Glossary

analog

A video signal in which a continuously variable voltage or current (rather than a set of numbers) represents the value of a pixel.

audio

The sound portion of a program, or, a track recorded on a videotape which contains sound, music, or narration.

black burst

A video signal which has no luminance or chrominance components (except burst), but contains all other elements of a video signal. Black burst is the most common reference signal used for timing.

brightness

Same as the luminance signal (Y), which carries information about the amount of light at each point in an image.

B-Y

Blue minus Y. B-Y signals are used in analog component videotape recording formats.

CCIR

Comite Consultatif International des Radio-Communications. An organization formed by the United Nations to regulate international communications.

CCIR-601

CCIR recommendation number 601, which sets a standard of encoding parameters for digital television.

chroma key

The process of using a video signal's color characteristics to do the “cutting” of a foreground image into a background image. Allows the weatherman to appear to stand in front of a satellite image.

chrominance

The color information in a composite video signal. Describes hue and saturation of a picture, but not the brightness. The signals R-Y and B-Y are examples of chrominance information.

color correction

A process in which the color elements in a video image are changed by electronic means. Color correction is almost always used in conjunction with high-end film-to-tape transfers.

component video

Video whose original elements are retained separately rather than combined into a single signal (composite video). Separating the color components yields a signal with a higher color bandwidth than that of composite video.

composite video

An signal consisting of combined luminance and chrominance components. Composite video can be either analog or digital.

digital

Component signals in which the values for each pixel are represented by a set of numbers.

format

The general configuration of signals used for equipment interconnection.

frame

In video, conceptually the same as one frame of film, except that a video frame is electronic. In NTSC, 30 frames comprise a second of video. In PAL, 25 frames comprise a second. In both standards, two fields comprise a frame. Note that in film, 24 frames comprise a second.

genlock

Video output timing is locked to a selected source.

Hi-8mm

An 8mm recording format developed by Sony; accepts composite and S-Video signals.

internal

Video output timing runs independent of any inputs. Should be used when no video input is available.

luminance

The monochrome component of a color video signal. Called the “Y” components as in R-Y and B-Y.

MIDI

Musical Instrument Digital Interface. MIDI is the serial communications of the audio industry, which allows a wide range of music and audio effects devices to interface cleanly.

NTSC

National Television Standards Committee: The organization which formulated the NTSC system. Refers to the US, Canadian, and Japanese TV standard of 525 scan lines at 60 Hz.

PAL

Phase Alternate Line: A composite color standard of 625 lines, 50 Hz, used in Asia, Europe, and Australia.

PAL-M

A version of the PAL system used only in Brazil.

RGB

red, green, and blue color signal components.

R-Y

Red minus Y. One of the color difference signals of the analog component video format.

slave

Video output timing is determined from video input timing and internal signal path delays.

SMPTE

Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. SMPTE sets standards for the professional film and video industry.

source

The tape or device from which a video or audio signal originates.

standard

The specific signal configuration, composed of reference pulses and voltage levels, which describe the input and output requirements of a video signal.

S-VHS, S-video

Video format in which the Y (luminance) and C (chrominance) portions of the signal are kept separate. Also known as Y/C.

VINO

Video In No Out. This is the standard video capability of an Indy workstation. The workstation will accept video input but does not create video output. Video input can be saved to disk but cannot be output to videotape.

video

The picture portion of a program, or, the picture track recorded on a videotape. A videotape typically contains one video (picture) track, up to four audio (sound) tracks, and one timecode track.

wipe

A transition whereby one portion of a video image is replaced with another, using a switcher-generated pattern or effect.

Y

The luminance signal in a component set.

Y/C

The S-VHS and Hi8 component video standard. Video is separated into luminance (Y) and chrominance (C) signals, but is carried on a single cable.

Y/R-Y/B-Y

The luminance and color difference signals of the Betacam component video tape recording format. See R-Y and B-Y.

YUV

The luminance and color difference signals of the PAL system. See Y/R-Y/B-Y.