Definitions:

Composite Video.
Video where the colour and brightness information is mixed.   This produces interference between the signals, cross colour being just one artefact.   For an example, look at a sharp edge on a normal TV picture and you'll notice a running pattern.   S-Video removes this annoyance.

S-Video.
The solution to removing the interference between the colour and brightness information is to keep the signals separate.   This is exactly how S-Video works, by using a separate connection for the colour information than the brightness.   This format is similar to how video pictures are encoded on DVDs and in Digital TV transmissions.

S-VHS.
A superior recording method to VHS.   S-VHS is sometimes used to describe S-Video.   For optimum recording, it is essential to use S-Video video input, not standard composite.

D-VHS.
A new type of VCR.   This stores a digital representation of the video picture to tape.   For optimum recording, it is essential to use S-Video video input, not standard composite.

RGB.
Red, Green, Blue.   These are the component colours that are used to create the video picture.   Look closely at your TV and you'll see these.   In a DVD or Digital TV system, the RGB is not true RGB, but rather signals that have been converted for a format not too dissimilar to S-Video.

PAL.
Phase Alternating Line.   The TV system used in the UK and many parts of Europe.   In the UK this is a picture with 625 lines at 50 fields per second.   50 fields per second was chosen to match the line frequency of the mains.   The colour information is located at a carrier frequency of 4.43MHz.

NTSC.
National Television Standards Committee.   The TV system used in the US and Japan.   In the US the picture is 525 lines at 60 fields per second.   The colour information is located at a carrier frequency of 3.58MHz.

DVD.
Digital Versatile Disc.   The replacement for VHS pre-recorded video tapes.   Movies and computer information in a form similar to CDs, but with a greater capacity.

Digital Set-top Box.
A box for receiving either satellite or terrestrial digital video.   In the UK the main providers are Sky and On.

Pat. Pending.   Contact: