TV Technology & Convergence

These flashcards cover the key terms and concepts related to TV technology and its historical development.

Convergence

The merging of different technologies for improved delivery, convenience, quality, and cost in TV technology.

Drivers of Technological Change

Factors that push technological advancements, including commercial competition, military/government needs, and personal ambition.

Format Wars

Competition between different formats that can influence technological adoption and cultural pride.

Nipkow Disc

An early mechanical device for scanning images, invented in 1884, that was impractical for TV broadcasts due to power requirements.

Cathode Ray Tube

A technology developed by Goldstein and Braun in 1897, crucial for the later development of electronic television.

Image Dissector

The first all-electronic TV camera tube built by Farnsworth in 1927, significant for its role in the evolution of television.

NTSC

The National Television System Committee standard established by RCA in 1953 for color television in the US.

Direct-to-home Satellite TV

A method of delivering television programs directly to customers' homes via satellites, which emerged in the 1980s.

Betamax

The first consumer VCR introduced in 1975, which triggered the home recording boom.

Syndication

The process of selling the rights to broadcast TV programs to multiple stations or networks, crucial for TV distribution.

Simultaneous Substitution

A regulation requiring cable systems to replace US signals with Canadian ones when the same program is aired, protecting local rights.

The Big Four Networks

The major US television networks: NBC, CBS, ABC, and Du Mont, which played significant roles in the development of television.

Fin-Syn Rules

FCC regulations that prevented networks from owning syndication rights, promoting independent production until their abolishment.

CanCon

Canadian content quotas imposed by broadcasting regulations to promote domestic programming.

Talk Shows

Television programs where guests discuss current issues, typically featuring a host, monologues, and sketches.

Quiz Shows

Television programs where contestants compete, typically based on general knowledge or skills, often known for high-stakes competition.

Game Shows

Television programs where contestants compete for prizes, usually featuring interactive play-along elements.

Political Content in TV

The incorporation of political discussions and themes in television programming, notably in late-night talk shows.

Situational Comedy (Sitcom)

A genre of television program that derives humor from the interactions and situations involving a consistent cast of characters.

NYC Regular TV Services

The initiation of regular television broadcasts in New York City starting in 1939.