A/B dissolve
An editing effect in which one video source (Source A) dissolves directly into another video source (Source B). This effect is created by a video mixer with synchronization capability, such as the Datavideo SE-200 Integrated Editing Center used in combination with the Datavideo TBC-3000 Time Base Corrector.

A/B roll editing
Editing two video sources (Sources A and B) down to a final "mix." An edit controller orchestrates the process by marking scenes, winding and playing back the source tapes, and controlling a recording VCR. A video mixer is usually used as well, to create scene transitions and special effects. The Datavideo SE-200 Integrated Editing Center is both an edit controller and a video mixer, as well as a titler, color processor, and audio mixer.

Analog audio/video
A/V signals represented by variations in electrical voltage. Subject to noise and distortion, in contrast to digital audio video signals.

Animation
A post-production effect produced by some Special Effects Generators that allows the user to create multi-frame animation sequences. The Datavideo SE-300 Pro Digital Video Illustrator features this effect, among many others.

Aspect ratio
The ratio of the width of a video or film image to its height. The aspect ratio of a TV screen is 4 to 3 (4:3), also expressed as 1.33:1, or simply 1.33. The aspect ratio of HDTV is 16:9, or 1.78. The aspect ratio of most feature films is 1.85, though films shot with Panavision have an even greater aspect ratio of 2.35.

Audio
The soundtrack of a videotape, and a crucial omponent of any polished, professional video production. Humans can hear audible sound in the frequency range of 20 to 20,000 Hz.

Audio dub
A feature on some VCRs that allows the audio portion of a videotape to be re-recorded without changing or erasing the video portion

Audio level
The strength of audio signals, shown on most audio mixers by LED indicators. If levels are too high, sound distortion will occur, if they are too low, the signal to noise ratio will be inadequate.

Audio mixer
A device that blends sound from several sources, controlling individual input audio levels, and one master output audio level. Background music (soundtrack), narration, and the native audio portion of a videotape are the typical audio inputs. Most Datavideo editing products have audio mixers built in.

Back light
A source of light that illuminates a subject from behind in order to separate the subject from the background and create more visual depth in the scene. Also, a switch on a camcorder that compensates for bright light emanating from behind a subject. See also fill light and key light.

BNC connector
A type of twist-on connector commonly used for composite video in the professional broadcast industry.

Border
The "edge" between two video images on the same screen, as with wipe, Luma key, and Chroma key effects.

CCD
Charge-Coupled Device. An integrated circuit (IC chip) used in most camcorders/video cameras to convert optical images into analog or digital video signals.

Character Generator
See Titler.

Chroma key
The combining of two video images, achieved by replacing one of the solid colors (chroma) in the first video image with the second video image. This overlay effect can be seen on any TV weathercast, where a solid color background behind the weathercaster is replaced by the video image of a weather map. See also Luma key.

Chrominance
The color portion of a video signal, as distinguished from the luminance (brightness) portion of the signal. Chrominance is comprised of color saturation and hue/tint, and can be manipulated by a color processor.

Coaxial cable
Often shortened to "coax". The standard wire type used by the cable TV industry, usually terminating in "RF" type plugs that connect to the "TV" and "antenna" jacks on VCRs and TVs.

Color bars
A video test image of eight vertical bars, each in a different color, used to test the color correctness of a TV or monitor.

Color correction
The adjustment of chrominance by a color processor.

Color processor
A device that alters chrominance (color saturation and hue/tint). Many Datavideo products have color processors built in.

Color temperature
Defines the quality of light from any given light source in degrees Kelvin (deg.K); affects the quality of color in a video image. Daylight is 5000-5500 deg.K; fluorescent light is 4100 deg.K; incandescent light is 2800 deg.K.

Component video
The separation of video signal components for the highest-quality images. There are several types of component video systems: RGB (red-green-blue), Y/C (luminance/chrominance - or the S-video format), and YUV (a professional system with synchronization as well as luminance and chrominance information). Most Datavideo products support component video systems.

