Welcome

The current Analogue TV system has been the standard since television began in the 1940s and 50s. Technological advances in the field of computers have allowed television to enter the 21st century producing cinema-like quality and sound in the home.

Digital TV is a new way of broadcasting Television that converts the picture and sound into a binary data stream. Terrestrial Digital TV is transmitted from the TV station on the same radio waves as Analogue TV so that it can be picked up by your existing TV aerial. With the addition of a digital set top box that can read the binary data carried on the radio wave, your existing television will be able to display Digital TV.

Why Digital TV?

The current Analogue TV system has been the standard since television began in the 1940s and 50s. Technological advances in the field of computers have allowed television to enter the 21st century producing cinema-like quality and sound in the home.

What is digital TV?

Digital TV is a new way of broadcasting Television that converts the picture and sound into a binary data stream. Terrestrial Digital TV is transmitted from the TV station on the same radio waves as Analogue TV so that it can be picked up by your existing TV aerial. With the addition of a digital set top box that can read the binary data carried on the radio wave, your existing television will be able to display Digital TV.

What is analogue TV?

Analogue TV is the old system which you have in your home right now. Sound and pictures are converted into radio waves which are transmitted through the air and picked up by your rooftop or indoor aerial. These radio waves can bounce off buildings and aeroplanes and be received in duplicate at the TV aerial causing ghosting and interference.

Is one better than the other?

Digital television allows more programmes to be broadcast on the same radio wave, with better quality pictures and sound. As Digital Television progresses, viewers will also be able to receive more channels, interactive television as well as the internet. Digital TV produces high quality pictures and sound similar to watching a DVD. It is not prone to ghosting or snow that can be a problem with analogue TV.
High Definition Digital TV offers a picture that has double the amount of detail as displayed by a DVD on a normal TV. Plasma Screens, Projectors and Computer Monitors are required to display this detail.

Besides the difference in picture quality, there's a difference in picture size. Analogue TV screens have an aspect ratio of 4:3 meaning they're four units wide for every three units high, almost square. Digital TV's have an aspect ratio of 16:9 meaning they're almost twice as wide as they are tall. That's the same aspect ratio as a movie screen, meaning you can see a lot more on each screen. Digital set top boxes allow 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratios to be viewed on a normal 4:3 TV.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What does free-to-air digital television offer me?

The four key offerings of free-to-air digital television are Sharper Pictures (including some programs in High Definition), Clearer Sound (including some programs with Dolby Digital), Widesceen Programs and Extra Channels.

• Sharper Pictures
• Clearer Sound
• Widescreen & HD Programs
• Extra Channels
• Program Enhancements

How do I receive free-to-air digital television?

There are two ways to receive digital television.
1. connect your antenna RF cable to a digital television receiver set-top box then connecting the set-top box to your current analog television screen using AV cables.
2. connecting your antenna RF cable to an integrated digital television.

When will free-to-air digital television be available in my area?

The free-to-air broadcasters are now transmitting their digital television services in all capital cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Canberra & Darwin) and a number of major regional markets, 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

Do I need to upgrade my antenna system?

Generally no. But if after acquiring your new digital television receiver you are experiencing interference problems, you may need to install better cables or even a better antenna.
People in home units may need to check the capability of the antenna and signal distribution system in the building to receive digital television.

What is digital television?

Digital television is a replacement technology for existing free-to-air analog services. It provides better picture quality and reception, plus a variety of new features that enhance the viewing experience.

The digital television industry in Australia is using the DVB standard, first developed in Europe, rather than the American-developed ATSC standard. DVB is proving to be a very high quality system and is being used in many countries around the world. In Australia it will replace the analog PAL system.

When does free-to-air digital television commence?

Digital television commenced on 1 January 2001 in Australia's five major capital cities - Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

Outside of the major metropolitan areas, digital broadcasts will begin in all regional areas. For further details go to Digital TV Reception Locator

A timetable for the commencement of digital broadcasting in remote parts of Australia has not yet been settled.

What benefits will digital television provide?

Digital television is a far more efficient and flexible transmission system than the current analog system. It allows broadcasters to offer viewers a range of new and different services.

