automatic macro focus Camcorder automatically flips lens into the close-up mode when subject is less than 2 ft. away. Zoom may automatically shift to wide-angle.
azimuth In audio and video recording, the angle of the heads relative to the magnetic tape for accurate reproduction and playback. In satellite TV installations, the angle of the receiving dish to the transmitting satellite. (See dual azimuth.)
auto focus Uses a sensor to calculate the exact distance between camera and object. Allows the operator to concentrate on action and other special effects, free of manual focus.
AC (alternating current) Form in which electricity is delivered via direct wiring; an electrical current that regularly reverses direction. Invented by Nikola Tesla in 1884 and promoted by Westinghouse, in competition with Thomas Edison's DC current, which flows constantly in one direction. The rate of alternation of AC current is known as frequency, measured in hertz (cycles per second). House current is always AC; battery power is always DC. (See DC, hertz.)
ADC (analog-to-digital converter) Built-in or external device that converts an analog signal (e.g., from a microphone, turntable or audiocassette deck) into a digital signal for recording and processing in the digital domain.
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A/D converter (See ADC)
adjustable diopter A viewfinder lens adjustment that can compensate for nearsightedness or farsightedness, so those eyeglass wearers can see clearly without their glasses.
alphanumeric Character set or designation containing letters, numbers and other characters, such as punctuation marks.
amorphous A metal alloy with high magnetic saturation flux density and permeability, and low friction noise.
analog Type of signal that represents sound or video as a continuously variable progression of levels, often portrayed as waves. As opposed to digital, which employs a sequence of 2 types of pulses at otherwise unvarying levels to represent binary values (combinations of the numerals 0 and 1) to encode the signal. (See digital.)
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analog-to-digital converter (See ADC)
AE (automatic exposure) A feature which sets the iris (aperture) automatically, so that the amount of light hitting the image sensors provides a proper, average exposure level.
aperture The lens opening, which permits light to expose the film in a traditional camera or the CCD (charge-coupled device) in a digital camera or camcorder. The aperture may be either fixed or adjustable and is calibrated in f-stop numbers (the higher the number, the smaller the opening). In higher-end cameras the aperture can be manually set.
adjustable auto date/time Adds the date or time to recordings.
accessory light A snap-on or built-in light (3 to 5 watts) that is useful for illuminating subjects located a few feet from the camcorder in low-light situations.
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accessory shoe A small slot on top of the camcorder, useful for attaching a light, a wireless microphone receiver or other accessory devices.
AFM (audio frequency modulation) The standard method of recording audio in 8mm and Hi8 camcorders.
AGC (automatic gain control) Circuit in TVs and VCRs that maintains a constant luminance level, minimizing picture differences caused by changes in the strength of incoming signals.
audio dub Replaces the linear audio (sound) track on previously recorded tape with a new one, without disturbing the video material.
auto LCD brightness control Sharp's auto camcorder feature that automatically changes the back light brightness level of the LCD screen to match lighting conditions. The result is effortless LCD screen adjustment when moving from indoor to outdoor scenes.
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auto light Automatically turns on when it senses the picture is too dark.
auto lock mode Locks focus, white balance, shutter speed 1/60th normal setting, and iris controls in the full automatic mode so you don't have to worry about accidentally pressing the wrong button. Provides point-and-shoot simplicity.
auto pause Automatically takes the camcorder from record to pause mode if the camcorder is pointed at a 90-degree angle and there is no activity for a predetermined amount of time. This keeps you from videotaping your feet or the sky.
auto refresh To prevent nickel cadmium batteries from developing a memory, auto refresh drains the battery at a safe rate, then recharges in one operation.
auto titler Automatically displays a preset title on each of 10 specific holidays; you can also manually choose and insert a title of your choice.
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automatic white balance (color balance) Automatically analyzes and balances the three primary colors producing the most accurate color image. Camcorders automatically adjust to light intensity and changes (incandescent, florescent, sunlight, etc.), continuously producing images with the most accurate colors.
back light compensation Allows more light into the camera, compensating for too much background light producing better quality video.
bias In audio and video recording, the application of an extremely high frequency signal to the tape to reduce distortion. Also, the narrow range of frequency and intensity of the bias signal for optimal recording on a specific formulation of audiotape or videotape. In amplifiers, a small amount of electricity applied to output source devices (CD players, tape decks, etc.) to keep them from switching off completely; helps avoid crossover distortion. (See Class AB amplifier.)
battery charger The AC adapter that recharges the camcorder battery.
battery life The length of time the battery will keep a camcorder recording. Battery life is affected by ambient temperature and the amount of power consuming camcorder features that are used, such as zooming, during operation.
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built-in head cleaner Activated whenever a tape is loaded or unloaded. Minimizes the need for a separate head-cleaning tape, maintaining optimum picture quality at all times.
built-in wide-angle Quickly switches to an extra wide angle to get everyone into the shot.
cartridge The electromechanical assembly in a turntable that's used to convert the mechanical vibrations picked up by a stylus (phonograph needle) from a record's grooves into electrical energy for amplification; sometimes called a pickup. (See moving-coil, moving-magnet.) Also, a protective plastic casing or sleeve containing magnetic or optical digital data (recording or playback) media.
