AC. Alternating Current. Electrical current that changes polarity regularly and continually.

Active Picture Area The part of a TV picture that contains actual image information as opposed to sync or other data. Vertically the active picture area is 486 lines for NTSC and 576 lines for PAL. The inactive area is called blanking.

AGC. Automatic Gain Control. Electronic circuit designed to keep signals at an acceptable level by amplifying signals that are too low or reducing signals that are too high.

AFM recording Audio Frequency Modulation recording. An audio signal is frequency-modulated and recorded on the video track together with a video signal, enabling multi-channel audio recording and better reproduction.

Amp. (Ampere). Unit of electrical measure equal to one volt sent through a resistance of one ohm. Also one watt divided by one volt.

Amplified. Any electronic device used to increase the level or power of signals applied to it.

Analog A signal that varies continuously over a range of amplitudes. A digital signal by contrast has only two values, representing 1 or 0.

Aperture. The opening in a lens, controlling the amount of light that passes through the lens.

B

Back focus. The distance from the rear element of a lens to the image plane on the camera.

Broadcast Quality A nebulous term used to describe the output of a manufacturers product . Usually at least means that the technical specifications meet the FCC rules for broadcasting.

Bandwidth. The amount of audio or radio spectrum required or used by a signal or waveform.

Barn door. A metal flap or group of metal flaps attached to the front of a lamp housing to prevent light from spilling outside a desired area.

Bayonet mount used on most cameras to secure the lens on the body by using a lens fixing ring. Could also be an electrical connerctor

Betacam. A component broadcast system using half-inch tape and cases similar to those for the Beta format.

Bidirectional microphone. A microphone designed to pick up sound on two sides of the microphone along the same axis, but reject sound from any other direction.

Black balance adjustment is done in order to assure that black has no color. The camera balances the black levels of the R, G and B channels.

Black set A reference level for black balance adjustment.

BNC connector. A connector with a bayonet lock used with coaxial video cable.

Boom microphone. Any microphone, but usually a unidirectional or shotgun microphone, attached to a pole or boom to keep the microphone near an audio source but outside of the field of view.

Brightness control. A control used to adjust the illumination of viewfinders, monitors, and receivers, but not affecting signal levels from cameras or other picture sources.

Burn. Part of a pickup tubes that has a depletion of charge evidence by a negative image of the picture source causing the depletion. This condition is temporary unless the tube is turned off and allowed to cool before the problem is corrected.

C

Cable. The electrical cords used to interconnect pieces of audio and video equipment.

Camera cap. A cap screwed or mounted onto the front of a camera in place of the lens to protect the camera pickup tube from light or dirt when the lens is not in place.

Cannon.A three-pin connector used with balanced audio lines for line and mic level audio signals. Also known as an XL or XLR connector.

Capacitor. An electrical device which stores energy as an electrostatic charge. Often used as a component in filter circuits.

CCD (Charge-coupled device). It replaced the pickup tube, a CCD is a solid state imager which converts input light levels into electrical charges, which are once stored and then output in the form of voltage variations. 

CCU. Camera control unit.

Center marker A cross that indicates the center of the image on the viewfinder screen.

CG. Character Generator. A small computer used to generate titles and other text electronically without the use of a camera.

Chroma. The characteristic of a color which refers to its saturation or intensity. Also the color pattern of the television signal.

Chroma key. A key based on the chroma saturation and hue of portions of a picture, rather than on the luminance, or brightness. A specific hue is replaced by one picture source, while the rest of the picture is replaced by another picture source. A chroma key is an external key.

Chrominance. The color portion of the television signal.

Chrominance signal or chroma signal is a video signal containing color information.

C-mount lens. A lens with a standard one-inch threaded mount assembly that is screwed into the camera body, as opposed to a bayonet or "m" mount.

Coaxial cable. A cable having a center conductor surrounded by insulation and a grounded shield.

Color bar signal is a  test signal which can be displayed as vertical bars of different colors on a color video monitor. It is used to check chrominance functions of color television and camera's.

Color conversion filter is an optical filter used with video cameras to convert the color temperature of a light source.

Color temperature is measured in Kelvins (K). Each light source has it's own color temperature.

Component video signal A signal that consists of a luminance signal (Y) and two chrominance (color difference) signals (R-Y, B-Y).

