Identification and timing countdown film leader designed to specifications of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Science, and placed at the head end of a print reel. The countdown cuing information is related to feet before the first picture start.
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.
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.
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.
A camera lens that produces a squeezed image on the film. When the film is projected using the proper lens reverses the effect and the image spreads out horizontally to create a wide-screen picture.
The first print made from a negative. This is a timed print that has been designed to determine whether other color changes are needed before making release prints.
Coating applied to the base side of original negative film base. This coating is designed to absorb any light from passing through the emulsion during exposure.
A color screen (sometimes green screen) used in post production for filming or video taping an object where the background will be replaced with another element.
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.
A control used to adjust the illumination of viewfinders, monitors, and receivers, but not affecting signal levels from cameras or other picture sources.
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.
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.
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.
(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.
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.
A trade mark system of wide screen presentation. The 35mm film image is compressed horizontally by 50% in the negative stage and when the film is printed and projected, the 35mm print image is expanded horizontally by the same amount using an anamorphic projection lens. The screen image has an aspect ratio of 2:35:1.
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 quality expressed in degrees Kelvin (K). The higher the color temperature the bluer the light, the lower temperature, the redder the light. Color temperature Is measured in Kelvins (K). Each light source has it’s own color temperature.
the act of condensing or consolidating material for playback, usually means to change it's digital format to allow playback for Transmission on non standard or consumer equipment.
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.
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.
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.
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 timecompressed to half, multiplexed, and recorded on a single track one after the other.
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.
The characteristic curve represents the reproduction accuracy in the full tonal scale of the original film. Also know as the H&D Curve developed by Hurter and Driffield.
Short scratches on the surface of the film running parallel to its length. These scratches are caused by film debris or other abrasive particles between film wraps or loose winding.
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.
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.
Film dailies are the first one light work print made from an original negative usually printed immediately after processing negative so that action, lighting and rough color can be checked before the next days shoot begins. Same applies to video dailies.
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.
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.
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).
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.
A type of time code designed to match a 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 30 fps.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Electronic news gathering. The use of portable video cameras, VTRs, and sound equipment for the production of daily news stories and short documentaries.
Number assigned to a film stock representing its relative sensitivity to light. This exposure index is based on a determined film exposure speed and specific processing solutions.
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. The opening and closing of a lens determines the amount of light the lens will transmit. See T-stop.
A flat piece of glass or gelatin transparent material with no optical properties other than to control the color or intensity of light. A filter is used over the lens or printer to change the color or density of an image. (2)An electrical device used to reduce the transmission of signals in some frequency ranges and allow transmission of signals in other frequency ranges.
Emulsion particles from the edge of the film that tend to deposit in the image area of the film. Flaking is caused by improper film path in the camera, rewinds or other equipment misalignment.
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.
Darkening or discoloring of a negative or print. Causes include accidental exposure to light or x-rays, overdevelopment, outdated film and storing film in hot and humid place.
Also refereed as to edge numbers. Sequential numbers which are pre-exposed or printed in ink at regular intervals on the edge of the film outside or in between the perforation.
A complete individual television picture image on a strip of motion picture film consisting of two interlaced fields of video, produced at the rate of approximately 29l97 Hz (color), or 30 Hz (black & white). The frame rate for PAL system is 24 frames per second and for the NTSC system is thirty frames per second.
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.
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.
The character of a photographic image when, under normal viewing conditions, it appears to be made up of distinguishable particles, or grains. This is due to the grouping together or clumping of the individual silver grains, which are by themselves far too small to be perceived under normal viewing conditions.
The graph made by plotting the density of a film sample against the log of the exposure that made that density. Named after Messrs. Hurter and Driffield who created the science of sensitometry.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A printing system where the original film is immersed in a chemical at the moment of exposure, commonly used for reducing the effect of surface scratches.
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.
(D-Max) Portion of the shoulder of the characteristic curve where further increases in exposure on a negative will not produce any further density increase.
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.
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.
(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.
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 online suite. See also Non-Linear 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.
Sound track in which the sound record takes the form of density variations in a photographic image. Optical tracks are located on the edge of the print film.
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.
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). (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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The capacity of a medium to capture and playback distinctly fine details. Film is considered a high-resolution storage medium; videotape formats are considered lower resolution mediums. (2)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.
