TV Glossary

24p / True Cinema 24p

Refers to 24 frames per second. This is the format that movies are filmed in. When played back at this rate, the movies appear smooth and have natural movement. This is also the format that Blu-ray movies are encoded in. Some newer Samsung TVs are capable of displaying movies in true 24 frames per second. If you're a real movie fan, then certainly look for a TV that offers true 24fps.

100Hz

A TV that features 100Hz technology doubles the amount of frames that you see on screen. By inserting an extra frame in between existing frames, and intelligently calculating the in between frame, the smoothness of the motion you see on screen is noticeably improved. This is especially important if you plan to watch a lot of sports on your TV, or enjoy watching a lot of movies. Both involve frequent fast action and will benefit from 100Hz technology.

200Hz

LCD and Plasma displays have one drawback over the obsolete CRT TVs, the way they handle motion. On an LCD and Plasma display, during fast action, it's often possible that images become distorted. 200Hz technology uses scanning backlight technology to make movement in fast action scenes look smoother.

1080p / Full HD

Full HD TVs are capable of showing high definition images that are up to five times as sharp and detailed as old style 'standard definition' images. You'll need to have an HD source, such as a Blu-ray player, games console or HD TV to be able to really see the difference though. All TVs on sale today are HD-Ready. A Full HD TV has a letter p after it and this means that the picture is shown in the best possible quality.

Active Vision M100 HD Pro

Toshiba's version of a technology found in many modern flat panel TVs. It aims to improve the image quality in fast action scenes. LCD and Plasma TVs are known to have problems with very fast moving images, such as a ball speeding across the screen in a tennis match, resulting in image blur. Active vision intelligently inserts extra frames in an attempt to smooth the action on screen.

Advanced Contrast Enhancer / Dynamic Contrast

Instead of opting for a 'one setting fits all' mentality, a number of Bravia TVs adjust the contrast on a scene by scene basis. This ensures that you can see all the subtle differences in colours, especially in darker scenes. This is important to help with a sense of depth in images.

Ambi light

This is an interesting technology that, to the best of our knowledge, is only found in Philips flat screen TVs. Ambi light takes whatever colours are on screen and projects the matching colour and intensity onto the wall beside and behind the TV. So if you're watching the sound of music, during a bright outdoor scene, a rich green is projected around the TV. This is accomplished with a special band of LED modules at the rear of the TV. You can choose from a variety of modes using the remote. Ambi light is designed to create a unique and immersive cinematic experience.

Anynet

Anynet is Samsung's way of linking together your home entertainment components, such as your Blu-ray player, home audio and of course the TV. Once linked together in this way, you can control them all, and access all of the features, with one remote.

Anynet + (Plus)

An updated and improved version of Anynet that allows you to control audio / visual devices through HDMI ports. Samsung's Anynet+ allows control of up to 12 devices with one remote. Anynet and Anynet+ can only be used on Samsung devices that also feature the Anynet feature.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a way to sending information between electronic devices. It's a way to eliminate wires and is similar to how your wireless internet connection works. TVs are starting to use Bluetooth more now for things like showing off the photos from your mobile phone, or using wireless headphones to listen to the TV.

AppliCast

Sony's own version of something present in a number of newer TVs today. AppliCast lets you access a variety of Internet based applications. These include a clock, calendar and world clock. These applications are available while you are watching TV and require an internet connection.

Bravia Sync

Most major TV brands have a similar system to this, under various names. Bravia Sync allows you to connect and control all of your other Sony products from one remote. This cuts down on clutter in the living room and better control over your audo / video network. As with competing brands, you are limited to using products by Sony.

Digital Tuner / Freeview

All Toshiba and other flat panel TVs come with Freeview built in. This is the free digital TV service that lets you access an ever increasing number of programmes without any monthly fee. These include all of the ITV and BBC stations. Check out the official Freeview site for more info.

Dolby Volume

A simply brilliant idea that all TVs should have. If you've ever been frustrated by the annoying habit that adverts have of increasing the volume then this is for you. It detects if the volume has been increased during an ad break and adjusts itself accordingly.

EcoPanel

An LCD panel that is designed to consume less energy than standard LCD TVs. Going green is high on the agenda of all TV makers. Going green can help the environment and also cut back on ever increasing energy bills.

Eco Settings

Saving energy is not only good for the environment, it can also cut down on your energy bill each month. A number of Sony TVs feature Eco Settings - a range of options, available on the menu, that will alter how your TV behaves and cut back on energy use. These features include special power saving modes, power saving idle modes and some TVs will even turn off when you leave the room, and resume when you come back.

Frameless Design

Usually found in LED TVs, frameless design gets rid of the bulky edges found in LCD and Plasma TVs. An LG TV with this design will be much sleeker and better looking. For the gadget obsessed, it's a must. But it's not the most important part of your TV. LEDs are also far more expensive than conventional sets.

Freesat

A number of Samsung TVs feature Freesat. This is a free digital TV service that offers over 140 channels, and is run by ITV and the BBC. Freesat also features HD programming, and a 7 day view of which programmes are on and when.

Freesat HD

An HD version of Freesat, which allows you to view over 140 digital freeview channels for free. While the number of channels broadcast in HD is still limited, this will change with time. A number of newer Panasonic TVs feature built-in Freesat HD viewers and it won't cost you any monthly fees to view.

