Artifact of composite video where stationary dots exist where two colors meet. Caused by interference between main video signal and color carrier. See dot crawl.

High-Definition Digital Versatile Disc. Two formats have been proposed for these high-capacity DVDs, including Blu-ray and the generically named HD-DVD. Blu-ray is backed by Sony and Panasonic among others through the Blu-ray Disc Association and HD-DVD is backed by NEC and Toshiba through the DVD Forum. Blu-ray uses a higher resolution blue laser allowing for more disk capacity than HD-DVD, 25GB compared 15GB per layer. At present Blu-ray is more expensive and cannot be replicated on existing manufacturing lines.

High Definition Compatible Digital commonly known as High Definition Compact Disc. Codec for traditional audio CDs with audio resolution of 20 bits for more accurate replication of the original sound.

HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is a method for protecting copyrighted digital content that uses the DVI (Digital Visual Interface) or HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface, previously known as DVI-CE) by encrypting its transmission between the video source such as a set-top box, DVD player, or computer and the digital display device such as a projector, monitor or television. To view digital HDCP protected content, both the sending and receiving device must support HDCP.

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) is an uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface that supports audio/video sources such as a set-top box, DVD player, A/V receiver, and video monitors such as a digital projector or digital television (DTV). HDMI is backward compatiable with DVI 1.0 specification and supports HDCP. HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio, and interactive controls on a single cable. It transmits all ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committe) HDTV standards and supports 8-channel digital audio. First product releases using HDMI occurred in 2003.

High-Definition Television. Generic term that indicates a higher resolution format than previous standards. At present, denotes anything higher than a 480p signal. Most common formats are 720p, 1080i and 1080p.

A television that supports 720p or 1080i or higher resolutions and has a built-in HDTV tuner for off-air reception of HD signals from a special antenna. To view cable and satellite HDTV programming, a cable set-top-box or satellite receiver is required.

A television that supports 720p or 1080i or higher resolutions and does not have a built-in HDTV tuner for off-air reception of HD signals from a special antenna. To view cable and satellite HDTV programming, a cable set-top-box or satellite receiver is required.

A screen that uses one of many methods to collect light and reflect it back to the audience, which dramatically increases the brightness of the image over a white wall or semi-matte screen. Technologies used include curved screens, special metal foil screens (some polarized), and certain glass bead screens. High gain screens achieve higher brightness by directing more of the reflected light towards the center of the screen.

Amount of pixels across an image, from left to right. A 1920 x 1080 HDTV has a horizontal resolution of 1920 pixels.

Period of time it takes to refresh an image on a screen, usually measured in Hertz (cycles per second). Computer monitors typically have scan rates starting at 60Hz going to 85Hz.

High Temperature Poly-Silicon. An active matrix transmissive LCD technology used in 3LCD projectors.

Hue or tint is the parameter of color that allows us to distinguish between colors.

Hertz. Also called cycles per second and in video displays is the rate at which an image is refreshed.