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Scaler
Circuitry that converts a video signal to a resolution other than its original format. Scaling can involve upconversion or downconversion, and may also include a conversion between progressive- and interlaced-scan formats. A scaler can be built into a TV, HDTV tuner, or DVD player, or may be a standalone component.

Scan Lines
The lines drawn by an electron gun in a CRT system to make up the picture. Drawn horizontally, from left to right, starting at the top left and working to the bottom right.

SDTV (Standard-Definition Television)
A digital television system that is similar to current standards in picture resolution and aspect ratio. The picture and sound will be clearer than NTSC, and its digital base will allow more than one program to be broadcast over the same bandwidth at the same time. Typical SDTV resolution is 480i or 480p.

Sealed
See Acoustic Suspension.

SECAM
SECAM (Système Electronique Couleur Avec Mémoire) is a signal format used in video equipment in France and the former Soviet Union. It is incompatible with PAL and NTSC formats.

Set-top Box (STB)(also: Decoder, Receiver, Tuner)
A unit similar to today's cable boxes, which is capable of receiving and decoding DTV broadcasts. A DTV 'Certified' STB can receive all (18) ATSC DTV formats, (including HDTV) and provide a displayable picture.

Signal-to-Noise Ratio
A comparison of the signal level relative to the noise level. Larger numbers are better.

Source
A component from which the system’s signals originate. DVD player, AM/FM tuners, and VCRs are sources.

Speaker
A component that converts electrical energy into acoustical energy.

Spectrum
A range of frequencies available for over-the-air transmission.

Standard Definition Television (SDTV)
SDTV refers to DIGITAL transmissions with 480-line resolution, either interlaced or progressive scanned formats. SDTV offers significant improvement over today's conventional NTSC picture resolution, similar to comparing DVD quality to VHS, primarily because the digital transmission eliminates snow and ghosts, common with the current NTSC analog format. However, SDTV does not come close to HDTV in both visual and audio quality.

S-VHS
Super VHS. Enhancement to regular VHS that offers improved luminance resolution. (400 lines or so.)

S-Video
Separated video. An encoded video signal which separates the brightness from color data. S-video can greatly improve the picture when connecting TVs to any high quality video source such as digital broadcast satellite (DBS) and DVDs.

Subwoofer
A speaker designed to reproduce very low bass frequencies, usually those below about 80 Hz.