Glossary

AES/EBU format

A standard format for the transfer of digital audio signals. In this format, two audio signals can be input/output through one XLR-type connector.

Assemble editing

An edit mode for adding new scenes to the end of previously recorded scenes. New video signals are recorded for each control signal, but continuity with the control signal preceding the edit point is maintained electrically. Because assemble editing in the middle of a scene will cause a break in the video image at the end of the insertion, this is not a practical method for inserting new video data. This should be done with insert editing.

See also Insert editing.

Backspace editing

Also called phase matching. During backspace editing, the VTR automatically rewinds the tape a few seconds after recording of a scene has been completed. This allows the tape to attain a stable speed before the start of recording of the next scene, thus maintaining signal continuity during editing.

Bridging connection

A connection that allows a signal input to an input terminal to pass throuth the unit and exit from an output terminal for input to a third piece of equipment.

Capstan

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

Color frame

A color subcarrier phase having one cycle that consists of two frames (four fields) in the NTSC format.

Color frame locking

A procedure in which the time code frame value is set to an odd number for the first and second color fields, and to an even number for the third and fourth color fields.

Color framing

A method to maintain color subcarrier phase continuity by performing editing in two-frame units in order to achieve stable video without horizontal fluctuation at the edit points when editing downconverted composite video signal.

Component video signal

A video signal that consists of a luminance signal (Y) and two chrominance (color- difference) signals (R-Y, B-Y).

Composite video signal

A signal that consists of video (luminance and color sub carrier), sync (horizontal and vertical), and color burst signals.

Condensation

Moisture that collects on the head drum of the tape transport mechanism, causing damage to the tape and malfunction of the VTR.

CTL

Abbreviation for control signal. A pulse signal that can be counted, to determine the number of frames, and therefore the tape’s running time. Used mainly for adjusting the tracking position of video heads, and to achieve time code continuity during continuous recording. This signal is recorded on a longitudinal tape track.

Cue point

A point used to mark the beginning of a section of tape so that it can be located for later playback or editing.

Drop frame mode

When the field frequency of this unit is

59.94Hz, the actual number of frames per second is approximately 29.97, while the time code value advances one second every 30 frames. In drop frame mode, the time code is advanced such a way that this difference in the value between real time and the time codes is corrected. Specifically, two frames are skipped at the beginning of each minute, except for every tenth minute, so that the frame value for time codes matches that for real time.

See also Non-drop frame mode.

E-E mode

Abbreviation for Electric-to-Electric mode. In this mode, the signals are passed through the VTRís electronics before output but do not pass through the magnetic converter circuits such as the tape and head circuits. This mode is used for confirming input signals or adjusting the input level.

Effect edit mode

When editing a tape using a switcher or when editing special effects, the pixels comprising the picture are often not dubbed to the same positions as those of the original. In the case of repeated dubbings, this shifting of pixels produces an accumulation of calculation errors during the compression/expansion process; this may result in an increase in low-level noise within the signal. The effect edit mode minimizes the production of this noise. Note, however, that a slight loss in picture resolution may be observed in this mode.

Emphasis

Emphasizing the high frequencies of a signal before processing (pre-emphasis) and de-emphasizing those high frequencies before output (de-emphasis). This reduces deterioration of the signal-to-noise ratio in the high frequency range.

External synchronization

A method to maintain color subcarrier phase continuity by performing editing in two-frame units in order to achieve stable video without horizontal fluctuation at the edit points. For editing, a recorder VTR (or master VTR) and a player VTR (or source VTR or slave VTR) are used, and external synchronization is commonly used to ensure that the operation timing control signals and time reference signals are synchronized.

Insert editing

An edit mode for inserting new scenes into the middle of previously recorded scenes. CTL signals previously recorded on the tape are used. Consequently, this mode cannot be used for blank tapes. This mode assumes that CTL signals have somehow be recorded to the tape already.

See also Assemble editing

Longitudinal time code

See LTC.

LTC

Abbreviation for Longitudinal Time Code. This is the time code recorded onto a longitudinal track of the tape. During the playback of still pictures, LTC cannnot be read since the tape is not moving. During slow playback, the LTC output is so small that it may not be read correctly, depending on the playback speed.

See also VITC.

Appendix

Appendix A-33