This booklet should be used as a reference for any technologies that you are unfamiliar with, or are unsure if you have access to

1) Glossary of termsThis lists a variety of devices, technologies, functions, or services in alphabetical order.

2) How to… This should help you to identify the types of devices or services that you have in your household.Each one indicates the specific question number(s) that it relates to.

Each section, in the same order as the questionnaire, contains:

3DTV3DTV is a new and emerging generation of TV technology that enables programmes to appear three dimensional. Currently Sky are the only UK TV provider to have a service dedicated to 3D programming (Sky 3D).

3D-ready TV sets are those that can operate in 3D mode (in addition to regular 2D mode), in conjunction with LCD shutter glasses, where the TV tells the glasses which eye should see the image being exhibited at the moment, creating a stereoscopic image.

A relatively new disc format, similar to DVDs but developed to enable recording, rewriting and playback of high-definition video as well as storing large amounts of data.

Digital Video Recorder (DVR/PVR)

A generic term used to describe a TV set–top box with a storage drive embedded in it. It enables viewers to use a variety of special functions such as recording whole series and pausing live TV. The Sky+ box, Virgin+ and Freeview+ are examples of digital video recorders.

DVD RecorderThis device is able to record TV programmes like a video recorder, but instead of recording them onto cassette tapes, it records onto DVDs.

EPG (Electronic programme guide)

The on screen programme guide available on digital TV.

Flatscreen TVMost modern TV sets are flatscreen , and are much lighter and thinner than traditional television sets. They use either LCD, LED or Plasma technologies.

HD (High Definition) TVHigh Definition Television (HD) uses the latest technology to bring clearer and sharper television images. The ability to view specific HD Channels e.g. BBC HD, Sky Sports HD, etc will depend on what sort of TV service you have.

This refers to the ability of a TV set to display in HD quality, regardless of the TV service you have.

Home Cinema sound systemA sound system that requires multiple speakers around the room, including a speaker at the front left, one at the front right, one at the rear left, and one at the rear right.

On-Demand TV

The ability to access various TV programmes (usually to catch up) whenever you want using an on-screen menu. This is done either through a website or through a subscription TV Service. Popular on-demand services are BBC iPlayer, ITV Player and 4oD.

Pay-per-viewThe ability to order and pay for an individual programme, event or film directly through your TV service.

Red button or Green button (Interactive TV)

This refers to the coloured buttons on your remote control for digital TV allowing you to access various additional services such as the TV guide, news, shopping. etc. Sky Active and BBC Red Button are examples of this type of service.

Sky+, V+, Freeview+, etcThe + (Plus) refers to a specific DVR (Digital Video Recorder) available as part of a television package provided by Sky, Virgin Media, etc.

Glossary of Terms

Stands for 'Digital Audio Broadcasting'. It is the technology used to send and receive digital radio signals. If you have a digital radio set, it should have these 3 letters on it.

radioWi-Fi radios allow access to radio content on the internet via a tabletop radio - you can tune into wherever you get a Wi-Fi signal. If you have this type of radio set, it should have the Wi-Fi logo on it.

Internet only radio stationA radio station that you can’t tune into on a normal or DAB radio set. You can access them either on the Internet or through a Wi-Fi radio set.

PodcastsAudio files, usually similar to a radio show, that are available to download and listen to through an MP3 player.

See if you have DAB or Wi-Fi Radio sets

Q29 Check your radio sets for DAB or Wi-Fi logos (See above)

Check what functions your MP3 player has

Q31 Consult the product manual

A subscription TV service offered by BT that provides TV channels broadcast through the telephone line (using broadband).

A Satellite TV service without a monthly subscription.

A free to use multichannel digital TV system. You pay for a set-top box or integrated TV set (IDTV), then all channels that you can view on it are free.

A subscription TV service broadcast via a satellite. You need a ‘set-top box’ to receive Sky channels, and it will have the Sky brand on the box.

A subscription TV service (previously known as Tiscali TV, and Homechoice before that) that broadcasts through the telephone line (using broadband).

Digital Cable. A subscription service that broadcasts TV, as well as the Internet and telephone through underground cables.

Top-up TV allows additional channels to be purchased for a monthly subscription fee through Freeview.

PictureBox is a premium movies service that is available to subscribe to if you already have TV through Virgin Media, BT Vision, Talk Talk TV or Top up TV

Find out what TV services you have

Q2If you pay a monthly bill to a TV service provider, check your latest bill. If you have a set-top box attached to your TV check the logo.

Find out what extra TV channels or packages you

subscribe toQ2,Q4

These should appear itemised on a monthly bill from your TV service provider.

Check what type of TV set you have

Q5 Refer to the instruction manual that came with the TV set.

TV Services

How to…

Glossary of Terms

How to…

TV

Glossary of Terms

Handheld TVA portable device with a small LCD screen, used mainly to watch TV programmes or films.

Portable DVD PlayerPortable DVD Player (commonly abbreviated to PDP) is the name given to any portable device in which its primary function is the playing of DVDs.

Portable Blu-ray PlayerSimilar to the above, this refers to any portable device in which its primary function is to play the latest blu-ray discs.

