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1.04
|
Operating software for decoders (due to various versions in the field, sometimes
referred to as 1.0X)
|
|
24-hr channel
|
A channel which broadcasts 24 hours per day, 7 days a week
|
|
720p
|
One of the two high definition (HD) TV formats used. The number 720p signifies a
pixel resolution of 1280 horizontal pixels by 720 vertical pixels scanned progressively
(lines scanned in sequence). Referring to the same resolution as 720p, 720i indicates
interlaced scanning
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|
1080p
|
One of the two high definition (HD) TV formats used. The number 1080p signifies
a pixel resolution of 1920 horizontal pixels by 1080 vertical pixels scanned progressively
(lines scanned in sequence). This is the highest definition currently available.
Referring to the same resolution as 1080p, 1080i indicates interlaced scanning
|
|
ADSL
|
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line: a standard used in broadband internet that allows
a high data rate signal (6 megabits per second or higher). See also DSL
|
|
ARs
|
Audience Ratings, i.e. how many people are watching
|
|
AV
|
Audio Visual or Audio Video
|
|
Aerial
|
Device designed to receive the radio waves broadcast by television stations
|
|
Analogue TV
|
Analogue television encodes television picture and sound information and transmits
it as an analogue signal. This signal is received via an aerial. Analogue
technology has been used in South Africa for the past 33 years to transmit conventional
TV signals to consumers, e.g. SABC and e.tv channels are analogue, while DStv is
digital
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|
Animation
|
The technique of making drawings appear to move in motion pictures or computer graphics.
|
|
Anime
|
Animation that originates in Japan. The Animax Channel on DStv is an anime
channel
|
|
Antenna
|
Device designed to receive the radio waves broadcast by television stations
|
|
Aspect Ratio
|
The relationship between the width and the height of a television screen that defines
its shape. A standard TV set has an aspect ratio of 4:3, so if it is 32cm high it
will be 24cm wide. A 16:9 widescreen 32-inch TV is closer to a movie screen
than a traditional TV, and would be 28 inches wide and 16 inches tall. All
TV’s that are labelled “HD Ready” having an aspect ratio of 16:9
|
|
Audience
|
Is a group of people who participate in a show or encounter a work of art, literature,
theatre, television or music in any medium
|
|
Audio Description
|
A spoken commentary that describes what is happening on screen, particularly useful
for visually impaired viewers. The commentary fits in between dialogue and describes
action sequences, facial expressions, costume, scenery and so on
|
|
Autotune
|
DStv’s remote control allows you to set an ‘autotune’ command.
The decoder will automatically switch to the channel or programme requested from
another channel
|
|
BAT
|
Bouquet Association Table; this is to define a group of services, usually belonging
to a single provider. The Irdeto Access BAT extensions allow the operator to define
preferred Set Top Box channel numbers for all services in a bouquet
|
|
BCCSA
|
Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa: A television and radio broadcasting
industry body responsible for self-regulation of its member stations. It is responsible
for making sure that stations or channels adhere to a specific code of conduct,
and if they deviate, the station concerned can face penalties imposed by the BCCSA
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|
Backhaul
|
Also called contribution services, backhaul refers to capacity used to consolidate
programming from various locations and assemble them in one central location for
the final programming product; the final outbound channel would be considered distribution.
Can apply to satellite newsgathering or programme syndication services; provide
broadcasters with a dedicated transmission pipeline for the full time programming
segments
|
|
Bandwidth
|
The amount of spectrum a communication channel (analogue or digital) uses, measured
in hertz (Hz) in the analogue domain and in megabits per second (mb/s) in the digital
domain
|
|
Beam
|
A satellite transmission pattern. It may be wide, narrow or spot. This
affects the satellite’s footprint
|
|
Blackout
|
A particular programming service may not be available in certain areas of the country
or continent, usually because of contractual agreements
|
|
Blu-Ray
|
A new standard of disc, the same physical size as a DVD but capable of storing up
to six times more data. DVDs cannot store high definition films because they are
not large enough, whereas a blu-ray disc has enough space to store the film in its
full glory along with any special extras
|
|
|
|
|
Bouquet
|
Selection of general and thematic TV channels that are offered as a package to subscribers.
