Glossary of Terms

• .asf
  Active Streaming Format
• .avi
  Short for Audio Video Interleave, the file format for Microsoft's Video for Windows standard.
• .gif
  Graphics Interchange Format--a bit-mapped graphics file format used by the World Wide Web, CompuServe and many BBSs. GIF supports color and various resolutions. It also includes data compression, making it especially effective for scanned photos.
• .jpeg
  Joint Photographic Experts Group image format. A popular Internet compression format for color images.
• .mov
  File extension used with Quicktime, a popular file format for video on a computer developed by Apple.
• .rm
  Most common file extension used with RealMedia files.
• .wav
  A sound format for storing sound in files developed jointly by Microsoft and IBM. Support for WAV files was built into Windows 95 making it the de facto standard for sound on PCs. WAV sound files end with a .wav extension.
• 2.4 GHz
  The radio frequency used by some home wireless transmitters to transmit NTSC video up to 300 feet (microwave ovens interfere with this frequency).
• 30-second skip
  A popular selling point of the PVR, allowing users to bypass commercials when viewing material that they had recorded.
• 418 MHz
  The radio frequency used by some home wireless transmitters to transmit remote control codes. Typically employed by remote extenders that convert infrared (IR) to RF (to get through walls) and then convert it back to infrared within distances up to 100 fe
• 802.11g
  See Wi-Fi.
• 8514fix.fon
  Software to increase the font size of the MS Windows 3.1 system fonts. These are used to display window titles, menus, and dialog boxes. Making them larger makes them more readable when displayed on TV screens.
• 900 MHz
  The frequency used to transmit NTSC video up to 100 feet by some home wireless transmitters.
• A/V (Audio/Video)
  A common shorthand for multimedia audio and video.
• A/V Client
  (Audio/Video Client) A device that plays media files stored on a networked computer to A/V equipment in another room.
• accessibility Options
  A built-in option in the Windows Control Panel that increases the font size of the MS Windows 95 system fonts. These are used to display window titles, menus and dialog boxes. Making them larger makes them more readable when displayed on TV screens.
• aDSL
  Asymmetric (or Asynchronous) Digital Subscriber Line. A 'fat pipe.' New technology to carry high-speed data over typical twisted-pair copper telephone lines. ADSL promises be up to 70 times as fast as a 28.8 modem.
• agents
  Also called intelligent agents, these are small strings of computer code that manage information on the Internet and TV. Agents "learn" to recognize their users' preferences. They can retrieve pertinent information, sort e-mail and recommend TV programs,
• analog
  An electrical signal is referred to as either analog or digital. Analog signals are those signals directly generated from a stimulus such as a light striking a camera picture tube. You can convert an analog signal to a digital signal by using an analog to
• analog set-top box
  The type of television set-top cable box currently deployed in most U.S. cable subscription homes. The box receives the analog cable signal and descrambles those channels the subscriber has access to.
• Animated GIF
  A type of GIF image animated by combining several still GIFs into a single file.
• animation
  Visual special effect whereby progressive still images displayed in rapid succession creates the illusion of movement.
• applets
  Before Java language, applets were known as the small applications built into an operating system or a larger application program. For example, the built-in writing and drawing programs that come with Windows are sometimes called applets.
• apps
  (application) Software that performs a specific function.
• audio client
  See A/V client.
• audio delivered later
  (ADL) A concept by which customized audio programming is selected by a user to be delivered and stored (either digital on a hard drive or analog on a tape) when bandwidth congestion and use patterns are lightest (like in the middle of the night).
• audio guide
  A schedule of audio programming.
• AV library
  The complete library of audio and video that a person or family accumulates that can be accessed by an A/V client.
• avatar
  A visual representation of an individual in a virtual setting. Participants in some chat rooms can have avatars represent them in the room while they are interacting with other participants.
• bandwidth compression
  Reducing the bandwidth that is required for transmission of a given digital data rate.
• Banner Advertising
  Purchased advertisements that appear as small images on Web sites. Users may click on advertisement banners to hyperlink to the advertiser's Web site.
• blinking 12:00
  The clock LED on a VCR once the power is interrupted or when it hasn't been set. The blinking 12:00 on VCRs around the world are a testimony to the poor user interface of VCRs.
