a) Device used to recover the component signals from a composite (encoded) source. Decoders are used in displays and in various processing hardware where component signals are required from a composite source such as composite chroma keying or color correction equipment.

b) Device that changes NTSC signals into component signals; sometimes devices that change digital signals to analog (see DAC). All color TV sets must include an NTSC decoder. Because sets are so inexpensive, such decoders are often quite rudimentary. c) An embodiment of a decoding process.