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Glossary

To find out the definition of a term used in this help, click the appropriate button.

  4:4:4 Sampling	  Bit	  Color Model

  ADPCM	  Bitmap	  Color Table

  Aliasing	  Black and White	  Complimentary Color

  Alpha Channel	  Blue Screen	  Component Video

  Amplitude	  Brightness	  Composite Image

  Analog	  Burn	  Composite Video

  Animation	  Channel	  Compression

  Anti-aliasing	  Chroma	  Contrast

  Aspect Ratio	  Chroma Subsampling	  Control Line

  Averaging	  Clip	  Control Point

  AVI	  Clipboard	  Cropping

  Background Matte	  Cloning	  Curved Segment

  Bandwidth	  CMYK	  Cusp Node

  Bins	  Color Channel


Glossary

To find out the definition of a term used in this help, click the appropriate button.

  Data Type	  Fade	  Gamma

  Dedicated System	  File Format	  Garbage Matte

  Digital	  Filter	  Graphics Files

  Digitizing	  Final Cut	  Grayscale

  Dissolve	  Flash Converter	  Halftoning

  Dithering	  Flatbed	  HiColor

  DNLE	  Flick	  HSB

  Dodge	  Floating Selection	  Hue

  DPI	  Footage	  Image

  Edit Window	  Frame	  Import

  EDL	  Frame Rate	  Indexed Color

  Effects Animation	  Frame Size	  Interleave

  Envelope	  Frames Per Second


Glossary

To find out the definition of a term used in this help, click the appropriate button.

  Jaggies	  Marquee	  On-line

  Jog Control	  Mask	  Overlay

  Key Color	  Matte	  PAL

  Key Frame	  MCI	  Parade

  Linear Editing	  MIDI	  Pixel

  Linear Segment	  MPEG	  Playlist

  Link	  Node	  Plug-in

  Lossless Compression	  Noise	  Posterization

  Lossy Compression	  Non-Linear Editing	  PPI

  Luminance	  NTSC	  Prime Colors

  Macro	  Off-line	  Proxy File

  Mark In/Mark Out	  Onionskin	  QuickTime


Glossary

To find out the definition of a term used in this help, click the appropriate button.

  Raster	  SECAM	  Subsampling

  Reel Name	  Sequence	  Symmetric Node

  Render	  Shuttle Control	  Synthespians

  Resolution	  Smooth Node	  Textures

  RGB	  SMPTE	  Thumbnail

  Rotoscoping	  Sound Sweetening	  Timecode

  Rough Cut	  Source	  Transition Effect

  Sample Rate	  Storyboards	  Traveling Matte

  Sample Size	  Stretching Frames	  True Color

  Saturation


Glossary

To find out the definition of a term used in this help, click the appropriate button.

  Vector Graphics	  VLAN	  Wild Sound

  VGA	  Volume	  Waveform

  Virtual Environment	  VTR	  Wireframe

  Virtual Sets	  Warping	  Wire Removal

  VISCA


4:4:4 Sampling

One of the various ratios of sampling frequencies used to digitize the luminance and color difference components (Y, B-Y, R-Y) or the RGB components of a video signal. In this particular ratio, there are always an equal number of samples of all components. RGB 4:4:4 is commonly used in standard platform computer-based equipment. TV recording and transmission systems are generally based on 4:2:2 or 4:2:0 sampling so the gains are minimal and could even be negated by the double conversion between sampling systems. Another variation is 4:4:4:4 sampling where a key signal sampled at 13.5 MHz is added.

(See also: Subsampling)


ADPCM

Adaptive Delta Pulse Code Modulation is a compression method used to compress audio files.


Aliasing

Jagged edges or “stepped” changes along the edges of curved or angled shapes due to the inability of a printer, screen display, or other output device to adequately reproduce the actual shape. This problem can be corrected through a process called anti-aliasing, where pixels along the edges of the shape are averaged with the background color to blend more smoothly into the image. The image on the upper left shows an example of aliasing.

