Digital switchover explainedDigital TV jargon buster
- Analogue TV broadcast The original method of delivery that gives us BBC One, BBC Two, ITV, Channel 4 and Five down our aerial.
- Audio description Words are spoken over a programme to describe what's going on for visually-impaired people.
- Digital TV broadcast Sound and pictures are sent as a stream of data, which is decoded back into sound and pictures by a set-top box or integrated digital TV.
- Digital terrestrial television (DTT) Often called Freeview. This type of digital signal is received through a TV aerial.
- Electronic programme guide (EPG) An on-screen TV guide that is regularly updated with listings for the next week or so.
- Freesat The name of Sky's alternative to Freeview. For a one-off fee of £150 you receive a satellite dish and box to decode the digital signals. A similar service offered by the BBC and ITV is also called Freesat.
- High-definition television (HDTV) A high-quality format that some television programmes are made in. When these programmes are broadcast in high-definition format and watched on a television that is HD-ready, viewers see improved picture clarity and detail. For more on HDTV, read High-definition TV explained.
- Integrated digital television (IDTV) A TV with a built-in set-top box that will decode digital signals received by the aerial. Most new TV sets on the market are IDTVs – take a look at the Which? review of LCD and plasma TVs.
- Pay-per-view (PPV) TV programmes that you pay to watch on a case-by-case basis, rather than by paying a regular subscription.
- Personal video recorder (PVR) A PVR is a digital TV-friendly alternative to a VCR or DVD recorder. It records programmes on to its internal hard disk, rather than on to tapes or disc.
Still confused? Check out our TV jargon buster.
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