# Standard Component Inputs (F/R)
This indicates the number of standard component inputs a TV has, both on the front of the TV, and on the rear. These connections are almost always are marked by red, green, and blue jacks. The three RCA cables carry the luminance (brightness) and chrominance (colour) signal components of a colour video signal. This type of connection is found on more and more TVs as high-resolution sources like DVD and satellite TV become more popular. See also: # HD Component Inputs.
# S-Video Inputs (F/R)
These multi-pin video jacks allow you to get a great picture from high-quality video sources like Super-VHS VCRs, DVD players, and satellite TV systems. The more of these kinds of jacks a TV has, the more high-quality video sources you can connect.
1080i/720p Capable
These two formats are the definition of High Definition. The analog signals we're all used to use 480 lines of information to create a picture, and those lines are scanned onto the screen in an odd-even pattern called interlace scanning. This standard is called 480i. High definition signals, on the other hand, create pictures using either 1080 lines of information, interlaced, or 720 lines of information in a format called progressive scanning. (See Progressive Scan/Line Doubling)
2-Speaker Surround Sound Simulation
Using electronic signal processing and only two speakers, many TVs can create the illusion of being enveloped by sound. Although Surround Sound Simulation is no match for a true multi-speaker surround sound system, this type of processing can make TV sound much more enjoyable.
2-Tuner Picture in Picture
With two separate tuners built into the TV, you can tune in one station for your large picture and the second tuner for your PIP picture. This feature makes hooking up and using PIP much simpler because it eliminates the need for a VCR as the second tuner.
3 Line Digital Comb Filter
The ultimate comb filter. Like a standard digital comb filter, 3-line digital comb filter digitally separates the black and white portions of the picture from the colour, which provides the highest resolution (picture sharpness) and eliminates other picture artifacts such as "dot crawl" and "shimmer." Digital 3-line filters are so named because they compare three lines of video to ensure the best possible picture. This kind of comb filter goes by a variety of names, including 3D digital, digital frame, and 3-line digital Y/C.
3:2 Pulldown (3:2 Film Correction)
The moving pictures you see on a movie screen are actually a series of still images that are flashing by at a rate of 24 frames per second. The images you see on TV are created at a rate of 30 frames per second. This discrepancy in the frame rate can create some problems with showing a movie on TV-whether from a broadcast, videotape, or DVD. The picture may look smeared and the action may look jittery and stuttering. Many high-definition TVs and monitors have circuitry that's designed to eliminate these artifacts and give you a crisp, clear picture without any distractions.
1080i/720p Capable
These two formats are the definition of High Definition. The analog signals we're all used to use 480 lines of information to create a picture, and those lines are scanned onto the screen in an odd-even pattern called interlace scanning. This standard is called 480i. High definition signals, on the other hand, create pictures using either 1080 lines of information, interlaced, or 720 lines of information in a format called progressive scanning. (See: Progressive Scan/Line Doubling)
A/V Inputs (composite)
These are the standard RCA jacks that are used to hook up audio and video components to each other. Input jacks allow the signals to be received from other components, and having many inputs is helpful for future system expansion. Audio signals using these RCA jacks are transmitted faithfully, but composite video connections are not considered to be the best because they mix colour and black & white signals together. Although composite connections provide a good quality picture, the best picture quality can be achieved with S-Video or Component jacks.
A/V Outputs (composite)
Output jacks are used to send a signal from one component to another. Example: A VCR's output jacks send the audio/video signal to a TV. See also: A/V Inputs.
AC/DC
Stands for Alternating (Household) and Direct (battery) Current. AC/DC products can plug in at home or be used portably with batteries or cigarette lighter adapters.
Adjustable Colour Temperature
Colour temperature refers to the colour balance of light. For example, colours in your room look different in sunlight than they do in fluorescent lighting. This is due to the difference in colour temperature. In a TV, this feature lets you adjust the set to balance colour to your liking for movies, sports etc. Higher colour temperatures result in a cooler, bluish tone. Lower temperatures result in a warmer, redder tone.
AM/FM
The two commercial radio systems, Amplitude Modulation Stations, can be heard at great distances, especially at night, but are subject to interference and low fidelity. Frequency Modulated signals can only travel in a "line-of-sight" manner (generally 30-40 miles) but offer higher fidelity.
Analog Comb Filter
Without a comb filter, a TV set cannot do a very good job at separating the colour and black and white signals. This limits basic TVs to about 250 lines of resolution or sharpness. A basic analog comb filter provides at least 330 lines of resolution and sometimes more. See also: Digital Comb Filter and 3-Line Digital Comb Filter.