• blocky
  Used as an adjective to describe poor video or 3-D images delivered over the Internet. Used to refer to video when it is of poor quality and delivered at a slow frame rate.
• boolean
  A system of symbolic logic, named after an English mathematician, George Boole (1815-64). Boolean operators are used by many database programs and Internet search engines.
• bot
  Automated software that catalogs documents for search engines by following and retrieving hyperlinks. On the Web, bots are also called spiders and crawlers.
• broadcast
  To send information to multiple receiving devices simultaneously, whether over a data communications network, a voice mail or e-mail system, a local TV or radio transmitter, or a satellite system.
• broadcast networks
  Major providers of network programming delivered terrestrially, including ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and PBS. Increasingly, smaller networks such as UPN, WB and Univision are finding their way into television markets nationwide.
• browser
  Application that enables the user to read HTML pages, open hypertext links and navigate from one World Wide Web site to another. A handful of companies produce browsers. Netscape and Internet Explorer are the most popular.
• built-in network access
  A device that includes a way to connect to a home network.
• cable
  A cord containing any number of electrically conductive wires within the same insulator. Typically refers to coaxial cable, which contains a single copper wire and a shield and is used to transmit television programming and other data to subscribing recei
• cable modem
  Similar to a telephone modem but much faster. Connects to coaxial cable instead of telephone wires. Cable modems are used for high-speed data services and Internet access.
• cable TV
  System for bringing television signals from satellites and broadcast antennas to individual TV sets through coaxial and fiber optic cables.
• carpal wrist
  A cramp in the wrist from trying to precisely control a cursor on a TV screen.
• CEBus
  Consumer Electronics Bus - a communications standard for in-home networks developed by the Electronics Industry Association (EIA) and the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association. It was in development for over a decade and approved in 1992.
• CGI
  Common Gateway Interface - a specification for interfacing computer programs with HTTP or WWW servers, so that a server can offer interactive sites instead of just static text and images.
• coaxial cable
  Coaxial cables contain an insulated wire conductor wrapped in another conductor made of metal foil or mesh. Both conductors share the same axis; thus the name. They are used for cable TV transmission.
• connected home
  A home that utilizes networking technology.
• convergence
  A term for adding silicon intelligence, processing power and connectivity to common household appliances and home theater components.
• cookie
  Small file passed from a server to a client that provides the server with information about the client. The major Web browsers will alert the user whenever a server attempts to send a cookie, if the user chooses that option in her or his browser preferenc
• cordless
  (Also wireless) transmitting without wires, as in cordless phone, cordless mouse, wireless keyboard.
• couch potato
  Slang for someone who doesn't watch TV the smart way. A couch potato will mindlessly surf through channels for hours on end with no purpose.
• couch-friendly
  (Also TV-friendly) Measure the diagonal of your VGA monitor and multiply that by three. If you can sit that distance from your monitor and easily read or view what's on it (e.g. a Web page), then what's on it is couch-friendly.
• couchware
  Term for hardware and/or software used in conjunction with a television (usually from a couch).
• cursor
  A dot, line, arrow or flashing symbol controlled by mouse or remote control, used as an indicator of on-screen selections.
• datacasting
  The broadcasting of information services through a television channel's bandwidth.
• DB-15
  Connection (plug or jack) used for a joystick on a PC.
• DB-9
  Connection used for a mouse on a PC.
• DBS
  (Direct Broadcast Satellite) Digital satellite system for transmitting TV programming and data to the home. To receive these transmissions, consumers purchase or lease DBS dishes and tuners and subscribe to the networks of their choice.
• digital
  The digital signal is composed of bits (ones and zeros). Digital information can be manipulated by computers.
• digital audio receiver
  See A/V client.
• digital home
  See connected home.
• Digital Media Receiver
  (See A/V Client.)
• digital set-top box
  A digital set-top box is a cable box that uses silicon processing to perform an added range of functions. Digital set-top boxes have a microprocessor and RAM and use the fiber-coax network to transfer myriad data types, including video and Internet.
• Digital TV
  (DTV) Any broadcast signal that uses a digital compression and transmission scheme as opposed to analog. Congress has mandated that by 2006, every over-the-airwaves broadcaster in the U.S. will be delivering digital TV broadcasts.
• digital vault
  See media server.
