Analog Signal - An electromagnetic process that depends solely on continuous changes in the amplitude of a frequency in order to convey information. This is the traditional way that television and radio signals are sent and received. This technology is being replaced by a 'digital signal'.

Bandwidth - The amount of data that can be sent from one place to another through a particular connection in a certain amount of time. Digital television can fit much more that analog television in the same bandwidth.

Digital - A method of encoding information using a binary system made up of zeroes and ones. This is the language that computer technology is built on.

Digital Radio - Broadcasting a radio signal by encoding it as zeros and ones.

Digital Signal - A non-continuous process using binary numbers (1s and 0s) to convey information. In other words, using a computer based language to send and receive audio, video, or other data.

Digital Television (DTV) - Broadcasting signal by encoding it as zeroes and ones - the digital language used in computers. DTV can be compressed to provide more channels, higher quality, and include other information in the same bandwidth required for one channel of the analog television.

Direct View Monitors - This group of monitors produce an image directly on the viewable screen. The traditional analog television falls in this category. Be cautious in purchasing this type because the technology is rapidly being replaced and may not be available in five years.

Enhanced Definition - Home electronics manufacturers have coined this term to refer to a picture quality that is better than Standard Definition but short of the High-Definition Standard.

Flat Screen Monitors - As the name implies, these monitors produce an image on a flat viewing surface built into the unit. Keep in mind that although the screens look the same, there are some big differences in the way the image is produced and the quality of the image.

High-Definition TV (HDTV) - In general, a format is classified as high-definition if it has at least twice the horizontal and vertical resolution of the standard signal being used. In the United States , two formats can be called High-Definition, 1080i and 720p.

Integrated TV - This term means that a television has more than one function for the end-user. However, there is no set definition of what the other functions can be. It may include a web browser, fax machine, program guide, or could mean that it can receive both digital and analog signals.

Interlaced - This is one of two ways that a digital image is produced for the viewer (progressive being the other). In an interlaced system, a television receives all of the odd numbered lines first, and then receives the even numbered lines. An image must be comprised of 1080 lines in an interlaced system to be declared HDTV.

Interactive TV - A type of television programming that allows a viewer to customize their experience.

Multicasting - Using digital technology to divide a television signal to provide multiple program streams and/or additional data.

Pixels - Derived from the combination of PIX (meaning picture) and EL (meaning element), it is the basic unit of the composition of an image on a television screen, computer monitor, or similar display. A standard definition television signal has about 350,000 pixels, a high-definition picture has over 2 million.

Progressive - This is one of two ways that a digital image is produced for the viewer (interlaced being the other). In a progressive system, a television receives the lines of an image in order rather than all of the odd numbered lines first, then the even numbered lines. An image must be comprised of 720 lines in a progressive system to be declared HDTV.

Rear Projection Monitors - The way the images are created in the monitor are the same as the direct view and flat screen monitors, but instead of being created directly on the viewing area, the image is enlarged and then projected onto the viewing area from behind.

Satellite Radio - A proprietary subscription based method of broadcasting digital audio content via satellites. This is not to be confused with digital broadcasting, which is available free over-the-air.

Standard-Definition - The traditional standard quality for a television signal. It is more specifically defined as having 525 lines or 349,920 pixels. Both an analog and digital signal can produce in this quality.