Composite video
A video signal in which all video elements have been combined, in contrast to component video. Composite video is utilized in the world's three TV standards: NTSC, PAL, and SECAM. The connectors used for composite video cables are typically either RF, RCA, or BNC.

Contrast
The relative strength of luminance in different parts of a video image. High-contrast images have both very light and very dark areas; low-contrast images have few extremes of light and dark.

Control-L
Also known as LANC. The edit control system devised by Sony that allows an edit controller to work with camcorders and VCRs to mark, wind, playback, and record videotapes automatically. Most Datavideo editing products support the Control-L protocol.

Control-M
Also known as Panasonic 5-pin. The edit control system devised by Panasonic, serving the same function as Sony's
Control-L.

Crossfade
An audio mixer effect where one audio source fades out while another fades in. Similar to a A/B dissolve for video.

Cut
A video scene transition effect where one image jumps to another.

Decibel
Abbreviated dB. Measures the strength of audio and video signals.

Definition
The detail of a video image, which degrades with every generation of videotape, but which can be manipulated with a video enhancer. Many Datavideo products incorporate a video enhancer.

Depth of field
The focal range of a video shot. A shot in which the foreground is in focus but the background is out of focus has a shallow depth of field; a shot in which both the foreground and background are in focus has a deep depth of field.

Digital audio/video
A/V signals represented by 0's and 1's. Digital signals are not subject to noise and distortion, as are analog audio video signals.

DIN connector
A multi-pin A/V connector found on most European video devices.

Distortion
An undesirable effect that can occur in both audio and video signals; distorted audio tends to sound discordant, harsh, or full of static; distorted video tends to appear wavy, full of snow, or off-color.

Dropout
The black or white streaks that can appear on screen when a video-tape is dirty or missing sections of its magnetic coating.

Dub
As a verb: to make a copy. As a noun: the copy itself.

DV
Digital video. The type of video signal produced by professional (and the latest consumer) video equipment. Many Datavideo products are compatible with the latest DV equipment.

8 mm
Videotape format with a compact (8 mm wide) tape, utilized by Sony and other camcorder/video camera manufacturers.

Editing
The general term for the post-production process of selecting segments of one or more videotapes to save or edit out, then recording a final assembly of the "saved" scenes, with or without titles and other special effects.

Edit controller
A device that orchestrates the video editing process by controlling camcorders and VCRs to mark, wind, playback, and record videotapes. Datavideo offers a choice of edit controllers.

Edit points
The points on an edited videotape where cuts, fades, A/B dissolves, titles, special effects, and other editing actions occur.

EDL
Edit Decision List. A computerized list of edit points for a particular editing production that can be saved and modified to reproduce or modify the production.

Enhancement
See video enhancer.

Fade
A video transition effect at a given edit point, in which an image dissolves out to a color or pattern (or in from a color or pattern). An audio transition effect in which sound dissolves out to silence (or in from silence). Most Datavideo products include a fade feature.

Fill light
A source of light that typically illuminates a subject from the side in order to eliminate shadows and supplement the key light. See also back light.

Flying erase head
Component of VCRs that facilitates accurate editing. Any VCR used for recording an editing production should have this feature for smooth, glitch-free cuts.

Format
Refers to the type of videotape and/or system used: VHS, S-VHS, VHS-C, S-VHS-C, 8 mm, Hi-8, NTSC, PAL, SECAM, etc.

Frame-grabber
A device that can generate video freeze-frames. The Datavideo SE-300 Pro Digital Video Illustrator incorporates a frame-grabber.

Frame synchronizer
A device that synchronizes (Gen-locks) one video source to another so that both can be combined in A/B dissolves, wipes, other professional special effects. See also Time Base Corrector.

Freeze-frame
A special effect in which a frame of video is "frozen" on screen. See also frame-grabber.

Frequency response
A measure of audio-video processing quality in a given device. The higher the frequency response, the less degradation of A/V signals will occur in the device.

Generation
A successive copy of an original tape. (A second generation tape is a copy of the original "master" tape; a third generation tape is a copy of the second generation tape; and so on.