• DIN
  Type of connection (jack or plug) used for keyboards.
• DivX ;-)
  A recent codec for MPEG-4 video, developed on the Internet.
• DMA
  (Nielsen Media Research) Designated Market Area, or, the territory in which a given household or broadcaster is located.
• DOCSIS
  Data Over Cable Service Interfaces Specification
• dongle
  A device that prevents the unauthorized use of hardware or software. A dongle usually consists of a small cord attached to a device or key that secures the hardware. The term is also used to signify a generic adapter for peripherals.
• download and play
  A way of viewing Web video that requires a user to download a video before playing it. Download and play files are usually higher quality than streamed video.
• DSL
  Digital Subscriber Line. A way of sending digital data over regular copper telephone lines at high speed. With DSL, data can be delivered at a rate of 1.5 Mbps (around 30 times faster than through a 56-kbps modem).
• DSS
  Former name for what is now DirecTV. A specific DBS transmitting protocol used by such companies as USSB and DirecTV. Thomson licenses its DSS technology to a number of manufacturers on the market including General Electric, HNS Insight, Panasonic, ProSca
• DTV resolution and format
  When speaking about digital TV, it is typical to speak of the resolution first, then the format. 1080i versus 720p, for example. There is substantial debate about which format provides the best quality picture.
• DVB
  (Digital Video Broadcasting) the European standard for digital television being developed by its group of more than 110 members.
• DVD
  (digital versatile disc) An optical data storage format that resembles CD but holds much more data. There are a number of DVD application formats, including video, audio and DVD-ROM.
• DVD-ROM
  The computer version of the DVD standard, DVD-ROM runs all CD and DVD interactive, media, but it requires PC processing power to do so.
• DVD-Video
  A TV set-top playback technology that uses the DVD standard, including MPEG 2 and Dolby Digital 5.1 channel audio.
• Echostar
  DBS company. Provides DISH Network programming and DISH Internet high speed Internet access.
• Electronic Program Guide (EPG)
  Program listings that appear on a television screen. Allows simple selection of programs for viewing or scheduling recordings.
• emitter
  (also infrared emitter, infrared blaster): Generates infrared pulses that control consumer electronic hardware (most remotes have one).
• encoder
  Device that translates a video signal into a different format -- RGB to composite, DV to MPEG,etc.
• existing electric wiring
  AC power line: Sometimes used to send various commands, data, audio and video signals from one area of the home or business to the other.
• extra large display
  A built-in option in the Windows Control Panel for significantly increasing the font size of the MS Windows 95 and Windows 98 system fonts (which are used to display window titles, menus, and dialog boxes).
• filmstrip
  A series of rendered picture files (like frames on a filmstrip) delivered to form an animation. A particularly low-bandwidth method for delivering a Web-based presentation.
• FireWire
  (IEEE 1394 or i.LINK) A high-speed bus that was developed by Apple Computer. It is used, among other things, to connect digital camcorders to computers.
• fleck
  Concept for any computer hardware product that enables the user to control his or her VCR or TV with a computer or Internet appliance. Flecks work with computer software (fleckware).
• fleckware
  Concept for computer software for flecks (see "fleck"). Fleckware would bind consumer electronics gear to home computers, and thus to the Internet.
• frame rate
  Number of video frames per second. NTSC is 30 frames per second. On the Internet, frame rate is dependent upon the bandwidth available and the multimedia format from which the video file is produced.
• gatekeeper
  A type of product that apportions TV use to a specific user. Some of these devices simply control the total amount of time a user can watch TV during a given week. More elaborate gatekeepers limit or eliminate the user's viewing of specific channels.
• General Instrument
  Manufactures the digital set-top box to be deployed by TCI to (potentially) millions of cutomers. Slated to have Windows CE OS and Sun PersonalJava application layer.
• HDTV
  The highest resolution and most bandwidth intensive flavor of digital TV. It uses the highest compression and has the clearest signal. All of the digital TV standards support a wider screen than NTSC and roughly twice the resolution.
• home automation
  The automatic control of household devices through other devices. Home automation largely relies on microchips, which can be programmed to control lights, thermostats, sprinkler systems, security systems, etc.
• home entertainment network
  A network that handles mostly audio and video.
• home multimedia media center
  An A/V client that is designed to be the central point of a home A/V system. See A/V client.
