Does that jargon confuse you? Next time you need to know what a word is supposed to mean, look it up in our 203 word glossary.

ADO (Ampex Digital Optics) Trade name for digital effects system manufactured and sold by Ampex.

AGC (Automatic Gain Control) A circuit that automatically adjusts audio or video input levels.

analog An electrical signal that is continuously variable. animatic Limited animation consisting of artwork shot and edited to serve as a video tape storyboard. Commonly used for test commercials.

animation the illusion of movement and/or bringing to life of inanimate objects or images. Objects are photographed or created one frame at a time. The frames are then replayed in rapid succession to simulate realistic movement. Applications range from flying 2-D or 3-D logos to feature length animated films or cartoons.

aspect ratio the height and width relationship of a film/video image. This ratio is important in both the production and exhibition process. In NTSC, the aspect ratio is 3 units high by 4 units wide. see NTSC and HDTV.

assembly edit an editing process where pieces are laid down on media in consecutive order, the video, audio, and control track are laid down simultaneously. This process eliminates the need to stripe a tape with time code before editing.

auto assembly Process of assembling an edited video tape on a computerized editing system, controlled by an edit decision list.

B-roll a term derived from the early days of film production and used to describe visual images which are secondary to the telling of the story, but used to enhance the viewer's perception of the events. "B-roll" also describes a second source of video used in the editing process.

background one of the video sources involved in keying or the animation process. Usually the background video is the portion which has parts replaced with keys of foreground video in the case of animation it sets the stage by which the action in the foreground takes place.

barn doors hinged doors (usually four), mounted on a motion picture light that may be adjusted to block off light in unwanted areas.

BetaCam a video tape recording format that is analog/component in which signals (Y/R-Y/B-Y) are recorded on 1/2" oxide tape.

BetaCam SP BetaCam a video tape recording format developed by Sony, (better signal to noise ratio) in which signals are recorded on 1/2" metal tape. The SP suffix stands for Superior Performance.

bi-phase Electrical pulses from the tachometer of a telecine, used to update the film footage encoder for each new frame of film being transferred.

black a video signal that is used as a reference source to lock editing equipment to a common sync source. It consists of a DC level of video at 7.5 units of IRE. See IRE. Also, the common term of a monitor when it has no input signal other than black.

blanking portions of the video signal during which both camera and receiver complete a scan line (horizontal blanking) or field (vertical blanking), and retrace to begin the next scan.

boom a pole, that is hand-held or physically supported, which is used to suspend a microphone above a performer and outside of camera range. Also, a vertical movement of the entire film or video camera.

bus used on a television switcher, a row of buttons used to select a source of video material.

C-stand Century-Stand is a proprietary name for a three-legged stand with an adjustable arm. Used in studio or location production, C-stands hold nets, flags, diffusion frames and other grip equipment in precise positions.

CCD (Charged Coupled Device) an analog, solid state imaging sensor. Used in video cameras to provide superior picture quality, work well in low light situations, and provide unwanted burn-lag-or registration problems characteristic of out-dated tube cameras.

character generator a computer system and software used to superimpose words, numbers, prices and graphic design elements on the screen.

chroma(chrominance signal) the portion of the video signal which provides color.

chromakey electronically matting or inserting an image from one camera into the picture produced by another also called "keying." The subject to be inserted is shot against a solid color background. Signals from the two sources are merged through a special effects generator.

clapper board One of the first objects that come to mind when people think of a hollywood production, usually associated with the word "ACTION!" The clapper board is a part of the camera slate, these hinged boards are clapped together before each take during a shoot, to be recorded by the film camera and audio system. The first frame of the closure is used later, in post production, to synchronize pictures and sound.

closed caption the audio portion of a video program is transcribed into a computer system, inserted into the vertical blanking interval of a video signal, and superimposed through the use of a special decoder or built-in feature of a television set. Used primarily to assist hearing impaired viewers, closed captioned videos appear much like subtitled films.

color burst sample of the color sub-carrier inserted into the horizontal blanking interval at the start of each line of video.