Camcorder

A portable device used for recording video and audio using a built-in recorder unit. It contains both a video camera and a video recorder in one unit, hence the name. Many recent camcorders now offer the ability to record in HD format (HD Camcorder).

Digital CameraA digital camera is a camera that takes video or still photographs, or both, digitally by recording images via an electronic image sensor. Most 21st century cameras are digital.

Check what gadgets you have in the household

Q33 Ask other members of your household.

Find out if your camcorder is HD or not

Q33 A logo will be displayed on the device if supported…

How to…

BlogA website or part of a website that is maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video.

Broadband InternetHigh speed internet access. You are able to talk on the phone whilst using the internet.

Desktop Computer

A computer that is not designed to be moved around very much. It will also usually (though not always) have 2 parts - a screen (monitor) and a box that houses all the computer workings. It's built to sit on a desk or table, unlike a laptop which is built to be carried around.

Glossary of Terms

Glossary continues on next page…

How to…Check if your broadband package has a maximum monthly usage allowance

Q41Refer to the documentation that you received when you set up your broadband subscription.

Downloading Getting files/photos/music from the internet and saving them on a computer.

E-ReaderA device used to read books or newspapers off a screen. Amazon Kindle and the Sony Reader are the most well known of these currently.

File Sharing

Making files available for other users to download over the Internet. Files are stored on your own computer in a folder that you allow other people to access. Anyone else with the same file sharing programme as you has access to the files you put in that folder and can therefore download them.

Instant MessagingA type of communication on a computer based on typing messages to people. Both parties must be connected to the internet at the same time, unlike email. The most popular client is Windows Live (MSN) Messenger.

Internet BrowserA computer programme that lets you view websites. The most common of these are Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari and Chrome.

ISP (Internet Service Provider)

The company who you pay to receive the internet in your home from.

Laptop ComputerA portable computer with a screen that folds down onto the keyboard. Smaller versions are known as notebooks or netbooks.

Operating SystemOften abbreviated to OS, it is the system that controls all of the programmes on a computer. The make of Operating system is displayed when you start the computer. e.g. Windows.

RSS / News feedsAn online service that checks for up to date news or content in websites, blogs, and podcasts.

Social BookmarkingSocial bookmarking is a method for Internet users to store, organize, search, and manage bookmarks of web pages or articles. Delicious is an example of one of these services.

Social NetworkingOnline communities that allow you to connect with friends or interest groups easily. Facebook, Myspace and Bebo are all examples of popular social networking sites.

StreamingStreaming on the internet is when you can watch or listen to something without downloading it first (i.e. it starts straight away when you press play).

Tablet PCA Tablet PC is a laptop PC, equipped with a stylus and/or a touch-screen. Apple iPad is the most popular of these devices currently.

Twitter is a free social networking / micro-blogging service that enables users to send and read each others' updates, known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts displayed on the author's profile page and delivered to other users who have subscribed to them.

Uploading Sending files/photos/music through the internet from your computer.

VOIP (Internet Phone)Technology used to make telephone calls via the Internet. Skype is the most popular software used to allow this.

Wi-Fi, also know as 'wireless broadband' or 'wireless networking‘ simply means broadband without the wires.

3GA mobile network technology that allows for much faster sending of voice and data information. It means you can do things like video calls on your mobile phone.

AndroidAndroid is a fairly recent mobile phone operating system. It is unique because Google are actively developing the platform, but giving it away for free to hardware manufacturers and phone carriers who want to use it on their devices.

AppsApps is an abbreviation for application and is a piece of software that is installed directly onto a device. Originally designed for computers, they have become popular on mobile phones and other portable devices that support them.

Often used with mobile phones as a special hands free set that also allows control of the mobile phone.

GPSStands for 'Global Positioning System'. It's the technology that uses satellites to work out where you are. It's found in vehicle navigation systems but also exists on a number of modern mobile phones.

SMS (Texting)Stands for 'Short Message Service'. Texting is a function on a mobile phone which allows you to send short messages.

Check how you pay for mobile phone service

Q53If you pay monthly via a bill you will have a contract. Check the latest bill to see what type you are on. If you don’t have an ongoing contract, and pay by topping up you are on Pay-as-you-go.

Know if you use GPS capabilities on your phone

Q57If you use any piece of software such as Google maps, which can locate exactly where you are at any given time then you use GPS capabilities.

Glossary of Terms

How to…

Games ConsoleA generic term for a device usually connected to a TV set and used mainly to play video games on. Sony Playstation 3, Microsoft X-Box 360 and Nintendo Wii are all examples of the current generation of games consoles.

Handheld games deviceA generic term for a portable device that has it’s own screen, used mainly to play video games on. PSP (PlayStation Portable) and Nintendo DS / DSi are examples of the current generation of handheld games devices.

Hub (Media Centre)Used to describe a device in the household that holds various types of multimedia such as video, music and photos that can be accessed on other connected devices.

Multiplayer games Any game which allows more than one player to participate at one time.

Remote PlayRemote Play is a feature on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable (PSP) which allows a user to interact with the former via the latter.

Glossary of Terms

Check what type of games devices are in the

householdQ62

Check if there are any games consoles connected to any of the TV sets in your household. They should have their name displayed on the box. Also consult other members of the household for any portable games devices they may have.

How to…