(See also: Anti-aliasing)


Alpha Channel

A grayscale layer in some image or video files that serves to help isolate portions of the image or video for editing and enhancing. In digital video editing, the alpha channel is primarily used for overlays and mattes.

(See also: 4:4:4:4, Blue Screen, Keying, Overlays, Mattes)


Amplitude

The strength of a sound signal at a particular time. Amplitude ranges from -100% to 100%. An amplitude of 0 represents complete silence while the two extremes represent the strongest signal that can be reproduced without introducing unwanted distortion into the sound. The best recordings are those whose loudest sounds have amplitudes of exactly 100% (or -100%).


Analog

Wave signals carried over the air or recorded onto a magnetic tape that represent information, such as sound or pictures. The various peaks and troughs of this wave as well as the frequency or speed at which it travels account for the type of information it represents. An analog device can interpret or reproduce infinite differences in the signal it receives and is only limited by its ability to duplicate the information accurately. This contrasts with digital information which explicitly defines the characteristics of a signal with a specific and predefined numerical value.


Animation

The simulation of movement produced by rapidly displaying a series of sequential images.


Anti-aliasing

The process of removing jagged edges from a curved or angled shapes in images or text. This is averaging the pixels around the edges of shapes so that their colors are more similar to the background. For example, in this image, the letter on the left is aliased while the one on the right is anti-aliased.


Aspect Ratio

The relationship of width to height for a given image or graphic. Keeping or maintaining the aspect ratio refers to the process of maintaining size relationships when either the width or height of an image or graphic is changed.


Averaging

A filtering process which takes the gray/color value of each pixel and averages it with the values of surrounding pixels. The value of each pixel is then replaced with the averaged value.


AVI

Audio-Video Interleave is a digital video file format designed specifically for the Microsoft Windows environment.


Background Matte

An image or group of images that serves as a backdrop for other images or animations in a video.

(See also: Garbage Matte)


Bandwidth

The maximum amount of data (information) transferred from one location to another in a specified period of time The higher the bandwidth, the greater the amount of information being transferred. Controlling bandwidth is one of the biggest issues associated with creating digital video as the speed of the hardware is not always fast enough to transfer the large amount of data required for reproducing smooth and accurate animation and sound.

(See also: Data Transfer Rate)


Bins

A term used in conventional video and film making for the storage locations of recorded footage.


Bit

The unit of measure for the smallest element of a computer’s memory. In terms of multimedia, bits define the maximum number of divisions possible for storing different levels of information for every pixel or moment in an image, video, or sound file.

1-bit Only two divisions are possible. For images or video, each pixel can be either black or white. For sound, it can either be on or off.

8-bit 256 different levels of color or sound are possible.

16-bit 65,536 different levels of color or sound are possible.

24-bit Over 16-million different levels of color or sound are possible.


Bitmap

An image made up of a pattern of different colored dots or “pixels.” Also referred to as “Raster.”

(See also: Vector)


Black and White

The simplest kind of image data type, consisting of only black or white pixels. Shades of gray can be simulated through a process called dithering.

(See also: Dithering , Data Type)


Blue Screen

A technique by which selected colors (usually shades of blue or green) are removed or filtered from a video or image to allow an image on a layer below the blue-screened image to show through. Blue screen techniques are valuable for removing unwanted details from a completed video or to create virtual sets. Viewing a weather map behind the weather man on the evening news is one common use of a blue screen. Also referred to as Chroma Keying and Overlaying.

(See also: Overlay, Virtual Sets)


Brightness

A description of how much light appears to emanate from an image; also referred to as luminance. The two extremes of brightness are black (no light) and white (all light): black represents 0% brightness, while white represents 100% brightness.

(See also: Color Model, HSB)


Burn

A term from photography that refers to the process of making areas in a photograph that are too light darker.