DStv offers a number of bouquets, e.g. Premium, Compact, Select, EasyView &
Specialist
|
|
Broadcasting
|
Using radio waves to distribute radio or TV programs, which are available for reception
by the general public
|
|
CDV
|
Compressed Digital Video. A compression technique used in satellite broadcast
systems that reduce the amount of bandwidth needed to transmit video.
|
|
CRM
|
Customer Relationship Management
|
|
CRT
|
Cathode Ray Tube. Display screens used in TV sets and computer monitors that use
a Cathode Ray Tube, which is also called a "picture tube." Cathode Ray Tubes were
found in all electronic television sets up until the invention of the less bulky
LCD screens
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|
CSR
|
Contact Centre Representative
|
|
Catch-up TV
|
Service that makes television programmes available for on-demand consumption within
a specified period following their real-time broadcast (see DStv on Demand)
|
|
Channel
|
A television channel is made up of a compilation of video programmes. Most
channels on the DStv platform are produced by international content providers and
DStv assembles them into the various bouquets.
|
|
Channel Grid
|
see DStv Channel Grid
|
|
Churn
|
Term used to describe subscribers cancelling their subscriptions; usually reported
as a percentage of total subscribers who disconnect or are disconnected from our
service
|
|
Closed Captioning
|
Service allowing persons with hearing disabilities to read dialogue or the audio
portion of a video, film, or other presentation, on the TV screen
|
|
Command Centre
|
MultiChoice Africa monitoring centre where all channel monitoring takes place. Command
Centre monitors incidents of a technical nature (e.g. no picture, poor sound quality,
etc), and not content issues (e.g. violence, nudity, etc)
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|
Commercial subscribers
|
Subscription to the Pay TV service made by offices, hotels, pubs & clubs, hospitals
etc. Not from a private dwelling
|
|
Compression
|
Term that refers to the 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"). DTV would not be possible without compression
|
|
Connections, Analogue
|
Analogue connections are the traditional method for connecting electronic equipment
such as TVs and DVD players together. They are not suitable for high definition
television because they cannot carry enough data, and can reduce picture quality.
All new TVs continue to have a range of analogue connections at the rear alongside
the newer digital connections, so if you have older equipment - such as a VHS video
recorder - you will still be able to connect it to your brand new TV
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|
Connections, Digital
|
Digital connections are the best way to connect your electronic equipment together.
They are perfect for high definition TV because they can carry the huge amounts
of data required for high picture and sound quality. The best option for high definition
is High-Definition Multimedia Interface or HDMI, and an "HD Ready" TV will almost
certainly have one of these sockets at the back. HDMI can carry high-definition
television and sound in one cable, making it the best way to connect HD equipment
to your TV
|
|
Contact Centre
|
Term used to refer to call centres, e.g. MultiChoice contact centres
|
|
Coverage
|
The number of households that can receive digital television services. To
receive satellite successfully, your receiving dish needs to have a clear view of
the satellite which is situated in a fixed position in the sky. In some cases local
conditions can make this more difficult (for example, trees, buildings or other
obstructions might block your line-of-sight to the satellite)
|
|
Cropping
|
When viewing widescreen format on an analogue TV, the picture is cropped —
i.e., black bars appear above, below, and on either side of the picture. This is
done to maintain the original aspect ratio of the original picture source
|
|
DBS
|
Direct Broadcast Satellite; a service that uses satellite to broadcast multiple
channels of television programming directly to small dish antennas
|
|
DCC
|
Decoder Care Contract
|
|
DOG
|
Digital on-screen Graphic: Digital on-screen graphic - a channel identification
logo, usually seen in the top left-hand corner of the TV screen
|
|
DRM
|
Digital Rights Management. DRM acts as copy-protection software &
provides a method to ensure that copyright of content is not infringed
|
|
DSD
|
Digital Satellite Decoder (see also Decoder)
|
|
DSL
|
Digital Subscriber Line: a technology that allows higher bandwidth connections and
transmissions over standard copper phone lines (see ADSL)
|
|
DSO
|
Digital Switchover is the process of switching over a country’s current analogue
television broadcasting system to digital. People need to adapt or upgrade
their televisions and recording equipment to receive digital TV before the analogue
signal is switched off in their area. A set top box will also be required
to receive the digital signal (see STB)
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|
DStv
|
A content product brand owned by Multichoice. See also Digital Satellite TV
|
|
DTH
|
Direct-to-Home
|
|
DTT
|
Digital Terrestrial TV is digital TV received via a standard aerial. DTT offers
better picture and audio quality, and enables more channels to be available as compared
to analogue transmission
|
|
DTV
|
Digital TV is an advanced broadcasting technology that uses radio frequency (RF)
to transmit computer code and display it as pictures and sound. DTV is the umbrella
term encompassing HDTV and several other applications, including SDTV, data casting,
multicasting and interactivity
|
|
DVB-H
|
Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld. DStv Mobile is using the DVB-H technology
to make DStv channels available on a mobile handheld device
|
|
DVD
|
Digital Versatile Disc, or Digital Video Disc - DVDs give better picture and sound
quality than video cassettes, and can store more than CDs. They can be used in DVD
players and recorders and also in computers, though there are different, often incompatible
formats. Blu-Ray Discs are a new type of storage disc which are slowly replacing
DVDs because they are large enough for high definition films
|
|
Decoder
|
A device or program that translates encoded or encrypted data into its original
format — i.e., it decodes the data. (See also STB)
|
|
Data casting
|
Also known as "enhanced TV," this is digital programming that provides additional
features to viewers (with program material or non-program-related resources) such
as the ability to download data (video, audio, text, graphics, maps, services, etc.)