• home plug and play
  The standard backed by the CEBus Industry Council to promote interoperability among home control technologies.
• home theater
  Refers to a home audio/video entertainment center.
• HTML
  (Hypertext Markup Language): The programming language used to create sites on the World Wide Web.
• hub
  A simple networking device that transmits all incoming packets to all connected devices. Inefficient by design. Switches are generally considered to be a better solution from a network design standpoint.
• Hughes
  DBS company. Hughes satellites provide DirecTV programming. Hughes DirecPC is a satellite-based Internet service. Hughes DirecDuo is a combination TV/PC service through the same dish.
• hypertext
  A word or phrase in an HTML document that is coded to enable users to download a related Web page when they click on the coded word or phrase.
• Illustrated audio
  Technology designed to synchronize image and text displays with a sound track. This allows for computer-based slide shows and for distributing video programs over low-bandwidth networks where full-motion video is not possible.
• Interactive TV
  (ITV) Broadly speaking, TV content that has the potential for some user interaction. Extremely interactive TV could involve activities as extensive as chatting with fellow fans or stars from a program while itís being aired.
• Intercast
  Technology from Intel allowing interactive HTML-formatted content and streaming information to be broadcast over a TV signal in conjunction with traditional television programming.
• internal wireless network adapter
  A Wi-Fi adapter that is installed directly into a PC.
• Internet-ready TV
  Television set with built-in Internet device.
• Interpersonal Computer
  Another name for network computer.
• Interstitial Advertising
  Larger than a banner advertisement, an interstitial ad takes over the entire Web browser window, displaying itself after a user clicks to go to a new page, and before that new page has loaded.
• IR Blaster
  Generates a series of infrared pulses that transfer information from one electronic device to another.
• ISP
  (Internet Service Provider) An ISP is a company that provides access to the Internet to individuals and companies. An ISP owns or rents the equipment required to provide access for the area it is serving. Many smaller ISPs are regional, however, there ar
• Java
  A computer program mini-language that allows cross-platform use of small software programs (see applets) downloaded from a Web server to a client computer.
• juke box
  A music player with a large amount of storage capacity (generally using a hard drive) to store thousands of songs.
• Killer app
  An application of such technological importance and wide acceptance that it surpasses (i.e., kills) its competitors.
• Leased access
  Cable channels or programming time reserved for non-discriminatory, purchased use.
• media client
  See A/V client.
• media player
  A program that plays back audio or video. Examples include Microsoft Windows Media Player, Apple’s QuickTime Player, and RealPlayer.
• media server
  A server on a home network that is designated to accumulate and disseminate digital media files throughout the network.
• Mini-DIN
  Type of connection (plug or jack) used for mouse and sometimes keyboards on PCs.
• Mini-Joystick
  A pointer control device that looks like a tiny joystick and fits under the user's thumb.
• MMDS
  Multi-channel (also Multi-point) Distribution Service. Wireless cable technology using frequencies in the 2.5 to 2.7 GHz band. One antenna can serve line-of-sight customers in a thirty-mile radius. Customers use a twelve-inch dish to receive the signal.
• Mobile Player
  Mobile Walkman-style device from Audible, Inc. that allows the download of streaming audio files for mobile replaying away from the computer (Audible.com).
• Modulation
  Changing a characteristic of one wave by another; e.g. frequency modulation, amplitude modulation. Sometimes used for encoding digital data into analog signals for transmission purposes.
• Mouse
  A hand-held control device connected to a computer that assists the user in navigating the computer environment and performing functions. The device controls a cursor on the screen that enables the user to point to information. Buttons on the device allow
• MPEG
  (MPEG-1) A video compression standard set by the Moving Picture Experts Group. It involves changing only those elements of a video image that actually change from frame to frame and leaving everything else in the image the same.
• MPEG-2
  The highest quality digital video compression currently available. MPEG-2 is less blocky than MPEG-1 and is used in DVDs and DBS satellite TV systems.
• MPEG-4
  A recent data compression format that can get better quality out of a given amount of bandwidth. MPEG-4 can compress a feature film onto a CD-ROM disc with VHS quality.
• Multicast
  Communication between a single sender and a select group of multiple receivers on a network as in sending an e-mail message to a mailing list.