Channel

One component of an audio, video, or image file that, when combined with others creates the desired image or sound produced by the computer. For example, most image files consist of three color channels, red, green, and blue. By varying the intensities of each of these channels and combining them, other colors can be produced.


Chroma/Chrominance

The color value of a video signal that represents the combined hue and saturation values of the shown colors. For NTSC and PAL signals the chrominance combines with luminance (brightness) to control the colors shown on screen.


Chroma Subsampling

A method of interpreting image data to compression by grouping and averaging color data over a block of pixels.


Clip

Anything placed or intended to be placed into a video timeline as part of a larger project.


Clipboard

A temporary storage area shared by all Windows programs used to hold data during cut, copy, and paste operations. Whenever you place new data onto the clipboard, it immediately replaces the existing data.


Cloning

Replicating part of an image within the same image, or between different images.


CMYK

A popular color model for post-process printing. It uses subtractive colors (Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow) to create all the other colors. A fourth channel, Black is added to create varying shades of gray and black.

(See also: Color Model, RGB, HSB)


Color Channel

Refers to one of the components of a color model. Different color models use different components to represent image colors. The RGB color model uses red, green and blue color component channels. The HSB color model uses hue, saturation and brightness color component channels. (Grayscale images can be thought of as single-channel images.)


Color Model

A method of describing the colors that can be shown in an image. Three of the most popular color models are RGB which combines red, green, and blue to form other colors, CMYK, which combines cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and HSB, which combines hue, saturation, and brightness.

(See also: CMYK, HSB, RGB)


Color Table / Color Palette

For indexed color images, the color table (or palette) lists and arranges all the available colors for that image as a reference. All pixels in the image refer to this list to determine how they appear.


Complimentary Color

The color that, when mixed with its opposite, will combine to create white. For example, the complimentary color to red is cyan.


Component Video

A video signal which separates luminance and chrominance into different parts. Betacam video employs a component video signal.


Composite Image

An image created by combining two or more images into one.


Composite Video

A video signal that combines luminance and chrominance. NTSC and PAL are examples of composite video.


Compression

A method of reducing file size for storage by finding or creating patterns of data that can be easily classified. There are two general categories of compression: “Lossless” and “Lossy.” Lossless compression reduces file size without any data loss. Lossy compression, on the other hand, discards data during compression, and may result in noticeable file degradation.


Contrast

The difference between light and dark values in an image. High contrast results in sharp transitions from light to dark, while lower contrast allows for more subtle transitions.


Control Line

A line connecting two control points when creating or editing a shape for an image’s outline or path for an animated sequence to follow.

(See also: Control Point)


Control Point

A point on the outline of a shape or path that can be dragged to another location to change the shape or orientation of the shape or path.


Cropping

A method trimming away unwanted image data by selecting only that portion you wish to retain and then deleting the remainder, resizing the image’s dimensions accordingly.


Curved Segment

A junction with a rounded edge, or from which the segments extending from it are rounded or curved.

(See also: Linear Segment)


Cusp Node

A node where you can move one control handle at a time to change the curve of a path on one side without affecting other.

(See also: Symmetric Node, Smooth Node)


Data Type

A digital representation used by computers to describe the amount of color information (in bits) contained in an image. The data type of an image controls the amount of information that the image can retain and therefore its displayed appearance.

(See also: Bit)


Dedicated System

Hardware and software built for a specific task and not for general purpose. This becomes very important in high-end editing to improve processing speeds as demands increase heavily.


Digital

A data storage method where audio or image information is converted into a series of numerical values. These values, in turn, can be read by computers and reproduced on a computer monitor or over speakers.

(See also: Analog)


Digitizing

The process of converting analog input to a digital form so that it can be used by the computer.


Dissolve

A type of video transition effect where a clip on one video track (Va) gradually disappears to reveal a video clip on another track (Vb).

(See also: Transition Effect)


Dithering

Method of making images with limited colors available appear to contain more. Most notably for making Black & White images appear to contain near-continuous changes in tone (gray shades). By arranging pixels of different colors close together, dithering can simulate colors not directly supported by an image data type. The various dithering techniques differ in the way they calculate and arrange new pixel values.


DNLE

Digital Non-Linear Editing is a method of combining and editing multiple video clips to produce a finished product. DNLE offers random access to all source materials and all portions on the master tape at all times during the editing process.


Dodge

A term from photography that refers to the process of making areas in a photograph that are too dark lighter.


DPI

Dots Per Inch is a measure of screen, image and printer resolution that is expressed as the number of dots that a device can print or display per linear inch.

(See also: Resolution)


EDL

Edit Decision List is a list of all clips, effects, and transitions in a video project included in a video project. The EDL clearly states the sources for all the clips, which portions of the clips are to be used, where in the final project they are to be used, and any transitions or other effects that will be applied. Many professional mixing consoles accept specially formatted EDLs to automate the final mix for a completed video project.


Edit Window

The window in the workspace where you can perform changes to an open file.


Effects Animation

Effects that have been painted on frames of video to create the illusion of interaction with the live-action elements, such as lasers, lighting, or ionization.


Envelope

A closed path that encloses the selection to which it belongs. Directly adjusting the envelope of a selection results in that selection being distorted accordingly to fit its boundaries.


Fade

A transition effect where the clip gradually disappears or appears. In video, the picture would gradually change to or from a solid color; for audio, the transition would be from full volume to complete silence or vice-versa.

(See also: Dissolve)


File Format

A file structure which defines the way information is stored. File formats can be as simple as an ASCII text or can be quite complicated such as TIFF and EPS.


Filter

An effect applied to an image or video, or sound that changes its appearance by altering the color pixel formation or sound quality.


Final Cut

The point at which the picture portion of the editing is complete. After the final cut, the only remaining task is to record the finished video to an output medium such as video tape or the hard disk.


Flash Converter

A device used to convert analog signals to digital signals. Through the flash converter, it is possible to convert frame(s) of video into data that can then be interpreted by computers.


Flatbed

A machine that is used to play films. With flatbeds modified to include a CCD (charged couple device) video camera, the film is played and then transformed into electrical signals that can be digitized directly to computer disk.


Flick

A fast preview where each frame is displayed sequentially without actually viewing them in the conventional manner.

(See also: Shuttle)


Floating Selection

A selected group of pixels that floats above the image until deselected and dropped onto the desired position on the image.


Footage

A length of recorded film intended for use in a larger project.


Frame

A single image in a video or animation sequence.


Frame Rate

The number of frames captured or displayed in one second of a video or animation sequence.

(See also: Frame)


Frame Size

The size of displayed images in video or animation sequences. If an image intended for the sequence is larger or smaller than the current frame size, it must be resized or cropped.

(See also: Cropping, Frame)


Frames Per Second (FPS)

The number of frames captured or displayed per second in video or animation sequences.


Gamma

The method of determining how the range of possible colors is portrayed on a screen.


Garbage Matte

Animated mattes that block out unwanted objects captured during the original photography.

(See also: Background Matte)


Graphics Files

A file whose data is composed largely of vector graphics. Vector graphics do not have a basic component, like a pixel, but are defined as lines between points, and fills between lines.


Grayscale

An image data type containing a maximum of 256 different shades of gray. This normally means 254 different grays plus black and white.

(See also: Data Type)


Halftoning

A common form of dithering that uses patterns of black and white pixels to produce what appears to be shades of gray.

(See also: Dithering)


HiColor

A 16-bit image data type that can contain up to 65,536 colors. The TGA file format supports images of this type. Other file formats require prior conversion of a HiColor image into True Color. For displays, HiColor normally refers to 15-bit (5-5-5) display adapters that can display up to 32,768 colors.

