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Aspect ratio
The proportion of the television’s pixels by their width and height. Almost all high-definition (HD) TVs have an aspect ratio of 16:9, which means that there are 16 pixels in the width for every 9 pixels in the height.
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Blu-ray
A disc like a DVD, but with a higher video quality. To watch a Blu-ray disc, you need a Blu-ray player, which will also play DVDs. Blu-ray technology is improving, so now Ultra HD Blu-ray players and discs have begun to hit the market.
Chromecast
A product from Google that allows you to wirelessly broadcast your computer's display to your TV. A Chromecast stick (about 2 inches long) connects to a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port on your TV, which allows you to "cast" anything from your computer or mobile device onto your television screen.
Contrast ratio
The disparity between the brights and the darks in the TV's display. The higher the number is, the bigger the disparity is and the better the quality in color.
DVR
Short for digital video recorder. A DVR allows you to record broadcast programs to watch later. Most new DVRs allow you to record multiple programs at the same time and have settings that allow you to record all new episodes of a show. Most cable boxes, which you plug into your TV to receive cable channels, come equipped with DVR capabilities, though you may have to pay more for your cable subscription to use it.
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