Jargon Buster

Below is a list of terms commonly used within our areas of expertise. Please click the term for a definition.

Amplifier

An amplifier is used to boost a weak television or radio signal. Generally they are powered which means they will need to be connected to the mains - either wired in or using a normal plug.


Antenna

Term for an aerial used in Europe and the U.S.


Attenuator

Reduces Signal Strength


BBC 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


Booster

 TV or Radio Signal amplifier/booster


CAI

 Confederation of Aerial Industries - represents manufacturers, installers & other interested parties.


CATV

 Community Aerial TV - covering a set neighbourhood/Town/City/County


Chimney lashing kit

 Used to secure an aerial to a chimney


COAX Coupler

 Used to join together 2 Coax Plugs


COAX Plug

 Terminates coaxial cable for insertion to TV etc


Coaxial cable

 Aerial lead to appliance


COB

 Coaxial (aerial lead) outlet box, surface mounted within the room


Combiner

 Combines two or more aerial leads into one single aerial (coaxial) lead


DAB

 Digital audio broadcast


DAB Radio

 Stereo Digital Radio Offeringa wide range of channels, as an alternative to FM.


DAB Aerial

 Enhances DAB reception


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 HD

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/Plasma installations

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


Multiswitch

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.


Pixelating

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+

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


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


Freesat from Sky

Sky digital system providing access to a range of Free To Air channels, no monthly subscription required


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


Card Sharing

Card sharing is a method by which independent receivers obtain simultaneous access to a pay television network, using one legitimate conditional access subscription card. Typically, the legitimate card is attached to a personal computer or Dreambox which is connected to the Internet, and is configured to provide the legitimately decrypted control word to other receivers who request the information. This decrypted control word is then used to decode an encrypted conditional access service, as though each other receiver were using its own subscription card.


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