CCD (charge-coupled device) A solid-state image pick-up device that converts light into an electrical charge; used as the image sensor in digital cameras and camcorders (analogous to film in a traditional camera) and in other digital imaging devices such as scanners. Its ability to hold a variable charge makes it ideally suited to recording variable shades of light. A CCD is an analog sensor, so a digital camera uses a shift register to convert the analog data into digital form. - area CCD: A square CCD that can capture the entire image at once. Essential for moving objects; used in digital cameras and camcorders.
- linear CCD: Captures the image in a series of individual passes. Best suited for still objects; typically used in static imaging devices such as scanners.
channel
A single discrete audio signal; usually used in reference to systems designed to reproduce 2 or more complementary signals. Also, a single power line in an amplifier; a channel's power output is measured in watts.
chrominance The color portion of the video signal representing the saturation and tint at a particular point of the image.
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CompactFlash Flash memory card measuring 1.5 inches square, developed by SanDisk; used in small portable devices such as digital cameras, MP3 players and PDAs, and available in a variety of multi-megabyte capacities. (See flash memory, Memory Stick, SmartMedia.)
capstan The motorized spindle in an audiotape or videotape transport that moves the tape forward in play and record modes. The capstan rotates constantly when the unit is in operation. When play or record modes are engaged, the tape is gripped between the capstan and the pinch roller; the pinch roller and capstan rotate together to shuttle the tape forward at a precise, constant speed.
car adapter Powers the camcorder from a cigarette lighter jack.
character generator Electronically creates alphabet letters or numeric type, which can be super imposed as captions or titles across the picture on the tape being made.
color balance (See Automatic White Balance)
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Control L Sony's bi-directional communication system between video products that allows one unit to control the operation of another.
color enhancement light Offers extra light for optimum picture quality. Colors are brighter and more realistic, sharpness is improved and graininess reduced.
color temperature Portions of color that are mixed together to make white, and measured in degrees Kelvin are called color temperature. Without the proper color temperature, the color white ends up looking a little bluish.
color viewfinder A small solid state LCD display panel using thousands of red, green and blue dots (pixels) to creates a color image in the viewfinder.
channel A single discrete audio signal; usually used in reference to systems designed to reproduce 2 or more complementary signals. Also, a single power line in an amplifier; a channel's power output is measured in watts.
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download Process of transferring data between computers, Generally refers to moving information from a larger or more remote storage device to a smaller or more local one (e.g., from an Internet server to your PC or from your PC to a portable MP3 player).
dubbing The process of copying a video or audio program from a playback device to a recording device. Also, the process of inserting a new audio track under an existing video track (or vice versa).
DTV (see digital television)
dynamic range In music, the range of amplitudes, expressed in decibels, from the loudest to the softest passages. In electronic products, the range (measured in decibels) between the loudest signal a device can reproduce and the inherent noise level generated by the device itself; more commonly referred to as signal-to-noise ratio.
D/A converter (See DAC)
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DAC (digital-to-analog converter) Built-in or external device that converts the digital signal from a CD or other digital source into an analog signal, which can then be reproduced by an analog audio system.
dB (decibels) A system for measuring audio/video signals and amplification factors based on logarithmic comparisons.
demagnetizer Device that removes residual magnetism that builds up in tape heads during playback and recording.
depth-of-field The range of what's in reasonably good focus in front of and behind the main subject. Generally, depth-of-field is much wider in strong light due to reduced iris settings.
digital System that uses binary numbers, 0 and 1, representing "on" and "off," to record, reproduce and/or store text, sound, images, video or any other kind of data.
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digital television (DTV) Any of the 18 formats officially sanctioned by the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) for the digital transmission of video signals. Also, devices (monitors, tuners and integrated monitor/tuner combinations) designed to handle any of these signals. Such devices are further subclassified into three groups, depending on their display and processing capabilities: high-definition (HDTV), enhanced-definition (EDTV) and standard-definition (SDTV). Digital TV tuners must also be able to process terrestrial analog broadcast signals and to either process or pass-through Dolby Digital multichannel surround audio signals. See HDTV, EDTV, SDTV.
digital-to-analog converter (See DAC)
digital zoom Digital method to radically increase a camcorder's or camera's zoom ratio to focus in on a distant subject, as opposed to optical zoom, which uses lens movement and has limited range. Digital zoom, by definition, enlarges the pixels in a digitized image, reducing its effective resolution. Digital zoom is a convenience, but optical zoom is the critical measure of a camcorder's or camera's magnification capacity. Also, a feature included in some high-end DVD players that allows the user to select a sector of the picture and enlarge it for closer examination. (See picture zoom.)
digital strobe Shows a rapid series of still images, producing a strobe effect. When these still frames are recorded in strobe mode, audio information continues to record in real time.
date/time insert Superimposes specific dates and times on the tape to document special moments. Camcorder clock is powered by a separate battery so once set, date/time is always available.
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digital effects Special effects, such as zoom, picture-in-picture, freeze, gain control, strobe, wipe, fade and time-lapse require picture information to be stored as digital data. Digital data is then processed in different ways for a variety of special effects.
digital photo effects Sony camcorders provide digital effect modes for exciting creative options. Common ones include still, flash motion, luminance key, photo, slow shutter, motion trails, old movie or sepia and solarized.
digital E.I.S. (digital electronic image stabilization) Minimizes picture jitters and adverse effects from unintentional hand movement.
digital still When pressed during camera mode, the still image is digitally memorized from the current picture. By pressing the record button, you record the frozen image for the desired length of time.
digital zoom Video circuitry that extends the optical lens zoom range by expanding the central portion of the image sensor to fill the entire screen. At extreme magnification, there aren't enough pixels to create a detailed image, so a coarse mosaic effect is created.
