Tv terminolgy

tv terms

Aspect Ratio

the ratio of the width of the TV screen to its height

Audio Console

The place of equipment used to gather, mix, and amplify sounds before sending them to their next destination

Back time

The process of timing a piece of audio or video so that it can be started at a precise time & end at the proper time

Black

A synchronized video signal that contains no picture info, aka black screen

Blocking

The planning of movement & positioning of talent and production equipment

Bus

The mixing bar that connects the buttons representing the various video inputs on the switcher

BUST

A term used to immediately stop production & reset to the beginning

Character CG

Special effects generator that electronically produces graphics or animation directly on the TV screen or keyed on a background picture

Chrominance

The color of a video signal

Camera control units (CCU)

Electronic control equipment that is used to regulate all the engineering functions, such as luminance & chrominance, on each camera

Color bars

An electronically generated pattern of vertical color strips that can be used to standardize & calibrate & calibrate the color values of all cameras & monitors

Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Cyan, Magenta

Contrast ratio

the relationship of the brightness area to the darkest area in a shot

Crop

To cut off the edges or border of a picture

Cue

To prep audio or video sources for a precise start time, OR to signal start, pause, or stop any production activity or talent action

Cut

An instantaneous change from 1 video source to another

Cyc or Cyclorama

A large, continuous, smooth backing, usually made of fabric that may cover 2 or 3 walls of a studio

Dissolve

A simultaneous fading out of one picture or source while fading into another picture or source.

A temporary overlapping of 2 images

Fade video

In the video, the gradual appearance of a picture source from black, or the disappearance of black using a fader bar

(Fade in, Fade out)

Fade audio

In audio, the gradual increase increase or decrease of sound volume

(Fade up music, Fade out music)

Floor Plan

A diagram of the arrangement of the set, curtains, or other background background, props, etc

Frame

To fill the picture w/ meaningful, aesthetically pleasing composition

Also, a complete scanning cycle every 1/30th of a second.  it represents the smallest complete television unit.

Headroom

Space between the top of the subject’s head & the upper edge of the camera

HOT

Refers to a camera or mic that is up and live

(IFB)

Interrupted feedback system: an earpiece used to communicate with talent

Intercom

A closed-circuit audio network connecting all production with/personnel with headsets

Key

An electronic effect that cuts in an image over a background image

Luminance

The brightness of a video signal

Mixing

Combing two or more sound or video sound or video sources in the specific proportions

Preview Bus

Rows of buttons that can direct an input to the preview monitor while another video source is on air

Program Bus

The bus on the switcher whose inputs are directly switched to the line out

Script

The written guidelines containing dialog or voice-over information that the TV program uses

Strike

To dismantle & return to storage all elements of a production

Switcher

A video mixing panel that consists of a selection of buttons that allow the selection & mixing of incoming video signals to form the final program picture.

Tally Light

An indicator light on a camera shows that the camera is hot & on the air

VTO

Video Tape Operator

Holdover name from when the recording was on tape.

Zoom Lens

Variable focal length lens that can change from a wide shot to a close-up, or the reverse, in one continuous move.