to specially equipped computers, cache boxes, set top boxes, or digital TV receivers
|
|
Delay
|
The time it takes for a signal to travel from a transmitting earth station, through
space, to a satellite and back: this time is calculated to be about 300 milliseconds
(ms)
|
|
Demographics
|
Audience composition base on various socioeconomic characteristics such as age,
sex, income, education, household size, occupation, etc.
|
|
Deutshce Welle
|
German public news and information channel
|
|
Digital
|
Digital is the new way of broadcasting television and radio and will replace analogue
services. Digital offers more channels and services, at a higher quality,
in addition to new interactive features
|
|
Digital Box
|
A digital box is the device that converts digital TV signals into pictures and sound.
The dish receives the digital television signals from the satellite, and sends them
to the digital box. The box then converts the signals into pictures and sounds and
sends them to the TV to display. (See STB)
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|
Digital Satellite TV
|
Digital TV received via a satellite dish. The satellite dish picks up broadcast
signals sent to it by the broadcasters, amplifies them, and then re-transmits them
over a defined target area so that they can be received using a dish and suitable
electronic receiving equipment. There is a higher bandwidth available using
satellites compared to terrestrial broadcasts through an aerial, giving you more
channels and special features, e.g. enhanced interactive TV
|
|
Digital Video Effects
|
Creates video effects such as squeeze-back (when picture is reduced) for sponsor
promotion on live events. See also squeeze-back
|
|
‘dish’
|
Printed DStv Guide sent to subscribers each month and offering a comprehensive breakdown
of entertainment, schedules, programmes, competitions and more. An Afrikaans
version called ‘skottel’ is available for all Afrikaans speaking subscribers
|
|
Dolby® Digital
|
A form of multi-channel digital sound, it provides efficient encoding and noise
reduction for high-quality surround sound — technology used in movie theatres
and upscale home theatre systems that enhances audio. Home theatre components with
this technology work in conjunction with a "5.1-speaker" system (five speakers plus
a low-frequency subwoofer) to produce true-to-life audio that draws the listener
into the onscreen action
|
|
Downlink
|
Signal path from the satellite to earth. The transmission of radio frequency signals
(content/data/service) from a satellite to an earth station
|
|
DStv Broadband
|
DStv broadband (or DStv On Demand PC) is MultiChoice’s catch-up TV service,
hosted at www.dstvbroadband.co.za
available to all DStv Premium and Compact subscribers
|
|
DStv Channel Grid
|
The DStv Channel Grid displays a list of all available channels in the DStv bouquet
and is a quick way to check what’s showing on your favourite channel.
It’s also a great way to tune to a channel when you’re not sure what
number that channel is
|
|
DStv Compact
|
DStv Compact is an exciting new DStv bouquet to match your lifestyle and offers
access to hundreds of programmes and thousands of stars across 35 channels.
