Hangouts:

Online DM communication software app developed by Google and part of G-Suite that allows users to initiate and participate in text messaging, voice or video chats, either one-on-one or in a group. Hangouts is built into Gmail. Mobile Hangouts apps are also available for Apple iOS and Android devices

Hard Disk:

When you save data or install programs on your computer, the information is typically written to your computer’s hard disk. The hard disk is a spindle of magnetic disks, called platters, that record and store information. Because the data is stored magnetically, information recorded to the hard disk remains intact after you turn your computer off. This is an important distinction between the hard disk and RAM, or memory, which is reset when the computer’s power is turned off. The hard disk is housed inside the hard drive, which reads and writes data to the disk. The hard drive also transmits data back and forth between the CPU and the disk.

Hardware:

Refers to your physical computer equipment, like the monitor, mouse, etc. It also refers to the Viasat equipment installed at your location, such as the Viasat dish antenna and modem.

HDMI:

High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a digital interface for transmitting audio and video data in a single cable. It is supported by most HD TVs and related components, such as DVD and Blu-ray players, cable boxes and video game systems. While other types of A/V connections require separate cables for audio and video data, HDMI carries the audio and video streams together, greatly eliminating cable clutter. For example, a component cable connection requires three cables for video and two for audio, totaling five cables in all. The same information can be transmitted using one HDMI cable.

Because HDMI is a digital connection, HDMI cables are less prone to interference and signal noise than analog cables. Also, since most components, such as DVD players and digital cable boxes process information digitally, using HDMI eliminates the analog to digital conversion other interfaces require. Therefore, HDMI often produces the best quality picture and sound compared to other types of connections. HDMI cables are typically more expensive than analog cables, since they cost more to manufacture. But it is important to remember that with HDMI, you do not need to buy separate audio and video cables. Before you buy an HDMI cable, make sure the devices you are connecting have HDMI connections available.

HDTV:

High Definition Television (HDTV) is a high-quality video standard developed to replace older video formats often referred to as SDTV (standard definition television). While HDTV’s video quality is one of the most noticeable improvements over SDTV, HDTV includes a number of other important improvements as well. The HDTV signal is digital, which eliminates analog interference caused be electrical currents and magnetic fields. HDTV uses a different aspect ratio than SDTV. While previous broadcasts used a 4:3 ratio (4 units wide for every 3 units tall), HDTV uses a ratio of 16:9. This wider aspect ratio more closely emulates how humans see the world, making the image appear more realistic. This ratio is also better for watching widescreen movies, which are recorded in widescreen for the same reason.

HDTV offers a much higher resolution than standard definition video. While a typical analog broadcast in the U.S. contains a maximum of 525 horizontal lines of resolution, an HDTV signal supports up to 1080. The three formats used by HDTV are 1080i (interlaced), and 720p and 1080p (progressive). HDTV’s higher resolution produces images that are much finer and contain more detail & color than previous formats. HDTV also provides a higher-quality digital audio signal than SDTV and supports up to six audio channels compared to the two channels allowed previously. To watch HDTV, you need an HDTV-compatible television and a means of receiving an HDTV signal. HDTVs come in both 16:9 and 4:3 formats (for backwards compatibility). Most cable and satellite TV companies offer HDTV-compatible boxes with their digital service plans and several internet service providers (ISP) like Viasat satellite now offer HDTV quality plans, so that you can stream HDTV programing on a mobile device, smart TV or computer monitor through your Viasat internet connection.

Hibernation Plan:

The Viasat Hibernation Plan is a plan for Viasat internet customers who intend to be away from their service location for 2-6 months per year. If you move between residences during the year (or take an exceptionally long vacation), you can suspend your Viasat internet service for up to 6 months in any 12-month period. You’ll pay just $9.99 per month, plus your monthly lease fee (if applicable) in order to keep your Viasat internet account active while you’re away. At the time you switch to the Hibernation Plan, your service will immediately be restricted and unusable for most activities.

Host:

This is a computer that acts as a server for other computers on a network. It can be a web server, an email server, an FTP server, etc.

Hotspot:

Also known as a “mobile hotspot” is an ad hoc wireless access point that is created by a dedicated hardware device or a smartphone feature that shares the phone’s cellular data.

HTML:

Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is the underlying protocol used on the internet. This protocol defines how messages are formatted and transmitted and what actions web servers and browsers should take in response to various commands. You will note, most website addresses begin with “http://”. Whenever you type a URL into your browser and hit “enter” your computer sends an HTTP request to the appropriate web server. The web server, which is designed to handle HTTP requests, then sends to you the requested HTML page.

HTTP:

HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is the protocol used to transfer data over the World Wide Web. That’s why all website addresses begin with “http://”. Whenever you type a URL into your browser and hit “Enter” your computer sends an HTTP request to the appropriate web server. The web server, which is designed to handle HTTP requests, then sends to you the requested HTML page.

HTTPS:

Hyper-Text Transport Protocol Secure (HTTPS) is the same thing as HTTP, but uses a secure socket layer (SSL) for security purposes. Some examples of sites that use HTTPS include banking and investment websites, e-commerce websites and most websites that require you to log in. Websites that use the standard HTTP protocol transmit and receive data in an unsecured manner. Whereas secure websites use the HTTPS protocol to encrypt the data being sent back and forth with SSL encryption. If someone were to capture the data being transferred via HTTPS, it would be unrecognizable.

You can tell if a website is secure by viewing the URL in the address field of your Web browser. If the Web address starts with “https://” you know you are accessing a secure website. Most browsers will also display a lock icon somewhere along the edge of the window to indicate the website you are currently visiting is secure. You can click the lock icon to view the secure certificate that authenticates the website.

Hub:

A hardware device that is used to network multiple computers together. It is a central connection for all the computers in a network, which is usually Ethernet-based. Information sent to the hub can flow to any other computer on the network. If you need to connect more than two computers together in a household or business, a hub will allow you to do so. If you only need to network two computers together, a simple crossover Ethernet cable will work just fine.

Hulu:

An internet-based video-on-demand service founded by major broadcast networks NBCUniversal, Fox Entertainment and Disney-ABC. Hulu offers streaming video service with a limited amount of movies, TV programs and original programing for viewing on PCs, mobile devices or through your smart TV.