Not sure what a word or phrase means on the BBC iPlayer help site? Have a look through our list of popular terms and meanings.
A B C D
| Term | Meaning |
|---|
| Android | Android is an operating system designed by Google for mobiles, tablets, and other handheld devices. |
| Bandwidth | Bandwidth measures the amount of data that can transfer through a communications channel over a given period of time. |
| Beta | A beta application or website is one which is open for testing before it becomes available as the standard version to the public. Providing feedback on beta versions helps developers find out what to fix or improve before making that version standard. |
| Bitrate | This is the speed at which information in a file is read by hardware. A high bitrate file will contain more detailed data, so it will take longer to be processed. |
| Browser | The browser is the software on your device that you use to open websites. Examples of browsers are Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Internet Explorer. |
| Cache | Your browser saves information from websites to help them load more quickly next time you visit them. This information is saved to the cache. |
| Connected TV | A connected TV is a TV device which is connected to the internet, for example, a smart TV, streaming stick or box, Blu-ray player or set-top box. |
| Cookies | A cookie is a piece of data saved on your browser to remember the settings you've saved on websites you've visited. |
| Device | A device is the piece of equipment you're using to access BBC iPlayer. For example, a mobile, computer, tablet, or connected TV. |
| Display name | A display name is the name that will show on your account when you are signed in. On iPlayer, you'll see your display name on the 'Select who's watching' page. |
| Download | When you download something, you take it from the internet and save it on your device so that you can watch it when you're not connected to the internet. Downloaded programmes can't be saved forever, though. You can read more about this here: How long am I able to watch a programme once it's been downloaded? |
| DRM | DRM means Digital Rights Management. It's a way of controlling how different types of files are used. |
E F G H
| Term | Meaning |
|---|
| FAQ | FAQ means Frequently Asked Question. |
| Firmware | Firmware is the system programmed into your device, usually TV devices. It enables the device to function and allows it to run applications and tasks. Firmware will need updated regularly. |
| 'G' label | If a programme has been flagged with guidance, it will feature a clear label and a ‘G’ symbol. Guidance labels are used for programmes that may be unsuitable for children, or that may contain strong language or upsetting scenes. |
| Hardware | Hardware is what we call the physical components of a piece of technology. For example, a hard drive, mouse, keyboard, monitor, or laptop can all be considered pieces of hardware. |
| HD | HD means High Definition. This is one of the standards of quality through which you can watch video streams. Other standards are SD (Standard Definition) or UHD (Ultra High Definition). |
| HTML | HTML means HyperText Markup Language. This is a universal type of computer code used for making websites and controlling how they are displayed. |
I J K L
| Term | Meaning |
|---|
| Install / uninstall | Installing means adding a piece of software to your device. For example, you can install the BBC iPlayer app onto your mobile. Uninstalling means removing this piece of software from your device. |
| Internet Service Provider (ISP) | Your internet service provider is who supplies your internet connection. |
| iOS | iOS is an operating system designed by Apple for their handheld products, for example, iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. |
| IP address | Your IP address is what websites use to determine where in the world you are accessing the internet from. IP addresses can be manipulated though, especially if you're using a VPN, so it might not always accurately reflect where you are geographically. |
M N O P
| Term | Meaning |
|---|
| Mobile data | Mobile data, also known as 4G or 5G, is a way to access the internet from your mobile or tablet device. Most people will use their mobile data when they don't have access to WiFi. How much data you have access to is usually determined by your mobile network provider. |
| On demand | An on-demand programme is one that you can watch whenever you want -- on demand. |
| Online / offline | Something can be described as online if it's connected to the internet. If something is offline, it's not connected to the internet. For example, you can watch programmes online if your device is connected to the internet. When you download a programme, you can watch it when your device isn't connected to the internet, and is offline. |
| Operating System (OS) | The operating system is the system your computer, mobile or tablet runs in order to function. The OS enables your device to run applications and perform tasks. It's the interface between you and your computer. |
| PC | PC means Personal Computer. This is usually a laptop or a desktop computer with a separate hard drive, monitor, mouse and keyboard. |
| PIN | PIN means Personal Identification Number. We'll ask you for a PIN if you set up a parental guidance lock. |
| Platform | This is a combination of hardware and software which software can run on. For example, our BBC iPlayer software can run on mobiles, tablets, computers and connected TVs, which are all platforms. |
| Programme | A programme is a full TV production that you can watch from beginning to end. It might only have one episode, or it might have several episodes. These episodes could be split into multiple series. |
Q R S T
| Term | Meaning |
|---|
| Register | Registering means signing up for a service by providing some details, such as your name or email address. |
| RSS | RSS means Really Simple Syndication. RSS feeds are lists of information taken from a website or service and updated in real-time with any new information added to that website. They allow you to stay updated when something new, like a podcast, becomes available. |
| Software | Software is what we call the components of technology which are coded into the computer, and not physical. Applications, programs and operating systems which tell the computer what to do are considered software. |
| Stream | Streaming is watching something online. You can stream by finding what you want to watch on the website or app and simply pressing play. |
| Troubleshooting | Troubleshooting is the process of following some steps to try to figure out what's going wrong if something is broken. You can also try troubleshooting steps to resolve the problem. |
U V W X Y Z
| Term | Meaning |
|---|
| URL | URL means Uniform Resource Locator and it's another way of referring to a website address. This is what you type into the address bar to go to a website. For example, "www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer" is a URL which will take you to the BBC iPlayer website. |
| Username | This is a name which identifies you when you sign in to a service. You can choose it yourself and it doesn't need to be your name. |