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dual battery charger Charges 2 batteries simultaneously.
dropout A momentary, partial or complete loss of picture or sound caused by such things as dirt on the videotape/heads or crumpled videotape. Uncompensated dropout produces white or black streaks in the picture.
DSP (digital signal processing) Integrated circuit technology to reduce noise and increase the dynamic recording range by digitally processing the camera signal. Produces more accurate, consistent colors and superior picture clarity.
editing functions Features included in many classes of audio and video products, including camcorders, MiniDisc recorders and CD-RW recorders, to enable selective modifications to recorded program material (e.g., erasing, resequencing, fading, etc.).
EDTV (enhanced-definition television) This is a fully integrated television receiver that receives ATSC terrestrial digital transmissions and decodes all ATSC Table 3 video formats. It must have active vertical scanning lines to meet the 480 progressive (480p) format or higher but does not specify any particular aspect ratio. It must receive and decode or pass-through for decoding Dolby Digital audio.
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EDTV monitor This is a monitor (presumably ATSC tunerless) that has active vertical scanning lines to meet the 480 progressive (480p) format or higher, but does not specify a picture aspect ratio.
EDTV tuner This is a RF receiver that receives all ATSC terrestrial digital transmissions and decodes all ATSC Table 3 video formats. It must output the ATSC Table 3 HDTV formats of 720p or 1080i/p with minimum active vertical scanning lines of 480p. Alternatively, the output can be a digital bitstream output capable of transporting 480p, while the ATSC Table 3 480i format can be output at 480i. It must receive and decode or pass-through for decoding Dolby Digital audio.
E-E (electronics to electronics) Describes a picture that is monitored while video recording, or circuits that are related to permit monitoring.
EIS (electronic image stabilization) Small camcorders can be difficult to hold steady for long time periods. Electronic image stabilization helps to minimize camcorder movement by digitally stabilizing the picture.
enhanced-definition television (See EDTV)
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edit search Quickly search and/or view a tape for a particular scene without exiting the record mode. Precisely finds edit frames, and starts or ends taping at specified segments.
eight-mode picture effect Add creativity to your videos with slim, stretch, mosaic, solarization, black and white, sepia, negative art and pastel picture effects.
filter A colored or specially coated piece of glass or other transparent material used over the lens to emphasize or modify the color or density of the entire scene or certain areas within a scene.
FireWire Apple Computer's proprietary name for IEEE 1394 connectivity. (See IEEE 1394, i.LINK.)
flash memory Type of permanent RAM storage that is unaffected by power loss (and so is referred to as non-volatile); usually used in battery-powered or portable electronic or digital data storage devices, such as digital cameras, portable MP3 players and handheld PCs. May be permanently installed or in the form of removable media, such as SmartMedia, CompactFlash or Memory Stick. (See CompactFlash, SmartMedia, Memory Stick.)
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FM (frequency modulation) Second radio broadcast standard (the other is AM), patented by Howard Armstrong in 1922 but not commercialized until the late 1950s. Covers the frequency band from 88MHz to 108MHz. The FM signal follows ground contours; as a result, it's often blocked by geographic features, such as mountains, or by architectural structures, such as buildings and tunnels. Still, it is less susceptible to interference and static than AM. The FM principle is also used in the broadcast of TV audio and satellite video, and has further applications in hi-fi videotape recording.
focal length Lens view measurement. A wide view lens (wide-angle) has short focal length and a long view lens (telephoto) has longer focal length.
focus range The range within which a camera or camcorder is able to focus on the selected picture subject; e.g., 4'-infinity.
frequency range Difference, measured in hertz (Hz), between the lowest and highest frequencies reproduced by a source or loudspeakers. The frequency response of the CD format is 20-20,000 Hz (sometimes expressed as 20Hz-20kHz), roughly corresponding to the typical frequency range of human hearing. Whether human hearing extends beyond 20,000Hz, and how harmonics above this level affect audible audio signals, is a matter of intense debate among audiophiles.
fps (frames per second) Rate at which video or film images are recorded and displayed. The NTSC video standard is 30fps. (See NTSC.)
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full-logic controls On a videotape or audiotape deck, electronically operated controls that permit operation of the transport functions via remote control. They also allow the user to safely switch directly among play, fast-forward and rewind modes without first having to stop the tape.
fade control Begins or ends a scene by gradually fading the picture to one of several options including black, white, soft, mosaic, stripe, random and other digital effects.
field Half of a video frame. 2 fields equal 1 frame of video.
fingerprint-reduced LCD viewscreen All Sharp Viewcam's viewscreens are coated with a special resin that reduces fingerprints. To clean viewscreen, just use a clean, soft cloth.
five-head recording system Utilizes five heads for optimal picture quality in both SP and LP recording modes and glitch-free editing starts and stops.
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flying erase heads Flying erase heads are located on the same wheel as record and play heads. Because their head path matches perfectly with the record heads, segments are edited or erased without producing rainbow streaks or picture snow. Produce perfectly clean splices and smooth transitions between segments.
focus lock Useful when the subject is not positioned in the center of the frame. Lets user maintain, or lock onto, a certain focus setting while recomposing the scene.
frame Video signals consist of a rapid series of still images. Each still image is called a frame. With the NTSC (National Television Standards Committee) television system, each frame consists of 525 scan lines and 30 frames per second.
foot candles A unit of measurement that defines the amount of light that falls on an object. This unit has been replaced by lux (a metric unit of light) as the industry standard.
full-range auto focus system Allows shooting through glass or water. Many systems also offer add-on and auto macro focusing.