Analog TV Broadcast (also known as NTSC)
This is a video signal in the form of a wave that constantly changes shape as the colour, brightness, and motion within the video image changes. This is considered to be a traditional signal or picture.
Artifacts
Unwanted elements in the video image resulting from video signal transmission.
Aspect Ratio
This term describes the ratio between the width and height of the screen.
Conventional sets are 4 units wide by 3 units high (4:3). Widescreen sets are 16 units wide for every 9 units high (16:9).
Audio Enhancement
Many TVs come with some kind of feature designed to improve their sound. Some have stereo sound instead of mono. Some have simulated surround sound circuitry that makes the built-in speakers sound more open and spacious. Also available is actual multi-channel surround sound like Dolby® Pro Logic and Dolby® Digital.
While these are no replacement for a true home theater system, these enhancements can make watching TV and movies more enjoyable. (see BBE sound enhancement)
Bandwidth
The path size for digital or traditional information to flow. The improved compression used with digital signals allows for more and varying types of information to be sent and received simultaneously.
Bass Boost
Gives an extra emphasis to bass frequencies for a richer, fuller sound.
BBE Sound Enhancement
Although probably best known in the world of professional audio, Barcus-Berry Electronics has also made several contributions to the world of consumer electronics. TVs with BBE Sound Enhancement have an electronic processor that both clarifies and enriches the sound.
Built-in DTV Receiver
A Digital TV (DTV) receiver can receive and then decode digital TV signals into information that Traditional, Digital and/or HD Widescreen TVs can display. (See also: "Type.") Some digital TVs will have a DTV receiver built-in, while others will allow you to add one later.
Built-in Satellite Receiver
The popularity of satellite TV has prompted several TV manufacturers to integrate satellite TV receivers into their TVs, eliminating the need for a separate satellite TV receiver. This means that all you would need to receive satellite TV service is a satellite dish.
Center Channel Capable
Allows the TV speakers to be used as the center channel in a surround sound system, provided that your surround sound receiver has a Center Channel Pre-Out.
Channel Labels
Allows you to label the channels using station names instead of just numbers. For example, "ESPN," "CNN," and "MTV."
Child Lockout or V-Chip
Both of these systems are designed to help parents limit their child's access to inappropriate TV programs. Child Lockout allows parents to limit access to certain channels from those without the special code. The V-chip allows parents to select the maturity level of the programming they feel is appropriate for your children based on the TV Rating System. The V-chip reads the transmitted ratings code for all programming and will automatically deny access to programming which exceeds your preset ratings limitations.
Closed Caption on Mute
When you press the Mute button on the remote, this automatically switches on Closed Captioning. This feature lets you watch TV without the sound while working out or talking on the phone.
Commercial Skip Function
This function lets you channel surf during a commercial and then brings you right back to your regular show after a preset amount of time.
Commercial Sound Leveler
Some TV shows are loud, some are soft, and commercials always seem to be screaming at you. TVs with any sort of Commercial Sound Leveler will keep the volume roughly the same as you go from TV shows, to commercials, and even to infomercials.
Component Video Inputs
As high quality digital sources like DVD players and digital TV receivers become more prevalent, Component connections have become more common. Component Video connections are comprised of three RCA jacks and require three coaxial RCA cables to connect the source to the TV. The advantage of this type of connection is that it can provide the best picture quality, even better than S-Video. The downside is that getting the best picture requires calibration specific to the Component Video input, and the ideal settings for the Component input will likely be very different for the other inputs. In other words, what looks great through the Component input will almost certainly not look as good when watching TV or using your VCR.
Dark Matrix Screen
This screen appears darker than conventional projection TV screens because of a built-in black grid. This grid improves colour contrast AND absorbs room light, which reduces glare.
Dark Tube (See Dark Matrix Screen)
Digital Comb Filter
A type of filter that digitally separates the colour and black and white components of a television picture. Doing this improves picture sharpness and is more effective in reducing the number of "artifacts" and "shimmer" than analog comb filters. (See also 3-line Digital Comb Filter)
Dolby Digital Surround Sound
A digital surround sound technology that uses 6 separate channels of audio (right, left, center, right surround, left surround, subwoofer) to create very sophisticated surround effects using a Dolby Digital receiver/decoder (like those found in some TVs) and 5 speakers and a subwoofer. Because Dolby Digital is a digital format, it can be found only on digital formats like DVD, laserdisc, and some satellite TV broadcasts.
Dolby® Pro Logic
The most common analog surround sound system in use today. Pro Logic decoding creates four channels of sound and distributes it among five speakers (right, left, center, and right and left rear). Virtually every modern VHS movie is encoded with this a Dolby Surround soundtrack. To get Dolby Pro Logic surround sound, you must have a HiFi source, like a HiFi VCR; Pro Logic decoder with amplification, usually a receiver but sometimes this can be found in a TV; and five speakers.