component analog video the red, green, and blue (RGB) portions of a video picture are transmitted, recorded and treated as separate and distinct elements. Component video is technically superior to composite video or S-Video signals.

component digital video component video signal which is represented in a digital format rather than analog.

composite video the signal found in many American homes that carries the cable signal to the television set the red, green, and blue (RGB) portions of a video signal are encoded into a single composite signal. NTSC video is the composite signal currently the U.S. broadcasting standard. (Also in PAL and SECAM.)

composite digital video single encoded video signal which is represented in a digital format rather than analog.

control track electronic sprocket holes recorded on video tape to guide the heads and control tape transport during playback.

cyc infinite background or wall that sweeps from the floor to the ceiling grid often found in film and video production studios and is used for special visuals effects or backgrounds.

D-1 component video in the 19mm digital cassette format.

D-2 composite video in the half-inch digital cassette format.

D-3 composite video in the half-inch digital cassette format.

D-5 component video in the half-inch digital cassette format.

(There is no D-4 format.)

decibel a unit of measure applied to both sound and electrical signals, based on a logarithmic scale. Also referred to as "db's."

digital a system whereby a continuously variable (analog) signal is broken down and encoded into discrete binary bits that represent a mathematical model of the original signal.

digital disk recorder (DDR) a computer device that records and plays back high-quality digital video from a series of hard drives which are referred to as a disk array.

digital video tape recorder (DVTR) DVTR's were first exhibited in 1986 for commercial/broadcast use.

dolly sometimes attached to the base of a tripod a camera dolly is a film (or video) camera support system with platform and wheels which offers accurate control over camera movement and position. Dollies can be simple or complex depending on their intended use.

drop frame a type of SMPTE time code designed to match clock time exactly. Two frames of code are dropped every minute, on the minute, except every tenth minute, to correct for the fact that color frames occur at a rate of 29.97 per second, rather than an exact 30 frames per second (see Non-Drop Frame). Designed to drive editors crazy!

dub duplication of original footage, a completed production, or a master video tape. Usually referred to as a tape copy.

DVE (Digital Video Effects) special effects, such as picture compression, rotation, reversal, etc., performed with a digital effects system. Also, the trade name for a video system manufactured by NEC.

EBR (electronic beam recorder) exposes film directly using an electronic beam compared to recording from a CRT. (See also Kinescope.)

EDL (edit decision list) list of edits prepared during off-line editing prior to on-line editing.

emulsion the portion of film which coats a base of cellulose, is light-sensitive, and has photographic qualities. This emulsion must be scraped away on both sides of the film in order to form a permanent bond when spliced.

encoder a circuit that combines the primary red, green, and blue signals into a composite video signal.

ENG (electronic news gathering) shooting video tape on location with an emphasis on speed and mobility. This method of shooting performed with lightweight equipment and limited crew is typically the choice of local television stations. This format of hurry-up rushed production usually carries with it such slang terminology as "five shots and a close", giving the finished production a more local flavor.

EPR (electronic pin register) stabilizes the film transport of a telecine. Reduces ride (vertical movement) and weave (horizontal movement). Operates in real time. (see also Steady Gate.)

equalization (EQ) modification of audio or video frequencies to create an optimum recording. More specifically, this process involves the attenuation or amplification of selected frequencies within audio or video signals.

exposure the process of opening the shutter and subjecting photographic film to light which produces a latent image on the emulsion. Exposure is determined by length of time and amount of light.

external key the process of filling a hole in background video with a different video source (fill video) through a key signal or "hole cutter." This process makes use of alpha channels and masks to cut the hole in the background video and filling it with another source.

f-stop aperture (opening or diaphragm setting) which allows a specific amount of light to pass through the lens of a film or video camera. The light metering system and type of lens, filtering, and speed of film determines the correct f-stop setting.

field 1/60 of a second of NTSC video. Two fields make up one full-frame of video, therefore one field has half the resolution of a full-frame of video.

flag a piece of grip equipment used to control lighting situations, which consists of a metal frame covered with an opaque black cloth. Flags come in various shapes and sizes.

foley background sounds added during audio sweetening to heighten realism, e.g., footsteps, bird calls, heavy breathing, short gasps, etc.

font a single uniform style of alpha-numeric characters, also known as a typeface. Font styles used in film/video production are consistent with those used in the print industry and most are available in normal, bold, italic, and extended character sets.

footage encoder time code generator an electronic device which takes the input from a reader of Keykode numbers, decodes this information and correlates the numbers with the SMPTE time code it generates. This data, along with 3:2 pull-down status of the transfer, footage count, and audio time code (if applicable) are made available for window burn-ins, VITC-LTC recording and output to a computer.

frame a complete television picture made up of two fields, produced at the rate of approximately 29.97 Hz (color), or 30 Hz (black & white).

framestore a digital device designed to store and display a single television frame as a "freeze frame." (See also Still Store).

gaffer member of the production crew who is the chief electrician, specializing in lighting.

gaffer's tape perhaps the most important tool for film and videotape production, as it holds everything together. Although gaffers usually carry it, anyone can (and should) use it.

gate the aperture unit of a film camera or projector through which film passes, allowing each frame to be singularly exposed or projected.

gels also known as "jellies." These thin, colored transparent sheets are placed in front of lighting fixtures to diffuse or color light for special effects and color correction. .

generation the number of times a segment of video has been copied or re-recorded. A dub made from a master is known as a first-generation dub. In analog systems, quality decreases with each generation. With digital technology (such as DVD or Non-Linear Editing) each additional generation has the potential to maintain the same quality as the first generation.

genlock a system whereby the internal sync generator in a device, such as a camera, locks on to and synchronizes itself with an incoming signal.

grain microscopic particles which are clustered together on film emulsion are known as grain. If these become visible upon projection, the film is descibed as "grainy."

grip stagehand who specializes in camera rigging, dolly tracks, props, and sets.

HDTV high definition television. New color television standard, offering higher resolution and wider aspect ratio than NTSC, PAL or SECAM systems. Proponents of HDTV are aiming for one worldwide television standard.

head a tilting and revolving mount for a film or video camera which connects the camera to a tripod, dolly, crane, high hat, etc.

high hat a low platform used to support a camera, usually about six inches from the floor.

HMI (Also known as Halogen-metal-iodide) HMI lamps can provide illumination on a wavelength similar to sunlight. When compared to Tungsten or Quartz, HMI's provide more energy-efficient light.

hue a color's position within a spectrum, measured within a 360 degree field of color. In television hue is determined by the color subcarrier's phase in relation to color burst.

IFB (interruptible feedback) on-camera talent are sometimes observed wearing a small IFB earpiece while doing a live remote broadcast. The IFB is a small earphone used by talent which plays back program audio. It also allows the producer in a control room to talk directly to the talent, either in the studio or on location during the transmission.

in the can describes a scene or program which has been completed. See also WRAP.

insert edit an electronic edit in which the existing control track is not replaced during the editing process. The new segment is inserted into program material already recorded on the video tape.

interlace the manner in which a television picture is composed, scanning alternate lines to produce one field, approximately every 1/60 of a second in NTSC. Two fields comprise one television frame. Therefore, the NTSC television frame rate of approximately 30 fps.

interpolation the averaging of points to create a new point. This processing is used in digital effects systems for picture size changes, manipulation and to create new lines and points of video.

IPS (inches per second) refers to the speed of tape across the recording head of a tape recorder. For reel-to-reel audio tape, the professional recording speed is 15 IPS. The faster the tape speed, the more saturation of signal on the tape, thus higher fidelity of sound.

IRE Institute of Radio Engineers. IRE units measure relative amplitudes of television signal components on a linear scale. One of the units of measure in a waveform monitor is IRE's.

iris (also known as a diaphragm) an adjustable opening situated within a camera lens, which controls the amount of light reaching the film or image sensor of a video camera. Measured in "F" or "T" stops.