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full-size dedicated 5-head system Panasonic utilizes 4 video heads for exceptional picture quality in the SP and SLP speeds, plus a flying erase head for distortion-free scene transitions. These are all on a full-size head drum that is the same size found in VCRs. This keeps the images jitter-free during playback in the cassette adapter.
gain Degree of signal amplification, expressed in decibels. Also, the amount of ambient light that enters the iris of a camcorder; "gain-up" electronically boosts the video signal level to make subjects appear brighter (and, unfortunately, grainier) when shooting in low-light situations. (See gain-up control.) Also, the reflectivity of a projection screen. A gain of 1.0 is equivalent to the reflectivity of a matte white surface. A gain of 3.0 is considered high for a front-projection screen, whereas a gain of 7.0 (or higher) is typical for rear-projection screens.
gray scale Black, white and shades of gray, as applied to computer graphics or imaging devices, such as a fax machine or photocopier; the variations in brightness that enhance clarity. In video, the manner in which the color temperature of a video monitor changes with the signal level (black being at a low signal level, white being at a high signal level, and gray being in between); tracking color accuracy. (See colorimetry, color temperature.) Also may refer to one of the test patterns used to evaluate gray scale; usually incorporates horizontal or vertical bars displaying 10 or so steps between black and white.
HDTV tuner This is an RF receiver that will receive all ATSC terrestrial digital transmissions and decodes all ATSC Table 3 video formats. It must output the ATSC Table 3 HDTV formats of 720p or 1080i/p with minimum active vertical scanning lines of 720p, 1080i, or higher. Additionally, it may output HDTV formats converted to other formats. The lower resolution ATSC Table 3 formats can be output at lower resolution levels. Alternatively, the output can be a digital bitstream with the full resolution of the broadcast signal. It must receive and decode or pass-through for decoding Dolby Digital audio.
HDTV (high-definition television) A fully integrated television that will receive all ATSC terrestrial digital transmissions and decode all ATSC Table 3 video formats. It must display active vertical scanning lines of 720 progressive (720p), 1080 interlaced (1080i), or higher in a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. It must also receive and decode or pass-through for decoding Dolby Digital audio.
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HDTV monitor This is a monitor (presumably ATSC tunerless) that will present active vertical scanning lines to meet the 720 progressive (720p), 1080 interlaced (1080i), or higher formats. It must be capable of displaying a 16:9 image at the specified vertical resolution of 540p, 810i or higher to meet the definition of HDTV.
head The electronic component that makes contact with the magnetic tape to convert electricity to magnetism for recording, or magnetism to electrical signals for playback. Most camcorders have at least 2 heads for video recording and 1 for erasing. Some have additional video heads as well as an additional audio head.
helical recording System of rapidly recording diagonal tracks along the videotape, using a spinning (rotary) video head cylinder (drum).
Hi8 (high-band 8mm): The 8mm high-band format provides excellent picture quality for home video. Using high-band 8mm tape and higher frequencies during recording, it produces a picture that has more detail than standard 8mm recordings (over 400 lines of horizontal resolution versus 240 with standard 8mm). These camcorders are also compatible with standard 8mm tape for recording and playback.
hi-fi Audio recording which exhibits very good to excellent fidelity in terms of frequency response (tonal range), and dynamic range (freedom from hiss and noise).
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high-band A recording method in which the carrier frequency is shifted higher in order to get higher resolution.
High-speed shutter Produces blur-free recordings during events with high-speed action. Faster action requires a high-speed shutter, especially when using playback special effects, like still or slow motion. Excellent for freezing action, such as golf swings, without blur.
high-resolution color LCD viewscreen Sharp's 4" color LCD viewscreen has a viewing area that is 77% larger than the 3" viewscreen. It features a viewing area of 7.57 square inches with 112,320 pixels. The 3" color LCD viewscreen features a viewing area of 4.27 square inches with 89,856 pixels.
horizontal resolution A rating of the fine detail of a TV picture measured in lines. The more lines, the higher the resolution and the better the picture. A standard VHS format produces 240 lines of horizontal resolution, while over 400 lines are possible with the Hi8 format, and almost 500 lines with the digital formats.
IEEE 1394 High-speed digital video and data interface technology adopted by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; a nascent standard for connecting digital television and computers to various components and peripherals, such as Digital VHS, set-top HDTV tuner boxes and digital video camcorders. Apple Computer's implementation is called FireWire; Sony's is called i.LINK. (See FireWire, i.LINK.)
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i.LINK Sony's proprietary name for IEEE 1394 connectivity. (See IEEE 1394, FireWire.)
image sensor The type of device used in digital cameras and camcorders to capture an image. The 2 most common types are known as CCD (charge-coupled device) and CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor).
image stabilization Camcorder feature that compensates for camera movement to create a less shaky picture; can be accomplished electronically (EIS or DIS) using digital interpolation that slightly degrades the resolution of the resultant image, or optically (OIS) using a gyroscope to keep the lens and the prism stabilized and thus preserving the image's resolution. (See optical image stabilization.)