DStv Compact is available for R219/ month
|
|
DStv Easy View
|
DStv EasyView is an affordable DStv entry bouquet. The EasyView package includes
a selection of news, general entertainment, religious, shopping channels and free-to-air
channels, including radio stations and open weekends. Available from R210.00 per
year, (R17.50 per month), it is the most affordable DStv package
|
|
DStv i-Plate
|
The i-plate is displayed every time you change a channel or exit a menu. If
you require more information about a programme while the i-plate is displayed, press
‘i’ again for extended information
|
|
DStv Indian
|
Two Indian bouquets ‘North Indian’ and ‘South Indian’, catering
to different cultural preferences, provide authentic Indian entertainment channels
|
|
DStv On Demand
|
DStv on Demand (or DStv on Demand TV) is MultiChoices’s catch-up TV service,
available to DStv Premium customers with a Standard Decoder PVR
|
|
DStv Portuguese
|
Discover the best in Portuguese entertainment with DStv’s Specialist Portuguese
bouquet
|
|
DStv Premium
|
DStv Premium combines the best entertainment programming available from across the
globe with superior technological innovation to provide an unforgettable television
viewing experience! DStv Premium is available from R499/month
|
|
DStv Select
|
With more than 20 channels, DStv Select provides a variety of the latest entertainment,
music, news, sports, movies and documentaries and is available from Vodacom at R148.00
a month. DStv Select 1 includes M-Net Series and Hallmark, while DStv Select
2 includes kykNET and MK
|
|
DStv Touch
|
The DStv Touch menu is an easy way for subscribers to access 24x7 interactive services
while watching DStv
|
|
DStv TV Guide
|
This service is accessible by pressing the “TV Guide” button on your
remote control. For programme information across all the DStv channels plus
a personal planner and search function, the TV Guide allows you to plan your viewing
up to 8 days in advance, select themes and set reminders for programmes.
|
|
DStv XtraView
|
XtraView is a cost effective and flexible solution allowing you to link two XtraView
capable DStv decoders at a cost of a single subscription, plus an access fee of
R80 per month. XtraView allows you to increase the number of TV channels which
can be viewed simultaneously in your home without having to pay an additional subscription.
|
|
Dubbed
|
The process of recording or replacing voices, .i.e. translation & replacing
of original voice (either that of a presenter or actor) in another language
|
|
EIT
|
Event Information Table: contains information about programmes (events) that are
broadcast on service. This includes event name, start time and duration, descriptions,
parental rating and content type
|
|
EN2
|
European Networks 2: interactive operating software for DSD’s (decoders).
There are OKSL EN2 and non OKSL EN2. The OKSL EN2 is the version on which the DStv
touch menu is available
|
|
EPG
|
Electronic Program Guide. An interactive list of upcoming TV programming that can
be transmitted along with a DTV program. On the DStv platform, the guide is available
8 days in advance, but on certain decoders, 2 days in advance
|
|
Encoder
|
The encoder digitises analogue/uncompressed audio and video and combines signals
the digital video, audio and data into one serial data stream
|
|
Encryption
|
Encryption is the process of changing information to make it unreadable without
a decoder. DStv uses a signal which scrambles the original transmitted material
to protect subscription or pay per view services
|
|
Exclusive
|
Content which is exclusive to a channel may only be shown on that channel
|
|
Exhibition run
|
A term used to refer to a repeat that happens within a 24 hour period since the
first show. An exhibition run does not count as a repeat
|
|
FCC
|
Final Control Centre. The final broadcasting insertion point before transmission
|
|
FTA
|
Free to Air. Channels which are free to access and watch - no viewing card
/ smartcard required. SABC & e.tv are free-to-air platforms, and all channels
are free to access and watch
|
|
FTTH
|
Fibre to the Home
|
|
Footprint
|
A geographic area towards which a satellite downlink antenna directs its signal;
the coverage areas of the earth’s surface within which the signals of a specific
satellite can be received
|
|
Frequency
|
The rate at which a signal (e.g. electrical current) alternates. The standard unit
of frequency is the hertz, abbreviated as Hz. If a signal completes one cycle per
second, then the frequency is 1 Hz, etc.
|
|
Full HD
|
Informal way of referring to the highest HD resolution of 1080 horizontal lines
(see HD Formats)
|
|
Genre
|
Category. Generally referred to when grouping a number of channels with similar
attributes e.g. Entertainment, Sports, News, etc. DStv groups its channels in the
following genres:
- Entertainment & Movies
- Lifestyle & Culture
- Sport
- Documentary
- Children
- Music
- Religion
- News & Commerce
Plus
- Specialist
- DStv Touch
- DStv Audio
|
|
GIS
|
Geographic Information System
|
|
HD
|
High Definition
|
|
HDMI
|
High Definition Multimedia Interface. A high-quality digital connector suitable
for high definition. HDMI cables are the best way for connecting your products
together, as they can carry both high-quality video and sound in just one cable.