(See also: Data Type, True Color)


HSB

A color model that specifies colors in a way that is easier for people to visualize than the RGB model. H represents the hue or basic color; S represents the saturation or purity of the color; and B represents the Brightness or amount of light the color appears to emit.

(See also: Brightness, CMYK, Color Model, Hue, Saturation; RGB)


Hue

The quality of a color that sets it apart from other colors with the same base. For example, yellow and orange are different hues.


Image

A digital picture shown as a collection of dots or pixels arranged on a page or screen.

(See also: Bitmap)


Import

The process of bringing data into one program from another. Once imported, the data may be altered to accommodate the new program without affecting the original file.


Indexed Color

A data type that includes a set or index of unique values assigned to each color or shade allowed in an image.

(See also Data Type)


Interleave

A process of arranging audio and video data during compression used to obtain smoother playback and synchronization.


Jaggies

Undesired jagged edges that appear around the edge of bitmapped objects and text; also referred to as “aliasing.”

(See also: Aliasing, Anti-aliasing)


Jog Control

(See Shuttle Control)


Keyframe

A specific frame in a clip that is flagged for special editing or other activities in order to control the flow, playback or other characteristics of the completed animation. For example, when creating a moving path, assigning a keyframe controls the movement of the object(s) along a path. When creating a video, assigning keyframes on parts where there are high data transfer requirements helps control how smoothly the video plays back.


Key Color

A color or range of colors in an image made transparent during an overlay effect to allow another image or clip to show through.

(See also: Blue Screen, Chroma Key, Overlay)


Linear Editing

Traditional editing done on a flatbed where the source film is fed in one side, marked, cut, and spliced, and then fed out the other end. It’s called linear because tape must be edited in the order it’s presented (as opposed to non-linear editing).

(See also: DNLE)


Linear Segment

A junction with a straight edge or from which the segments extending from it are straight.

(See also: Curved Segment)


Link

A method of storing previously saved information in another program without significantly affecting the size of the resulting file. Linking offers another advantage in that the original file can be modified in its original program and the changes will automatically be reflected in the program where it is linked.


Lossless Compression

A method of reducing file size without changing any data when the file is reopened.

(See also: Lossy Compression)


Lossy Compression

A method of reducing file size by selectively discarding nonessential data. The resulting files are smaller than those using lossless compression, but some information is permanently lost even after the file is reopened.

(See also: Lossless Compression)


Luminance

(See Brightness)


Macro

A tool for recording and automating repeated actions that you frequently perform. In Video Paint, macros are essential elements in creating sophisticated animations.


Mark In / Mark Out

The start and end timecodes that identify the portions of clips to be included in a video project.

(See also: Clip)


Marquee

An outline that identifies the edges of a selection area. Also referred to as “Bounding box.”


Mask

A selection area used to isolate a portion of an image while editing. By using a mask, you can protect parts of an image from unwanted changes.

(See also: Matte)


Matte

Opaque images that prevent exposure in a particular area of film and allow the blacked-out space to be filled in with another image or color.


MCI

Media Controller Interface is a software driver designed by Microsoft to allow audio and video files to be played in Windows. MCI devices also allow you to control compatible VCRs and Laser disk players using controls on your computer.


MIDI

Musical Instrument Device Interface is an industry standard file format for both hardware and software which allows musical instruments, synthesizers, and components to be linked together.


MPEG

Moving Picture Experts Group is an organization involved with defining standards for compressing video data for use on the PC. Also refers to the file format that utilizes the compression standards defined by this group.


Node

A point where two line segments meet. In MediaStudio Pro, nodes determine specific points where images and paths can be reshaped, resized, or rotated.


Noise

Small audible or visual discrepancies that adversely affect audio and video files which have been recorded or captured incorrectly or with faulty equipment.


Non-linear Editing

(See DNLE.)


NTSC

National Television Standards Committee is an organization that defines the standards for television used in North America and Japan characterized by 30 frames per second and 525 scan lines per frame. This standard include restrictions on the range of colors available for displaying on television.


