Video+Vocabulary


 * Alpha channel** - Information attached to each pixel that represents how that pixel is to be blended with background.

**Aspect Ratio** - Proportional height and width of a video image. The NTSC standard for is 4:3 for convential monitors such as home television sets, and 16:9 for HDTV. In 16mm and 35mm the camera photographs a slightly square image, with an aspect ratio of 1.33 to 1. Aspect Ratios are usually shorted to leave out the “- to 1,” taking for granted that it will always be in relation to 1, an so “1.33 to 1” can just be called “1.33” In 35mm 1.33 is known as the Academy Aperture. In 35mm the image is usually shot with the Academy Aperture and then masked in the projector to produce a wider image: 1.85 in the U.S. and 1.66 in Europe.

**Bin** - A location or folder for storing and organizing clips in the Project window - Film clips were originally hung in bins.

**CGI** - Computer Generated Imagery. 3D computer graphics and special effects.

**Chrominance** - Portion of video signal that carries hue and saturation color information. Luminance carries the brightness information.

**Chroma Key Filter** - ( or CSO - Chroma Separation Overlay ) - A filter that allows for a selected color in a clip to be made transparent. It is generally used to superimpose one clip on another.

**Clip** - A set of contiguous frames beginning at a designated In point and ending at a designated Out point.

**Closeup** (CU) - A tightly framed camera shot in which the principal subject is viewed at close range, appearing large and dominant on screen. Pulled back slightly is a "medium closeup" while zoomed in very close is an "extreme closeup (ECU or XCU).

**Codec** - term used to describe the software process used to Code and Decode a video signal or Compress and Decompress it

**Composition** - Visual make-up of a video picture, including such variables as balance, framing, field of view and texture all aesthetic considerations. Combined qualities form an image that's pleasing to view.

**Compression** - The digital representation of media in an efficient storage format. For video, motion-JPEG is often used. Compression may be lossy in that the original picture cannot be reconstructed exactly.

**Cut** - An abrupt transition between two clips. The first frame of the incoming clip immediately follows the last frame of the outgoing clip.

**Depth of Field** - Range in front of a camera's lens in which objects appear in focus. Depth of field varies with subject-to-camera distance, focal length of a camera lens and a camera's aperture setting.

**Dissolve Transition** - A transition in which the end of one clip gradually blends with the beginning of the next.

**Establishing Shot** - Opening image of a program or scene. Usually, it's a wide and/or distant perspective that orients viewers to the overall setting and surroundings.

**Frame** - One complete still image of video media. Video media is made up of a series of frames. Each video frame has two interlaced fields.

**Framing** - Act of composing a shot in a camcorder's viewfinder for desired content, angle and field of view.

**Image Resolution** - A measurement of the quality of a video image based on the number of pixels that make up the image.

**In Point** - The SMPTE time code of the specific frame at which a clip begins.

**Interpolation** - The progressive calculation of a parameter between key frames.

**Jog** - To move forward or backward in video or audio media by playing at slow speed through it.

**Jump Cut** - An instantaneous transition between two scenes that have identical subjects in slightly different screen locations, which makes the subject appear to jump within the screen. A cutaway shot remedies the distracting jump appearance.

**Keyframe** - A frame at which a set of specific parameters is assigned. Nonlinear edit and graphics systems automatically calculates differences between key frames in a clip and adjusts the frames accordingly.

**Key Out** - Removing a section of video by making it transparent by creating an alpha channel based on color (Chroma Key) or on brightness (Luma Key).

**Luminance** - Black and white portion of a video signal representing picture contrast and brightness.

**Long shot (LS)** - Camera view of a subject or scene from a distance, showing a broad perspective.

**Medium shot (MS)** - Defines any camera perspective between long shot and closeup, viewing the subjects from a medium distance.

**NTSC signal** - The standard composite video signal adopted by the NTSC that has 525 interlaced lines at a frame rate of 29.97 frames per second.

**Out Point** - The SMPTE time code defining the end of a clip. The frame with this time code is not included in the clip.

**PAL Signal** - The most common composite video signal used in Europe. It has a frame rate of 25 fps. ( 625 lines at 50Hz )

**Project** - Organizational unit containing the media units that when incorporated and edited will constitute a program.

**QuickTime** - System software from Apple Computer, Inc. that enables the storage, editing, and playing of digitized video and audio media on a computer.

**Render** - The processing of a series of individual clips, transitions and filters into a single playable track.

**Rule of Thirds** - This is the basic principle that is the most valuable to a new photographer. This rule takes our rectangular shape and divides it into thirds. The key elements or objects in a composition should fall on one of these thirds lines. The one point on our photograph where the viewers' eye comes to rest should fall on one of these lines where both a horizontal and a vertical line come to rest.

**Time Line** - The graphic representation of a program displayed in the Sequencer window.

**Transition** - The change from one clip to another in a video program.

**Trim Handles** - The frames before and after the In and Out points for a source clip to allow for trimming and transitions.

**White Balance** - Adjusting a camera's light filtering system to ensure that the camera accurately records true colors. Different lighting conditions affect how cameras record colors.

**Wipe** - A type of transition that uses a moving edge to replace the current clip to reveal the next clip.

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