Analog Video – Any of the many formats that use an RF style (continuously varying voltage) wave form system to represent luminance and chroma information on magnetic Mylar tape. Analog formats include VHS, S-VHS, Betamax, Betacam, Umatic, 2” Quad & 1” Tape.

Aspect Ratio – The shape of a video/film frame. The rectangular aspect of a frame is the relationship between the height and width. SD video uses a 4:3 or 1.33:1 aspect. CinemaScope movies use a 2.35:1 aspect ratio.

B Roll – Footage shot for filler. Usually does not have on air talent or dialog. Generally edited together with primary footage, for behind titles or for transitions.

Chroma – The color information of a video signal.

Composite – The process of combining visual elements into one. Usually layers are arranged on top of one another where the clear areas allow the lower layers to show through.

Drop Frame – Time code that removes frame numbers (not frames themselves) in order to achieve perfect sync with broadcast clocks.

DV – Acronym for digital video. Video system that uses 0's & 1's to represent luminance and chroma information.

DVD - Acronym for digital video disk. Physically similar to a CD. Stores video data as digital information using the MPEG-2 compression codec.

Field – Half the information of a video frame. Field one is all of the odd scan lines, field two is all of the even scan lines.

Frame – In NTSC standard video (USA) one frame is 720 x 486 pixels. Displayed as two 1/60 second fields.

Film Finish – Video that is specifically shot, edited and finished for release in theaters. Digital video that is shot at 24fps and optimized properly can be transferred to film successful for cinema advertising or feature length projects.

Final Cut Pro – Non-linear video editing software. Marketed by Apple written for their OS exclusively.

Graphics – Any design element that is composited over or animated into video/film. Text floated over picture is a graphic element. Shapes and animated elements are also graphics.

High Definition – There are many digital video HD formats all of which exceed the NTSC 720x486 frame format. Some display progressive scan instead of interlaced frames. Many use a wide screen 16:9 aspect ratio.

Leased Access – Local and regional cable TV providers make ½ hour blocks available for commercial programming. Time is paid for or leased for a specific day of the week at a specific time. Info-mercials and churches lease the majority of this type of cable access.

Letterbox – Solid color bands on the top and bottom of a video frame. Allows the complete widescreen image to display on SD television.

Lower Thirds – Usually refers to text that occupies the lower 33% of the frame. Placement in lower third insures that the face of the on air talent is not obscured.

Luminance – The light/dark value of a video signal.

Marketing Video – Video specifically geared toward mailer and handout efforts. Generally 5 minutes long.

NLE – Acronym for non-linear editing

NTSC – Acronym for National Television System Committee. They set the TV standards for the USA.

Non-Destructive Editing – Computer editing system that created all edits and effects apart from original media and assembles these elements on the fly for viewing or output.

Non-Linear Editing – System whereby the editor can jump instantly to any point of source video. Video is digitized or transferred to a computer hard drive so that editing software can have instant access to any point on the video data.

PAL – Acronym for Phase Alternating Line. The Euro TV standard.

Pan & Scan – The process of formatting a wide screen image on a SD television. The original image is moved left and right to keep the important information on screen.

Pixel – Smallest bit of video information that is visual. On computers represented as RGB information, in video pixels are in a YUV color space.

PSA – Acronym for public service announcement. Can be a :30 spot or if permitted by TV carrier, up to a few minutes in length.

Public Access – FCC mandated time slots made available for local non-commercial access onto the cable TV system. “Wayne's World” and similar.

Render – The process of creating video frames from multiple sources. Storyboards – Traditionally a script done with cartoon frames for each scene. Can be done with photo stills, stick figures or highly detailed renderings.

Timecode – Time information arranged as hour : minute : second : frame. Each video frame is represented as a unique time code number.

Virtual Tour – Video that takes its viewer on a walking talking tour of a business such as factory.

Voice Over – A narrative or announcer dialog that floats over visual elements. Recorded in a studio and added to video/film track. Talent is not seen on camera and voice is unattached or over the on camera audio and visual elements.

White Balance – The camera function that designates the value for neutral white or gray. All hues fall inot place once the camera knows what white is.

Zebra Pattern – Camera and NLE feature that displays diagonal white/black in areas of the video image that is about to clip.