Overwhelmed by the jargon? Heres a list of video-related terms to help you decode the cryptic vernacular of video.
- aspect ratio
- Proportional height and width of a picture on screen. The current NTSC standard for conventional receiver or monitor is four by three (4:3); 16:9 for HDTV.
- audio dub
- Recording audio over prerecorded videotape soundtrack, or a portion, without affecting prerecorded video images.
- automatic exposure
- Camcorder circuitry that monitors light levels and adjusts camcorder iris and/or shutter speed accordingly, compensating for changing light conditions.
- .AVI (Audio-Video Interleave)
- The PC file extension of the Video for Windows format.
- character generator
- Device which electronically produces letters, numbers, symbols and other graphic displays for on-screen video titling.
- chrominance
- Portion of video signal that carries color information (hue and saturation, but not brightness); frequently abbreviate d as "C." [See luminance]
- component video
- A video signal in which the luminance (brightness) and chrominance (color) components are kept as separate signals to improve image quality.
- composite video
- The standard video signal that combines the luminance and chrominance into one signal.
- cut
- Instantaneous change from one shot to another.
- cutaway
- Shot of other than principal action (but peripherally related); frequently used as transitional footage or to avoid a jump cut.
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August 1999
Sun, 08/01/1999 - 12:00am