Similar to DVI and sometimes with HDCP, HDMI can digitally transmit uncompressed
high-definition video and audio on the same cable, preserving picture and sound
quality.
|
|
HDTV
|
High Definition Television. Generally refers to TV with at least twice the
vertical and horizontal picture resolution of current digital and analogue TV systems.
This makes the picture at least four times as detailed and in 16:9 formats. Note
that HDTV and DTV are not the same thing — HDTV is one format of DTV.
|
|
HD Formats
|
Standard definition television pictures are made up of 576 horizontal lines refreshed
at a rate of 20 times per second. The increased amount of picture information transmitted
for HDTV means pictures are made up of more lines - i.e. there is a greater level
of picture resolution. The accepted standards for HD picture resolution are currently
720p (720 progressive - 720 lines refreshed at 20 or 50 times per second), 1080i
(1080 interlaced - 1080 lines refreshed at 20 times per second), or 1080p (1080
progressive - 1080 lines refreshed 24 or 20 times per second). High definition television
uses both 1080 interlaced (1080i) and 1080 progressive (1080p) formats. Interlace
splits the picture into two sets of alternate horizontal lines known as "fields"
- 520 lines in the first field and the remaining 520 lines in the second field.
Although the entire image is refreshed 20 times per second, fields are refreshed
50 times per second. So the interlaced format is good for fast moving programmes
such as sport. Progressive is better for programmes which benefit from increased
resolution (i.e. capturing an increased level of detail), e.g. nature programmes.
A new standard, 1080p50 (1080 progressive - 1080 lines refreshed at 50 times per
second), is available, but is not currently used for television broadcasts or Blu-ray
because of the large bandwidth each would need. The latest generation of games consoles
can output 1080p50, and to get the most out of these devices you need an "HD Ready
1080p" TV
|
|
HD Ready
|
A definition of a minimum standard for HD televisions intended to reduce confusion
for consumers when buying a TV. There is an official "HD Ready" logo to highlight
TVs which are guaranteed to be suitable for HD broadcasts. An "HD Ready" screen
will have: 1) A native resolution of at least 720 horizontal lines 2) A digital
connection (HDMI or DVI), plus component 3) The ability to receive both 720p
and 1080i formats of HD input signal 4) Copyright protection, as part of the HDMI
or DVI connection
|
|
Head-end
|
The location where television systems collect and distribute satellite programming.
Under Multichoice, head-end implies the total value chain: encoding, multiplexing,
scrambling, modulation, up-converter, HPA, transmit dish
|
|
High Definition
|
The highest standard of television available and the greatest jump in television
picture quality since the switch from black & white to colour television in
the 1980s! High definition has up to five times the picture detail and more lifelike
than the standard offering. Standard-definition TV broadcasts in the UK have 576
horizontal lines of pixels; whereas HDTV broadcasts have either 1080 or 720 lines
(see HD formats). This gives a clearer, sharper picture with much more detail. You
need an "HD Ready" TV to watch high definition (see HD Ready). HDTV also has better
quality sound, and many HD programmes are broadcast with rich surround sound, for
a completely immersive experience.
|
|
IBS
|
Integrated Business System
|
|
ICASA
|
Independent Communications Authority of South Africa
|
|
ICR
|
International contribution room. Controlled area of feeds from various sources,
either satellite or cable; used as a controlled environment for distribution of
feed onto a local network within the broadcast services building, be it FCCs, studios
or other required areas
|
|
IDTV
|
Integrated digital television - a TV set with a built-in digital TV receiver. With
IDTV, there is no need for a separate Set-top-Box to receive DTT
|
|
IPTV
|
Internet Protocol TV
|
|
IS7
|
Intelsat 7 satellite
|
|
IS10
|
Intelsat 10 satellite
|
|
ISO
|
International Standards Organization
|
|
ITV
|
Interactive Television Describes a number of techniques that allow viewers to interact
content as they view it, often by the use of remote control Infomercial
|
|
Interlaced Scanning
|
The process of interlaced scanning divides the horizontal lines of pixels in a frame
into a set of odd lines and a set of even lines. In 1/80th of a second, the odd
lines will flash on the screen and in the next 1/80th of a second; the even lines
will flash on the screen. In the space of 1/30th of a second, the entire frame has
been shown on the screen in two separate flashes
|
|
i-Plate
|
Short for information plate. This is the bar on the bottom of the screen which
appears when “i” is pressed on the remote control (see also DStv i-Plate)
|
|
LCD
|
LCD is another kind of flat panel television. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is a
TV display that applies an electrical charge to a layer of liquid crystals trapped
between two pieces of polarized glass so light can shine through in a specific pattern.
