Sky HD Glossary

One of the two high definition (HD) TV formats that are used by Sky+ HD. The resolution of the picture is 1920 horizontal pixels by 1080 vertical pixels and the i stands for interlaced scanning. Interlaced scanning is based on the principle that the screen shows odd lines at each scan of the screen.

One of the two high definition (HD) TV formats that are used by Sky+ HD. 720p refers to a picture resolution of 1,280 horizontal pixels by 720 vertical pixels. The p stands for progressive scan. Progressive scanning offers a smoother picture then the interlaced images on standard definition PAL TVs.

The ratio of the width to height of a TV screen. 4:3, was the standard until the nineties. 16:9, widescreen TV, is more popular now and is the format used by HD TV.

An analogue HD signal input connected from a Sky set top box to a display via three cables coloured red, blue and green.

Digital Audio Broadcasting is a system used to broadcast radio programmes. In addition to the actual audio information (speech and music), the system is able to transmit graphic images and text information at a low transmission rate.

A video only connector found on some DVD and flat screen TVs. Users can connect DVI TVs to their initial Sky+ HD box via an adaptor. Although, in order for this to work the connector will still have to support HDCP.

Digibox is the generic name given to a Sky digital satellite receiver (e.g. a Sky+ box or a Sky+ HD box) used to receive and view Sky programming and content.

A lead that carries digital sound from a Sky+/Sky+ HD box to an external amplifier.

From September 2007 until 2012, all television signals in the UK will switch to digital. This means that when the switchover happens, any TV set or video recorder that's not converted to digital will show a blank screen.

Six channel digital audio surround sound format. It accompanies most DVDs and will be used in some HD TV systems including Sky+ HD, which uses Dolby Digital 5.1.

This is another name for the SkyGuide which tells you what programmes are available to watch.

Thursday 21st October 2004 saw the launch of Sky's freesat offer. This service provides customers with over 200 free to view channels, and is open to all UK residents (excludes the Republic of Ireland).

Freeview is a free to air digital television service available in the UK. Broadcast from terrestrial transmitters using the DVB-T standard, launched on October 30 2002 at 6am, it took over the DTT licence on four multiplexes to broadcast from the defunct ITV Digital.

A unit of information, this term can be used when describing computer storage, file sizes and the speed with which information can be transferred.

HD Ready is a labelling scheme that has been introduced by the TV manufacturers' organisation EICTA. The HD Ready logo is appearing on an increasing number of TV displays, and any TV set that carries the HD Ready label will work with Sky's HDTV service.

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 five times as detailed.

A copy protection scheme used for many HD TV transmissions to ensure that TV footage cannot be copied or shared illegally. HDCP is used on the Sky+ HD service.

Sometimes referred to as the digital SCART, HDMI is a digital video standard using both a specific lead and socket that can transmit both uncompressed HD digital audio and video signals. Screens require a HDMI connector with HDCP, high bandwidth digital content protection, (or the slightly lower specified DVI) to receive Sky's HD transmissions.

The i button on your Sky Remote Control reveals further information, such as synopsis and start times, when pressed whilst watching a programme.

The interactive button allows access to interactive services such as shopping, banking, information, email and games.

LCD televisions use liquid crystals that act as shutters to produce a picture on a television screen. HD LCD screens are compatible with Sky+ HD transmissions if they carry the 'HD-Ready' logo.

Letterbox mode is a method of viewing a widescreen programme in full on a non-widescreen TV with a 4:3 ratio. This is achieved by adding black lines to the top and bottom of the picture

Stands for megabyte, a unit for measuring the size of electronic data. 1 MB = 1024 kilobytes = 1048576 bytes = 8388608 bits.

MPEG4 is an efficient means of compressing the data that makes up an audio-visual signal such as a digital TV broadcast. This is the format used by Sky+ HD.

Sky Multiroom allows you to watch different Sky channels in different rooms at the same time. To get Sky Multiroom you need an extra subscription and box from Sky for each room you want to watch different Sky broadcasts in.

This is a type of stereo sound used by terrestrial broadcasters. It is not available via digital satellite.

An on screen message appears on the TV screen to give you information about your Sky service or equipment. An example of an OSM is: "For your information no satellite signal is being received."

This socket is used to connect a Sky box to an external amplifier using a digital optical lead. Note that only Sky+ and Sky+ HD can supply a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack.

The TV system currently in use in the UK and much of Europe, it offers 625 lines of resolution though only 575 are visible. HD signals have up to twice the resolution of PAL standard definition signals.

A personal video recorder is the term given to equipment, such as Sky+ and TiVo, which can digitally record TV programmes onto a hard disk (like those in PCs and Macs) for future playback.

A rating allocated to a programme by broadcasters. This gives an indication which programmes are suitable for which age groups.

The Personal Planner is the feature of the SkyGuide. This can be used to store reminders for future programmes, or set Series Links , Autoview and Sky+ recording functions.

Used to describe the affect where the picture, or parts of the picture, breaks down into small squares.

The RF Output is a socket on the back of a digibox which can be used to connect a digibox to a TV or to a VCR.

Red, green and blue are the three primary colours used by a television set. RGB is also a method of providing a TV picture via SCART (a 21 pin audio visual connector) which has greater clarity then three lead composite connectors. When RGB is selected you must also set SCART control to on.

A service that allows you to send an SMS text message if you are away from home to your Sky+ box to set up a recording.

An analogue video signal that separates the picture signal into colour and brightness information. Normally used to connect a player to a TV or video projector, it is also commonly used with camcorders. It offers a better picture quality then composite video but slightly worse then component. This is an output on a Sky+ box and on some models of digibox, and is a small DIN (circular) socket with four small holes.

SCART (Syndicat des Constructeurs d'Appareils Radiorcepteurs et T�©l�©viseurs) is a French originated standard connector used to connect audio visual equipment. A long rectangular connector, with up to 21 different pins, it can be used to carry various signals such as RGB and composite. Using SCART provides better connectivity between equipment such as VCRs, set top boxes and TVs.

This is an option in the Service menu that prioritises your set top box to use SCART over any other input by choosing On.

TV or video broadcast in 576i resolution. Normally refers to digital TV broadcast in the same resolution as analogue systems, and not HD ( high definition).

A cable primarily used with CD players that is also used to connect a Sky+ HD set top box to amplifiers and receivers.

A method of adding a series of programmes to the planner, or recording a series of programmes on Sky+. Series Link can be selected from within the Personal Planner when highlighting a programme, if made available by the broadcaster, by pressing the green button.

Sky Anytime Mobile is an application that you can download and install on your mobile phone handset (assuming it's compatible), which lets you watch Sky broadcasts on your phone.

Sky Anytime TV automatically downloads a selection of movies and programmes to your Sky+ or Sky+ HD box each day, allowing you to watch what you want, when you want.

All programmes on Sky+ HD channels are broadcast in High Definition. The picture quality may be slightly higher, however, if the programme was originally recorded in HD - this is known as True HD, and is the highest picture quality currently available. If the programme was recorded in conventional media, then it will be put through a conversion process to make it suitable for broadcast on Sky+ HD channels.

A USB port is commonly used to connect devices to PCs or Macs. This connection is also used for the Sky wireless adapter. The Sky+ 160 box features two USB ports, however there is no functionality attached to them at present.

This is a card that fits in your set top box and enables you to watch Sky programming. An active viewing card is needed to receive Sky services as well as encrypted free channels on freesat.

This is a device used to provide two signals (e.g. a VCR and a digibox) into one input (e.g. a TV RF input).