television

Table of Contents

Introduction
The development of television systems
- Mechanical systems
- Electronic systems
- Colour television
- Digital television
Principles of television systems
- The television picture
  - Human perception of motion
  - Image analysis
    - Flicker
    - Resolution
    - Picture shape
    - Scanning
  - The scanning pattern
    - Interlaced lines
    - Deflection signals
    - Synchronization signals
  - The picture signal
    - Wave form
    - Distortion and interference
    - Bandwidth requirements
- Compatible colour television
  - Basic principles of compatible colour: The NTSC system
  - European colour systems
    - PAL
    - SECAM
- Digital television
- Television transmission and reception
  - Transmission
    - Generating the colour picture signal
    - The carrier signal
    - The sound signal
    - The television channel
    - Broadcast television
    - Cable television
    - Direct broadcast satellite television
    - Teletext
  - Reception
    - Basic receiver circuits
    - Controls
- Television cameras and displays
  - Camera image sensors
    - Electron tubes
    - Charge-coupled devices
  - Displays
    - Picture tubes
      Basic structure
      Electron guns
      Deflection coils
      Shadow masks and aperture grilles
    - Liquid crystal displays
    - Plasma display panels
- Video recording
  - Magnetic tape
  - Video discs
  - Special techniques
  - Flying spot scanner
  - Motion-picture recording
    - The continuous projector
    - The intermittent projector

References & Edit History Related Topics

Images

colour television picture tube

John Logie Baird with television transmitter

iconoscope television camera tube

production line for the RCA CT-100 television

picture tube aspect ratios for SDTV and HDTV

interlaced scanning for standard television display

wave forms in sequential scanning

wave form for black-and-white TV

composite TV signal

wave form of vertical synchronization signal

For Students

television

television summary

Read Next

Abstract vector hi speed internet technology background

History of Technology Timeline

Human backs in auditorium on shooting of television talk-show

Why Do Television Shows Use Laugh Tracks?

Discover

Marriage. A couple getting married during a church wedding ceremony. (religion, ceremony, bride, groom)

The Seven Sacraments of the Roman Catholic church

All Saints Day. All Souls Day. Candles in cemetery in Poland on All Saints Day, November 1. All Souls Day, November 2. Christian church, All Hallows, Solemnity of All Saints, Feast of All Saints, purgatory, Roman Catholic church

7 Unique Burial Rituals Across the World

Queen Elizabeth II addresses at opening of Parliament. (Date unknown on photo, but may be 1958, the first time the opening of Parliament was filmed.)

All 119 References in “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” Explained

Ice Sledge Hockey, Hockey Canada Cup, USA (left) vs Canada, 2009. UBC Thunderbird Arena, Vancouver, BC, competition site for Olympic ice hockey and Paralympic ice sledge hockey. Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Vancouver Olympics

10 Best Hockey Players of All Time

NBA Lakers Celtics Finals Kevin Garnett shooting.

10 Great Sports Rivalries

Agnes with a lamb near her feet. St. Agnes (Saint Agnes) design drawing for stained glass window by J&R Lamb Studios, ink, mount size 10.5 x 14.5 in.

Roman Catholic Saints

Candles Burning On Table In Church

What Is the Most Widely Practiced Religion in the World?

television: Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

News •

Jay North, TV's mischievous Dennis the Menace, dies at 73 • Apr. 7, 2025, 5:35 PM ET (AP)

Photos

colour television picture tube

John Logie Baird with television transmitter

iconoscope television camera tube

production line for the RCA CT-100 television

picture tube aspect ratios for SDTV and HDTV

interlaced scanning for standard television display

wave forms in sequential scanning

wave form for black-and-white TV

composite TV signal

wave form of vertical synchronization signal

See All Images →

Topics

mechanical television system electronic television system HDTV cable television V-chip digital television colour television standard-definition television television picture television camera Internet telephone radio technology satellite communication telegraph wireless communications broadband technology jamming receiver switching

Demystified

Human backs in auditorium on shooting of television talk-show

Why Do Television Shows Use Laugh Tracks?