Jargon Buster

Amplifier - TV or Radio Signal amplifier/booster

Antenna - Term for an aerial used in European/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

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 via a coax plug

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 - 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 - 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

Multi-switch -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.

Pixellating - 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

Sky Freesat - 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