ISO short term for isolated camera or feed. For events which are produced or switched live, ISO reels are used later in editing for alternative shots in the finished program.

jam sync process of synchronizing a secondary time code generator with a selected master time code, i.e., synchronizing the smart slate and the audio time code to the same clock.

jellies also known as "gels." These thin, colored transparent sheets are placed in front of lighting fixtures to diffuse or color light for special effects and color correction.

jib a camera arm used to achieve dynamic camera motion.

jingle a catchy tune, verse or song that sings the praises of your product, company, or service.

joystick often used to position wipe patterns in switchers or video in digital effects equipment, joysticks are a control mechanism capable of moving in a 360 degree arc pattern.

kerning a typographic term referring to the horizontal distance or spacing between characters. Kerning affects the look and readability of type and can correct disproportional spacing.

key the process of superimposing one video element over another video source or background.

keyable an element is said to be keyable if there is a method of separating it from its background video. One method for this separation is to create the element over negative black, which allows it to be keyed by a luminance or self key. Another (preferred) way is an external key which uses a device (CG, etc.) or matte reel to supply a separate key signal which cuts out the element. Alpha channels along with masks are created using computers to allow video to be keyed.

key clip the control which sets the threshold, or clip level setting, for keyhole cutting circuits. While chroma-keying this control fine tunes the keying around the edges of the object being keyed.

key fills the video which fills the hole cut by keyhole cutting circuits.

keyframe keyframes are used in digital effect devices, switchers, and animation software to create a sequence of events. Each keyframe is a single event in a motion path. A series of keyframes can be programmed to create a complex event which may be executed with a single command.

keykode numbers reader device attached to a telecine or part of a bench logger which reads Keykode numbers bar code from motion picture film and provides electronic output to a decoder.

key light the principal light used to illuminate a scene, set, or subject. High key lighting is a technique which results in low contrast and a general brilliance of the scene. Low key lighting provides a smaller total illumination of a scene. This results in higher contrast and a more dramatic lighting effect.

key signal the electronic signal used to cut a hole in background video into which the fill video is placed by a keyer.

kilowatt 1,000 watts. Lamps of this wattage are commonly called "One-K's." (2,000 watts = 2K, etc.)

kinescope a film recording of a video image displayed on a specially designed television monitor. Also called "Kine." Only means of recording TV programs before video recorders and tape were invented.

lab in film and video terminology, the place where film is processed, color timed, prints are struck, or prepped for transfer to a videotape master.

layback transferring the finished audio track back to the master video tape.

layering the technique of compositing several video elements, one over another, to create motion graphics or a complex animation.

lighting the art of illuminating a scene in front of a film or video camera. The intensity, direction, and color of light used effects the appearance of each scene. Lighting is a critical part of the production process the gaffer and his team are true artists in creating visual lighting effects on the film set.

LIMA (limited motion animation) This technique combines 2-D elements to create an animation.

linear key allows superimposition of one video signal over another, with a smoother transition between foreground and background than what traditional hard keys offer. This is accomplished through key gain control which allows transparent portions of foreground video to blend with the background video source.

location a place, other than a studio or studio lot, where a film or video production crew is shooting. Members of a film crew commonly refer to being "on location".

lower third a keyable super (CG, Titling) located in the lower third of a television screen. A reporter name appearing at the bottom of the screen would be an example of a lower-third graphic.

LTC (Longitudinal Time Code) Time code recorded on one of the audio channels of video tape. Requires tape movement to read. (See also VITC.)

luminance the monochrome (high resolution) portion of a video signal.

luminance key the process of laying one video signal over another in which the hole cutting signal is defined by the luminance level of the foreground video. see chroma key.

Macintosh is a computer system with hundreds of typefaces and a wide variety of creative software programs useful in the development of high-tech graphics and animation. The "Mac" allows you to bring art from your computer for integration into your film or video production.