Intelligent Function control Found on JVC camcorders, key functions of the camcorder are more accessible than ever. The Intelligent Function Control groups them into 3 centrally located buttons on the side of the camcorder. In addition the available functions are shown in the viewfinder, so you can make use of any of them while still keeping your eye on the scene.
index search Puts electronic marks on the videotape and returns to that spot, at the touch of a button. Acts as an electronic bookmark, going straight to the exact spot on tape without play, search, fast forward, etc.
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image sensor Located behind the lens on most camcorders, the image sensor receives the focused image. It functions like an electronic retina, converting various levels and color of light into electronic signals that make up the TV image. CCD indicates the camcorder has a charged-coupled sensor, comprised of solid state circuits, consisting of hundreds of thousands of pixels.
infrared focus An automatic focusing system that involves bouncing a narrow beam of infrared light off the subject. A sensor measures the angle at which the beam is reflected back so electronics inside the camcorder can use that angle to calculate the distance and adjust the lens accordingly. Infrared focusing can be foiled by: black or angled shiny surfaces that reflect little or no light, items too tiny to reflect the entire beam, windows and off-center subjects that the beam can miss entirely.
instant review Lets the user play back the last few seconds that were shot. Also called quick review on some camcorders.
interlaced scanning system There are 525 scan lines in each video frame. Each frame consists of 2 half frames consisting of the odd numbered lines and the even numbered lines. Each half frame is called a field and thus consists of every other scan line. This system of alternating the display of every other scan line is called interlace. The benefit of the interlaced scanning system is that it reduces the perception of screen flicker.
InfoLithuim system Exclusive Sony battery system that allows the Lithium Ion battery pack to communicate with the camera to indicate the amount of power remaining accurate to +/-1 minute.
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instant zoom With the press of a button, instant zoom electronically magnifies the scene 1.5:1 to quickly move closer to the action being recorded.
insert edit Inserts new audio and video into existing recordings with clean, smooth transitions.
intelligent accessory shoe Found on Sony camcorders, the shoe communicates signals (such as power on/off, Control L and audio) between the camcorder and accessories for simplified usage.
line level Describes audio signals at a level too low to drive speakers directly; line-level signals must be amplified by a power amplifier or receiver before being routed to speakers. Generally used to connect audio components to one another - for instance, a CD player to a receiver, or a preamp to a power amp.
LANC (See Control L)
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LaserLink This Sony feature allows you to beam videos from your camcorder to your TV from up to 16 feet away wire-free with optional IFT-R10 receiver. TV Control automatically turns on most Sony TVs and selects the proper input for instant playback.
LCD color viewfinder (liquid crystal display) Enables operator to see actual colors of the subject during recording and playback. Operator can tell different color contrasts so they do not bleed together, making creative color decisions that will create an enjoyable colorful video.
luminance The degree of brightness at any given point in the video image.
lux A metric unit of light. Used for measuring camcorder low light sensitivity, different manufacturers may use slightly different standards for establishing their own lux ratings. Although ratings are typically given in the 1 through 7-lux range, most video camcorders require over 100 lux to provide a bright, high-quality picture.
low reflectivity (1%) LCD viewscreen Sharp's big, colorful low reflectivity (1%) viewscreen absorbs 99% of all reflective light. The viewscreen performs well in all lighting conditions, indoors and outside.
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Memory Stick A flash memory format that can be erase-protected; shaped like a stick of gum -- hence the name. Developed by Sony for use in digital cameras, camcorders and other small devices; a competitor of SmartMedia and CompactFlash flash media. (See CompactFlash, SmartMedia, flash memory)
macro focus Allows close-up recording of images or small objects such as flowers or insects, or making title frames for videos.
metal evaporated tape (8mm) A tape with uniform densely packed metal particles that provide superior recording quality.
metal tape (8mm) Tape using un-oxidized metal alloy instead of the conventional chromium dioxide or ferric oxide formulations. Because metal tape has very high coercivity and retentivity, it can delivery very wide dynamic range, extended high frequency response and can handle high level inputs without saturation and distortion.
microphone Built-in microphones capture the audio of the event being recorded.
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motion sensor When turned on, the camcorder starts recording .03 seconds after it perceives motion, and stops 30 seconds after it ceases. The date and time are also recorded on the tape.
MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group) Pronounced EM-peg, an organization that establishes standards in computerized digital video compression and reproduction. MPEG schemes reduce the data stream by storing only the changes from one frame to another, instead of each entire frame. MPEG compression also removes some image data, but the reduction of data is generally imperceptible to the human eye.- MPEG-1: Video compression scheme used by now outmoded CD Video format (still popular in the Far East) and for some multimedia applications. Provides a video resolution of 352 by 240 at 30 frames per second (fps), producing a poor-quality picture with visible digital artifacts (distortion).
- MPEG-2: Video compression scheme used to fit full-length movies onto small DVDs; also used to compress programming for storage in personal video recorders. Offers resolutions of 720 x 480 and 1280 x 720 at 60 fps, with full CD-quality audio. This is sufficient for all the major TV standards, including NTSC and even HDTV. MPEG-2 can compress a 2-hour video into a few gigabytes.
- MPEG-4: Advanced compression scheme based on the QuickTime file format; finalized in October 1998. Designed to facilitate transmission and reception of high-quality audio and video over the Internet and next-generation mobile telephones; potentially enables mobile videophones, video e-mail and cordless video cameras. (There is no MPEG-3 designation.)