The pattern is displayed as an image on screen
|
|
LNB
|
Low Noise Block Converter: an electronic part of a satellite earth station (or dish)
that is used to amplify the signal collected by the reflector and feedhorn of the
dish.
|
|
Letterbox
|
Letterbox is the term used when 16:9 content is viewed on a 4:3 screen. In order
to display the widescreen content without distortion or missing parts of the picture,
the television will place black bars at the top and bottom of the image
|
|
Local content
|
Generally refers to content produced locally, and addresses themes based on local
history, society and experience
|
|
Library content
|
Content that has aired previously on a channel or bouquet
|
|
License period
|
Period that a content provider may license their content to a broadcaster
|
|
Live Television
|
Or “Live” refers to television broadcast in real time or on a short
tape delay basis. It is usually used in news or sport
|
|
MCA
|
MultiChoice Africa
|
|
MIH
|
Myriad International Holdings
|
|
MPEG
|
The Moving Pictures Expert Group: develops standards for video and digital audio
compression; it operates under the auspices of International Standards Organization
(ISO). The MPEG standards are evolving, each designed for different purposes
|
|
MPEG 2
|
Compression rate which Multichoice uses in current decoders
|
|
MPEG 4
|
Compression standard four times more efficient than MPEG 2
|
|
MUD
|
Multiple unit dwelling
|
|
MUX
|
Multiplex. A single broadcast frequency that contains a number of different digital
TV or radio channels into the combined equivalent space of an entire analogue channel
Market Segmentation
|
|
Mass Market
|
is a general business term describing the largest group of consumers for a specified
industry product. It is the opposite extreme of the term niche market
|
|
Mobile TV
|
Mobile TV allows you to watch TV on your mobile phone. DStv Mobile hopes to
launch a digital video broadcast (DVB-H) product to subscribers allowing them to
watch select DStv channels on their mobile phone.
|
|
Monitor
|
A Monitor is simply a display device that is incapable of receiving digital broadcast
programming without additional equipment.
|
|
Multichannel
|
An environment where more than one channel is available. DStv would be considered
to be providing a multichannel environment in South Africa, for example.
|
|
MultiChoice
|
A corporate organisation that owns the DStv brand
|
|
|
|
|
Multi-room
|
Multi-room entertainment systems allow your audio and video signals (from a CD player,
radio, DVD player etc) to be distributed round the house and played in different
rooms. Each room is able to play its own selection or, alternatively, they can be
set to play the same thing (often called a "party mode")
|
|
Must Carry
|
Channels that have to be carried by the broadcaster, e.g. the regulator may stipulate
that the broadcaster has to carry the local FTA (free to air) channels.
|
|
NIT
|
Network Information Table: Contain tuning parameters of transponders so that subscriber
does not need to retune when surfing channels located in different transponders
|
|
NTSC
|
National Television Standards Committee. The broadcast standard used for analogue
TV in the USA, Canada, Mexico and Japan
|
|
Niche Market
|
is the subset of the market on which a specific product is focusing on; therefore
the market niche defines the specific product features aimed at satisfying specific
market needs, as well as the price range, production quality and the is intending
to impact
|
|
On-air promo
|
A television commercial produced for playing in between television programmes. DStv
uses on-air promos for promoting programming highlights across different channels
|
|
Over the Air
|
Over-the-Air (OTA) refers to the transmission and reception of information in a
wireless communication system
|
|
PAL
|
Phase Alternating Line. A video signal standard used in South Africa, the
UK and most of Europe.