Australian digital television features include:

• 'Ghost free' reception
• Widescreen 16:9 pictures
• Standard Definition pictures (SD)
• High Definition pictures (HD)
• High quality audio and surround sound
• Multi-channel programming SBS
• Closed Captioning of programs for the hearing impaired
• Electronic Program Guides (EPGs) with 'now & next' program information for some channels
• In selected markets, on-screen program guide channel with today's program information for Nine Network, Seven Network & SBS
• In selected markets, HD demonstration channels
• Multi-camera views and enhancements during selected programs

Not all features are available at all times, in each market.

What happens to my existing analog TV set?

Free-to-air broadcasters will simulcast (ie, broadcast both analog and digital signals) for at least eight years in an area, so metropolitan viewers will continue to be able to use current analog television sets to receive broadcasts without the need for a set top box until at least the end of 2008.

After the end of simulcasting in an area, the addition of a digital set top box will allow viewers to receive and display digital transmissions on their analog TV sets.

Viewers using set top boxes will be able to receive other features of digital, such as sharper pictures, clearer sound and extra channels. However, as most existing analog sets have a 4:3 screen aspect ratio (shape), using a digital set-top box with a 4:3 analog television set may affect the way widescreen transmissions are displayed. Use of a widescreen analog display will enhance the digital experience.

The full picture quality benefits of digital television, including High Definition pictures, will require a High Definition digital receiver that is capable of receiving High Definition transmissions and a screen that is capable of displaying the HD television signal.

Can my 4:3 analog TV set display digital TV to its full effect?

No. You can view digital television on your 4:3 analog receiver with a digital set top box, but you will not be able to see widescreen pictures displayed to full effect. Some set-top boxes give you the option of viewing widescreen pictures in 'letterbox' format (black bars top and bottom) or 'centre cut' full screen format (with the 4:3 section 'cut out' of the 16:9 picture).

Will my Video Cassette Recorder (VCR) still work?

Yes. During and after the simulcast period, you will be able to record the digital channel on view - provided that your set-top box or digital television has an analog output - and VCRs will also continue to play back pre-recorded tapes. Many will find the picture quality of recorded digital programs is better than that of analog programs.

During the simulcast period VCRs will be able to record any analog program while a different digital program is being viewed. However VCRs will not be able to record a separate digital broadcast from that being viewed.

Current VHS video recorders will still only record VHS-quality pictures.

In some cases, as the channel used by the video output may be the same as that used by a digital channel in the area, the video output on your VCR may need retuning or require the use of the audio/video (A/V) connection.

Will digital televisions connect with VCRs, DVDs and sound systems etc?

Yes. Although connection options will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, all digital televisions are likely to have audio/video (A/V) inputs that accept external devices such as VCRs, DVDs, sound systems and video cameras.

Will I need to upgrade my antenna?

In general - no. However if your antenna and antenna cabling is not in good condition you should consider replace the antenna and cabling to receive uninterrupted digital television viewing.

Viewers in areas of poor analog reception may need specialist advice about antenna requirements for digital reception in their area.

It is recommended that viewers use quad shielded cable from the antenna to the television to ensure electrical impulse noise does not interfere with the digital.

Why are digital TV pictures sharper than with analog TV?

Analog television can suffer from multipath interference, which results in a 'ghosted' picture on your screen.

Digital television is not affected by multipath interference, 'snowy' pictures (common in areas of poor reception) and picture 'flutter'. So the digital result is a sharper, cleaner and clearer picture.

DBA recommends the use of quality F-type connectors and quad shielded coax cables to ensure optimum picture and sound performance. For expert advice, please contact one of DBA's antenna installer members.

When will interactive television (iTV) be available?

To receive interactive TV services the set top box or the digital television requires special software called an Application Program Interface (API).

Nine Network has commenced Nine Sports Active which can be received on digital TV receivers with a HTML browser based API installed.

Is audio better on digital television than on analog?

Yes. Australian television has traditionally been broadcast with FM stereo sound.

Digital television will be transmitted with MPEG digital stereo sound and/or Dolby" Digital Sound (6 channels), thereby providing markedly superior audio services.

What multichannel services are the ABC and SBS offering?

SBS broadcasts two additional program channels - SBS World News and SBS Essential. SBS World News broadcasts news bulletins in 15 different lanuages, 5.00am to midnight, seven days a week. SBS Essential is a program guide channel, and provides the day's program line-up, and latest news and weather.