ND filter (neutral-density filter) Optical filter that reduces the amount of light entering a camcorder without influencing color reproduction.
negative/positive Lets you change the live positive image into negative video. And if you place a photo negative in front of the camcorder lens, you can see and record the positive photo image.
nicad (nickel cadmium) Type of rechargeable battery used in portable devices such as camcorders; suffers from "memory effect"-gradual shortening of available power after each charge when recharged before totally discharged.
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nickel metal hydride (NiMH) Type of rechargeable battery that is capable of holding more power than a nickel cadmium (nicad) battery and suffers much less from memory effect.
NightShot Found on select Sony camcorders, allows you to record images up to 10 feet away in no light (0 lux) using infrared technology. Images shot in total darkness appear as monochrome images in playback mode. With the optional HVL-IRH NightShot Light, images up to 100 feet away can be captured.
NiMH (See nickel metal hydride)
NTSC (National Television Standards Committee) FCC engineering committee formed in 1940 to develop technical standards for black and white TV (NTSC broadcasting began July 1, 1941), color TV (1953); video transmission standard used in the western hemisphere, Japan and other Asian countries. NTSC standards are 525 lines of resolution transmitted within a 6-MHz channel at 30 frames per second. (See PAL, SECAM)
orientation sensor Allows the person taking the picture to view the image in the correct alignment. For example: taking a picture of yourself with a camera that allows the LCD screen to turn -- when it turns, you'll be able to see the picture right side up.
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output Any electronic or digital signal, transmission, visual image, printout or digital data emanating from a device such as a computer, TV, tuner or CD player. Also, a jack that emits a signal. Always connected to an input.
optical image stabilization A high-quality image stabilization system that corrects camera shake by means of a gyroscopic system in the lens assembly, providing a smooth, stable picture. Enables the user to record shake-free images, even on long telephoto shots without a tripod. Unlike digital or electronic image stabilization, optical image stabilization does not compromise the resolution of the image.
pinch roller A rubber wheel that performs a necessary function in audio and video tape transport systems. The tape is held between the pinch roller and the capstan. It is the capstan that does the actual moving of the tape. The pinch roller helps to grip the tape as it winds by.
pixelization The square-like pattern of a video image that becomes more apparent as the image is enlarged, revealing the individual pixels that make up the image.
pre-emphasis Method of placing emphasis on the higher-frequency portions of an audio or video signal to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. Pre-emphasis only reduces signal-to-noise as part of a dual-ended process; that is, the emphasis needs to be removed at the end of the chain. In this process of removing high-frequency content, the tape hiss component is also reduced, resulting in an improved S/N ratio. Without de-emphasis at the end, however, pre-emphasis can actually reduce S/N.
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program AE with special effects By simply turning a dial, you can access any of these great built-in effects:- FG: fog filter effect: Adds misty white effect to picture, softening image giving it a "dream" look.
- ND: ND filter effect: Instant compensation when subject has bright hot spots, such as when shooting a snow scene.
- sports: Lets you get clear, non-blurred shots of athletes in action.
- hi-speed shutter: A shutter speed of 1/2000 second captures the quickest action.
- auto mode lock: Enables complete automatic shooting for true point-and-shoot ease.
- twilight: Makes evening scenes and city lights and fireworks look more natural.
- sepia: Brings back the brown tint of older photos and vintage film.
pixel (picture element) A pixel is a single point in a digitized or digital image. Pixels are made up of elements to produce a specific color. In a digital image file a pixel is made up of numeric values representing shades of 3 colors red, green and blue (RGB). In a 24-bit image file each RGB color has a total of 256 shades possible, combining the 256 shades for each of the 3 colors (256 reds) x (256 greens) x (256 blues) = allows the possibility of up to 16,777,216 possible colors for each pixel. Pixel elements vary by medium.
power zoom Enlarges objects or details. The 2 types of zoom systems are optical and digital.- Optical: zoom range capacity depends on the camera model and its lens system. Zoom range varies from 6:1to14:1. Zoom capacity may be greatly increased with a digital zoom system.
- Digital zoom: uses digital imagery to extend zoom capacity up to 120:1. Both optical and digital zooms are beneficial when shooting from long distances. Because digital zoom uses digital imagery to recreate the picture, loss in picture quality at extreme distances will occur.
Pro-cision 5-head system JVC's recording and playback system that uses 4 video heads and 1 flying erase head. This provides excellent picture quality without sacrificing camcorder size, weight or battery time.
program auto exposure System that simultaneously adjusts both iris and high-speed shutter to achieve a desired effect. The sports mode will maintain the fastest possible shutter speed while the panorama mode will maintain the widest possible range of what's in good focus (depth-of-field).
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quick charge system Sony's 5 and 12-hour InfoLithium battery can be charged for up to 1 hours use in just 15 minutes while the LCD meter display on the camcorder continually indicates amount charged and minutes of recording time remaining.
quick record review Easily review the last segment recorded. At the press of a button, tape automatically rewinds and plays the last few seconds of recorded tape, then returns to original position. Great sneak preview of what's just been taped, and then back to taping!
