PAL
Abbreviation for Phase Alternation Line. Television system in use in many countries in Europe as well as elsewhere.

PAL Plus
Transmission system compatible with PAL, providing the benefit of transmitting 16-9 format video images at higher quality.

Parental Lock
Term used to describe a channel locking function in satellite receivers. By means of a previously arranged code, viewing of one or more channels can be restricted to those persons who know the code (child-proof settings).

Pay-TV
Pay-TV or subscription TV refers to TV programmes that can only be viewed on payment of a fee, and are thus financed by the viewer. Most such programmes are partially or completely encrypted (scrambled) and can only be viewed with the aid of a special decoder.

Pilot signal (22 KHz)
This term refers to a low frequency signal at 22 KHz which provides an additional switching facility for the LNB to the satellite receiver.

PLL
Tuning system which ensures a very precise and constant setting of the tuner once a specific frequency for reception has been set.

Polarisation
Plane that corresponds to the electric component of an electromagnetic wave. The technology of satellite transmission utilises two planes in order to make better use of the frequency spectrum, horizontal and vertical. The system is based on a partial overlapping positioning of the bands of two adjacent channels. The interference one would expect to find in such a case is prevented by giving different polarity to the two channels.

Protractor
Sometimes also known as a clinometer. Instrument for measuring the antenna elevation in relation to the ground. A surveyor's theodolite may also be used.