1. This booklet should be used as a reference for any technologies
that you are unfamiliar with, or are unsure if you have access to
Each section, in the same order as the questionnaire, contains:
1) Glossary of terms
This 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.

2. Glossary of Terms
3DTV is a new and emerging generation of TV technology that enables
3DTV 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.
A generic term used to describe a TV set–top box with a storage drive
Digital Video Recorder embedded in it. It enables viewers to use a variety of special functions such
(DVR/PVR) as recording whole series and pausing live TV. The Sky+ box, Virgin+ and
Freeview+ are examples of digital video recorders.
This device is able to record TV programmes like a video recorder, but
DVD Recorder
instead of recording them onto cassette tapes, it records onto DVDs.
EPG
The on screen programme guide available on digital TV.
(Electronic programme guide)
Most modern TV sets are flatscreen , and are much lighter and thinner than
Flatscreen TV
traditional television sets. They use either LCD, LED or Plasma technologies.
High Definition Television (HD) uses the latest technology to bring clearer
HD (High Definition) TV 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.
A sound system that requires multiple speakers around the room, including
Home Cinema sound system a speaker at the front left, one at the front right, one at the rear left, and
one at the rear right.
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
On-Demand TV
through a subscription TV Service. Popular on-demand services are BBC
iPlayer, ITV Player and 4oD.
The ability to order and pay for an individual programme, event or film
Pay-per-view
directly through your TV service.
This refers to the coloured buttons on your remote control for digital TV
Red button or Green button allowing you to access various additional services such as the TV guide,
(Interactive TV) news, shopping. etc. Sky Active and BBC Red Button are examples of this
type of service.
The + (Plus) refers to a specific DVR (Digital Video Recorder) available as
Sky+, V+, Freeview+, etc
part of a television package provided by Sky, Virgin Media, etc.

3. TV Services
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
TV 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
How to…
Find out what TV services If you pay a monthly bill to a TV service provider, check your latest bill. If
Q2
you have you have a set-top box attached to your TV check the logo.
Find out what extra TV
These should appear itemised on a monthly bill from your TV service
channels or packages you Q2,Q4
provider.
subscribe to
Check what type of TV set
Q5 Refer to the instruction manual that came with the TV set.
you have
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.
Wi-Fi radios allow access to radio content on the internet via a tabletop radio - you
radio 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.
A radio station that you can’t tune into on a normal or DAB radio set. You can
Internet only radio station
access them either on the Internet or through a Wi-Fi radio set.
Audio files, usually similar to a radio show, that are available to download and listen
Podcasts
to through an MP3 player.
How to…
See if you have DAB or
Q29 Check your radio sets for DAB or Wi-Fi logos (See above)
Wi-Fi Radio sets
Check what functions
Q31 Consult the product manual
your MP3 player has

4. Glossary of Terms
A portable device with a small LCD screen, used mainly to watch
Handheld TV
TV programmes or films.
Portable DVD Player (commonly abbreviated to PDP) is the name
Portable DVD Player given to any portable device in which its primary function is the
playing of DVDs.
Similar to the above, this refers to any portable device in which its
Portable Blu-ray Player
primary function is to play the latest blu-ray discs.
A portable device used for recording video and audio using a
built-in recorder unit. It contains both a video camera and a video
Camcorder
recorder in one unit, hence the name. Many recent camcorders
now offer the ability to record in HD format (HD Camcorder).
A digital camera is a camera that takes video or still photographs,
Digital Camera or both, digitally by recording images via an electronic image
sensor. Most 21st century cameras are digital.
How to…
Check what gadgets you
Q33 Ask other members of your household.
have in the household
Find out if your camcorder
Q33 A logo will be displayed on the device if supported…
is HD or not
How to…
Check if your broadband
Refer to the documentation that you received when you set up your
package has a maximum Q41
broadband subscription.
monthly usage allowance
Glossary of Terms
A website or part of a website that is maintained by an individual with regular
Blog entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as
graphics or video.
High speed internet access. You are able to talk on the phone whilst using the
Broadband Internet
internet.
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
Desktop Computer
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 continues on next page…

5. Downloading Getting files/photos/music from the internet and saving them on a computer.
A device used to read books or newspapers off a screen. Amazon Kindle and the
E-Reader
Sony Reader are the most well known of these currently.
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.
File Sharing
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.
A type of communication on a computer based on typing messages to people.
Instant Messaging Both parties must be connected to the internet at the same time, unlike email.
The most popular client is Windows Live (MSN) Messenger.
A computer programme that lets you view websites. The most common of these
Internet Browser
are Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari and Chrome.
ISP
The company who you pay to receive the internet in your home from.
(Internet Service Provider)
A portable computer with a screen that folds down onto the keyboard. Smaller
Laptop Computer
versions are known as notebooks or netbooks.
Often abbreviated to OS, it is the system that controls all of the programmes on
Operating System a computer. The make of Operating system is displayed when you start the
computer. e.g. Windows.
An online service that checks for up to date news or content in websites, blogs,
RSS / News feeds
and podcasts.
Social bookmarking is a method for Internet users to store, organize, search, and
Social Bookmarking manage bookmarks of web pages or articles. Delicious is an example of one of
these services.
Online communities that allow you to connect with friends or interest groups
Social Networking easily. Facebook, Myspace and Bebo are all examples of popular social
networking sites.
Streaming on the internet is when you can watch or listen to something without
Streaming
downloading it first (i.e. it starts straight away when you press play).
A Tablet PC is a laptop PC, equipped with a stylus and/or a touch-screen. Apple
Tablet PC
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.
Technology used to make telephone calls via the Internet. Skype is the most
VOIP (Internet Phone)
popular software used to allow this.
Wi-Fi, also know as 'wireless broadband' or 'wireless networking‘ simply means
broadband without the wires.

6. Glossary of Terms
A mobile network technology that allows for much faster sending of voice and data
3G
information. It means you can do things like video calls on your mobile phone.
Android is a fairly recent mobile phone operating system. It is unique because
Android 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.
Apps is an abbreviation for application and is a piece of software that is installed
Apps 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.
Stands for 'Global Positioning System'. It's the technology that uses satellites to
GPS work out where you are. It's found in vehicle navigation systems but also exists on a
number of modern mobile phones.
Stands for 'Short Message Service'. Texting is a function on a mobile phone which
SMS (Texting)
allows you to send short messages.
How to…
If you pay monthly via a bill you will have a contract. Check the latest bill
Check how you pay for
Q53 to see what type you are on. If you don’t have an ongoing contract, and
mobile phone service
pay by topping up you are on Pay-as-you-go.
Know if you use GPS If you use any piece of software such as Google maps, which can locate
Q57
capabilities on your phone exactly where you are at any given time then you use GPS capabilities.
Glossary of Terms
A generic term for a device usually connected to a TV set and used mainly to play
Games Console video games on. Sony Playstation 3, Microsoft X-Box 360 and Nintendo Wii are all
examples of the current generation of games consoles.
A generic term for a portable device that has it’s own screen, used mainly to play
Handheld games device video games on. PSP (PlayStation Portable) and Nintendo DS / DSi are examples of
the current generation of handheld games devices.
Used to describe a device in the household that holds various types of multimedia
Hub (Media Centre)
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 Play is a feature on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable (PSP) which
Remote Play
allows a user to interact with the former via the latter.
How to…
Check if there are any games consoles connected to any of the TV sets in
Check what type of
your household. They should have their name displayed on the box.
games devices are in the Q62
Also consult other members of the household for any portable games
household
devices they may have.