Composite video signal A signal that consists of video (luminance and color subcarrier), sync (horizontal and vertical), and color burst signals.

Condensation is moisture condensation usualy on the head drum, which cases the tape to stick to the drum, resulting in damaging the tape and posible malfunction of the recorder.

Condenser microphone. A microphone using a power supply (usually a battery) to maintain a charge across two plates which modulate a voltage when the distance between them changes.

Contrast. The difference in illumination between the brightest and darkest parts of a scene or picture.

Contrast control. A control used to change the amplitude of the video signal in viewfinders receivers, and monitors, but not affecting the output of cameras or other video sources.

Control track. A reference signal recorded on videotape and used to control the path of the video heads across the tape on playback.

Credits. Listings of all those involved in making a program, usually appearing at the end of a television program or film.

CRT Cathode-ray tube. Video camera viewfinders are equipped with a CR1 image display, so you can monitor what you are shooting.

CTDM Compressed Time Division Multiplex. A method of processing chrominance signals for recording. When component video signals are recorded, both of the two chrominance signals (R—Y, B—Y) are time-compressed to half, multiplexed, and recorded on a single track one after the other.

CTL Control signal in the form of regular pulses recorded along a longitudinal track on the videotape. By counting these pulses, it is possible to determine the number of frames, and hence the tape’s running time. Used mainly to adjust the tracking position of video heads, and to achieve time code continuity in continuous recording.

D

D1 Digital video tape format using the CCIR 601 standard to record 4:2:2 component video on 19mm tape. Currently the highest quality video tape format generally available. The first digital video tape format, hence D1.

D2 Digital video tape format using the 4fsc method to record composite digital video. Uses 19mm tape and a cassette similar to D1. The second digital video tape format, hence D2.

D3 Digital video tape format using 4fsc composite signals like D2, but recorded on 12.5 mm (1/2-inch) tape. The third digital video tape format...

D4 DoesnÕt exist. The number 4 is considered unlucky in Japan.

D5 Digital video tape format using CCIR 601, 4:2:2 video. Uses the same cassette as D3. 

dB. Decibel. A unit used to compare the relative levels of electrical signals on a logarithmic scale. 

DCC Dynamic Contrast Control. Restores lost detail when shooting against bright backgrounds

Digital A form in which everything is defined by a series of numbers, usually ones and zeros (binary).

Digital Betacam Digital video tape format using the CCIR 601 standard to record 4:2:2 component video in compressed form on 12.5mm (1/2-inch) tape.

DDR Digital Disk Recorder A digital video recording device based on high speed computer disk drives. Commonly used as a means to get video into and out from computers and for editing.

Digitizing The act of taking analog video and/or audio and converting it to digital form. In 8 bit digital video there are 256 possible steps between maximum white and minimum black.

Dissolve. The gradual change from one picture to another, allowing the pictures to be superimposed during the transition.

Distortion. Any undesirable alteration in an audio or video signal.

Drop frame mode SMPTE time code runs at 30 frames/second, while the NTSC color television system runs at about 29.97 frames/second. This results in that a length of 1 hour as indicated by time code is longer than the actual clock time of 1 hour by 108 frames, or about 3.6 seconds. Drop frame mode adjusts the running of time code to eliminate this discrepancy, by dropping two frames from time code account at the beginning of each minute except every tenth minute. On the other hand, non-drop frame mode does not adjust the discrepancy between time code value and actual time.

Dolly. A wheeled device attached to a tripod to allow smooth movement of a camera. Also a camera movement toward or away from the subject (dolly forward, dolly back).

Dub. To copy by playing back on one machine and recording on another.

Duct tape. A shiny adhesive tape designed for holding metal heating and cooling ducts, but also commonly used as a substitute for gaffers tape, a general purpose tape used in television and film.

DVC Digital Video Cassette. A digital tape recording format using approximately 5:1 compression to produce near-Betacam quality on a very small cassette. Originated as a consumer product, but being used professionally as exemplified by Panasonic's variation, DVC-Pro, and Sony's variation DVCam.

DVD Digital Video Disk (or Digital Versatile Disk). A new format for putting full length movies on a 5" CD using MPEG-2 compression for "much better than VHS" quality.

