Last Update: May 10, 2006

"A"

AGC(automatic gain control)

A circuit on most camcorders that automatically adjusts a microphone's gain (volume) to match environmental sound levels.

ambient sound(ambience)

background audio representative of a given environ�ment. On-camera dialog might be primary sound; traffic noise and refrigerator hum would be ambient.

audio mixer

The piece of equipment used to gather, mix and amplify sounds from multiple microphones and send the signal onto its destination.

"B"

batch capture

The ability of software to automatically capture selected clips recorded on a source tape based on a log of your shots.

bandwidth

The data transfer capacity of a digital communications system, such as the Internet or a local area network. Bandwidth is usually expressed in the number of bits that a system is capable of transferring in a second: bits per second (bps). High bandwidth or broadband refers to a network capable of a fast data transfer rate.

bidirectional[See omniedirectional, unidirectional.]

Microphone pickup pat�tern whereby sound is absorbed equally from two sides only.

bit rate

The speed at which digital audio and video content streams from a source, such as a file, to be rendered properly by a player, or the speed at which binary content in general is streamed on a network. Bit rate is usually measured in kilobits per second (Kbps), for example, 28.8 Kbps. The bit rate of a Windows Media file or live stream is determined during the encoding process, when the streaming content is created. Bandwidth is the total bit rate capacity of a network. For audio and video content to render properly when streaming over a network, the bandwidth of the network must be high enough to accommodate the bit rates of all the different content that is concurrently being streamed.

blocking

Planning the movements of the actors and camera in a scene or shot.

boom

A device for suspending a micro�phone above and in front of a performer.

breakout box (BoB)

An A/V connector box that can be placed away from the com�puter. A BoB allows the editor to connect video and audio sources without needing to reach behind the computer.

b-roll

A term used in television journalism to describe extra footage that is shot to augment the primary footage.

"C"

call time

The time when you need a particular person or group of people on the set (the place where you are going to shoot).

camera original

The unedited film or videotape that comes from the camera containing the original images and sound, also called raw footage or the shoot reel.

capture �

To convert analog video or audio to digital data, which can be stored as a file on a computer.

capture device

A hardware component that converts analog content (either audio or video) to digital content for use on a computer. For example, a video capture device enables you to record output from a live video camera, a Web camera, or a VCR onto your computer.

cardioid

A microphone that picks up sound in a heart-shaped pattern.

clip

The audio, video, or still images within Windows Movie Maker. Clips are stored in collections.

clip creation

The process of detecting and splitting video content into separate clips. ** Clips are created (by Windows Movie Maker) when there is a significant change from one frame to another.

codec

Abbreviation for compressor/decompress or. Hardware or software that can compress and decompress audio or video content. ** For Windows Movie Maker, codecs are used to decrease the file size of content so that it can be sent over a network.

collection

A container for organizing clips.

combine

The process of assembling two or more contiguous video clips.

compression

The coding of data to reduce the size of a file or the bit rate of a stream. Content that has been compressed must be decompressed for playback.

condenser mike

A high-quality mike whose transducer consists of a diaphragm, backplate and capacitor.

confrontation

The main part of a story, which takes place after the setup and before the resolution. It is at least half the length of your movie. During the confrontation, the story and plot progress: the viewer learns and changes along with the characters.

contrast ratio

The difference in brightness between the darkest and lightest parts of a scene.

content

A general term that refers to audio, video, images, text, and any other information that is seen or heard as part of a presentation.

coverage

The raw footage from which the edit.or creates the edited master. The more coverage you have, the more choices you have when you edit.

crawl

Text effect where text moves right�to-left (in the English-speaking world). Com�monly seen as stock tickers or with Emer�gency Alert System activations on television programs. A crawl is usually seen at the top or bottom of a screen.

cross-fade

A method of smoothly moving from one video clip or photo to another. With a cross-fade transition, the frames in the playing clip fade out as the frames in the new clip fade in. Also called a dissolve.

cut

Instantaneous change from one shot to another shot. The basic type of transition used when making an edit from one shot or clip to another. A cut is an instantaneous, abrupt transition.

cutaway

A shot that briefly interrupts the main action to show something that is happening somewhere else.