Freeview

You'd have a hard time finding a Sony TV these days that hasn't got built in freeview. This is the UK's digital TV service, offering over 140 free channels to viewers with either a set-top box or a TV with built in freeview. Most freeview systems also offer some form of programming guide.

Full HD / Full 1080 / 1080p

Bravia TVs that feature full HD offer the highest quality image, reproduced exactly as it was meant to be. 1080p offers viewers the best possible HD experience.

Game Mode

A number of newer Samsung TVs feature a Game Mode. This mode is designed to offer a better experience for Xbox and PS3 gaming. When turned on, contrast in dark areas is amplified and the bass sound is enriched, creating better explosions and effects. Perhaps more importantly, the response time of the display is shortened, making for better fast moving action.

HDMI

HDTVs will have at least one HDMI port. This is a way to connect HD compatible devices to your HDTV, such as blu-ray players and game consoles. HDMI transfers video in an uncompressed digital format, complete with multi-channel audio. If you've found yourself frustrated with the old scart connections, you'll appreciate the ease of connecting HDMI devices too. Although HDTVs do also have scart ports for your older devices.

Intelligent Sensor / Intelligent Sensor 2

A brilliant idea that's present in a large number of new TVs. Intelligent Sensor adjusts the picture on your TV on the fly, depending on the lighting conditions in the room it's in. This has the dual benefit of always showing the picture with the best possible settings, and also saving your energy bill. You can save as much as 62% power usage on an LG TV that has this feature.

LED / LED Pro

LED is a new way of backlighting LCD televisions. To the buyer, it means your picture will look superior to a non-LED backlit television. Blacks will appear much darker, while light areas of the image on screen will appear much purer and brighter. Traditional LCD TVs require strong back lights to illuminate the image on screen. LED lighting is much brighter and individual parts of the screen can be brightened or dimmed, depending on the image being shown at that instant. LED TVs offer a previously unheard of contrast ratio of 5 million to 1.

Live Colour

This is Sony's own technology that's designed to improve colours on LCD displays. Due to limitations in LCD panel technology, reds and greens are always the hardest colours to faithfully reproduce. Live Colour intelligently adjusts these colours and makes them appear bright and vivid.

Meta Brain

Toshiba's unique central processing unit that acts as the brain of the TV. Responsible for the control of other functions in the TV such as Resolution+, AutoView and other technologies.

Motion Plus

Available from different TV manufacturers in one form or another, Motion Plus is Samsung's version of this technology. Motion Plus aims to improve the appearance of motion on screen, especially in fast action scenes. It does this by intelligently calculating the middle frame between two existing frames. More frames equal smoother motion.

NetTV

During 2009 a number of new TVs began offering access to some internet features via flat screen TVs, that are accessed with the TV remote. NetTV is Philips own brand of Internet services which allows you to use selection of websites such as eBay and YouTube. Services can be arranged to suit your preferences. The service is free and uses your existing wireless router to connect. While not as full features as surfing with a PC, you can access stocks, weather and many other services this way.

Pixel Precise HD

A combination of hardware and software, used in Philips Flat Screen TVs, to improve the quality of the picture displayed. The technology is designed to improve the most important aspects of a TV's picture: sharpness, colour reproduction and contrast levels. Pixel Precise HD is capable of updating 250 million pixels per second. The technology improves picture quality in  number of ways:

• Smoothing and correcting on screen action
• Dynamic sharpness alters each pixel on screen
• Colour booster - capable of showing 4 trillion colours
• Dynamic contrast - makes darks darker and lights lighter
• Clean picture - digital noise reduction cleans up images

Resolution+

This is Toshiba's version of upscalling technology. This aims to improve the appearance of non HD images. Standard definition images are sharpened and their detail is improved. Resolution+ uses complex algorithms to greatly improve how standard definition images are displayed.

USB port / USB 2.0

Many modern TVs have a USB port on either their side or rear. This serves two possible purposes. Firstly, some TVs are able to be upgraded / updated via a download to a USB stick and then by plugging the USB stick into this port. Secondly, and more commonly, the USB port on a TV can be used to share photos and watch movies stored on a USB drive. Especially useful if you watch a lot of movies you've downloaded.

V-Audio

An audio technology specific to Panasonic TVs that uses a combination of digital amplifier, bamboo core speakers and SRS Tru Surround sound. This technology aims to produce rich, deep sounds, with a convincing surround sound, from just two speakers. Ideal for music lovers or anyone who enjoys watching movies.

Viera Cast

Allows users to access online content via their TV, using their remote control. Viera Cast is only available in certain TVs. Viera Cast does not allow you to surf the web via your TV, instead allowing users to access content such as the weather, finance, Youtube videos and photo sharing applications.

Viera Link

Panasonics method of linking all audio visual products together into one system, that's easily accessed through a single remote. A great way to control your Blu-ray player, TV and home theatre system with one remote, using simple on-screen menus. The only draw-back being that it's only compatible with Panasonic products that feature Viera Link.

Wide Colour Enhancer

Samsung's custom technology that aims to offer the full spectrum of colours in the RGB range. This means that colours will appear more life-like and natural. One of the selling points for most TVs is how vivid and natural colours can be be made to look.

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