Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Television is an electronic device that receives and displays visual and audio signals transmitted via electromagnetic waves. It operates using various frequencies within the electromagnetic spectrum, particularly radio waves.
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Television signals are typically transmitted using radio waves in the VHF (Very High Frequency) and UHF (Ultra High Frequency) bands of the electromagnetic spectrum.
The process of transmitting television signals involves modulating video and audio onto carrier waves, which are then broadcast through antennas.
Digital television uses advanced modulation techniques like QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) to transmit more data efficiently compared to analog television.
The resolution of a television screen, measured in pixels, affects the clarity and detail of the displayed image; common resolutions include 720p, 1080p, and 4K.
$LED$ (Light Emitting Diode) and $OLED$ (Organic Light Emitting Diode) are popular technologies used for modern television displays due to their energy efficiency and superior image quality.
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Related terms
Electromagnetic Spectrum: The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, which varies by wavelength and frequency.
Modulation: The process of varying one or more properties of a carrier wave to encode information.
$QAM$: $Quadrature Amplitude Modulation$, a digital modulation technique that conveys data by changing the amplitude of two carrier waves.