What radio services are the ABC and SBS offering?

SBS is broadcasting its two multilingual radio services on all its digital television services.

The ABC broadcasts its internet radio service DiG - a diverse mix of blues, soul, country, roots, world music, jazz, rock, and lots in between.

Can I receive all my digital free to view TV services on Foxtel Digital?

For more information on Foxtel Digital compared to Free to View Digital download the Comparison Q&A (PDF).

Is digital television likely to cause interference?

No. Digital television is not inherently prone to causing interference and is markedly superior to analog television in that respect. But the planning of channel allocations for digital television has entailed the occupation by digital television broadcasts of some channels formerly used for other purposes, eg, as output channels for VCRs.

 

Explanation of Digital TV Terms

What is Widescreen?

Digital television will be broadcast in widescreen mode. Widescreen television has a different aspect ratio (ratio of width to height) than traditional analog. The aspect ratio of a widescreen is 16:9, while Australian viewers have been accustomed to viewing a 4:3 aspect ratio since television began in this country.

Widescreen will, in many cases, literally mean you see more of the picture. Most movies are currently made in 16:9 and are converted to 4:3 to allow us to watch them on television or video, so there is a lot of information that you don't see on your television that you would see in the cinema version of the film. Live sporting events will benefit in particular from the extra detail and wider frame.

For some time now television production has been converting to widescreen, both locally and overseas. Widescreen programming is becoming more readily available

What is a digital television set top box receiver?

A set top box for digital television receives and decodes digital transmissions into a form suitable for display on analog television sets or other display devices, eg computer monitors or projection screens.

Analog television sets currently in use in Australia cannot display digital transmissions on their screens without being connected to such a set top box converter.

What does a set top box do?

The capability of a set top box will depend upon its specifications.

A set top box, when connected to a 4:3 analog television set, will usually give viewers an improved signal, better picture quality and multichannelling. Some set-top boxes may also provide viewers with datacasting services and video, audio and data enhancements. Set-top boxes can provide a picture output to either analog or digital screen

What is an integrated digital television receiver?

This is a television set with built-in digital capabilities to receive and display digital transmissions.

Integrated digital television receivers are generally distinguished by wide screens, high-level audio capability and high quality displays. They will not require a set top

What are Standard Definition (SD) pictures?

SD picture quality is superior to that obtained from analog 4:3 sets, and is 'ghost free' and in widescreen format.

The SD picture resolution is 576 lines x 720 pixels @ 50Hz interlaced (576i).

The Federal Government requires broadcasters to provide a digital SD signal at all times, even when HD programs are being broadcast. This is to ensure that viewers with Standard Definition receivers will always be able to receive a digital television service even when the higher quality HD television signal is being transmitted. What are High Definition (HD) pictures?

HD pictures have image resolution which is superior to SD pictures and to the existing analog, with up to six times the improvement in detail.

The minimum HD picture resolution is be 576 lines x 720 pixels @ 50Hz progressive (576p).

This means that the benefits of HD pictures are particularly noticeable on larger screen sets and when using projection equipment.

HD pictures are also ghost free and in widescreen format. When viewed on an HDTV screen the viewer can enjoy cinema-quality viewing with Dolby surround sound.

In August 2002, the Government announced that it will seek to change each broadcaster's obligation to broadcast HD programs to an annualised requirement of 1040 hours, including advertisements, and that these obligations will commence from 1 July 2003 or two years after the commencement of digital transmissions in an area. Programs transmitted in High Definition will also be simultaneously broadcast in Standard Definition.

The HD integrated television receiver (HDTV) or the HD set top box (HD-STB) are expected to cost more than SD integrated television receivers (SDTV) or the SD set.

What is multi-view?

Multi-view lets you select from a variety of camera angles or may provide additional information related to an event. Multi-view is particularly suited to sporting events like cricket, tennis and motor racing.

On additional channels to the main program the viewer can select, via remote control, a different full screen views of the event, alternative audio commentary or related information.

What is multichannelling?

Because a digital signal can carry much more data than an analog signal, more than one channel of television programs can be broadcast in SDTV at the same time. This is known as multichannelling.

The Federal Government has decided that commercial broadcasters are not allowed to multichannel, but that the ABC and SBS may do so.

The ABC and SBS are allowed to broadcast, in addition to their main services, a wide range of programs including educational programs, regional news and current affairs, science and arts programs, children's programs, subtitled foreign programs, foreign language news and occasional dramas.

Currently, SBS provides the SBS World News Channel.
The ABC and SBS are able to transmit their radio services through their television channels, extending the reach of these services. The ABC also broadcasts its internet radio service - DiG - via digital television. Broadcasters are also offering a number of program guide and information data channels and some are providing High Definiton demonstration channels.

What are program enhancements?

Viewers of digital television will have a wide choice of 'enhancements' to regular programming. Enhancements are separate channels of video, data or audio, which are related to the program on the primary channel.

Sports programs may offer the choice of a different camera angle, altenative audio commentary, action replays, player profiles or other information.

 

4:3: Aspect ratio of the PAL TV screen, with "4" unit width corresponding to "3" unit height, proportionally, regardless of the actual size of the screen.

16:9: Aspect ratio of widescreen DTV formats for all HDTV and some SDTV (Standard Definition) video. "16" unit width corresponds to "9" unit height, proportionally, regardless of the actual size of the screen.

 

8-VSB: Eight discreet amplitude level, "vestigial side-band" broadcast transmission technology. VSB is an analog modulation technique used to reduce the amount of spectrum needed to transmit information through cable TV, or over-the-air broadcasts used in the PAL (analog) standard. 8-VSB is the U.S. ATSC digital television transmission standard.

Glossary

A

Algorithm: A formula or set of steps used to simplify, modify, or predict data. Complex algorithms are used to selectively reduce (compress) the high digital audio and video data rates. Algorithms are formulated to selectively reduce the data rate without affecting picture quality.

Aliasing: Defects or distortion in a television picture or audio. Defects are typically seen as jagged edges on diagonal lines and twinkling or brightening. In digital video, aliasing is caused by insufficient sampling or poor filtering of the digital video.

Archive: Off-line storage of video/audio onto back-up tapes, floppy disks, optical disks, etc.

Artifacts: Undesirable elements or defects in a video picture. Most common in digital are macroblocks, which resemble pixelation of the video image, and pops and clicks in audio.

ASCII: American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A standard code for transmitting data, consisting of 128 letters, numerals, symbols, and special codes, each of which is represented by a unique binary number. An ASCII word typically is 8 bits of binary data.

Aspect Ratio: The ratio of a television picture width to height. In PAL video, the standard is 4:3. In HDTV and SDTV widescreen video, it is 16:9.

Asynchronous: Lacking synchronization. In video, a signal is asynchronous when its timing differs from that of the system reference signal.

ATSC: "Advanced Television Systems Committee." Formed to establish technical standards for U.S. advanced television systems. Also, the name given to the 8-VSB transmission standard itself.

B

Back Channel: A means of communication from users to content providers. Today, a simple type of back channel is an Internet connection using a modem.

Bandwidth: The complete range of frequencies over which a circuit or electronic system is allocated to function. In transmission, the Australian. analog and digital television channel bandwidth is 7 MHz.

Baud: A unit of signaling speed equal to the number of signal events per second. Baud is equivalent to bits per second in cases where each signal event represents exactly one bit.

BER: "Bit error rate." Bit errors are caused by interference, or loss of signal, so the stream of bits composing the DTV picture is disrupted. A measure of the errors in a transmitted signal.

Betacam: An analog video taping system using a 1/2-inch tape cassette, developed by Sony. Digital versions include Digital Betacam and Betacam SX.

Binary: A numbering system using the digits "0" and "1" in the decimal system. All computer programs are executed in binary form.

Bit: Binary digit. The smallest unit of data in a digital system. A bit is a single one or zero. A group of bits, such as 8-bits or 16-bits, compose a byte. The number of bits in a byte depends upon the processing system being used. Typical byte sizes are 8, 16, and 32.

Bitmap: 2-dimensional array of pixels representing video and graphics.

Bitstream: A continuous series of transmitted bits.

Broadband: Capable of handling frequencies greater than those required for high-grade voice communications.