DVE Digital Video Effects. A "black box" which digitally manipulates the video to create special effects, for example, the ADO (Ampex Digital Optics) system. Common DVE effects include inverting the picture, shrinking it, moving it around within the frame of another picture, spinning it, and a great many more.

Dynamic microphone. A microphone which uses a magnet moving in a coil of wire to generate an electrical signal.

E

EBU European Broadcasting Union. Established by broadcasting and related organizations in Europe.

EFP. Electronic Field Production. Production of a television program or program segment by using portable video cameras, VTRs, and sound equipment outside the studios. EFP is characterized by generally higher production quality than ENG.

ENG Electronic news gathering. The use of portable video cameras, VTRs, and sound equipment for the production of daily news stories and short documentaries.

F

Field. One scan from the top to the bottom of the television frame, tracing alternate horizontal lines and taking one sixtieth of a second to complete.

Filter. A flat piece of glass or gelatin with no optical properties other than to control the color or intensity of light.

Filter. An electrical device used to reduce the transmission of signals in some frequency ranges and allow transmission of signals in other frequency ranges.

Flag. A metal flap used near a lens to keep lights from shining directly into the lens and causing lens flare.

Flare Dark or colored flashes caused by signal overload through extreme light reflections of polished objects or very bright lights.

Flicker Repeated change of brightness on the screen.

Focal length. The distance from the optical center of a lens to the focal plane.

Focal plane. The plane perpendicular to the lens axis at which parallel rays striking the lens are converged to a point.

Focus. To cause a sharp image from a lens to be projected onto the focal plane (in the case of a camera) or onto a screen (in the case of a projector). Also to adjust the electron beam converging circuits in a television monitor for maximum sharpness as they strike the surface of the picture tube.

Frame. A complete television picture consisting of two interlaced fields of video. The frame rate for PAL system is 24 frames per second and for the NTSC system is thirty frames per second.

Freeze frame. The continuous repetition of a single frame of video. 

Frequency. The rate of repetition of an electrical or audio signal, expressed in Hertz (cycles per second).

Fresnel. A special light-weight lens used in focusing beams of light. Originally used in lighthouses, now also used in high-quality studio and theatrical lights.

f-stop. The size of the aperture in a lens, given in f-numbers. The lower the f-number, the more light passes through the lens. It is the ratio of the lens focal length to the actual diameter of the aperture opening. See T-stop.

Fuse. A device designed to interrupt an electrical circuit in the event of an overload of that circuit.

G

Gaffer's tape. A strong adhesive tape used in film and television production.

Gain. Degree of amplification. The difference between the signal level at the input of a device and the level at the output, usually expressed in dB.

Genloc. To reference a signal generator to a signal normally external to and separate from the system controlled by the signal generator. The purpose is to bring a system, such as a studio, into proper timing with an external source, such as a live remote camera, so that special effects as wipes, keys, and dissolves can be done using the external source in combination with internal sources.

Grip. The crew member principally responsible for the transportation, maintenance and mounting of the camera.

H

HAD Hole-Accumulated Diode. A CCD sensor structure designed to suppress certain types of noise inherent to CCDs. See also CCD.

HDTV High Definition Television. A TV format capable of displaying on a wider screen (16x9 as opposed to the conventional 4x3) and at higher resolution.

Head. The uppermost portion of a tripod or pedestal which provides for the ability to pan and tilt the camera.

Hertz. Cycle per second.

Hiss. The background noise generated in an audio system which is internally generated by microphones, amplifiers, and tape.

Horizontal resolution The capability of a video camera or a display unit to resolve detail in the horizontal direction. Usually expressed as the number of vertical lines which can be distinguished in the reproduced image of a test chart.

Horizontal sync. That portion of the sync signal that controls the horizontal timing (and therefore horizontal location) of each line of picture.

Hum. Unwanted low frequency audio noise caused by improperly shielded or improperly grounded audio cables and circuits.

I

Internal sync. Synchronizing signals generated by a camera, recorder, or other picture source without reference to or need of external synchronizing signals.

I signal One of the two color signals, containing reddish orange and bluish green components to which the human eye is sensitive.

IRE scale The scale to determine video signal amplitudes devised by the Institute of Radio Engineers (IRE), an American organization now called the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). The IRE scale includes a total of 140 units, with 100 up and 40 down from zero.