Dolby® Surround Sound
This surround sound system takes three channels of audio and distributes it to four speakers (right and left front and right and left rear). Although it uses the same three-channel soundtrack as Dolby Pro Logic, it uses an older, less sophisticated surround decoding process.
Down-Convert
Converting a higher resolution format signal into a lower resolution format signal (e.g., a 1080i input to a 480p display).
Dual RF (cable) jacks
If you have more than one antenna source like cable and DBS, antenna and DBS, or scrambled and unscrambled cable feeds; dual RF jacks permit hookup and switching between these two inputs with your remote control.
Earphone Jack
Allows you to plug in an earphone or mini-jack headphone for private listening.
Extra Remote
A second simple remote is included for those who don't like a lot of buttons or when the main remote goes missing -- again!
First Surface Mirror
Conventional mirrors are constructed so that the reflective surface is beneath a layer of glass, which can distort and rob light from the images being projected onto the screen. Front Surface Mirrors, though, have the reflective material right at the surface. The result is a cleaner, brighter picture.
Flat Screen
While the earlier generations of televisions had screens that bowed out like a bubble, many of today's tube TVs have completely flat screens that give a truer, more accurate image and can be viewed from a wider angle. While they cost a bit more than TVs with older tube technology, many think the picture quality is well worth it.
Front Inputs
Allow easy hookup of other video components. This prevents you from having to rewire or pull your components out of a cabinet every time you want to hook up another VCR, Camcorder or TV game.
Guide Plus+™
This feature gives you a complete on-screen guide to what's on TV AND allows you to program your VCR to record any show you want with just a click on the guide listing. You can see what's on in the next 48 hours, what's on right now, or even search for shows by category, like sports or movies. Plus, recording a show has never been so easy. Just highlight any show you'd like your VCR to tape for you, press the Record button on the remote, and you're done. No more programming hassles! Maybe the best part is that the guide information is sent with your TV signal so there's nothing to buy, nothing extra to hook up, and the service is free!
Guide Plus+™ Gold
Guide Plus+ Gold adds a couple of interesting features to the 48 hours worth of on-screen program listings, unbelievably easy recording to your VCR, and other benefits of Guide Plus+. Guide Plus+ Gold gives you up to 72 hours of TV listings, a full 24 hours more than its predecessor. Also, by simply touching the News button on the Guide bar, Guide Plus+ Gold can give you all the latest news right on your TV screen.
Icon Menu Displays
Gives you a multicolour graphical menu when you adjust the settings on your TV. This makes setting up your TV both easy and fun!
Illuminated or Glow Remote
Uses backlighting or glow-in-the-dark keys so you can operate the remote in darkened rooms.
Interlaced Scanning
A video image consists of multiple frames. Frames are multiple lines of video put together so closely they appear as a solid picture. Interlaced scanning fills in odd lines, then the even lines, to produce a frame of video.
Invar Shadow Mask
Conventional shadow masks heat up and expand in large tube sets, resulting in inaccurate colour and blurred images. Shadow masks made out of the Invar alloy hold their shape and ensure true, focused colours. Found only in the better large tube sets.
Last Channel Recall
Allows you to jump directly from the channel you're currently viewing to the previous channel with the press of a single button. It's great for switching between two channels during commercial breaks.
Menu Languages
For multilingual households, this allows on-screen operating menus to appear in different languages (English, Spanish and French are common choices available).
Parental Controls
Allow parents to "lock out" children's access to certain functions or to the entire set with remote control access codes.
Picture in Picture (VCR required)
Uses the tuner in the VCR to provide a small picture of another channel in the corner of the tube. This lets you keep track of what's going on with two programs at once. For instance, you could keep your eye on the score of a ball game while watching another show. (See also: 2 Tuner PIP.)
Progressive Scan/Line Doubling
Unlike Traditional TVs, which create a picture by scanning the odd lines and then the even lines of information, progressive scan TVs are also able to put the lines of information on the screen in order, with no gaps. Instead of 1, 3, 5 and so on, the picture is painted in order: 1, 2, 3, and so on.
Remote Controls Same Brand A/V Components
This type of remote controls other components as long as the same manufacturer makes them.
Remote Control Type
Although there are lots of different kinds of remote controls, with lots of different features, most of these devices fall into one of five categories:
Universal: This device is compatible with almost all the different brands of television sets and has the ability to control audio components in addition to the receiver. Some are programmed by punching in a code identifies your components to the remote, and some are "taught" the functions by placing the Universal remote and the component's original remote head-to-head.