Gen-lock
A term describing the synchronization of two video sources so that they can be combined in A/B dissolves, wipes, and other effects. The Datavideo TBC-3000 Time Base Corrector Gen-locks one video source to another.

HDTV
High Definition Television. The new emerging standard of TV, with increased resolution (1125 lines) and a wider screen (aspect ratio of 16:9, or 1.78) for higher quality video images.

Helical scan
The diagonal scanning method of a video recording head. Because video frames are recorded diagonally across a videotape, it is impossible to edit a videotape using the splicing techniques that are possible with film.

Hi-8
A higher-quality version of 8 mm videotape, with better definition, resolution, and S/N ratio. Comparable in quality to S-VHS. Most Datavideo products support the Hi-8 format.

Hue (tint)
The shade of color in video, as affected primarily by the white balance of a camcorder/video camera and the lighting in a scene.

Image stabilization
A feature of camcorders that reduces camera "shake."

Impedance
The resistance, measured in ohms, of video outputs, inputs, and the cables that connect to them. If impedance's in this chain do not match, video noise and distortion may result.

Insert editing
A feature of camcorders and VCRs that allows the insertion of new scenes into the middle of an existing tape.

Jitter
An unwanted repeated "jumping" of a video image, sometimes caused by synchronization problems, which can be eliminated by a Time Base Corrector.

Key light
The main source of light in a shot, typically illuminating the subject from above or in front. Outdoors, the key light is the sun. See also fill light and back light.

LANC
Control-L.

Lapel microphone
A microphone, usually wireless, that clips to a tie or jacket and connects to a belt-worn transmitter. Also called a Lavaliere mike.

Lavaliere microphone
Lapel microphone.

LCD
Liquid Crystal Display. Type of viewing screen found on some camcorders and monitors, characterized by compact, flat design and narrow viewing angle.

LED
Light Emitting Diode. A component found commonly on electronic devices that illuminates to show power on, audio levels, etc.

LTC
A videotape time code encryption system found in certain VCRs and camcorders that enables edit controllers to communicate super-accurate editing commands. See also Time Code.

Luma key
The combining of two video images, achieved by replacing either the black or white areas in the first video image with the second video image. This overlay effect is one feature of the Datavideo SE-300 Pro Digital Video Illustrator. See also Chroma key.

Luminance
The brightness portion of a video signal, as distinguished from the chrominance (color) portion of the signal. Luminance is comprised of the black and white portions of the video signal.

Monitor
A display screen that receives images directly from a video device, typically through RCA, BNC, or Y/C (S-video) connectors, as opposed to a TV, which receives modulated signals through an RF connector.

Negative effect
Also called reverse effect. A special effect in which image colors are inverted (white to black, black to white, etc.).

Noise
Undesirable interference with an audio or video signal. Audio noise includes hiss and static. Video noise includes snow, graininess, and ghost images.

NTSC
National Television Standards Committee (also known--because of its relative color instability--as Never The Same Color). The TV system standard of North America and also Japan, with 525 lines per frame and 30 frames per second. See also PAL and SECAM.

Overlay
A type of superimposition effect of one video image onto another. See also Chroma key and Luma key.

PAL
Phase Alternate Line. The primary European TV system, with 625 lines per frame; 25 frames per second. See also NTSC and SECAM.

Post-Production
The term given to all work done on a videotape after the original video shooting takes place. Datavideo products are made specifically to enhance and/or simplify the post-production process.

Preview
A function of some edit controllers and other post-production gear that allows the user to view edit points, enhancements, special effects, etc. before making the final recording of the program.

RCA connector
The most common type of connector used for composite video in the consumer electronics industry.

RCTC
Rewritable Consumer Time Code. A videotape encryption system found in certain camcorders and VCRs that enables edit controllers to communicate super-accurate editing commands. Datavideo editing technology is fully compatible with this Time Code.

RF connector
The most common type of connector used for antenna cables and antenna/cable inputs on TVs and VCRs.

RGB
Red-Green-Blue. One type of component video system.