Iris A circular mechanical device built into a camera lens, to permit control of the amount of light passing through the lens by varying the diameter of its central aperture.

K

Key. A video special effect in which the level of a video signal is used as a switch which allows selective substitution of picture information from one source with picture information from a different source. Luminance keyers use the amplitude of the monochrome portion of the signal, while chroma keyers use the amplitude of a specific color or hue. Most printed material is inserted into video using luminance keys, while picture information is inserted using chroma keys.

Keystone. The effect of projecting an image onto a surface that is not perpendicular to the axis of the projecting lens. Parallel lines tend to converge in the direction where the surface is closer to the lens.

L

Lag. The tendency in some camera pickup tubes to retain an image after it is no longer presented to the tube. This effect is most evident when a relatively bright image is replaced by a darker field of view and is aggravated when a bright image is stationary in the field of view for an extended period of time before it is replaced.

Latent image. The image retained by a pickup tube after the source of that image is removed. If a latent image is present on a pickup tube when a camera is turned off, the image may be permanently fixed on the tube.

Lavalier. A microphone worn on the body and held in place either with a lanyard worn around the neck or a clip fastened to clothing. The frequency response of a lavalier microphone is skewed toward the higher frequencies to compensate for the low frequency sound transmitted directly to the microphone by contact with the body.

Lens hood. Also lens shade. A cone fastened to the front end of a lens to keep incident light from striking the lens elements and causing lens flare.

Limiter. An amplifier designed to limit or compress signals over a desired level, thus reducing the chances of distortion and keeping the range of signal levels within the range that can be recorded. Unlike an automatic gain control, a limiter does not augment or boost low levels.

LNG recording Longitudinal recording. To record audio signals on tape along its longitudinal tracks.

LTC Longitudinal Time Code. A time code recorded along the tape in the forward direction of tape run. A VTR cannot reproduce LTC when tape run stops to output a still picture. The output level of LTC is very low when tape runs slowly. So an LTC read error is likely to occur while the VTR is playing back in slow motion. See also Time code and VITC.

Luminance signal A signal that determines the brightness of the picture. Also called Y signal.

M

Mixer. An electronic device for combining the outputs of several sound sources, with separate control over the volume or quality of each.

Metal tape Magnetic tape coated with fine metallic particles, noted for its high recording density.

N

ND filter Neutral Density filter. ND filters reduce the amount of incident light equally across the entire visible wavelength range without affecting color.

Noise. Any unwanted signal interfering with the clarity and intelligibility of desired signals. The background of static inherent in any recording or amplifying device, generally forty to sixty db below the peak output level of the device.

Non-Linear Editor An editing system based on storage of video and audio on computer disk, where the order or lengths of scenes can be changed without the necessity of re-assembling or copying the program.

NTNC (National Television Standards Commitee) Video format using 525 scan lines, tape running at about 30 frames per second. This format is mainly used in North America.

Nuvicon. A type of video pickup tube used in inexpensive color television cameras.

O

Omnidirectional microphone. A microphone which picks up sound equally well from all directions.

Optical Viewfinder. A camera viewfinder which has no electronics and therefore cannot reflect the actual picture being transmitted from the camera. Optical viewfinders for inexpensive television cameras are rangefinder viewfinders which are separate from the camera lens system and show a picture slightly different from that seen by the camera. The difference is most troublesome for subjects close to the camera where the angle of difference, or parallax, is greatest.

Off-Line Editor A low resolution, usually computer and disk based edit system in which the creative editing decisions can be made at lower cost and often with greater flexibility than in an expensive fully equipped on-line suite. See also Non-Linear Editor

On-Line Editor An editing system where the actual video master is created. An on-line bay usually consists of an editing computer, video switcher, audio mixer, 1 or more channels of DVE, character generator, and several video tape machines.

Oxide tape Magnetic tape coated with fine particles of manganese oxide.

P

PAL Phase Alternate Line. The television and video standard in use in most of Europe. Consists of 625 horizontal lines at a field rate of 50 fields per second. (Two fields equals one complete Frame). 

