TV vs. Monitor

TVs are complete devices; they can get sound and video signals; then process them and picture them to screen. Computer monitors simply work as elements of a bigger audio-video scheme they project signals to monitor screen, but it is essential that he is connected to additional element (a PC, cable box, etc.) which obtains and processes the signals.

NTSC

"National Television Systems Committee"; the politicians who, back in the forties, decided on the analog system American television set  would use; a 525-line/60Hz projection, implying the television has 525 lines and displays sixty frames per sec.

ATSC

"Advanced Television Systems Committee"; an global group whose members include ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, CEA, IEEE, NAB, SBE, SCTE,. Back in the eighties, they outlined digital television--SDTV, EDTV and DTV, which, BTW, are well-matched with both NTSC TV and high-definition television.

Pixel

Short for 'picture element', it is the particular points of coloration making up a television picture; pixel count specifies resolution, distinguished as the amount of pixels shaping the picture or as the amount of horizontal lines of pixels (480, 720 or 1080).

Interlace

The project system in which the television lights half of its lines in each scan reduced 480i, 720i or 1080i. Interlace displays less blur in quick moving images by reading twice as much, but in reality projects  nearly 30 finished frames per sec.

Progressive

The project system in which the television lights every line in each scan reduced 480p, 720p or 1080p. Progressive scan shows bigger detail by applying every usable pixel completely , producing up to sixty frames every sec.

Analogue

The television that used radio waves to send pictures and audio the same way a lot of radio stations still broadcast.

SDTV

Standard Definition Television

EDTV

Enhanced Definition Television

HDTV

High Definition Television--720i, 720p, 1080i or 1080p resolution plus digital sound.

DTV

Digital Television signals will replace all analog signals on Feb 17, 2009. A lot of stations are already sending in DTV.

Coaxial or RF, component video, composite video, DVI, HDMI, RCA, SCART, S-Video and VGA

There are a lot of eccentrics of audio/video wires used to hook together home theatre elements. You do not need to know what the acronyms are; you only need to be without doubt if you get the right cables. Study your owner's manual and you will be okay.