"D"

dailies

A compilation of the good shots from the previous day's shoot.

depth of field

The measurement of the area in front of and behind the subject that is in focus.

digital video(DV)

Video images and sound stored in a digital format.

direct memory access (DMA)

Memory access that does not involve the microprocessor, and is frequently used for data transfer directly between memory and a peripheral device, such as a disk drive.

dissolve

Image transition effect of one picture gradually disappearing as another graually appears. ** A basic type of transition used when making an edit from one shot or clip to another. A dissolve is a slow transition in which the outgoing shot fades out as the incoming shot fades in. Also called a cross-fade.

dolly

A heavy, wheeled platform used to move the camera smoothly while shooting.

dolly grip

A person who moves the dolly with a handle.

download

A method of delivering content to a person over a network; in this method, audio or video files are copied to a client computer and then played locally. The other method of delivering content is streaming. The methods are differentiated by the location of the source content. With the streaming method, the source content is located on a remote server and played by streaming it over a network.

dynamic mike

A rugged microphone whose transducer consists of adi�aphragm connected to a moveable coil.

"E"

electret condenser [See condenser.]

Microphone type incorpor,ating a pre'-charged element, eliminating need for bulky power sources. [See condenser.]

envelopes(also known as rubber bands)

A software tool that allows fading in and out of audio or video in various part of a track. You can use animation nodes or handles on the envelope to fine tune the shape of a fade or effect control.

"F"

fade

Gradual diminishing or heightening of visual or audio intensity. Usage: fade out, fade to black, fade in or up from black.

filter effect

A small program or plug-in that changes a specific parameter of video or audio, such as the color of a visual ele�ment or the reverb on an audio track.

frame

One of many static images that, when displayed sequentially in rapid succession, become a motion picture or video.

frame rate

The speed at which individual frames change. The higher the frame rate, the smoother the motion appears.

gels

Colored or frosted sheets of plastic used to change the color, intensity, or characteristic of light. Gels are normally placed in front of high-wattage studio lights and are specially made to withstand the heat generated by them.

"H"

handheld mike

A microphone that a, person holds to speak or sing into. iAlso called a stick mike.

head

The beginning of a scene, shot, clip, film, or tape. The end is called the taiL

header

Part of the structure of a Windows Media stream that contains information necessary for a client computer to interpret how the packets of data containing the content should be decompressed and rendered. A header can include information such as codec types and settings, error correction used, and instructions for how to interpret the data structure of the packets.

hiss

Interferen'ce in audio recording, result of circuit noise from a playback recorder's amplifiers or from a tape's residual magnetism.

"I"

IEEE 1394

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394 (IEEE) standard for a high-speed serial bus that provides enhanced PC connectivity for a wide range of devices, including consumer electronics audio/video (AN) appliances, storage peripherals, other PCs, and portable devices.

illustrated audio

A Windows Media stream consisting of static images that change in synchronization with an audio track; often referred to as a slide show.

impedance

Opposition to the flow of an audio signal in a microphone and its connecting cable. noise - Unwanted sound or static in an audio signal.

import

To bring in existing digital audio, video, and still image files into a production.

iso

Abbreviation for isolated camera. In a television-style production, an iso camera records on videotape separately from the switched master. Its video is used as extra coverage in case the switched tape needs to be edited.

"L"

lavalier

A small mike that can be worn around the neck on a cord or clipped to a shirt. ** A very small microphone that is clipped to a person's clothing. Originally, it was worn around the neck on a cord, like a necklace.

live to tape

A production that is run as if it is being broadcast live, but is actually being recorded on videotape.

"M"

master

A final edited tape.

microphone noise

An artificial sound that is introduced when an object touches the microphone.

mike(also "mic")

Common abbreviation for microphone.

mix

Combining sound,sources to achieve a desired program audio balance. Finished output may be mono, stereo or surround.

mixer

An electronic unit that has a series of volume controls with which you adjust and mix the sound coming from one or more sources.

monitor

The area on the editing screen where you can preview clips.

movie file

The file created by combining the audio, video, and still images contained in your project. You can save movies to your hard disk, or send them in an e-mail message or to a Web server. ** Movie files are saved as a Windows Media file with a .wmv extension.

"N"

noise

Unwanted sound or static in an audio signal. ** In video, graininess or "snow" that appears in the picture. In audio, noise is any undesirable sound.

non-linear

A somewhat archaic descrip�tion of video editing systems that use hard drives for video storage. Non-linear sys� tems allow random access of captured material, as opposed to linear systems using VCRs, that require fast-forwarding or rewinding tapes for each edit. Most modern editing systems are computer-based and non-linear, so the adjective isn't all that important to specify.

"O"

omnidirectional[See bidirectional, unidirectionaL]

A microphone that picks up sound from all directions.

outtake

A take (shot) you do not use.

