Computing)
Instead of a traditional mouse, laptops are fitted with a trackball, track point or touch-pad to move the cursor. Buttons work like the right and left buttons on a mouse.

Laser printers (Printers)
They give faster, smudge free printing by using static electricity and deliver high-quality prints.

Line in (Audio)
This allows you to connect audio devices (such as MP3 players) to your hi-fi and listen to music through your hi-fi.

Macro mode (Photography)
A feature often identified by a flower icon on cameras. Macro mode helps when taking highly detailed close-ups.

MB (Photography)
Megabyte refers to memory and is used to denote the size of a flash memory card and how much can be stored on it.

MegaPixel (Photography)
The resolution of an image – the more megapixels, the more detailed the picture. Cameras are usually classed according to the number of megapixels they offer. Most compact cameras offer a resolution of around 5 megapixels. This is fine for emailing or printing up to A4 size. Many cameras have different quality settings so you can shoot at lower resolutions. This is because 10-megapixel shots take up more memory than 5-megapixel shots.

Memory cards
Removable date storage for images and data, typically found in cameras and mobile phones.

MHz FSB (Computing)
Megahertz front side bus. This is the speed at which the processor can talk to the memory of the computer.

Micro hi-fi systems (Audio)
Micro systems are compact and are ideal for places where space is at a premium.

Modem (Computing)
This allows you to transmit data over telephone lines, used for hooking up to the internet.

Movie mode (Photography)
Some cameras allow you to take short movies with sound in AVI, MOV or MPEG format.

MP3 (Audio)
A files format for compressing and storing songs. This is the most common type of file format and is compatible on most MP3 players.

MP4 (Audio)
A file format for compressing and storing video files.

MP3 player (Mobile phone)
A device for listening to MP3 music files.

MPEG (Audio)
Moving Picture Experts Group. MPEG is a file format for digital video and audio files.

Multimedia player (Audio)
A device that supports and plays back multiple media types, such as MP3 and MP4 files.

NICAM (TVs)
Standard stereo sound system.

NTSC Playback (Vision)
The ability to play back pre-recorded videotapes that are in the NTSC format as used in the USA.

Optical image stabilisation (Photography)
A unique optical apparatus in a camera/camcorder that attempts to compensate for shaking and vibrating by altering the camera’s properties.

Optical zoom (Photography)
Image magnification without the loss of optical quality.
 

Parental lock/Child lock (TVs)
Parents may lock out unsuitable content for children.

PictBridge™ (Photography)
PictBridge™ is a new standard for direct USB printing from digital cameras and some camcorders to the printer without needing a computer.

Picture-in-picture/Dual screen (TVs)
Allows programmes from different inputs to be viewed simultaneously, one full screen, the other in a smaller window.

Pixel (TVs)
Smallest individual points making up a digital picture, usually measured along a horizontal line.

Pixel resolution (TVs, Photography)
The amount of pixels, or individual points on a screen. The higher the pixels, the better the resolution.

Plug & play (Computing)
Plug & play will detect and automatically update your system files when you add new hardware to your PC.

Processors (Computing)
This is the 'brain' of a PC. In general terms, the faster the processor, the faster the PC will work. The speed of a processor is measured in Gigahertz (GHz).

Processor speed (Computing)
The processor speed is normally made up of GHz, MHz FSB and Cache. Generally the bigger the number the better.

Progressive scan (TVs)
All horizontal lines of the frame are shown in one go, delivering a superior picture from a DVD or video player.

RAM (Computing)
Random Access Memory (RAM) stores applications and data and makes retrieval of data quicker and applications run faster. A computer will perform better with more RAM.

Red-eye reduction mode (Photography)
A special flash mode where a pre-flash or a series of low-powered flashes are emitted before the main flash goes off to expose the picture. This helps eliminate red-eye.

Region code (Vision)
A playback management system that makes DVDs specific to a particular region. The UK is within region code 2, so only region 2 or region-free DVDs will play on UK DVD players.
 

Resolution
This measures the sharpness, clarity and detail of an image. It’s measured in dpi (dots per inch) for printers, megapixels for cameras and pixels for TVs.

Ripping (Audio)
The process of saving CD files in digital format on your computer.
 

Router (Computing)
Manages data between networks. Vital for the internet. This takes the wireless signal from your computer and sends it to other devices or the Internet.

SCART (TVs)
An analogue connector that transfers pictures and sounds to the TV.

Scene modes (Photography)
Many digital cameras now have an exposure mode called SCENE, where the user selects the best pre-programmed scene to suit the current shooting conditions. The camera will automatically change many settings to capture the best possible image.

Secure Digital or SD (Photography)
A flash memory card used in most digital cameras and some camcorders and increasingly in other equipment, such as Sat-Nav and MP3 players.

Self-timer (Photography)
The self-timer button gives you enough time to go and join the rest and be in the photo before the picture is taken.

Shutter speed priority mode (Photography)
Great for capturing fast-moving action or to deliberately blur an image to show movement.

Sleep timer (TVs)
Set the TV to turn itself off after a set amount of time.

SLR (Photography)
Single Lens Reflex Cameras have advanced features, manual controls and interchangeable lenses for greater creativity.

Still shot facility (Camcorders)
Take still images and store them on the camcorder tape or removable memory card.

Subwoofer (Audio)
A speaker that allows for deep and powerful bass.

Surround sound (TV & Audio)
This refers to the way the sound seems to ‘surround’ the listener. This is done by the using three + channels and speakers to create directional and enveloping sound. Generally it’s sound from the left, right and back instead of the standard sound from the front left and front right speakers.

S-video (TVs)
A high quality analogue video connection cable.

 

TFT (Computing)
Thin Film Transistor. A very thin, bright, colour computer screen, offering good resolution, crispness, sharpness and brightness.
 

Timeslip (TVs)
Pause live TV on a hard drive, rewind to replay the action and then fast forward through the ads to catch up to real time.
 

USB (Computing)
Universal Serial Bus. A standard port on modern PCs that allows you to connect digital devices such as cameras and MP3 players, as well as peripherals such as printers and keyboards.

Viewing angle (TVs)
The viewing angle is the maximum side angle from which the viewer can see the screen clearly.

Virtual surround sound (TVs)
By bouncing sound off the walls you get the cinema surround sound experience.

Visible screen size (TVs)
the diagonal measurement in inches from one corner of the screen to the other.

Wall mountable (TVs)
By using a selection of wall brackets, you can mount a flat screen TV on your wall.

Wi-Fi enabled (Computing)
This means a laptop or computer can connect to the Internet when it’s within range of a wireless network that’s connected to the Internet.

Wireless connectivity (Computing)
This means you can connect to your home network with any wires. A home network consists of a group of linked computers, printers and scanners etc.

WMA (Audio)
This is Microsoft’s audio file format.