Glossary

M

Metadata

Broadcast information created to describe a specific service or content item

MHEG

"Multimedia and Hypermedia Experts Group". Formed to establish a set of international standards relating to interactive television services

Middleware

Software, not hardware. This exists above the operating system to provide a middle layer offering APIs for applications programmers but is not an application itself.

MMI

"Man Machine Interface". A general term for the interaction between a system and a user

Modulator

An electronic gadget built into some set top boxes and digital TV recorders that allow it to be connected to a TV using an aerial lead instead of the preferred SCART lead

Monitor

A Monitor is simply a display device that is incapable of receiving digital broadcast programming without additional equipment

MPEG

"Motion Picture Experts Group". Formed to establish a set of international standards for audio and video compression and transmission

Multicast

A network technology for the delivery of information to a group of destinations simultaneously. The word "multicast" is typically used to refer to IP multicast which is often employed for streaming media and Internet television applications

Multiplex

A bundle of channels delivered by a single signal channel 

MUX

Short for Multiplex

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