Glossary

Satellite dish

The antenna that reflects and concentrates a satellite signal to the focal point of the dish, to be collected and processed by an LNB.

Satellite Position

The position on the geostationary orbit above the equator that has been assigned for direct-broadcast satellites.

Satellite receiver

A set-top box that converts the signals from the LNB into viewable TV and channel broadcast from a satellite.

Scart

A 21-pin connector used on TV, video and associated devices: also know as a Euroconnector.

Secam

Sequentiel Couleur A Memoire

The TV system developed in France and also used in Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Set-top box

Or satellite receiver - generally a small box enabling a TV to receive satellite or digital TV services.

SIT

Satellite interactive terminal

A user terminal for the reception and transmission of information/data via satellite.

Smart Card

A plastic card the size of a credit card that is used in conjunction with a decoder to give subscribers access to pay-TV services.

SMATV

Satellite delivered master antenna television system - a communal distribution system for satellite TV transmissions usually installed in a block of flats for shared use.

SOHO

Small office/home office

A term used to describe products and services aimed at people who work in small or home offices.

A technique for transferring data so that it can be processed as a continuous stream of information. Streaming technologies are particularly important to non-broadband or low-speed broadband internet users who cannot download large multimedia files quickly. With streaming, data can be viewed before the entire file has been transmitted.

Subcarrier

One or more signals, mainly audio, carried beside the main signal e.g. television on a transponder or cable channel.

Surround sound

A sound system designed to simulate the experience of a live performance: normally using front and rear channels and sometimes a front centre channel.