Television Equipment and Supplies Key Terms

Learn about the supplies needed for creating and broadcasting television

By Terri Deno

Professional television equipment and supplies can vary, depending on the size and complexity of your equipment needs. For a large television studio, there are many components for editing, viewing and transmitting audio and video signals. Smaller television studios will require less equipment overall but will still need technologically advanced equipment for transmission and distribution. All television studios will need to find the type of equipment that is right for their specific broadcasting needs.

Embedder

An embedder can refer to audio and video. An embedder allows audio to be embedded onto video for a complete audiovisual package. Similarly, a de-embedder offers the process in reverse, taking audio out of a specific video file.
Try: Axon offers detailed specs for its line of audio embedders.

Audio/video converter

An audio/video converter is often a software program that provides the ability to turn various audio and video formats into other available formats. This helps to establish file compatibility.
Try: Microvideosoft provides information and user manuals for its video converter software.

National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA)

The National Telecommunication and Information Administration is an agency that works out of the United States Department of Commerce. This agency advises the executive branch of the government on issues dealing with the use of telecommunications. The agency also oversees research and development in this industry.
Try: Go to the National Telecommunication and Information Administration's Web site for more details about how it functions and works with the government.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

The Federal Communications Commission is the regulatory agency for all types of broadcasting, including radio and television. The FCC regulates the quality of materials broadcast and the services used to broadcast programs on local and national levels.
Try: The FCC provides many guidelines for local television stations on what and how they can broadcast, including the types of transmission services used.

Distribution amplifier

A distribution amplifier is used to split a single video signal into two or more signals. Different types of distribution amplifiers work with specific video formats.
Try: Inline offers an expanded definition of what a distribution amplifier does as well as information on additional equipment used with distribution amplifiers.

DTV, digital television

Digital television is the television signal that provides higher -quality picture and sound than analog signals. Instead of using AM and FM frequencies like analog, digital television sends its signal through digital packets.
Try: AVS Forum offers a basic overview of what digital television is and how it is used in television broadcasting.