Quick Response full range AF with auto macro JVC's Quick Response auto focus system is designed to match the speed of the hyper zoom, maintaining focus throughout the range. With a focus range of 0.6" to infinity, you can shift from a distant target to one right in front of you and enjoy instantaneous, automatic refocusing.
random assemble editing Select up to 8 scenes, in any order, and the camcorder automatically rearranges and edits them to most any video recorder.
recording speed Variable speed of magnetic tape moving past a recording head, usually measured in inches per second (IPS). The slower a tape moves, the more material can be recorded on the tape and the lower the quality of the recording. Audiocassettes all move at 1-7/8 IPS in play mode, although some dual-well units offer a high-speed dubbing mode in which the tape moves at double that speed (3-3/4 IPS), with a correspondent reduction in fidelity. Tape speeds available with a VHS VCR can include SP (standard play, 2 hours of record/playback time), LP (long play, 4 hours) or EP (extended play, 6 hours). Some decks may not offer the LP speed. In PVRs, recording speed refers to an analogous variance in the amount of memory used to record program material. Since no tape is used, "speed" refers to the amount of hard disk memory allocated to a given length of recorded material -- the higher the speed, the greater the memory allocation. As with tape-based systems, the more storage space is allocated, the higher the fidelity and the more limited the available recording time.
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RF (radio frequency) Radio signals in varying bands; all radio, VHF/UHF TV and CB radio transmissions consist of RF waves above 15 kHz. Also encompasses low-power consumer radio transmission bands assigned to cordless or wireless radios, telephones, headphones and speaker technology, either in citizen's band 27MHz, low band 46-49MHz range or high band 900MHz range. Radio frequency waves can be transmitted and received without regard to physical obstructions, although other local RF waves and bright light can sometimes cause interference. RF differs from infrared (IR) technology, which requires a clear line-of-sight between transmitter and receiver.
sampling rate converter A device built into many digital recording devices (also available as a stand-alone component) to permit "perfect" digital transfers of data between components with incompatible sampling rates. It allows digital signals from other types of digital source components to be internally upconverted or downconverted to the native sampling frequency of the recording device, without ever entering the analog domain. For instance, the 48kHz digital signal from a DAT tape can be fed digitally into a CD-R recorder, where it is converted to the 44.1kHz native sampling rate of the CD-R format.
SDTV (standard-definition television) This now refers to fully integrated television receivers that receive all ATSC terrestrial digital transmissions and decodes all ATSC Table 3 video formats to "produce a useable picture." It can have active vertical scanning lines less than EDTV quality. No aspect ratio is specified and it must receiver some form of useable audio signal.
SDTV tuner This is a RF receiver that receives ATSC terrestrial digital transmissions and decodes all ATSC Table 3 video formats. Output may be in the form of NTSC signals. It must receive, decode or pass-through for decoding Dolby Digital audio.
sensitivity Response of an electrical circuit or transducer to a given input. Speaker sensitivity is tested by driving the speaker with a broadband signal at a strength of 2.83 volts, or 1 watt, and measuring the acoustical output of the speaker at a distance of one meter. Often referred to interchangeably as efficiency.
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shutter speed The camera's shutter opens and closes when you take a shot, allowing light to hit the film or image sensor. Shutter speed refers to the amount of time the shutter stays open and is measured in fractions of a second. A very fast shutter speed can capture clear images of fast action, like horse races, while slow shutter speeds are better suited to shots of static subjects like sunsets or city lights.
signal-to-noise ratio (See S/N.)
SmartMedia Flash memory card, smaller than either PC cards or CompactFlash cards. Originally developed by SanDisk but now available from a variety of manufacturers. SmartMedia cards are used in small portable devices, such as digital cameras, MP3 players and PDAs. They are available in a variety of multi-megabyte capacities. (See flash memory, Memory Stick, CompactFlash)
S/N (signal-to-noise ratio) Comparison of maximum signal strength against the nominal background noise generated by a device or medium to indicate how clean the signal is -- for instance, how much background noise will be heard when a tape is played. Not actually a ratio; expressed as the difference between the 2 values in decibels. The larger the difference, the better the performance of the device or medium.
standard definition television (See SDTV)
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stereo sound Two channels of separate audio information. Creates more realistic sound when played on a TV or through stereo headphones.
Super LoLux When using this mode, JVC camcorders engage a gain up for less than 1-lux, low-light sensitivity without compromising the picture quality. In normal camcorders, the darker the scene becomes, the more gain is applied — thus boosting noise along with the signal and thereby degrading the S/N ratio. However, with JVC's Super LoLux, as the picture becomes darker than 12 lux, the camcorder gradually reduces the aperture to maintain a S/N ratio of 36dB, thus ensuring sufficient picture quality.
synchro edit A remote control camcorder jack that hooks up to compatible VCRs and allows for semi- automated editing control.
synchro edit A remote control camcorder jack that hooks up to compatible VCRs and allows for semi- automated editing control.
SVHS (Super VHS) Highest-quality VHS format. Separates luminance and chrominance signals during record and playback, which results in brighter colors and greater clarity of images. With high-density tape, SVHS results in a sharper, more vivid picture with a resolution of approximately 380 lines or better, compared to 240 lines for standard VHS.
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SVHS-C (Compact Super VHS) Highest-quality compact VHS format, used primarily in camcorders to compete with Hi8. (See Hi8, SVHS, VHS-C.)
S-video connector A plug or jack that interconnects a camcorder to a TV in such a way that the luminance (brightness) and the chrominance (color) are kept separate. This improves picture quality. In tech talk, luminance is called "Y" and chrominance is called "C" hence the other name "Y/C connector."
scene select AE (program AE dial) Offers a series of automatic exposure control settings for a variety of recording conditions including portrait, sports, shutter and natural night modes. Selecting an appropriate mode automatically sets the proper combination of shutter speed and aperture for the event and lighting being recorded.
self-timer The self-timer allows the user to set the camcorder to start after a delay of 10 seconds so that he/she can get into the picture.