PAL (Phase Alternating Line) Video Standard, 625 scan lines (Only 576 of these lines are used for picture. The rest are used for sync or extra information such as VITC and Closed Captioning), tape runs at 25 frames per second

Pixel Short for Picture Element. The basic unit from which a video or computer picture is made. Essentially a dot with a given color and brightness value. The more pixels the higher the resolution of the picture.

Parabola. A parabolic dish used to reflect sound waves, concentrating them on a microphone, allowing sound to be picked up from greater distances than with even a normal unidirectional or shotgun microphone.

Parallax. The difference in view caused by looking at a scene from two slightly different locations.

Patch bay. Patch panel. A control panel where all the video and audio lines used in a studio are brought together and terminated in connectors allowing any combination of lines to be wired together as desired by patching in short lengths of cable.

Pedestal. A camera support generally restricted to studio use having a single elevator column mounted on a tricycle base.

Pedestal level A black level which is the absolute black level of a video signal. Normally, a video signal refers to the setup level (about 0% to 5% of video amplitude above the blanking level) as the black level.

Pickup tube. A light-sensitive electron tube which is scanned by an electron beam to convert an image focused on the face of the tube into an electronic signal.

Pop. Microphone distortion caused by speaking certain consonants (especially "p") into a microphone placed too close to the mouth.

Q

Q signal One of the two color signals, containing yellow and violet components to which the human eye is relatively insensitive.

Quartz-halogen. The light of choice in color television, designed to maintain correct color temperature and uniform output throughout its life. Provides much higher output than conventional tungsten light of the same power consumption and has a life up to one hundred times that of common tungsten photographic lights. These lamps are sensitive to shock and handling and should never be touched with bare hands.

R

RGB Red, Green, Blue. The primary colors of light. Computers and some analog component devices use separate red, green, and blue color channels to keep the full bandwidth and therefore the highest quality picture.

Radio mic. Transmitter mic or wireless mic. A microphone connected to a small radio transmitter, used in situations where cables would be cumbersome or impossible to use. FCC regulations are stringent in the use of transmitter microphones.

Receiver. Any device capable of demodulating an RF signal, such as a radio, tuner, or television set.

Recorder. Any device that converts an electronic signal to a magnetic pattern in the oxide coating of a magnetic tape.

Reference video signal A video signal which contains a sync signal or sync and burst signals, used as a reference for synchronization of video equipment.

Resolution. The degree to which fine detail can be recorded or displayed. In film, measured in pairs of light and dark lines per millimeter. In television, measured in lines per scan. Thus, the horizontal resolution of a television camera would be measured by the number of discernible vertical lines that could be displayed across the width of the screen.

RF (Radio Frequency) That part of the frequency spectrum in which it is possible to radiate (transmit) electromagnetic waves. Any part of the broadcast band, including radio and television.

Roll-off. The gradual reduction of frequencies above or below a certain point. Filters which roll off the bass frequencies are often included in unidirectional microphones to compensate for proximity effect.

R—V signal R (red) signal minus Y (luminance) signal; one of the color difference signals.

S

Safe area. In television graphics or film shot for television, the area which is almost certain to be displayed on any television set. About 80% of the scanned area.

Saticon. A television pickup tube used mostly in industrial television and electronic news gathering.

SECAM (Systèm Electronique pour Couleur avec Mémoire) Video Format at 625 scan lines, tape runs at 25 frames per second.

SEG. Special Effects Generator. The device in television used to switch between and combine various picture sources. Also called a switcher.

Sensitivity. The ability of a device, such as a camera or microphone, to sense intelligible information and convert it into a usable electronic signal.

Servo. An electronic circuit used to control the speed of a motor which drives a videotape recorder head assembly drum, which must be controlled with great precision.

Servo lock In a VTR, to lock (or synchronize) the operation of the servomechanisms to a reference sync signal. 

Shutter speed The length of time for which the shutter stays open. The higher the shutter speed is, the more clearly a moving object can be shot.

Shock mount. A support for a microphone which used rubber of foam supports to isolate the mic from vibrations which can appear as low frequency rumble in the audio.

Shotgun microphone. A unidirectional microphone with a narrow pickup pattern.

SMPTE Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, a professional association established in the U.S.A. mainly for the purpose of setting forth motion picture and television engineering standards.