• multimedia entertainment hub
  See home multimedia media center
• multimedia node
  A device on a network that performs a specific media function. (See node.)
• Multiplex
  The method of blending multiple signals successively to be carried jointly on a communication channel.
• NCI
  Network Computer Inc. A subsidiary of Oracle Inc. The consumer division of NCI provides the design specs for the N/C, a consumer set-top box that connects the TV to the Internet, much like WebTV.
• Near Video-On-Demand
  True video-on-demand is video content (movies, sitcoms, etc.) delivered at the moment a user requests it. Near video-on-demand is video content delivered on a more rigid schedule and is less in the userís control (relative of pay-per-view).
• Net-top Box
  TV set-top box that connects the television to the Internet, i.e. WebTV.
• NetMan
  A mobile Walkman-style device from for replaying audio files away from the computer.
• NetShow
  A line of software products developed by Microsoft for streaming multimedia content over the World Wide Web.
• network access
  The ability of a device to connect to other resources on a particular network.
• network adapter
  A device that connects another device to a network.
• Network Computer
  (NC) A computer that makes maximum use of a network, such as the Internet and network servers, and minimum use of its own hard drive.
• networking gear
  Equipment used to connect computers (or other networkable equipment) to each other.
• networking medium
  The networking technology used in a particular network. Common mediums are 10/100BASE-T for wired networks and Wi-Fi for wireless networks.
• Newsgroup
  Topical Internet bulletin boards. Topics range from parenting to computing, home to education, literature to comic books.
• node
  A device on a network that has its own unique IP address.
• Numb Thumb
  Thumb fatigue from Web surfing with a TV-style remote control.
• Online
  When a computer accesses the Internet or works on a local network, it is considered to be online.
• OpenTV
  An Interactive TV architecture provider. Widely deployed in Europe. Working on breaking into US market.
• OSP
  (Online Service Provider) An OSP is a company that provides access to the Internet through its own special user interface and proprietary services: i.e. America Online, Prodigy and MSN. Connecting to the Internet through an OSP is an alternative to conne
• PC/TV
  A large screen personal computer designed for living room use as a server for remote controls, digital disk players, speakers, VCRs and TVs.
• personal area network
  A small network that serves one person. Personal area networks can easily grow to serve more devices (and more people, by extension.)
• phono plug
  Sturdy male connector compatible with audio accessories, particularly for insertion of microphone and headphone cables. Not to be confused with phone plug.
• Planet Web
  Manufactures browser and interface technology for ìInternet appliances. Specifically included in the Zilog set-top box reference design.
• Plug-in
  Software that adds a feature or features to a computer application. Software manufacturers write design specifications to enable third-party developers to write plug-ins for their applications.
• POTS
  An acronym for Plain Old Telephone System. Refers to the existing infrastructure of analog twisted copper pair that makes the majority of the installed telephone lines.
• Primestar
  Defunct DBS company. Offered unique equipment lease package to subscribers.
• Programmable Infrared Remote Control
  An idea for a new product, the Programmable Infrared Remote Control would consist of a Remote Module, a box that would transmit and learn IR commands, and a Windows-based user interface/control program.
• Progressive scan
  A method of displaying the horizontal video lines in computer displays and digital TV broadcasts. Each horizontal line is displayed in sequence (1, 2, 3, etc.), until the screen is filled; as opposed to interlaced (e.g. first fields of odd-numbered lines,
• Public access
  Cable channels reserved for the exclusive use of the general public to provide or present uncensored programming on a first-come, first-served basis.
• QuickTime
  Computer system software that defines a format for video and audio data, so different applications can open and play synchronized sound and movie files.
• RAM
  (Random Access Memory) The short-term memory of a computer which temporarily holds information while your computer is on. Distinct from storage, which is more permanent and is held on hard disks or some other media, such as CD-ROM.
• RealAudio
  A streaming technology developed by RealNetworks (formerly Progressive Networks) for transmitting audio data over the Internet in up to FM-stereo-quality sound.
• RealNetworks
  Developed the leading streaming technology for transmitting live video over the Internet using a variety of data compression techniques and works with IP and IP Multicast connections.
• RealPlayer
  A program developed by RealNetworks to play live and on-demand RealAudio and RealVideo files.