SCART connector
The most common type of connector on European A/V equipment. SECAMSequential Couleur A'memorie. The TV system of some European countries, including France, with similar characteristics to the PAL TV system. See also NTSC.

SEG
Special Effects Generator. A post-production device that produces special effects, such as wipes, fades, freeze-frames, animation, and negative effects. Datavideo offers a number of different SEGs.

Shotgun microphone
A directional microphone that can pick up sound clearly from remote distances. Often necessary, as most camcorder mikes are inadequate over more than a short distance.

S/N ratio
Signal to noise ratio. The ratio, measured in decibels, of an audio or video signal's peak voltage to the voltage of ambient noise. The higher the ratio, the better the quality of the signal.

Soundtrack
See Audio.

Special effects
Enhancements, such as as wipes, fades, freeze-frames, animation, titles, and negative effects, often produced by a Special Effects Generator during post-production, that add to the sophistication of a video production. Datavideo products create a vast array of effects.

Split-screen
A feature of some video enhancers that allows the user to view "before" and "after" enhanced images on the screen at the same time. Several Datavideo enhancers include this feature.

Superimposition
The placement of one video image (text, graphics, live video, etc.) over another. Requires image synchronization. Several Datavideo products feature superimposition effect capability. See also Overlay.

S-VHS
Super VHS. A higher-quality version of the VHS videotape format, with better definition, resolution, and S/N ratio. Comparable in quality to Hi-8. Most Datavideo products support S-VHS. S-VHS-CSuper VHS-Compact. The compact version of S-VHS, with tape size, as well as quality, comparable to that of Hi-8. Most Datavideo products support the S-VHS format.

S-video
The component video connection system, also known as Y/C, used by S-VHS and Hi-8 equipment, which separates the luminance and Chrominance elements of the video signal. Most Datavideo products support the S-video format.

Synchronization
Also called Sync for short. Describes the alignment of video signals from two separate sources, allowing both sources to appear on one screen at the same time. See also A/B dissolve, frame synchronizer Gen-lock, and Time Base Corrector.

Time Base Corrector
Called TBC for short. A device that synchronizes any two video sources so that they can be combined in A/B dissolves, wipes, and other professional effects. The Datavideo TBC-2000 is the most sophisticated time base corrector available in its price range.

Time code
A digital encryption recorded onto videotape that enables edit controllers to communicate super-accurate editing commands to camcorders and VCRs. The videotape is broken down to its basic units--hours, minutes, seconds and frames--and catalogued for editing accuracy. There are three time code systems: LTC, RCTC and VITC.

Tint
See hue.

Titler
A post-production device that creates text, usually with a wide choice of styles and presentation effects, that can be superimposed over video images. Datavideo offers several types of titlers, from the simplest to the most advanced.

Titles
See Titler.

VHS
Video Home System. The most common consumer videotape format, utilizing 1/2-inch tape. VHS-CVHS-Compact. The compact version of VHS, with tape size comparable to that of 8 mm.

Video
The visible portion of an audio-video signal. The word literally means "I see" in Latin.

Video enhancer
A post-production device that manipulates various properties of the video signal, including color saturation, hue, and definition.

Video mixer
A post-production device used to create scene transitions and special effects, such as wipes and A/B dissolves. The Datavideo SE-200 Integrated Editing Center is both an edit controller, a titler, a color processor, and an audio mixer, as well as a video mixer.

VITC
Vertical Interval Time Code. A videotape encryption system found in certain camcorders and VCRs that enables edit controllers to communicate super-accurate editing commands. Datavideo editing technology is fully compatible with this Time Code.

White balance
A feature built in to camcorders/video cameras that adjusts the picture for different light conditions. Correct white balance should always be determined prior to shooting by aiming the camera at a white sheet under the available light and selecting the white balance setting that best reproduces the white color.

Wipe
Special effect where a color or video image moves across the screen in a prescribed pattern, replacing another video image. Datavideo makes several products that incorporate a Special Effects Generator that produces sophisticated wipe effects.

Y/C
Signifies Luminance and Chrominance. Also called S-video. Y/C is one type of component video system. Most Datavideo products support the Y/C format.