|
|
PG
|
Parental Guidance. A recommendation for parents to be available to answer
questions young viewers may have about certain content
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PPV
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Pay per View offers a system by which a television audience can purchase events
to view on TV-monitors via private telecast of that event to their homes. The broadcaster
shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it, as opposed to video-on-demand
(VoD) systems, which allow viewers to see the event at any time
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PVR
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Personal Video Recorder. Hardware (see STB) capable of digitally recording and playing
back programming. The DStv PVR allows users to view up to two channels and
record a third at the same time. Recording memory allows for up to 80 hrs
of recordings
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Parental Control
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The parental control function included in all models of DStv decoders allows parents
to decide which channels and programmes or recordings are suitable for their family
using a PIN password
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Parental Rating
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A rating allocated to a programme by broadcasters. This gives an indication
as to which programmes are suitable for which age groups and allows parents to lock
access to certain programmes they deem unsuitable for their family. (see Parental
Control)
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Pay TV
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Pay television refers to subscription-based television services, usually
provided by both analogue and digital cable and satellite, but also increasingly
by digital terrestrial methods. Africa’s largest pay-television product DStv
is a digital satellite service operating in 48 countries
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Pilot
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This refers to the first programme of a series and is sometimes used to test an
audience’s reaction to the forthcoming series or a proposed programme.
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Pixel
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Pixel is actually two words combined - "Picture" and "Element." Pixels are tiny
samples of video information, the "little squares" that "add up" to an entire picture.
A pixel is the smallest area of a television picture capable of being sampled and
transmitted through a system, and displayed on a monitor
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Pixellation
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Used to describe the effect where the picture, or part of the picture, breaks down
into small squares
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Plasma TV
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A Plasma Display Panel (PDP) is a type of flat panel display common to large TV
displays (32 inches or larger). Plasma refers to one kind of flat panel television.
With a plasma display, a mixture of gases is trapped between two pieces of glass
and an electrical charge is applied to the gases. This causes certain elements in
the mixture to light up. The light passes through the glass in a specific pattern.
That pattern forms an image on the screen. Plasma displays should not be confused
with LCD displays, another lightweight "flatscreen" display using different technology
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Platform
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A term encompassing the various ways in which a home can receive television. The
six platforms are: analogue terrestrial, analogue satellite, digital terrestrial
(or DTT), analogue cable, digital satellite or digital cable.
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Premiere
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The first time a programme is shown on a particular channel it is called a premiere
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Prime Time
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This is usually the time of day when most viewers are tuned to the channel.
Prime Time is usually between 18:00 and 21:00
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Progressive Scan
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A way to scan vertical lines onto a TV picture by scanning all the lines consecutively
(progressively) i.e. the first line, followed by the second, the third, the fourth,
and so on, are placed on the screen in order all within 1/30th of a second. Progressive
scan produces a higher quality picture than interlace scan. All flat panel and many
digital projection televisions are progressive scan, so they display progressive
scan images more clearly compared to interlaced images
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PVR Access Charge
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An additional charge is levied on the PVR to access additional channels without
another subscription
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Rain fade
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The loss of signal from the satellite during heavy rain or a storm
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Ratings
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The rating of a television programme is the percentage of households watching a
particular program against the total number of television households in the country
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Reboot
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A hard reset after a failure. On occasion it may be necessary to switch the
power to your decoder off for a few seconds. When the power is restored, the
decoder reboots and the software refreshes
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Repeat
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Programmes may be shown again in different time slots to allow catch-up viewing
or to suit different audience viewing preferences
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Resolution
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The amount of detail that can be seen in a broadcast image. For television, resolution
is measured in horizontal lines displayed (commonly 480, 720, or 1080)
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Satellite Dish
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The device that collects the television broadcast from the satellite and transmits
it (via the LNB) to the digital box and the TV. Satellite dishes are available
in different sizes. As the required size of the dish varies from country to
country and region to region, it is advisable to check with local agents and installers
for the correct installation specification
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RF
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Radio Frequency
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SD
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Standard Definition refers to television systems that have a resolution that meets
standards but not considered either enhanced definition or High Definition (HD).
