Glossary - Videonics MXPro User Manual

Some terms defined in this glossary might not appear in
the body of the User Guide.
A/A Roll
A term originating in the film world. Normally
describes rolling a single source into an effects
device, such as the Videonics MXPro, and creating
transitions between the individual scenes.
A/B Roll
Variation of A/A Roll (described above). Normally
describes rolling two or more sources into an effects
device, such as the Videonics MXPro, and creating
transitions between the various source images.
AV/Net™
A micro controller-based adapter offered by Vide-
onics that can be daisy chained. It allows you to
control multiple video devices using only one of
your computer's serial ports.
Betacam
An industry standard format that uses half-inch
videotape running at high speed to produce high
quality video. It is an evolving standard. There are
currently three versions in common use: Betacam,
Betacam SP, and Digital Betacam.
Camcorder
Combination camera and video recorder in one
device. Normally contains video recording heads as
well as a video playback unit (that is, a mini-VCR).
Composite Video
The format used by televisions, many VCR's, and
laser disc players. Also see S-Video .
Counter
A relative indicator of tape position. On VCR's that
do not support time code, the tape counter stores
scene locations. Because it is a relative indicator of
tape position, it is subject to drift. The same tape
logged on one VCR and viewed on another might
report different counter locations for the same
scene.
Deck
A video cassette/tape player or recorder, also called
a VCR or VTR .

Glossary

Digital Still Camera
A recording device for taking photographs and
storing the information in digital form. The device
is similar to a 35mm reflex lens camera that uses
traditional film except that it stores the image on a
silicon chip. Images can then be downloaded to a
computer system.
Drop Frame
A variation on the SMPTE time code format. It
refers to a scheme designed to compensate for the
fact that NTSC actually runs at 29.97 fps. Normal
Time Code (or, Non-Drop Frame Time Code) is
recorded and calculated based on 30 fps. Because
the actual number of frames per second is really
29.97, a discrepancy occurs causing a loss of
slightly more than three seconds each hour. Drop
frame corrects for this error by skipping two frames
every minute, except on the tenth minute.
FPS
F rames P er S econd. The number of picture frames
that are recorded or played during a one second
period. Television nominally uses 29.97 fps (NTSC)
or 25 fps (PAL).
Flying Erase Heads
Standard erase heads are mounted along the tape
path in a VCR. A flying erase head is built into the
video head drum just ahead of the video heads. It
makes it possible to erase the video each helical
scan at a time resulting in clean video edits with no
rainbow effect. It is a requirement for high quality
video editing.
IR
I nfra R ed is one of several remote control protocols.
It is a one way protocol that allows a device to send
command to the VCR. Because this is a one-way
communication, the VCR cannot send tape loca-
tion information back. VCR's that offer this limited
method of control are suitable only as record decks.
LTC
L ongitudinal T ime C ode is an SMPTE-defined stan-
dard for time code, normally recorded onto a linear
audio track of a VCR.