The graphic creation of the "Mac" can be output to video or a high-resolution film printer.

magazine the film magazine is the portion of a film camera which contains the film. The magazines are light-tight; as the film enters and exits the magazine, it goes through a light trap.

master original videotape or negative, whether it is made by a camera (field master) or the final product of an edit session (edit master).

match frame edit an edit in which the source and record tapes pick up exactly where they left off. Often used to extend a previous edit. Also called a "tracking edit".

matrix wipe a transition from one video source to another, where the second video source appears in small rectangular boxes, appearing in a pattern or at random, until the second video source fills the screen.

matte reel a separate reel of video tape or film that supplies a white on black image to be used as a key signal.

mic short for microphone, a device which transduces sound waves into electrical impulses. Microphone types include Boom Mic, Lapel and provide various patterns of reception such as directional and omni-directional.

mix also known as dissolve or crossfade, a video mix is the gradual transition from one source of video to another, which at mid-point appears to be a double exposure. In audio, a mix is the process of combining two or more audio sources.

mixer control board which controls various inputs of audio information, such as microphones, tape or disc players, instruments and special effects. A video switcher is a type of mixer allowing you to mix multiple video sources for final output to air or tape.

mix effects amplifier an M/E is the part of a video switcher where signals are processed to create mixes, keys, fades, wipes, etc.

MOS slang for silent shooting. From the slang German "mit out sprechen" ("without talking." The correct German phrase would be "ohne sprechen.").

motion control a computer-controlled camera positioning system which moves to precise positions with frame-by-frame accuracy. Motion control is often used for animation or special effects.

multiplexer device or circuit used for mixing television signals to a single video recorder.

NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) an industry association which provides technical information and which sponsors the largest annual exhibition of audio and video production equipment in the United States.

negative in film production, negative is used to describe raw stock designed to produce negative images; or stock which has been exposed and processed that bears a negative image. A positive print or inter-negative can be struck from the original negative, or it can simply be transferred directly to tape.

negative black a black signal that measures less than 0 IRE on a waveform monitor. Negative black is the ideal background for images used in a luminance key.

non-drop frame a type of SMPTE time code that continuously counts a full 30 frames per second. As a result, non-drop-frame time code does not exactly match real time. (See also Drop Frame.)

NTSC National Television Standards Committee, Committee that established the color transmission system used in the U.S. and some other countries. Also used to indicate the system itself, consisting of 525 lines of information, scanned at approximately 30 frames per second.

off-line edit preliminary editing done on relatively low-cost editing systems, usually to provide an EDL for final on-line editing and assembly of the finished show.

on-line edit final editing or assembly using master tapes to produce a finished program ready for distribution. Often preceded by off-line editing, but in some cases programs go directly to the on-line editing suite. Usually associated with high-quality computer editing and digital effects.

oscilloscope an instrument which displays variations in a fluctuating electrical quantity which appear temporarily as a visible wave form on a fluorescent screen of a cathode-ray.

out takes the most entertaining unplanned scenes of any production. Their functionality includes black mail, office get togethers, and wrap parties.

paintbox trade name of a computer graphics system manufactured by Quantel. Used to create two-dimensional graphics, transpose and transform objects and change colors. The computer graphics generator for Quantel's Harry system.

PAL (Phase Alternation by Line) color television system developed in Germany, and used by many European and other countries. PAL consists of 625 lines scanned at a rate of 25 frames per second.

pan movement of a film or video camera in a horizontal plane , see tilt.

perforations the precise, regularly-spaced sprocket holes on the edges of motion picture film. Together with teeth, which are accurately spaced on camera or projector sprockets, these holes control speed, registration, and synchronization of the film as it is propelled through a film camera or projector.

pixel the smallest unique point of a digital video image. In digital video, each picture is made up of thousand of pixels, specified by position, chrominance, and luminance information.

positive in film terminology, positive refers to the raw stock designed for positive images, the positive film stock which has been exposed and processed, or the positive image or print itself. Because of its superior grain and latitude, negative stock is used more often than positive film stock.

processing the chemical and mechanical process which develops the latent image captured on film into a visible image.

protection master (intermediate negatives) a duplication of a video/film master, stored separately, and used instead of the master original, or only if the master/original is damaged or lost.

pull-down the telecine transfer relationship of film frames to video fields. Film shot at 24 fps is transferred to 30 fps NTSC video with an alternating two-field/three-field relationship.

push/pull changing camera perspective, by adjusting the focal length of a camera lens. Also known as Zoom.

quad split a switcher effect which sends four separate signals into one video screen, simultaneously.

quantizing sampling an analog waveform in predetermined voltage levels (quantization levels) for use in digital systems.

raster the scanned area comprising the active portion of a video signal displayed on a cathode ray tube (CRT).

raw stock unexposed film or blank tape.

reel spool which holds audio tape or film. Reel also refers to a standard amount of film which projects for ten minutes when exposed at normal speeds (900 feet of 35mm film, 360 feet of 16mm film).

resolution the measure of the greatest amount of detail that can be seen; or the ability of a lens, film stock or video format to render the fine details of a photographic image. Lower resolution images are used for test purposes where as Hi-Resolution images are used for the final production.