Byte: A group of data bits that are processed together. Typically, a byte consists of 8 bits. There are kilobytes, Megabytes, Gigabytes, Terabytes, etc.
1 Byte = 8 bits
1 kilobyte = about 1,000 bytes
1 Megabyte = about 1,000,000 bytes
1 Gigabyte = 1,000,000,000 bytes
1 Terabyte = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes

C

Cable Modem: A data modem that uses the bandwidth of a given cable system. Because cable modems provide Internet access over cable, they are much faster than modems that use typical phone lines.

Cache: Storage of digital data (video, audio, text, etc.).

CEMA: "Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association." An industry group that represents manufacturers of consumer electronics products.

Chroma Keying: The process of overlaying one video signal over another, the areas of overlay being defined by a specific range of color, or chrominance, on the foreground signal.

Cliff Edge Effect: An RF (radio frequency) characteristic that causes DTV reception to deteriorate dramatically with a small change in signal reception. Bit error rate increases to the point where video cannot be obtained by the receiver. The picture and audio are lost entirely.

Clone: An exact digital copy, indistinguishable from the original.

Closed Captioning: Text stream included in broadcast signal that provides narrative description of dialogue, action, sounds, and other elements of the picture. Most often used by the hearing impaired and in environments where audio is undesirable (such as in restaurants).

Codec: "Coder-decoder." A device that converts analog video and audio signals into a digital format for transmission. Also converts received digital signals back into analog format.

COFDM: "Coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing." COFDM can transmit many streams of data simultaneously, each one occupying only a small portion of the total available bandwidth. The DTV standard used in Europe.

Compression: Reduction of the size of digital data files by removing redundant and/or non-critical information ("data" being the elements of video, audio and other "information"). Digital TV in the U.S. would not be possible without compression.

D

D5: A tape format that is non-compressed component digital video which has provision for HDTV recording by use of about 4:1 compression (HD D5).

Data Compression: A technique that provides for the transmission or storage, without noticeable information loss, of fewer data bits than were originally used when the data was created.

Datacasting: Enhanced options offered with some digital programming to provide additional program material or non-program related resources, allowing viewers the ability to download data (video, audio, text, graphics, maps, services) to specially equipped computers, cache boxes, set-top boxes, or DTV receivers.

DBS: "Direct broadcast satellite." An alternative to cable and analog satellite reception utilizing a fixed 18-inch dish focused on one or more geostationary satellites. DBS typically uses MPEG-2 encoding and QPSK transmission.

DDS: "Digital Data Service."

Desktop Video: Video editing and production using standard desktop computing platforms running with add-on video hardware and software.

Diagnostics: Tests to check the correct operation of hardware and software.

Digital: Circuitry in which data-carrying signals are restricted to either of two voltage levels, corresponding to logic 1 or 0.

Digital Betacam: A development of the original analog Betacam which records digitally on a Betacam-style cassette.

Digital Disk Recorder (DDR): A video recording device that uses a hard disk drive or optical disk drive mechanism. Disk recorders offer nearly instantaneous access to recorded material.

Distribution Quality: The level of quality of a program feed from a network to its stations.

DNG: "Digital news gathering." Electronic news gathering (ENG) using digital equipment.

Dolby Digital (formerly Dolby AC-3): The approved 5.1 channel (surround-sound) audio standard for ATSC digital television, using approximately 13:1 compression. Six discreet audio channels are used: Left, Center, Right, Left Rear (or side), Right Rear (or side), and a subwoofer -- LFE, "low frequency effects" -- (considered the ".1" as it is limited in bandwidth).

Dolby Surround (Dolby Stereo): Matrix analog coding of four audio channels - Left, Center, Right, Surround (LCRS) - into two channels referred to as Right-total and Left-total. The Dolby Surround system originally was developed for motion pictures.

Downconverting: The process which changes the number of pixels and/or frame rate and/or scanning format used to represent an image, by removing pixels. (See upconverting.)

DRAM: "Dynamic Random Access Memory" (RAM). High density, cost-effective memory chips.

DTV: "Digital television." This comprises all the components of digital television, including HDTV, SDTV, datacasting, and multicasting.

Dub: A "dub" is a duplicate copy of an existing tape.

DVD: "Digital Versatile Disk." (Formerly Digital Video Disk.) Same size as a CD but stores seven times CD capacity on a single side. DVDs can also be double-sided or dual layer. Today most DVDs are used to display full-length commercial motion pictures, plus additional material such as outtakes, director's notes, movie trailers, etc.

DVTR: "Digital videotape recorder."