(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.
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.
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.
Continuous sprocket tooth indentation along the length of the film; caused by a bad splice or other damage that forces the film to ride off the sprocket.
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.
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.
Degree of responsiveness of a film to light. (2)The ability of a device, such as a camera or microphone, to sense intelligible information and convert it into a usable electronic signal.
An instrument with which a photographic emulsion is given a graduated series of exposures to light of controlled spectral quality, intensity and duration.
Three separate black and white master positives made from one color negative; one contains the red record, another the green record and the third the blue record.
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.
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.
High density portion of a characteristic curve in which the slope changes with constant changes in exposure. For negative films, slope decreases and further changes in exposure (log H) finally produce no increase in density because maximum density has been reached. For reversal films, slope increases.
Fine thread like particles found in the vicinity of the projector gate; caused by physical abrasion against a sharp burr or nick on a film path component or any roller that might come in contact with the edge of the film.
Acronym for the 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.
Narrow band (s) of magnetic oxide usually coated toward the edges of the base side of motion picture film for accepting audio signal recordings in the form of magnetic impulses.
Similar to Panavision 35, but photographed flat in 65mm. The 70mm prints produce and aspect ratio of 2.25:1 with 4-channel sound and a ration of 2:1 with 6 channel sound.
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.
A 35mm anamorphic release print system adopted by RKO Radio Pictures that produced a screen image with an aspect ration of2:1 or 2.35:1 when projected with a normal anamorphic lens. The original camera negative was photographed flat, but special printing produced the anamorphic print.
The increase in motion picture film dimensions caused by the absorption of moisture during storage and use under high humidity conditions. Extreme humidity conditions and subsequent swelling of the film aggravates the abrasion susceptibility of the film surface.
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.
A lens marking which indicates the true light transmission of the lens at a given aperture instead of the approximate light transmission indicated by the conventional f-stop marking.
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.
The trade name of a three color process used to make release prints; no longer used in this country or Europe, but still being used commercially in China.
Relating to film wound tightly on a core or reel to form a firm roll that can be handled and shipped safely without danger of cinch marks or other damage to the film.
An absolute time reference (clock) recorded on the videotape, which allows every frame of picture and audio to be individually identified. Time code information is primarily used for editing purposes. (2)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.
Laboratory process that involves balancing the color of a film to achieve consistency from scene to scene. Also includes adjusting exposure settings in duplication.
Graphic information appearing at the beginning of a program, generally including the title, author, producer, writer, director, and major personalities.
Manual printer controls used for overall color correction. Also, unused portions of shots taken for a film; usually kept until the production is complete.
An effect that is produced in new prints by loose winding of the film, emulsion side in, under dry air conditions. If the film is wound emulsion side out under the same conditions, the undulation do not alternate from one edge to the other but are directly opposite one another. See 'Edgeweave'.
A film projection leader, designed according to ANSI for the projection rate of 24fps (1 1/2 feet per second), and recommended for use on all release prints.
Portions of the scan lines in the vertical interval, above the active picture area, reserved for recording information of the user's choosing such as keykode numbers, time code, etc. (2)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.
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.
Indicates the vertical blanking period between each video field. Contains scan lines above the active picture areas into which non-picture information user bits can be recorded.
The synchronizing pulses used to define the end of one television field and the start of the next occurring at a rate of approximately 59.94Hz (color), and 60Hz (black & white).
The partial masking, or blocking or peripheral light rays either by intent, or by accident. In theatrical projection, the blockage of peripheral light rays in a projection lens due to a lens barrel that is too long, or to a lamphouse optical system that is not correctly matched to the limiting aperture of the projection lens.
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.
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.
Printer in which the film passes through fluid-filled pads just before exposure. Released fluid temporarily fills certain type of film scratches with a solution that has the same refractive index as the film base, thereby eliminating scratch refraction.
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.
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.
Optical transition effect in which one image is replaced by another at a boundary edge moving in a selected pattern across the frame. (2)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.
Any picture or soundtrack print, usually a positive, intended for use in the editing process to establish through a series of trail cuttings the finished version of a film. The purpose is to preserve the original intact until the cutting points have been established.
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.