RGB red, green & blue, the primary color components of the additive color system used in color television .

ripple automatic updating of an EDL after a length-altering edit. "Ripple the list."

rotoscoping the technique of treating individual frames of film or video to create animation. This complex and time-consuming technique can be made simpler with high-tech animation systems. An artist draws on individual frames of film to create special effects.

rough cut/mix the first (imperfect) video edit or audio mix of a program or commercial. A rough cut is generally shown to a client as a video storyboard to illustrate a concept or idea before the actual production process begins.

safe title due to the nature of broadcast television, 10 to 20% of the outside edges of a video image may be cut off on television receiving sets. The center portion of a video signal which is generally accepted as viewable on home television sets is called "safe title." Essential action and type should be framed in this area.

saturation in film and video terminology, the purity of color. High saturation indicates a high percentage of color.

secam (Systeme Electronique Pour Colour Avec Memorie) the color television system developed in France, and used there and in most of the former communist-block countries and a few other areas including parts of Africa.

SFX abbreviation for special effects or sound effects.

slate a board, labeled with scene numbers, take numbers, and information relative to the shoot, which is placed in front of a camera in front of each take, see clapper board.

slow motion when shooting film or videotape, exposing (or recording) more than the standard number of frames per second so that at standard playback speed, the scene appears for a longer duration. In post production, slow motion of a scene shot at standard speed is accomplished through the duplication of frames, which produces less desirable results.

sound speed in film production, the standard speed at which film travels through the camera for shooting or reproducing sound. Sound speed is measured in feet or frames per second. For standard 35mm film, sound speed is 24 frames and 90 feet per second. For 16mm, it is 24 frames at 36 feet per second.

source axes in digital effects, the coordinate system (X,Y, and Z axes) used to describe and manipulate the source video. see target axes.

speed is a term referring to the light sensitivity of film emulsion or the index of light transmission of a camera lens. During a film shoot a cameraman will generally shout out the words, "speed" and "action", respectively. Speed means the camera has reached its appropriate rate of motion and action signals the start of the scene.

spot a generic term for a short produced piece such as a commercial, public service announcement or promotional announcement. Spots are usually :60, :30, :15, or :10 seconds in length.

steady gate a pin-registered device manufactured by Steady Film for precise telecine transfers. Provides more stable images than EPR, but does not operate in real time.

still store device which stores individual video frames, either in analog or digital form, allowing extremely fast access time.

storyboard a series of individual drawings or photographs which depict the frames of a proposed production. Often used in client presentations or pre- production meetings.

stylist film or video production crew member who is responsible for decorating the set, props, or products featured in each scene. Stylists on a film/video set can include hair stylist, make-up stylist, or food Stylist. Food stylists are invaluable in making culinary dishes look fresh and appealing on camera.

super common term for key, also short for "superimpose." Such as superimposing a title or graphic over footage or a live broadcast.

sweetening audio post-production, at which time minor audio problems are corrected. Music, narration and sound effects are mixed with original sound elements.

switcher device with a series of input selectors that permits one or more selected inputs to be combined, manipulated and sent out on the program line.

sync 1) a portion of video signals, or "pulse," which defines horizontal and vertical portions of the screen, also used in multi-source environments to "sync" sources together. 2) the relationship between the audio and its corresponding video or film picture.

tails out (also tails up) A reel of film or audio tape, wound with the last image or audio sequence on the outside, which must be rewound before playback.

take each portion of action which takes place in front of the camera and is filmed or taped during the production. Takes are performed and identified in numerical order such as "Take One", "Take Two", etc. The best take is chosen and used in the final final production during the post-production or editing process.

