Display & TV Terms
When shopping for a television or monitor, the spec sheet can feel like a foreign language. These definitions cover the most important display terms you'll encounter.
Refresh Rate
The number of times per second a display updates the image on screen, measured in hertz (Hz). Higher refresh rates — such as 120 Hz — produce smoother motion, which is most noticeable during fast action or sports.
HDR (High Dynamic Range)
A display standard that expands the range between the brightest and darkest parts of an image. HDR content shows more detail in shadows and highlights compared to standard dynamic range (SDR) video.
OLED
Organic Light-Emitting Diode — a display technology where each pixel generates its own light. Because pixels can turn completely off, OLED screens achieve true blacks and very high contrast ratios.
QLED
Quantum Light-Emitting Diode — an LCD display that uses a quantum dot filter to enhance color and brightness. QLED panels tend to be brighter than OLED but cannot achieve the same deep blacks.
Nits (Brightness)
A unit measuring screen brightness. One nit equals one candela per square meter. Higher nit counts mean a display performs better in bright rooms or sunlight.
Dolby Atmos
An object-based surround-sound audio format that adds height channels to create a three-dimensional sound field. It is supported by many soundbars, AV receivers, and streaming services.
Soundbar
A single elongated speaker enclosure designed to deliver improved audio quality over a TV's built-in speakers. Some soundbars include a separate subwoofer for bass reinforcement.
DTS:X
A competing object-based surround-sound format to Dolby Atmos, also capable of placing audio in three-dimensional space. Support varies by device and streaming service.
Mesh Network
A Wi-Fi system that uses multiple access points (nodes) placed around the home to provide consistent wireless coverage throughout. Unlike a traditional single router, mesh nodes communicate with each other to route traffic efficiently.
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
The sixth generation of the Wi-Fi standard, offering faster speeds, higher capacity for multiple simultaneous devices, and improved performance in congested environments compared to Wi-Fi 5.
Matter Protocol
An open smart home connectivity standard backed by major technology companies. Devices that support Matter can communicate across different ecosystems — such as Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit — without compatibility barriers.
HDMI eARC
Enhanced Audio Return Channel — an advanced version of HDMI's audio return feature. eARC allows a TV to send high-quality, uncompressed audio formats (including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X) to a connected soundbar or AV receiver through a single HDMI cable.
For a deeper dive into how displays, smart devices, and audio fit together, see our comprehensive home electronics guide.
Audio Terms
Whether you're setting up a soundbar or a full surround-sound system, these terms will help you decode what manufacturers actually mean.
| Common surround formats | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby Digital Plus |
| Soundbar connection types | HDMI eARC, optical, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Typical stereo channel configuration | 2.0 (two speakers, no subwoofer) |
| 5.1 surround sound channels | 5 speakers + 1 dedicated subwoofer channel |
| Lossless audio definition | Audio with no compression artifacts; identical to the source recording |
| Bitrate relevance | Higher audio bitrate generally means more detail and dynamic range preserved |
Audio formats can be surprisingly complex. For a full walkthrough, our plain-language guide to home theater audio covers every major format and setup type.
Networking & Connectivity Terms
Home networking jargon affects everything from streaming quality to smart device reliability. Here's what the key terms mean in practice.
2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz
Two main Wi-Fi frequency bands in most home routers
2.4 GHz travels farther with more interference; 5 GHz is faster but shorter range — understanding the difference helps with device placement.
Wi-Fi 6E
Adds a third 6 GHz band for less congestion
Wi-Fi 6E routers and compatible devices can use the 6 GHz band, which has fewer competing signals in most homes.
UPnP
Universal Plug and Play — automatic device discovery on a network
UPnP allows smart TVs, game consoles, and streaming sticks to find and connect to network services without manual configuration.
Smart home wireless protocols — like Matter, Zigbee, and Z-Wave — each have their own compatibility rules. Our article on smart home ecosystems and device compatibility explains the differences before you buy.
Power protection is also part of keeping connected devices healthy. Learn how surge protectors and UPS units protect home electronics from silent damage.
Smart Home & General Electronics Terms
Smart home technology introduces its own vocabulary. These definitions round out the 40 terms every consumer should have in their back pocket.
Many Terms Span Multiple Device Categories
Terms like Bluetooth version, USB-C, and Wi-Fi standard appear on TVs, speakers, phones, and laptops alike. When a spec sheet uses one of these terms, the definition is generally consistent across product categories. If you're shopping across device types, our laptops and computers hub applies many of the same connectivity concepts to computing devices.
Many of these terms also appear in laptop and smartphone spec sheets. If you're shopping for a computer, see our laptop spec sheet glossary for 30 additional definitions, or explore the smartphones hub for mobile-specific guidance.
The content on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.