Plasma: Plasma TVs are comprised of a bunch of tiny independent cells that produce the red, green, and blue colors necessary to view an image. They offer a bright, vivid picture that looks like you’re in the middle of the action. They are light enough to hang from your wall or ceiling. Burn-in is a factor.
Plug and Play: A security card or cable card you get from a cable operator that decrypts scrambled cable signals on the sets. It replaced set-top boxes, and is an aspect of digital television.
Progressive Scan: The way a television decodes an image – also known as non-interlaced, the odd and even fields are scanned sequentially (1, 2, 3, 4…) every 1/60 of a second. 60 frames are produced every second, thus creating a smother, more vivid picture with less flicker. It is the same technology computer monitors use.
Projection: Often referred to as big screens, projection TVs come in two different styles: front and rear. Front and rear TV’s operate in the same manner by forming a small image and reflecting it onto a larger screen. The difference is where the receiver is located. Rear projection TV’s house the receiver inside the viewing unit, while front projection models feature a receiver apart from the viewing source (i.e. across the room). Rear projection televisions come in CRT, DLP, LCD, and LCOS. Front projection televisions come in CRT, LCD, and LCD, and are the foundation for a home theater system.
Resolution: Level of picture detail coupled with scan type. A 480i television has an inferior picture compared to 480p because 480i utilizes interlaced scanning while 480p uses progressive scanning.
Set-Top Box: A receiver often provided by a cable or satellite company to receive their signal. Often associated with digital, HDTV, or DVR boxes. You can purchase them independently through retail and online outlets.
Standard Definition (SDTV): The low-end of digital television. SDTV’s have a standard aspect ratio, and resolution of 480i.
