Hamilton LCD Technology

Analogue TV

Standard TV that transmits audio & video information on cables in wavy pattern. Typically, CRT type TVs display analog signals using NTSC tuners.

Aspect ratio

Aspect ratio refers to the shape of image or TV screen in terms of width and height. Standard aspect ratio is 4:3 while widescreen has an aspect ratio of 16:9. Put simply, the width and height of standard TV screen has 4 units and 3 units respectively.

4:3 Aspect ratio

The standard aspect ratio of old TV sets like CRT.

16:9 wide aspect ratio

Typically, modern television sets like LCD TV and Plasma TV are designed to provide greater picture size to resemble movie screen. So, these flat panel TVs and DVDs come with wide screen format of 16:9 aspect ratio.

Auto power off

This feature enables the TV to power off and go to stand by mode, depending on the settings.

AV input/socket

Connection option available in LCD TV so that you can connect it to various input/output devices like DVD, camcorder, game consoles etc.

Burn-in

Also known as screen burns, a common defect found in CRT type displays and plasma TV sets. When brighter image is left on the screen for a prolonged time, the phosphors on the pixels get worn out and leave a permanent image known as burn-in. Burn-in does not affect LCD TV screens.

Component video input

RGB quality connection option available on larger TVs like LCD and Plasma TVs and other devices like DVD players. Component video connection offers better colour quality and brightness & contrast levels.

Composite input

Input used to connect to standard video sources like VCR, analog TV etc.

CRT

CRT stands for Cathode Ray Tube. CRT type television set has a CRT picture tube made up of phosphors and an electronic gun to illuminate the phosphors.

Dolby digital sound

Digital sound surround system. Dolby sound systems use multiple sound tracks and a set of speakers positioned all around the viewers to produced theatrical sound effects.

DTS

Digital Theater System. Just like Dolby sound system, DTS is used to encode sound information in digital sound surround in DVDs and movies.

DVD

Digital Versatile Disc. Optical disc with high storage capacities and used for encoding a full length of movie in 480p resolution. DVD movies offer much better video and audio quality.

DVI

Digital Video Interface. DVI connection enables to transmit digital video information between the devices

EDTV

Enhanced Digital Television.

HDMI

High-Definition Multi-media Interface. HDMI allows your LCD TV to connect to high-definition sources like HDTV broadcasting, HD DVD, Blu-ray or DVD.

HDTV

High Definition Television uses higher resolutions and offers superior picture quality and greater sound clarity. Typically, HDTV uses a set of high definition resolutions like 720p, 1080i and 1080p.

Half-life period

Half-life period refers to the duration at the end of which phosphor based displays like CRT televisions and plasma TVs become dimmer by half to the original brightness. Plasma TVs have a half life period of about 40,000 hours.

Interlaced scan

A scanning system used by video processor to produce the image. Interlaced scanning produces inferior picture quality, especially, on larger TV sets as the scanning lines are more visible.

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)

LCDs include lot many devices such as digital clocks, cell phones, GPS that use the properties of liquid crystals. Typically, liquid crystals allow the light either in varied amounts or block it off depending on the electric power.

NTSC

Standard of video signals used in VCR tapes and DVDs. NTSC standard is followed in TV broadcast in countries like the USA and Japan.

Picture in Picture (PIP)

A feature that allows TV sets to watch more than a channel on the screen. While the main image is on the screen, you will be able the second image in the corner of the screen.

Pixels

Small dots that collectively make an image or the screen. High definition TVs like LCD TVs have more pixels than standard TV sets and have a resolution up to 1920 x 1080 pixels.

Plasma TV

A flat panel TV that is rival to LCD TV. Plasma TVs use gases like neon and argon to produce the image and come with as much resolution as LCD TVs. Plasma screens produce deep black levels but can be susceptible to screen burns.

Progressive scan

Progressive scanning of pixels produces better picture and reduces scan lines and flicker.

1080p

The highest possible high definition resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. LCD TVs with this resolution produces stunning picture quality but are quite expensive.

Resolution

Measure of picture details or pixels in square inch. LCD TVs come with a minimum 720p resolution.

Screen burn

A common defect that affects phosphorous based displays like CRT and plasma TVs. This occurs when bright image is left on the screen for a prolonged time. The affected phosphors become sluggish and produce a permanent image on the screen.

Standard definition

Resolution less than 480p.

S-Video output

Connection available in LCD TV that allows you to connect it to devices like VHS and DVD players. S-video connection provides high quality video input/output.

SCART

A type of connection that allows audio/video transfer between LCD TVs and devices like VCR, games consoles etc.

SVGA

Video resolution of 800 x 600 pixels.

SXGA

Video resolution of 1028 x 1024 pixels.

TFT

Thin Film Transistor. TFT technology helped LCD screen to accommodate more pixels on the screen, resulting in higher resolution. In a LCD TV, TFT transistors control the electric flow to the each sub-pixel of the screen.

Viewing angle

Viewing angle refers to the ultimate side-to-side angles between which the picture can be viewed.

Widescreen

See 16:9 aspect ratio.