target axes in digital effects, the coordinate system (X, Y, and Z axis) which describes the video screen upon which manipulated source video axes will be positioned.

telecine device used to transfer photographic images into video, usually recorded onto videotape for electronic editing purposes. The process is known as film to tape transfer.

teleprompter the proprietary name for the device used to project a written script onto a screen in front of the camera lens. This device allows talent to read a script without losing eye contact with the camera lens.

tilt movement of a film or video camera on a vertical plane , see pan.

time base corrector (TBC) an electronic device with memory and clocking circuits to correct video signal timing errors which affect image stability and color when editing from multiple video tape sources.

time code a frame numbering system adopted by SMPTE that assigns a number to each frame of video which indicates hours, minutes, seconds, and frames (e.g., 01:42:13:26).

transition a type of change used between one video source and another. Fades, wipes, dissolves, and keying effects are common examples of transitions available with most production switchers.

type C: SMPTE standard for 1-inch non-segmented helical video recording format .

ultimatte^TM trade name of a high-quality special effects system, similar in application to a chromakey switcher. Electronic implementation of the "blue screen" used for motion picture special effects and available from MPS.

U-matic trade name for 3/4-inch video cassette system originally developed by Sony. Now established as the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Type F video tape format.

underscan reducing height and width of the picture on a video monitor so that the edges, and thus portions of the blanking, can be observed .

uplink satellite dish with electronics capable of sending or "uplinking" a signal to a satellite.

user bits portions of VITC and LTC reserved for recording information of the user's choosing, e.g., keykode numbers, footage count, etc.

VCR video cassette recorder.

vectorscope an oscilloscope designed for television which which is used to set up and monitor the chrominance portion of a video signal. See also, waveform monitor.

vertical interval indicates the vertical blanking period between each video field. Contains additional scan lines above the active picture area into which non-picture information (captioning, test and control signals, user bits) can be recorded.

vertical sync synchronizing pulses used to define the end of one television field and the start of the next, occuring at a rate of approximately 59.94 Hz (color), and 60 Hz (black & white).

VHS literally Video Home System. VHS is a widely-used 1/2" videotape format.

viewfinder optical device attached to the camera which approximates the image formed by the lens on videotape or film. A "director's viewfinder" is a device, separate from the camera, which is used by the director of photography for location scouting or shot selection prior to camera placement.

vision mixer British video switcher.

VITC (Vertical Interval Time Code) time code recorded in the vertical blanking interval above the active picture area. Can be read from video tape in the "still mode" .

voice-over narration or dialogue provided by off-camera talent, usually separately from the film or video production session.

VTR video tape recorder.

VU meter device for the measurement of audio levels expressed in decibels (dBs). Modern meters use LCD displays because they give faster and more accurate readings.

waveform monitor Oscilloscope designed for television which looks at luminance and all other parts of the composite video signal. See Vectorscope.

wide angle a term which describes camera lenses of short focal length, which offer low magnification and a wide field of view.

wild sound also known as "nat sound", wild sound occurs naturally in its environment. Wild sound may include human voices, but is unscripted. Wild sound is normally considered ambient noises such as traffic, nature sounds, etc.

wipe a shaped transition between video sources, usually involving a geometric shape (i.e. circle, square, or line) or pattern (i.e. checkerboard) accomplished through a video switcher. see matrix wipe.

wrap the end of a shoot day, usually involving the packing and removal of equipment, personnel, sets and props from a location or studio. (i.e. That's a wrap!)

x-axis points, representing a straight line, which runs horizontally through a video image. The X-Axis is used as a reference for vertical rotation of images in video effects mechanisms.

y-axis points, representing a straight line, which runs vertically through a video image. The Y-Axis is used as a reference for horizontal rotation for images in video effects mechanisms.

z-axis points, representing a straight line, which are perpendicular to a video source. The Z-Axis is used as a reference for depth (to enlarge or reduce an image) in video effects mechanisms.

zoom camera lens with multiple focal lengths, or variable magnification, ranging from wide to telephoto.