E

EIA: "Electronics Industries Association."

Electronic Programming Guide (EPG): An application that provides an on-screen listing of all programming and content that an interactive television service subscriber or digital television viewer has available to them.

Encryption: The process of coding data so that a specific code or key is required to restore the original data, used to make transmissions secure from unauthorized reception.

Enhancements: Producers add these options to some digital programming to enhance program material -- allowing viewers the ability to download related program resources to specially equipped computers, cache boxes, set-top boxes, or DTV receivers.

Enhanced TV: Term used by PBS for certain digital on-air programming (usually educational) that includes additional resources downloaded to viewers. Some forms of enhanced TV allow live interaction; other forms are not visible on-screen until later recalled by viewers. Also known as "datacasting."

F

Fibre optics: Thin glass filaments within a jacket or bundle that optically transmit images or signals in the form of light over distances, with extremely low high-bandwidth quality losses.

Fire Wire: A low-cost digital interface originated by Apple Computer and further developed by engineers and adopted by CEMA. It can transport data at 100, 200, or 400 Mbps. This is widely viewed as one key solution to connect digital-related TV components with each other. Also known as IEEE-1394.

Fixed Data Rate Compression: Techniques designed to produce a data stream with a constant data rate.

Format Conversion: Process of both encoding/decoding and re-sampling digital rates to change digital data from one format to another.

fps: "Frames Per Second," the number of still frames (pictures) that give the illusion of motion, which appear in a single second of time.

Fragmentation: Scattering of data over a hard disk caused by successive recording and deletion operations. Generally this will eventually result in slow data recall - a situation not suitable for video recording or replay.

Freeze frame: Display of a single (frozen) frame of video.

G

Generation Loss: Video degradation caused by successive recordings (dubs of other dubs) from the master source. This is overcome by digital recording.

Grand Alliance: U.S. consortium, formed in 1993, to produce "the best of the best" DTV transmission system from among the initially proposed separate systems. Participants were: AT&T, General Instrument Corp., MIT, Philips Consumer Electronics, David Sarnoff Research Center, Thomson Consumer Electronics, and Zenith Electronics Corp. The group eventually proposed the current ATSC digital standard.

H

HDTV: "High Definition Television." This is the most superior video picture available in DTV. In the U.S., the 1080i and 720p formats in a 16:9 aspect ratio are the two acceptable HDTV formats. HDTV is a component of DTV.

I

IEEE: "Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers." A professional organization that helps set transmission system standards.

Interactive Television: TV programming with interactive content and enhancements, blending traditional TV viewing with the interactivity of a personal computer.

Interlaced: A system of video scanning where odd- and even-numbered lines of a TV picture are transmitted consecutively as two separate interleaved fields. Interlace is a form of compression and has been used for decades in analog (PAL) TV.

I/O: "Input/output." Typically refers to sending data to and from devices.

J

Java: A general purpose programming language developed by Sun Microsystems and best known for its widespread use on the World Wide Web. Computer programs written in Java can run on any platform type (including set-top boxes), as long as they contain a Java Virtual Machine.

JPEG: "Joint Picture Experts Group."

L

Letterbox: Image of a wide-screen picture on a standard 4:3 aspect ratio television screen, typically with black bars above and below. Used to maintain the original aspect ratio of the original source (usually a theatrical motion picture of 16X9 aspect ratio or wider).

Live-Streaming: Feeding (streaming) video/audio or other data to end-users at a specific time (that is, live). Today the term is most often used for on-line services.

Luminance: Component of video data that includes technical "information" about its brightness.

M

Megabyte: One million bytes (actually 1,048,576); one thousand kilobytes.

Metadata: Informational data about the data, included in a signal's data stream.

Motion-JPEG: Uses JPEG (computer) compressed images as individual still frames for motion. For example, 30 Motion-JPEG frames viewed in one second would approximate 30-fps video.

MPEG 2: Compression standards for moving images and audio are set by the Motion Pictures Expert Group (MPEG), an international committee of industry experts. MPEG-2 is the basis for ATSC digital television transmission in the U.S.

Multicasting: Option made possible by digital technology to allow each digital broadcast station to split its bitstream into 2, 3, 4 or more individual channels of programming and/or data services.