The term is usually used in reference to digital television (DTV) in particular
when broadcasting at the same (or similar) resolution as analogue systems
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STB
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Set Top Box. A stand-alone device that receives and decodes programming so
that it may be displayed on a television. Set-top boxes may be used to receive broadcast,
cable, and satellite programming
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SUD
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Single unit dwelling
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Satellite Television
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Satellite television is delivered by means of communications satellite and received
by a satellite dish and set-top box (STB). In many areas of the world it provides
a wide range of channels and services, often to areas that are not serviced by terrestrial
or cable providers
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Schedule
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A listing of the time of day and dates a programme is planned to air
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Series
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A programme which consists of a minimum of 13 episodes and runs over a season (usually
13 weeks)
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Severity One
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A process which is initiated when a severe service outage is encountered. The purpose
of a severity one is to maintain focus on resolving the service outage as quickly
as possible, with the least impact to the customer
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Software Download
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Digital boxes occasionally need updated software to provide the latest services
and features. This can be performed as an "over-the-air" software download, i.e.
the software is automatically downloaded to the digital box via satellite dish
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Solar Outage
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Solar outages occur when a satellite dish is looking at a satellite, and the sun
passes behind the satellite and within the field of view of the dish antenna.
Solar outages occur during the spring and fall as the sun moves up and down the
sky during the equinox. The outages only last a few minutes for a few days
a year
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Spectrum
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A range of electromagnetic radio frequencies used in the transmission of radio,
data, and video
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Spot Beam
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A satellite antenna designed to direct all of the satellite’s power to a relatively
compact (or small) area on earth. E.g. the Nigerian Spotbeam
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Squeeze-back
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A squeeze-back refers to the full screen picture being reduced in size so that advertising
or notices can appear alongside and/or below the picture
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Strip
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Refers to a TV programme aired five days a week, mainly Monday - Friday
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Subtitles
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One or more lines of text, as a translation of dialogue in a foreign language, appearing
usually at the bottom of a film or video image
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Surround sound
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Audio transmitted through four or more speakers placed around the room, rather than
just two stereo speakers on the TV set. Programmes with surround sound can be more
atmospheric and many high definition programmes are filmed with surround sound as
well, but you'll need a surround sound system (e.g. a home cinema system) to enjoy
the full effect
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Target Audience
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The audience most desired by advertisers in terms of potential product/service usage
and revenue potential
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Television Households
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An estimate of the number of households that have one or more television sets
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Terrestrial Broadcasting
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A broadcast signal transmitted over-the-air to an antenna but not using satellite
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Timeshifting
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Recording a programme on a VCR or PVR and watching them after the scheduled broadcast
start time
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Transponder
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A receiver-transmitter combination that receives a signal on one frequency and transmits
on another frequency. A radio frequency path through a satellite with a specific
bandwidth, uplink/downlink frequency and beam
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Transport Stream
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A digital stream consisting of video, audio and data information
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TV Guide
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see DStv TV Guide
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Twin Feed
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Refers to LNB (see LNB) configuration used in dual view installation
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UHF
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Ultra High Frequency. This is the part of the radio spectrum from 300 to 3000 megahertz,
which includes TV channels 14-69. After the DTV transition, UHF TV will be changed
to 470 to 698 MHz, which includes channels 14-51.
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Upconvert
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A process by which a digital, high-definition television takes a lower-definition
picture and converts it into a higher-definition picture. This may be done by doubling
each line as it is drawn on the screen, or by using advanced algorithms to interpolate
the data between each lower-resolution line, filling in the missing image
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Uplink
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Signal path from the earth to the satellite. An act of moving signal (content/data/service)
from earth to satellite
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VCR
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Video Cassette Recorder
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VHF
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Very High Frequency. This is the part of the radio spectrum from 30 to 300 megahertz,
which includes TV Channels 2-13, and the FM broadcast band
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VOD
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Video-on-Demand - a service that allows you to stream or download selected TV programmes
to watch when you want, rather than be tied to when they are broadcast. Many VOD
services allow you to stream or download from a library of old films and TV programmes,
and episodes from programmes in their current series usually become available after
each episode has first been broadcast. (See also DStv on Demand)
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W4
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Eutelsat W4 satellite
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Watershed
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The watershed is the time in the evening after which programmes with adult content
might be shown. This can include nudity, sexual intercourse, strong language, strong
drug references and graphic violence. The watershed in South Africa is from 8pm
but may differ from country to country outside of South Africa
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Widescreen
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A term used generally to describe an aspect ratio wider than 4:3. For television,
this refers to the 16 x 9 aspect ratio
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XtraView
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See DStv XtraView
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