Television-----the most pervasive1 and persuasive2 of modern technologies, marked by rapid change and growth-is moving into a new era, an era of extraordinary sophistication and versatility3, which promises to reshape our lives and our world. It is an electronic revolution of sorts, made possible by the marriage of television and computer technologies.
The word "television", derived4 from its Greek (tele: distant) and Latin (visi sight) roots, can literally5 be interpreted as sight from a distance. Very simply put, it works in this way: through a sophisticated system of electronics, television provides the capability6 of converting an image (focused on a special photoconductive plate within a camera) into electronic impulses, which can be sent through a wire or cable. These impulses, when fed into a receiver (television set), can then be electronically reconstituted into that same image.
Television is more than just an electronic system, however. It is a means of expression, as well as a vehicle for communication, and as such becomes a powerful tool for reaching other human beings.
The field of television can be divided into two categories determined7 by its means of transmission. First, there is broadcast television, which reaches the masses through broad-based airwave transmission of television signals. Second, there is nonbroadcast television, which provides for the needs of individuals or specific interest groups through controlled transmission techniques.
Traditionally, television has been a medium of the masses. We are most familiar with broadcast television because it has been with us for about thirty-seven years in a form similar to what exists today. During those years, it has been controlled, for the most part, by the broadcast networks, ABC, NBC, and CBS, who have been the major purveyors of news, information, and entertainment. These giants of broadcasting have actually shaped not only television but our perception of it as well. We have come to look upon the picture tube as a source of entertainment, placing our role in this dynamic medium as the passive viewer.
1 pervasive
adj.普遍的；遍布的，(到處)彌漫的；滲透性的
參考例句：
It is the most pervasive compound on earth.它是地球上最普遍的化合物。
The adverse health effects of car exhaust are pervasive and difficult to measure.汽車尾氣對(duì)人類健康所構(gòu)成的有害影響是普遍的，并且難以估算。
2 persuasive
adj.有說服力的，能說得使人相信的
參考例句：
His arguments in favour of a new school are very persuasive.他贊成辦一座新學(xué)校的理由很有說服力。
The evidence was not really persuasive enough.證據(jù)并不是太有說服力。
3 versatility
n.多才多藝，多樣性，多功能
參考例句：
Versatility is another of your strong points,but don't overdo it by having too many irons in the fire.你還有一個(gè)長(zhǎng)處是多才多藝，但不要攬事太多而太露鋒芒。
This versatility comes from a dual weather influence.這種多樣性是由于雙重的氣候影響而形成的。
4 derived
vi.起源；由來；衍生；導(dǎo)出v.得到( derive的過去式和過去分詞 )；（從…中）得到獲得；源于；（從…中）提取
參考例句：
Many English words are derived from Latin and Greek. 英語(yǔ)很多詞源出于拉丁文和希臘文。 來自《簡(jiǎn)明英漢詞典》
He derived his enthusiasm for literature from his father. 他對(duì)文學(xué)的愛好是受他父親的影響。 來自《簡(jiǎn)明英漢詞典》
5 literally
adv.照字面意義，逐字地；確實(shí)
參考例句：
He translated the passage literally.他逐字逐句地翻譯這段文字。
Sometimes she would not sit down till she was literally faint.有時(shí)候，她不走到真正要昏厥了，決不肯坐下來。
6 capability
n.能力；才能；(pl)可發(fā)展的能力或特性等
參考例句：
She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潛力成為杰出演員。
Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.組織整個(gè)部門是他能力以外的事。
7 determined
adj.堅(jiān)定的；有決心的
參考例句：
I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已決定畢業(yè)后去西藏。
He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他決定查看一下辦公室后面的房間。
The word "television", derived4 from its Greek (tele: distant) and Latin (visi sight) roots, can literally5 be interpreted as sight from a distance. Very simply put, it works in this way: through a sophisticated system of electronics, television provides the capability6 of converting an image (focused on a special photoconductive plate within a camera) into electronic impulses, which can be sent through a wire or cable. These impulses, when fed into a receiver (television set), can then be electronically reconstituted into that same image.
Television is more than just an electronic system, however. It is a means of expression, as well as a vehicle for communication, and as such becomes a powerful tool for reaching other human beings.
The field of television can be divided into two categories determined7 by its means of transmission. First, there is broadcast television, which reaches the masses through broad-based airwave transmission of television signals. Second, there is nonbroadcast television, which provides for the needs of individuals or specific interest groups through controlled transmission techniques.
Traditionally, television has been a medium of the masses. We are most familiar with broadcast television because it has been with us for about thirty-seven years in a form similar to what exists today. During those years, it has been controlled, for the most part, by the broadcast networks, ABC, NBC, and CBS, who have been the major purveyors of news, information, and entertainment. These giants of broadcasting have actually shaped not only television but our perception of it as well. We have come to look upon the picture tube as a source of entertainment, placing our role in this dynamic medium as the passive viewer.
1 pervasive
adj.普遍的；遍布的，(到處)彌漫的；滲透性的
參考例句：
It is the most pervasive compound on earth.它是地球上最普遍的化合物。
The adverse health effects of car exhaust are pervasive and difficult to measure.汽車尾氣對(duì)人類健康所構(gòu)成的有害影響是普遍的，并且難以估算。
2 persuasive
adj.有說服力的，能說得使人相信的
參考例句：
His arguments in favour of a new school are very persuasive.他贊成辦一座新學(xué)校的理由很有說服力。
The evidence was not really persuasive enough.證據(jù)并不是太有說服力。
3 versatility
n.多才多藝，多樣性，多功能
參考例句：
Versatility is another of your strong points,but don't overdo it by having too many irons in the fire.你還有一個(gè)長(zhǎng)處是多才多藝，但不要攬事太多而太露鋒芒。
This versatility comes from a dual weather influence.這種多樣性是由于雙重的氣候影響而形成的。
4 derived
vi.起源；由來；衍生；導(dǎo)出v.得到( derive的過去式和過去分詞 )；（從…中）得到獲得；源于；（從…中）提取
參考例句：
Many English words are derived from Latin and Greek. 英語(yǔ)很多詞源出于拉丁文和希臘文。 來自《簡(jiǎn)明英漢詞典》
He derived his enthusiasm for literature from his father. 他對(duì)文學(xué)的愛好是受他父親的影響。 來自《簡(jiǎn)明英漢詞典》
5 literally
adv.照字面意義，逐字地；確實(shí)
參考例句：
He translated the passage literally.他逐字逐句地翻譯這段文字。
Sometimes she would not sit down till she was literally faint.有時(shí)候，她不走到真正要昏厥了，決不肯坐下來。
6 capability
n.能力；才能；(pl)可發(fā)展的能力或特性等
參考例句：
She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潛力成為杰出演員。
Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.組織整個(gè)部門是他能力以外的事。
7 determined
adj.堅(jiān)定的；有決心的
參考例句：
I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已決定畢業(yè)后去西藏。
He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他決定查看一下辦公室后面的房間。