• RealPlayer Mobile
  A RealAudio format that allows streaming files to be downloaded and stored on a user's hard drive for later playback or transfer to a Mobile Player.
• RealVideo
  A streaming technology developed by RealNetworks for transmitting live video over the Internet. RealVideo uses a variety of data compression algorithms.
• receiver
  (1) Television set that includes a tuner as well as an audio amplifier and speaker. Accommodates broadcast RF signals, whereas a monitor accepts composite video signals only. [See monitor] (2) Audio device that accepts signals from various sources, amplif
• Remote
  (or remote control) A device that allows a user to operate a machine from a distance, usually through infrared signals, rather than by cables and wires.
• Remote extender
  A device which picks up the infrared signals from remotes, converts them into radio frequencies and sends them through walls, floors, doors, outside, etc., and then reconverts them back to IR at the point of the device to be controlled.
• RF
  (radio frequency) Combination of audio and video signals coded as a channel number, necessary for television broadcasts as well as some closed-circuit distribution.
• RF converter
  Device that converts audio and video signals into a combined RF signal suitable for reception by a standard TV.
• RM
  (Real Media) A popular file format used for streaming video over the Internet.
• router
  An intelligent device on the network that sends specific incoming packets to the device that is expecting them.
• Scan Converter
  Converts a VGA progressive scan format video signal to a TV interlace format (See encoder).
• Scientific Atlanta
  Manufactures the Explorer 2000 advanced set-top box. Slated to have PowerTV OS and be compatible with several different application layers, including Spyglass Mosaic and NCI DTV Navigator.
• Screen phone
  (also called PC phone) Connection between the PC and the telephone line providing standard telephone use with advanced facilities such as caller ID, interfaces to contact databases, call logging, automatic dialing, automatic incoming call routing, etc.
• SDTV
  A lower resolution flavor of DTV. It is possible to fit as many as six SDTV signals in the bandwidth space required for a single HDTV signal.
• Serial control
  Data transmission in which one event happens at a time (contrasted with parallel control in which more than one event happens at a time).
• Set-top Box
  A box that hooks into a user's television which primarily decodes cable or satellite transmissions into viewable programs. Some set-top boxes enable access to special services, such as pay per view, Web access and DirecPC.
• Slide show
  A series of images delivered one-after-another, often with sound, either automatically or by point-and-click selection.
• Smart
  Used as an adjective before a noun to describe built-in intelligence usually from silicon microprocessor (Smart card, Smart house, Smart TV).
• Spyglass
  An application/interface/browser software manufacturer.
• STB
  Abbreviation for Set-Top Box.
• Surround Sound
  High-quality digital audio delivered in a configuration where the audio signal is delivered through five channels to five speakers: left, right, center, left rear and right rear. Sometimes called 3D sound.
• SWAP
  Shared wireless applications protocol
• Talking browser
  Technology that allows WWW browsers to speak and to recognize voice commands.
• Telco
  Abbreviation for telecommunication company, including AT&T, Sprint, MCI, Pac Bell, etc. Telcos typically own and operate POTS systems but increasingly are trying to expand into DSL.
• Text to speech
  Technology which converts text to audible, spoken-word sound files. Incorporated into talking browsers.
• Thin Client
  A computer with minimal CPU power, RAM and hard drive capacity connected to a server on a network (such as the Web).
• Thin Streaming
  Low bandwidth delivery of streaming video, audio or animated content.
• Timeshift
  Method of programming a VCR to record desired programming in order to view at the user's demand rather than at the time broadcast.
• TiVoed, PVRed
  To record content onto a personal video recorder, either by manual or automatic means.
• trackball
  An alternative to the mouse, a trackball allows control of the computer cursor through a freely spinning ball mounted in a stable frame. Instead of moving a mouse across a pad to control the cursor the user spins the trackball with a finger or thumb.
• Tuner
  A device for decoding signals, usually RF signals, into radio or TV programs. Tuners are typically built into TV sets and VCRs. They are now available also on computer cards that enable the viewing of TV programs on computer monitors.
• tuner
  Television and VCR component that receives RF signals from an antenna or other RF sources and decodes into separate audio and video signals.
• TV Agent
  A concept for a search engine that would browse all TV listing sites on the Web. After the user enters personal preferences in a dialog box called PROFILE, TV Agent would conduct regular searches for suitable programs on his behalf.