Off-line

Term used to refer to editing video away from the source material. Video Editor is an example of an off-line video editor.


Onionskin

Term used in rotoscoping (video painting) whereby layers are created to appear over a video. You can “peel” these layers away to reveal more layers or the underlying video. This is useful for obtaining a good idea of how an animation is progressing by viewing a series of still images laid over each other.


On-line

Term used to refer to editing directly with the source material in real-time. On-line editors generally consist of several tape machines which pass through a controlling device and the resulting video is output to another tape.


Overlay

The process of rendering part of one image transparent to allow a second image to appear through this transparent area.

(See also: Blue Screen, Chroma Key, Key Color)


PAL

Phase Alternation Line is the television standard used in Europe, Africa, and South America characterized by 25 frames per second and 625 scan lines per frame. This standard includes restrictions on the range of colors available for displaying on television.


Parade

Form of color model used by the Perception video capture board which defines color as Y, R-Y and B-Y (luminance, red minus luminance and blue minus luminance).


Pixel (or Pel)

The smallest component that makes up an image. Computer images are made up of rows of pixels, each of which can be a different color. This is usually used as the unit of measurement for an image. The term is derived from the shortening of the words “picture element” or “picture cell.”


Playlist

A list of items to be played back in a certain order.

(See also: EDL)


Plug-in

Plug-ins are additions to the program that are not part of the standard package. They add to the tools, filters, or effects to enhance or expand the image editing options available.


Posterization

An image filter which reduces the number of colors in an image to produce a flat poster-like effect.


PPI

Pixels Per Inch is a unit of measure for determining the density of pixels in a bitmap image. For printing and displaying, this also determines the physical size of the image.


Prime Colors

The colors that are the basis of the RGB color model: red, green, and blue. By varying how these colors are blended, it is possible to create any other color.


Proxy File

A low-resolution copy of a video or image file that reduces system demands while performing previews of your video project in Video Editor.


QuickTime

A compression scheme developed by Apple Computer which allows you to compress video files. QuickTime files are referred to as movies and have an MOV extension.


Raster

(See Bitmap.)


Resolution

The resolution of an image determines the size of the individual pixels in an image, and thus the size of the whole image when printed or displayed. Resolution is shown in pixels per inch (PPI) or dots per inch (DPI).

(See also: DPI, PPI)


Reel Name

A name assigned to source video that aids in recalling where captured video clips came from. This information is particularly useful when doing batch capturing or referring to an EDL.


Render

The process of combining source information into a single file after applying transitions and other effects for output.


RGB

The model used in televisions and computer monitors to display color. By mixing varying amounts of red, green, and blue you can create other colors in the spectrum.

(See also: CMYK, Color Model, HSB)


Rotoscoping

Painting over a sequence of existing frames, one at a time, to create artificial effects.

(See also: Effects Animation)


Rough Cut

The initial edit of a video. Usually the rough cut is prepared quickly to offer an idea of how the finished project will appear.


Sample Rate

The number of audio samples recorded per second (measures in megahertz). Generally there are three rates: 11,025 MHz, (microphone quality) 22,050 MHz (radio quality) and 44,100 MHz (CD quality).


Sample Size

The amount of memory allocated to record audio data. You can choose between two types: 8-bit or 16-bit. 16-bit produces better quality but at twice the file size as 8-bit.


Saturation

The degree of a color’s purity. A color that is highly saturated will be more pure and appear stronger. Increasing a color’s saturation makes it appear quite vivid while reducing saturation makes the color seem washed out.


SECAM

Systém Électronic Pour Coleur Avec Mémoire. The television standard used in France, Russia, and Africa characterized by 25 frames per second and 625 scan lines per frame.


Sequence

Use Clip instead.


Shuttle Control

A control used to manually move backward and forward through a video or audio file.