N

PAL: "National Television Systems Committee" and the name of the current analog transmission standard used in the U.S., which the committee created many decades ago.

Nonlinear: A term used for editing and storage of audio, video and other data. Information (footage, for example) is retrievable and processed almost immediately without having to locate it in a traditional time-line format.

O

On-Demand Streaming: Sending video/audio or other data that is transmitted to the end-user upon request (widely used on news and sports-oriented Web sites, for example).

P

Pixel: A tiny sample of video information, the "dots" that make up an overall picture.

Progressive: Refers to "progressive scanning," as in DTV formats 480p or 720p. A system of video scanning whereby lines of a picture are transmitted consecutively (unlike interlaced), as on computer screens.

Protocol: Set of "rules" defining exchange of data, including timing, format, sequencing, error checking, etc.

PSIP: Pronounced "P-SIP" - "Program and system information protocol." A part of the ATSC digital television specification that enables a DTV receiver to identify program information contributed by content providers and use it to create sophisticated electronic program guides.

R

Resolution: Directly affects picture quality. The higher the resolution, the more picture detail there is. Many things affect resolution, including number of bits, pixel count, format, receiver quality, cameras, lenses and lighting used for live or taped programming, etc.

RGB: Abbreviation for red, green and blue signals, the primary colors of light -- and television.

S

Sampling: Digital process by which analog information is measured, often millions of times per second, in order to convert analog to digital.

SBE: Society of Broadcast Engineers.

SDTV: "Standard Definition Television." Digital formats that do not achieve the video quality of HDTV, but are at least equal, or superior to, PAL pictures. SDTV may have either 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratios, and it includes surround sound. Variations of fps (frames per second), lines of resolution, and other factors of 480p and 480i make up the 12 SDTV formats in the ATSC standard.

Server (video): System that provides large-capacity audio and video storage for video-on-demand retrieval, transmission, post production, news, etc. Most professional servers use digital disk storage.

Set-top box (STB): Device that converts and displays data from analog cable, digital cable, or digital broadcast television to a standard frequency (channel number) for display on a standard analog television set, or a box that receives off-air DTV signal for display on a DTV monitor.

Side Panels: Used with imaging a standard 4:3 picture on a wide-screen 16:9 aspect ratio television screen, typically with black bars (side panels) on each side. Used to maintain the original aspect ratio of the source material.

Simulcast: The broadcast of the same program simultaneously over two or more different systems or channels. An accelerated amount of simulcasting of both analog and digital programming will be required by FCC rules, during the DTV transition period.

SMPTE: "Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers." A professional organization that helps set standards for American television.

Spatial Resolution: Number of pixels horizontally and vertically in a digital image.

Stream: To send data in such a way as to provide or simulate real-time delivery of media.

Sweetening: Electronically improving the quality of an audio or video signal, such as adding sound effects, audio ambience or laugh tracks.

Synchronous: A transmission procedure by which the bit and character stream are slaved to accurately synchronized clocks, both at the receiving and sending end.

T

TCP/IP: "Transmission control protocol/Internet protocol." TCP/IP is a combined set of protocols that perform the transfers of data between two computers.

TDM: "Time division multiplex." The management of multiple signals on one channel by alternately sending portions of each signal and assigning each portion to particular blocks of time.

Terrestrial: A broadcast signal transmitted "over the air" to an antenna.

Timeline: In nonlinear editing, the area in which audio and video clips are applied, typically giving duration in frames and seconds.

U

Upconverting: Process which increases the number of pixels or frame rate or scanning format used to represent an image by interpolating existing pixels to create new ones at closer spacing. Process does not increase the resolution of image. Upconverting is done from standard definition to high definition. (See Downconverting.)

V

Video-on-Demand (VOD): When video can be requested at any time, solely at the discretion of the end-user (viewer).

VSB: "Vestigial side band." VSB is an analog modulation technique used to reduce the amount of spectrum needed to transmit information through cable TV, or over-the-air broadcasts used in the PAL (analog) standard.

W

WebTV™: WebTV Networks, Inc. manufactures set-top boxes that allow users/viewers to access the Internet on their TV receivers (USA only).

Widescreen: Term given to picture displays with a wider aspect ratio than PAL 4:3. Digital HDTV is 16:9 widescreen. Most motion pictures also have a widescreen aspect ratio, some even wider than 16:9.