• TV Filter
  A concept for developing intelligent agent software that would filter out unwanted TV programs by channel, time-of-day, program content and individual viewers. It would be similar to the V-Chip.
• TV Mailbox
  A concept for an application that would record TV shows for the user without any need for the user to push buttons on a VCR or remote. In concept, it's like delayed Video-On-Demand (VOD). One could call it Video Delivered Later (VDL).
• TV Prescriptions
  A concept for software for the TV Filter. TV critics, psychologists, leaders of faiths, organizations or other opinion leaders could program their television recommendations into TV Prescriptions.
• TV-friendly
  (see couch-friendly) Web content that works well on TV.
• UHF
  Ultra high frequency. The band of frequencies between 300 and 3000 megahertz in the radio spectrum, corresponding to wavelengths of 10 cm to 1 meter. In the U.S., part of this spectrum is assigned to commercial broadcast television channels 14-69.
• Unicast
  Communication between a single sender and a single receiver over a network. Point-to-point communication, similar in meaning to unicast.
• URL
  (Uniform Resource Locator) The "address" to a location on the World Wide Web.
• Usenet
  A system of networks used to transmit messages to Internet newsgroups.
• V-chip
  Tim Collings of Simon Fraser University, financed by Shaw Cable (a Canadian cable service), created the V-chip, a computer chip which allows users to block programs. Parents can program the V-chip with the ratings of shows they want to block.
• VCRTalk
  A proposed technology standard which would allow any Web site or software application the ability to program any TV tuner or VCR by using any "Internet-ready linking product" (smart cable, wireless RF/infrared, VCR drive) via an infrared connection.
• VHF
  Very high frequency. The portion of the electromagnetic spectrum with frequencies between 30 and 300 megahertz. Part of the VHF spectrum in the United States is assigned to channels 2-13 for broadcast television service.
• Video delivered later
  (VDL) A concept by which customized video programming is selected by a user to be delivered and stored (either digital on a hard drive or analog on a tape) when bandwidth congestion and use habits are lightest like in the middle of the night.
• Video phone
  (Internet video phone) An application from Intel allowing users to talk to others across the Internet using both audio and video.
• Video-Send
  A feature of any product that sends audio and video signals from a video source to a monitor in another room. These products include a transmitter made to be attached to the source and a receiver meant for the remote monitor.
• VOD
  Abbreviation for Video on Demand. Usually only heard in the context of delivering full-frame, full-motion video to a television; since most video on the Internet is provided on-demand.
• Voice control
  Technology that allows electronic devices to be controlled by userís voice command.
• VRML
  Pronounced ver-mul, and short for Virtual Reality Modeling Language or Virtual Reality Markup Language, VRML is a programming language used to model three-dimensional objects for on-screen virtual reality environments. Files written in VRML have a .wrl e
• Wall wart
  The AC to DC convert that many consumer electronics products require (external modems, external encoders, etc) these are "large plugs" that plug into the wall receptacle. They look like a wart on the wall.
• Web Ring
  Web sites linked together to form a "tour" of common content sites.
• Web Tone
  Provided by an ISP, much as a dial tone is provided by the phone company.
• WebTV Networks
  The leading Net-top box provider. Microsoft owns WebTV.
• Whole house audio/video
  A home audio and/or video system wired to provide integral entertainment throughout the home. Single Zone whole house audio provides the capability to listen to a single audio source from speakers in multiple rooms.
• Wi-Fi
  A wireless networking standard that emcompasses the 802.11b and 802.11g standards.
• wireless access point
  A device that, when connected to a broadband Internet modem, establishes connections to the Internet for wireless devices on the network, as well as facilitates connections between the devices on the LAN.
• World Wide Web
  A client/server hypertext system for retrieving information across the Internet. Web "pages" are built in HTML format and linked to other documents by their URLs. Originally developed by CERN labs in Geneva, Switzerland.
• X-10
  A home automation protocol used to send signals using existing AC wiring. A central control box plugs into an AC outlet and sends the X-10 signals to modules located on the same system.
• xDSL
  Refers collectively to all types of digital subscriber lines, which use sophisticated modulation schemes to pack data onto copper wires offering fast two-way data connections over ordinary telephone lines. (See DSL and ADSL).