The Technical Stuff Explained

The FrequencyCast podcast is a downloadable radio show covering digital TV, radio and wireless technology. Below is a list of some of the topics we've covered, and some technical definitions.

Broadband / ADSL	High-speed, always-on Internet access. Many broadband providers are offering speeds of 8 megabits per second (up to 160 times faster than the old 56k dialup service). For the technically-minded, the acronym used for Broadband is ADSL, standing for 'Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line' Podcast features: Broadband in depth on cast #17 \| Get more from Broadband on 'cast #02 More info: See our Broadband Page Other links: Free Broadband from TalkTalk
DAB	Digital Audio Broadcasting. A new radio service that offers more radio stations for special DAB radios - more radio choice, in digital quality, with less interference. A number of DAB-only stations are available, including BBC 1 Xtra, BBC 6 and BBC 7. Stations such as Talk Sport, Virgin, Core, Life and the World Service are available, as well as a range of local and regional stations Podcast features: What is DAB? 'Cast #03 Podcast features: Pure One Reviewed? 'Cast #03 Other links: More on DAB \| Pure One DAB/FM radio (pictured)
Digital TV	Since the start of TV many years ago, we've been receiving TV with a TV aerial, pulling in 'analogue' signals sent over-the-air to our TVs. Now, we're slowly switching to digital TV, with the UK's Government planning to have everyone switched over to digital by 2012. Digital offers more TV choice, less interference, and improved features. In the UK, digital TV means Sky Digital, Freeview, Cable and TV-over-Internet. Other links: Our page of Digital TV Options \| Digital Switchover \| Freeview \| Sky Digital \| Analogue Switchoff
EPG	Electronic Programme Guide - Associated with a digital TV set-top box, this refers to built-in software on the set-top box or interactive TV that shows you on-screen listings for TV shows. Some boxes have EPGs limited to "now and next", whilst others support seven days worth of programme listings. EPGs with advance programme listings are particularly useful for setting up recordings - some boxes are equipped with built-in hard disks (PVRs, such as Sky+), and the EPG allows select a programme from the schedule and get the box to record the programme onto disk just by selecting it from the programme listing.
HDTV	High Definition TV - This offers higher-quality, crisper TV pictures with loads more pixels than standard TV. Launched in May 2006, you'll need a TV with the "HD Ready" logo, plus a set-top box that delivers HD pictures, At the time of writing, Sky & Virgin Media are offering HD TV in the UK. More on our HD Page Podcast features: Overview of HDTV in 'cast #01 ; Sky's plans in 'cast #02, Focus on HDTV in Show 23
HomePlug	Networking accessories - these allow you to feed Broadband or a computer network around your home using your existing in-house electrical wiring - plug in a HomePlug to a power socket near your PC or router, and plug an RJ45 data lead into the HomePlug. From elsewhere in the house, plug in another unit, for access over the mains wiring. No new cables, no drilling, no mess. Podcast features: Overview of HomePlugs in 'cast #02 ; Security questions in 'cast #08 Other links: MicroLink dLAN Starter Kit (pictured) from Maplin, Dabs.com and BT Shop.
IPTV	IPTV will let you access a range of TV content using your Broadband connection, allowing you to download TV shows that you've missed, get movies and sporting events on demand, and do a whole range of clever stuff. Podcast features: Overview of IPTV in 'cast #01 Other links: IPTV providers in the UK include... BT Vision , Tiscali TV and Virgin Media. For worldwide TV, try Jumptv
Modulator	There are a couple of ways that you can connect equipment to a TV set. Most commonly, this will be with a direct video/audio connection (such as SCART or HDMI connectors). For TV sets without such connectors, it's possible to send signals to a TV via an aerial cable. To do this, the equipment needs to "modulate" the signal on a channel number between 21 and 68. You can then manually tune the TV set into the modulated output of your equipment, in the same way as you'd tune in a standard analogue TV channel. Not all equipment has a modulated output. For equipment that doesn't, you can buy an RF modulator.
Multiplex	No, nothing to do with cinema complexes - you'll find a multiplex mentioned in the digital TV and radio world. With good old analogue TV and radio transmissions, one 'frequency' contains one radio or TV station. By a processes called 'multiplexing', digital TV and DAB radio channels can be compressed and merged together, so you can get multiple channels all on a single frequency - With Freeview, for instance, there are over 60 digital TV and radio channels, but these are squeezed into just six multiplexes.
Nabaztag	A desktop gadget in the shape of a rabbit, that connects to your home or office wireless network, and entertains, whilst informing you of what's happening in the world. Downloads and reads weather, stock news, email and a whole lot more - it also gets moody with you. A very clever little wireless bunny rabbit. Other links: See our Nabaztag page. First mentioned in Show #01
Podcast	A downloadable radio show, normally in MP3 format - can be played on a computer, or downloaded to a portable MP3 player, such as the Apple iPod. Other links: See our Podcasting page, or download one of our Frequencycast shows
PVR	Personal Video Recorder - also known as a DVR (Digital Video Recorder). this is essentially a set-top box that has a built-in hard-disk (like a computer). This disk is used to record TV shows for playback at a later time, and is the replacement for a video recorder. You use on on-screen programme guide to select your favourite shows in advance, then let the PVR record your shows for you. Many PVRs allow you to watch and record different channels, pause live TV, rewind live TV, and set series links so you don't miss a favourite show. Probably the most well known PVR in the UK is the Sky+ box Podcast features: Overview of digital recorders in 'cast #06 Other links: PVR Explained ; Sky's Sky+ site ; Freeview PVRs
SatNav	Until recently, in-car satellite navigation was expensive, and required hardware to be professionally installed. Now, there's a range of portable satellite navigation units that can be carried in your pocket, and fixed to a removable cradle in your car. These contain maps of your country, and use information received from orbiting GPS (Global Positioning) satellites. This data tells the SatNav box where you are and can be used for route planning - giving you spoken and visual prompts (such as "after 200 yards, cross the roundabout, second exit") Pictured here is the TomTomOne - a powerful, portable in-car navigation system for around £150. Available from Comet and PC World. Podcast features: SavNav & TomTom One Reviewed? 'Cast #04 Other links: SatNav
Slingbox	This unit plugs into your existing home TV system (such as your Sky+ or Freeview setup), then lets you take control and watch your system by remote control over broadband. Podcast features: Overview of Slingbox in 'cast #03, new platforms and money-off voucher in 'cast #10. Other links: Our page on Slingbox
VoIP	Voice over IP refers to technology to allow voice calls over the Internet. Top supplier of VoIP at the moment, is Skype. You can sign up for a free Skype account and either use your PC headset, or a special VoIP phone to make voice calls. As well as computer-to-computer calls, you can call landlines and mobiles. Using Skype, landline calls from the UK to Europe, USA and Australia cost 1.2 pence a minute - a lot cheaper as the calls are routed over the Internet. Podcast features: A full feature on VoIP in 'cast 08. A look at Skype in 'cast #02 Other links: VoIP page and www.skype.com. If you have Skype, send us a message using Skype ID "frequencycast"
Wi-Fi	Wi-fi represents wireless networking - for consumers, the common use for wi-fi is to allow sharing of a home broadband connection without the need to run lots of wires. Wi-fi can be used to connect PCs, laptops, printers, webcams and wireless rabbits together. Podcast features: A look at wi-fi as part of our Focus section in 'cast #05 Other links: See our wi-fi page