S/N Signal-to-Noise ratio. The relation of the strength of the desired signal to the accompanying electronic interference, the noise. If S/N is high, sounds are reproduced with less noise and pictures are reproduced clearly without snow.

Superimposition. The adding or mixing of two video signals to produce and image with two or more pictures visible simultaneously. Used when a keyer is not available to add graphics to video. Sometimes used to refer to a key.

Sync. Any of the signals used to generate and control a television picture, but, specifically, the portion of the composite video signal from zero to minus forty IRE units consisting of vertical and horizontal timing pulses and equalizing signals to maintain the proper relationship of the two fields of video making up each frame.

T

TBC. Time base corrector. A highly specialized device with the primary function of making the unstable video output of a videotape recorder conform to the rigid timing of a signal generator, allowing videotape to be used as a picture source in combination with other sources driven by the signal generator.

Time code A digitally encoded signal that is recorded on videotape to identify each frame of video by hour, minute, second and frame number. SMPTE time code is applied to NTSC system, and EBU time code to PAL and SECAM systems. There are two kinds of recorded signal: longitudinal time code (LTC) and vertical interval time code (VITC). See also LTC and VITC.

Time code lock To synchronize the built-in time code generator of video equipment such as a VTR to an external time code.

Titles. Graphic information appearing at the beginning of a program, generally including the title, author, producer, writer, director, and major personalities.

Tracking control. The control used to maintain alignment of the video head with the tracks of video information on a tape.

Tuner. The demodulator section of a radio, television set, or videotape recorder.

U

UHF. Ultra High Frequency. Radio frequencies from 300 to 3,000 megahertz.

U-matic. The standard format for 3/4 inch videocassette recorders. This format has a maximum record/play time of one hour and two discrete audio channels.

User’s bits A total of 32 bits are provided in time code which you can use to record such information as date, scene number, or reel number on videotape.

V

Vectorscope. A special type of oscilloscope designed to display the saturation and hue of chroma signals in a polar pattern. This device is essential in the evaluation of color signals when aligning color picture sources or matching and timing color sources in a television system.

VHF. Very high frequency. Radio frequencies from 30 to 300 megahertz.

VHS. A half inch videocassette format using the "M" wrap tape path. Not compatible with the BETA format.

Video gain Amount of amplification for video signals, expressed in decibels (dB)

Viewfinder A video monitor attached directly to a video camera.

Videocassette. A container holding both the feed and take-up reels which is inserted into a videotape recorder and threaded automatically.

Volt. The standard unit for measuring the difference of potential between two points in an electronic circuit.

VTR. Videotape recorder.

VITC Vertical Interval Time Code. A time code recorded on videotape in two horizontal lines during each vertical blanking period of a video signal. Unlike LTC, VITC is recorded in the same tracks as the video information, so they can be read even while the tape is not moving. See also Time code and LTC.

W

Watt. Unit of electrical power equal to one volt across a resistance of one ohm, or one volt at a current of one ampere.

Waveform monitor. A specialized oscilloscope designed to display the video waveform with great stability and high resolution. Essential in determining and setting correct levels for the luminance (monochrome) and sync portions of the composite video signal and useful in evaluating critical timing relationships.

White balance adjustment In the light of a particular color temperature, to adjust the white levels of the R, G, and B channels of a color video camera so that any white object shot in that light is reproduced as a truly white image. See also Color temperature.

White shading When shooting a white object, the upper and lower portions of the screen may appear magenta or green while the central portion appears white, depending on the performance of the camera lens. This is called white shading.

Wind screen. A thin soft foam cover for microphones which reduces the noise made by wind striking the microphone.

Wipe. The transition between television picture sources in which each picture source is displayed on only a portion of the screen, that portion being determined by an electronically generated pattern which can be sized and positioned using a special effects generator.

X

XLR or Cannon A three-pin audio connector used with balanced lines in microphone and line level audio applications.

Z

Zebra pattern In a video camera, striped patterns which appear in the viewfinder screen to indicate areas of the image where the video level is higher than a certain value.

Zoom To gradually change the field of view of a camera lens from wide to narrow angle (zoom in) or narrow to wide angle (zoom out).

Zoom lens. A lens with a variable focal length.

Zoom ratio. The ratio of the longest focal length to the shortest focal length of a zoom lens.