S/N ratio (signal to noise ratio) A measurement which compares the signal strength of the desired signal to the level of unwanted noise. The higher the number, the better the S/N ratio and therefore the cleaner the picture/sound. The S/N ratio is used to measure both audio and video purity.
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STAMINA™ battery life By combining low power consumption with high-capacity InfoLithium batteries, Sony Handycam camcorders have the Stamina to record for up to 12 hours on 1 optional battery.
SteadyShot Sony's image stabilization system that use motion sensors, not digital imaging, to detect camera movement and eliminate hand shake without compromising picture quality.
special effects playback Camcorders can playback pictures at still frame, slow motion and pause.
titler Enables the video maker to add on-screen titles and credits to the recording. With professional style lettering, a name, title, occasion, location, date and other credits are placed in a recording.
transducer Device that converts one type of energy -- electrical, acoustical, magnetic or mechanical -- into another. Examples include a phono cartridge, magnetic record or playback head, speaker, microphone or cathode ray tube (CRT).
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time-lapse A system that automatically records a few frames of video periodically to compress time. A time-lapse recording of 1 second every minute will compress an hour into a 1-minute video recording. An example is a flower blooming in 5 seconds of video.
tally light Small light located on the front, and sometimes back, of a camcorder. Indicates that the camcorder is recording or in pause mode.
tape heads Electrical assemblies that convert magnetism to electrical signals or vice versa when in contact with magnetic tape. Varieties include record, play and erase heads; in many less expensive cassette recorders, the same head is used for both record and playback functions.
upload Process of transferring data between computers. Generally refers to moving information from a smaller or more local storage device to a larger or more remote one (e.g., from a digital camera to your PC or from your PC to an Internet bulletin board).
VHS (vertical helical scan) The dominant home VCR standard.
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VHS-C (compact VHS) A 1/2" format (the same width as the standard VHS format) which utilizes a miniature cassette which in turn fits into a full-size VHS adapter.
VHS easy playback To playback a C-format videotape, simply put it into an adapter and play it in a VHS VCR.
video dub Ability to record new video pictures over a previously recorded tape without erasing previously recorded sound.
viewfinder Provides the photographer with an approximation of what the lens is seeing.- SLR (single lens reflex): Allows you to see through the same lens that the picture will be taken through. This type of viewfinder is more accurate than a rangefinder type.
- rangefinder: Featured in compact and point-and-shoot cameras, this type uses a separate viewfinder which approximates what the lens is seeing. The advantage of this type of viewfinder is that it works better in low-light conditions. (See parallax error)
wideband video amplifier Extends the headroom of the video signal and improves frequency response to produce increased detail and resolution in a television picture.
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wireless remote Controls many of the major camcorder functions including telephoto and wide-angle zoom. Handy for shooting video while away from the camcorder. When the camcorder is connected directly to the television, all major playback functions are chair-side controlled.
wipe A special effect, where 2 video images from different cameras are displayed on one screen at the same time. Used most often during transitions from one scene to another.
wow and flutter Audio distortion caused by fluctuations in speed of the transport mechanism in an analog audio tape deck or the drive motor in a turntable.
XR (extended resolution) This Sony feature enables you to record up to 280 lines of horizontal resolution in the 8mm format and up to 440 lines in the Hi8 format for clear, vibrant, and detailed images.
Y/C connections (DIN) Type of connectors which keep the luminance (black and white) and chrominance (color) portions of the video signal separated while being sent from the video source (S-VHS or Hi8 deck/camcorder) to the monitor. Using the Y/C connections helps to minimize color cross talk and dot crawl.
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zoom lens A lens that is adjustable to make an object appear closer or further away, thus offering a variety of framing options while keeping the camcorder a fixed distance away from the subject. In camcorders and digital cameras, there are two distinct types of zoom: - optical zoom: Changes the image before it goes to the sensor, so every pixel is being used uniquely and resolution remains intact.
- digital zoom: Changes the image after it has hit the sensor. As the picture is enlarged, the pixels themselves are enlarged, so pixelization occurs.
zoom level indicator
Operation of the telephoto zoom is conveniently shown in the viewfinder when the telephoto or wide-angle buttons are pressed. The zoom level indicator will appear briefly in the viewfinder then disappear.
zoom ratio In a camera or camcorder, a proportional comparison of the longest available focal length with the shortest. A zoom lens ratio of 10:1, for example, means the image at one end of the zoom range has 10 times the magnification of the same image when viewed from the other end of the range. The larger the ratio, the more extreme the available telephoto and wide-angle effects.
zoom level indicator Operation of the telephoto zoom is conveniently shown in the viewfinder when the telephoto or wide-angle buttons are pressed. The zoom level indicator will appear briefly in the viewfinder then disappear.
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16 x 9 recording Create widescreen recordings with a press of a button for compatible playback on widescreen TVs or use it as a special effect.
1/3" CCD image sensor (charge-coupled-device) A smaller and more durable high-resolution sensor which provides sharp picture detail and accurate color reproduction. Because of the smaller size and weight, this sensor fits into smaller, compact digital cameras and camcorders.
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270° variable angle recording Sharp's Viewcam can be held in a variety of angles to record over people and objects or close to the ground. You can even record yourself by rotating the viewscreen 180 degrees.
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