Universal Illuminated: Like Universal remotes, these can control several A/V components from a wide range of brands. Illuminated remotes have buttons that are backlit so you can see what you're doing, even in the dark.
Unified: These remotes can control not only the TV, but also other A/V components (like a VCR, DVD player, or satellite receiver) from the same brand.
Unified Illuminated: Like Unified remotes, these can control the TV it came with, as well as other A/V components (like a VCR, DVD player, or satellite receiver) from the same brand. Plus, Illuminated remotes have buttons that are backlit so you can see what you're doing in the dark.
Illuminated: Some or all of the buttons on these remotes are backlit, so you can still control your TV in the dark.
Note: Remote controls can only operate remote control-compatible equipment.
Remote Locator Beeper
This is a button you press on your TV whenever your remote control goes missing. The remote will beep, allowing you to look under the proper couch cushion to find it.
Resolution
The number of pixels in a video image. The greater the number of pixels, the higher the resolution.
RF Inputs
Standard threaded connection used for supplying cable or antenna signal to TV. Some TVs have dual RF Inputs that will allow you to between two signal sources using the remote control. (E.g.: antenna and cable or cable and satellite.)
S-Jacks
This refers to S-Video inputs and outputs (See S-Video Inputs)
S-Video Inputs
This small, multi-pin jack allows a signal with separate black and white and colour signals to be used as an input for a high resolution video source. S-jacks are better than standard RCA (composite jacks) in that they eliminate cross-colour and dot crawl effects while providing the same high resolution as RCA jacks.
Screen Shield
This shield (often anti-glare tinted) is used to protect the projection screen from scratches, stains and abuse. Sometimes included with a set, this option can also be purchased separately. Many people feel that these shields also give the picture a more film-like, smooth quality.
Screen Size / Tube Size
This is the diagonal measurement from corner to corner on a TV screen. Current screens are 4 units wide by 3 units high (4:3). Widescreen sets used for HDTV are 16 units wide for every 9 units high (16:9.) (See also: Type. )
Simulated Surround Sound
Refers to the simulation of the theater or concert experience by surrounding the listener with sound coming from the two speakers in the TV.
Stereo
Stereo televisions are able to receive and play stereo signals through two built-in speakers. Stereo TVs typically have output jacks that allow them to be hooked up to an audio system for the best sound.
Timers (on-off/sleep)
Some sets have On/Off timers, which can be used to give your home that "lived in look" when you're away and can even be programmed to wake you in the morning. Many TVs have Sleep Timers that can be programmed to turn off after a preset time, allowing you to doze off without having to worry about turning off the TV.
Tone Controls
These allow you to tailor the sound to your tastes by adjusting the bass, treble and sometimes other frequency ranges as well.
Type
Type refers to the difference between three types of TV sets: Traditional, Digital, and HD Widescreen.
Traditional: These are the analog (as opposed to digital) colour TVs we've all been watching since the 1950s. What sets them apart from the two other types of TVs is the fact that they can only display analog (480i) signals, and the fact that their screens are roughly square (4:3 aspect ratio) and not more rectangular (16:9 widescreen).
Digital: While some will have built-in digital TV receivers and some won't, these sets are capable of displaying digital and high definition images- -i.e., at least 480p and often higher. While these TVs are digital and high definition ready, like Traditional TVs their screens are also roughly square (4:3 aspect ratio).
HD Widescreen: While some have built-in digital TV receivers and some don't, these are the TVs that can display digital high definition signals. Their most obvious physical characteristic is their wide screens, which can display cinema-like images in several aspect ratios, including 16:9.
Variable Audio Output Jacks
This allows you to hook your TV up to an audio system and use the TV's remote control to raise and lower the volume. This works by varying the strength of the audio signal coming from your TV's output jacks.
Velocity Scan Modulation
This TV feature creates sharp transitions between objects on your TV screen and improves overall clarity. If you can imagine a big black letter E in white on a totally black screen, a set with V-Scan will show crisp, sharp edges on the letter while a set without V-scan will gradually transition from black to gray to white with a much softer look.
VGA/SVGA Input
As the convergence of PC and TV marches on, TVs with VGA/SVGA inputs will be better prepared than those without. These inputs can accept a signal from a PC and display a picture just as a computer monitor would.
Watts
Watts is the unit describing amount of power per channel that the television can produce. On stereo sets, this is the amount of power for each speaker; on mono sets, this is the total amount produced by the television.
Widescreen
Widescreen TV's are noticeably a lot wider than they are tall. Instead of a screen that's roughly square, expressed as a ratio of 4:3, the widescreen TVs have an "aspect ratio" of 16:9. The advantage here is that you can see "letterboxed" movies without the black bars at the top and bottom of the screen.