(See also: Flick)


Smooth Node

A node where you can move the control handles independently from each other and still remain on a linear path when changing the curve of a path.

(See also: Cusp Node, Symmetric Node)


SMPTE

Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers is an organization based in the United States that makes recommendations for video standards to be adopted by the industry.


Sound Sweetening

Enhancing sound, for example by removing noise.


Source

Original data imported into another program as the basis for further editing or modification.


Storyboards

Graphic representations of shots done during pre-production or before filming to help the director and / or crew visualize how a shot is laid out.


Stretching Frames

A technique of enhancing action and excitement in a video sequence with slow-motion.


Subsampling

A method of interpreting image data to enhance compression by grouping and averaging color data over a block of pixels. Think of your image as groups of pixels arranged into blocks. Each square block contains four pixels. Without subsampling, each block requires twelve entries (12 bytes) to describe it, (three for each pixel). If we subsample using the 4-1-1 method, each pixel keeps its own brightness (H) value, but the color values (Cb and Cy) are each summed and then averaged. Each pixel in the block then uses this value, so the number of required entries for the block drops to six, (four brightness values and two color values.) The 4-2-2 subsampling method is a compromise between None and 4-1-1 and consists of eight entries, (four brightness, two for the first color channel, and two for the second color channel).


Symmetric Node

A node where you can move the control handles while keeping a fixed linear path and equal length for the preceding and succeeding nodes when changing the curve of a path.

(See also: Cusp Node, Smooth Node)


Synthespians

The contemporary slang term for unreal “actors.” Synthespians are entirely computer generated, though voice characterization may be done by real actors on a separate sound track.


Textures

Uniquely patterned bitmaps that can seamlessly be tiled together in an image to serve as a background or fill.


Thumbnail

A small, low resolution representation of an image.


Timecode

A method of identifying a specific frame’s location relative to other frames in a video. Its standard form is Hours:Minutes:Seconds: Frames.


Transition Effect

A process in which one video clip replaces another.


Traveling Matte

An animated shape that protects an area of each frame in a sequence from being changed while a special effect or transition progresses over the rest of the frame.


True Color

A graphics file format containing 24 bits of color information, yielding 16.7 million possible colors, or photographic quality.

(See also: File Format)


Vector Graphics

Images created based on actual shapes rather than individual pixels.

(See also: Graphics Files)


VGA

Video Graphics Array is a type of display card that provides a standard resolution of 640x480 supporting 16 colors.


Virtual Environment

A setting used in a video project that does not actually exist in the real world. By using images and photographs instead of building large and complex sets, you can save a lot of money and time. Also referred to as “Virtual Space.”


Virtual Sets

Term for movie sets that have a photorealistic quality but exist solely within a digital environment. Digitally created background mattes are a good example of virtual sets.


VISCA

A standard protocol used to control external video sources from a computer.


VLAN

An industry standard set of controls and or devices that allows you to connect video playback, recording, and other devices to a PC for performing linear or non-linear digital video editing.


Volume

How loud a sound seems. When the sound is very loud, the volume is considered to be high.


VTR

Video Tape Recorder is a device capable of recording visual information onto magnetic tape so that it can be played back and shown on a television display.


Warping

A method of distorting an image by moving control points on a grid from their original positions to a new position, thus causing distortion in the image.

(See also: Control Point)


Waveform

A visual representation of sound used to enhance editing in a digital environment.


Wild Sound

Sound clips intended for use with video that do not already have video to accompany them. This could, for example, include the sound of a train approaching that was recorded independently from the actual filming of the train or sound effects, such as thunder and lightning that cannot be planned and timed during the actual filming and must be added later.


Wipe

A video transition where the new picture appears to progressively slide over the original.


Wireframe

A shape or object that appears as a single or multiple lines that show its outline.


Wire Removal

The process of digitally removing wires, props, and other undesirable elements from a scene. Wire removal software has superseded the “garbage matte” process of conventional optics.