Glossary

A/B roll editing

An editing method that uses two or more playback VCRs to create special effects such as dissolve and wipe, and uses one record VCR to record the results of the editing. Using an editing control unit allows efficient control of the VCRs and very precise editing.

AES/EBU format

A unified format for digital audio signals. It allows a single connector to carry the signals for two channels.

BY signal

A chrominance signal determined by subtracting the Y (luminance) signal from the B (blue) signal. One of the component signals.

Capstan

A drive mechanism that moves the tape at a specified speed. Its rotation normally synchronizes with a reference sync signal.

Chrominance signal Color signal containing color information such as hue and saturation. Also called C signal.

Component signals (YRB) A video signal consisting of a luminance signal (Y) and two chrominance signals (RY, BY).

Composite signal

A composite video signal containing video, burst and sync signals.

Condensation

Condensation of moisture on the tape transport mechanisms of VCRs including the head drum. If moisture condenses on the head drum, the tape adheres to the drum and causes malfunction.

Appendixes

Drop frame mode

Time code runs at 30 frames/sec. The NTSC system, however, runs at about 29.97 frames/sec. Drop frame mode adjusts this difference. The time code and video are synchronized by dropping the first two frames of the time code every minute, except at the ten-minute marks.

EE mode

EEis an abbreviation of “Electric to Electric”. Video and audio signals are supplied to the VCR’s internal circuits, but not to the recording heads.

Head drum

A metal cylinder to which a video head is attached. This drum is rotated at high speeds in synchronization with the sync signal during recording and playback.

Linear editing

Editing while playing back video and audio signals recorded on video tape. See also “Non-linear editing.”

Loading

When being loaded, the tape is pulled out of the cassette case and threaded along the specified tape path and wrapped round the drum to be ready for recording or playback. Generally, this is done automatically when you place the cassette at the cassette entrance of the VCR. Also called threading.

Loop-through connection

A connection which allows a signal input to an input connector to pass through the unit and exit from an output connector as input to external equipment. Also called bridging connection.

Luminance signal

The signal that determines the brightness of the picture. Also called Y signal. One of the component signals.

Non-drop frame mode

The number of frames of the time code and video run is not adjusted. When you use the time code in non- drop frame mode, the real playback time will be about 86 seconds shorter per day than the time code. If you edit frame by frame or if you determine the length of a shot by counting the time code, use drop frame mode.

Non-linear editing

Editing while playing back video and audio signals recorded on hard disks. Video scenes stored on disk can be cued up quickly, for increased editing efficiency. See also “Linear editing.”

PCM audio

This is an audio signal represented by pulse code modulation. The analog audio signal is first broken down into a sequence of pulses, and these are then represented digitally.

Preroll

Running of a video tape to a prior to an edit-start point to enable the tape to reach a steady speed and to be synchronized with other video tapes.

RY signal

A chrominance signal determined by subtracting the Y (luminance) signal from the R (red) signal. One of the component signals.

Reference video signal

A video signal consisting of a sync signal or sync and burst signals, used as a reference.

Setup (for DSR-1500A)

The difference between the reference black level and the blanking level of a composite signal.

SMPTE

Abbreviation of Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, a professional association established in the USA.

118 Glossary