"P"

pan

To pivot the camera in a horizontal plane, so objects in the frame move from side to side.

phone plug

Sturdy male connector compatible with audio accessories, par�ticularly for microphone and headphone cables. Frequently referred to by their sizes, usually l/4-inch and liS-inch.

pick-up

A shot or part of a shot that you get later to repair or improve a previous bad take.

pickup pattern[See omnidirec�tional, unidirectionaL]

Defines a microphone's response to sounds arriving from various directions or angles.

player

A program that displays multimedia content, typically animated images, video, and audio. For example, Windows Movie Maker content is displayed by using Microsoft Windows Media Player.

plug-in

A software addition to an editing or compositing program that adds features to the software. Typical plug-in functions include audio effects, encoding, titling, additional visual effects and videotape logging.

project file

The file created when you save the results of adding various clips to the workspace. ** This file is saved with an .mswmm extension Windows Movie Maker).

prop

Anything that is used by a character, such as a cigarette, boat oar, or lawn mower.

PZM(pressure zone microphone)

Small, sensitive condenser mike, usually attached to a metal backing plate. Senses air pressure changes in tiny gap between mike element and plate. Trade�mark of Crown International. Generically, "boundary microphone" is preferred.

"R"

RAID

(Redundant Array of Independent Disks) A method of configuring hard drives to increase data access speed, reliability or some combination of both. RAIDs for video are generally configured as RAID 0 stripe sets, which spreads the data for a particular file between both drives.

raw footage

The unedited film or videotape that comes directly from the camera, containing the original images and sound. Also called the camera original or the shoot reel.

real time

Occurring immediately, without any delays from rendering. If a transition occurs in real time, the computer creates the effect or transition on the fly, showing it immediately. Real-time previewing is differentfrom real�time rendering.

rendering

The processing required to draw an effect, transition or composite.

resolution

The last part of a story, which takes place after the confrontation. It is roughly one-fourth of the movie. During the resolution, the confrontation is resolved, and the story comes full circle. Resolution is also the amount of detail that can be captured in a picture by a video system, not related to focus.

roll

Text effect commonly seen in end credits, where text typically moves from the bottom to the top of the screen.

rough cut

The first complete edit of a movie. It is like a rough draft of the movie.

"S"

scene

The core ingredient of a moyie. As you follow a movie or read a script, a new scene starts whenever there is a change in time or location.

scene detection

The ability of a video edit�ing program to break captured video into clips automatically. Scene detection can be based on the time/date stamp data on DV tapes or based on optical changes in the scene itself.

script

A written document that defines a movie by describing in words what the audience sees and hears.

scrub

The ability of a non-linear editing pro�gram to play audio while the edit point (cursor or play head) moves along the timeline.

sequence

A group of related scenes.

set

The scene you are shooting minus the characters and props. For example, it can be a room constructed specifically for the production or a real room.

shot

The video recorded from when the camera starts recording to when it stops.

signal-to-noise ratio(S/N)

Relationship between signal strength and a medium's inherent noise. Audio S/N specifies amount of background tape hiss present with low- or no-volume recordings. . Higher figures represent a cleaner signal. Usually cited in decibels (dB).

sound bite

Any short audio segment for use in an edited program - usually a high�light taken from an interview.

source file

The original file that is imported into Window Movie Maker. This file can be an audio file (.mp3, .asf, .wma, etc.), video file (.wmv, .asf, .avi, .mpg, and so on), or a still image file (.jpg, .gif, and so on).

source material

The original audio and video content that is recorded into Windows Movie Maker. The content can come from a variety of sources, such as a videotape, an audiotape, a Web camera, or a television broadcast. After source material is r~corded in Windows Movie Maker, the content becomes a Windows Media source file stored on your computer with a . wmv extension. ** In Windows Movie Maker, a view of the workspace that focuses on the sequencing of your clips. In general, a visual representation of a script, or parts of the script, that resembles a comic strip.

split

To break an audio or video clip into two parts.

still image

A graphic file, such as a .bmp, .gif, or .jpg file.

stinger

An electrical extension cord.

storyboard

Editing software that utilizes thumbnails of video clips to illustrate scenes. Transitions are typically placed between scene thumbnails. Generally considered easy�to-use, since everything is drag-and-drop sim�ple. Storyboard thumbnails are all the same size, regardless of the duration ofthe clip.

subject

In photography, the primary object or objects in a shot.

switcher

An electronic video router containing rows of buttons that a technical director presses to switch from one camera's picture to another camera's picture during a live television production. The finished videotape does not necessarily need any further editing because the edits or cuts were made by the switcher as the event was recorded.

"T"

tail

The end of a scene, shot, clip, film, or tape. The beginning is called the head.

take

In production, a version of a shot. Having multiple takes of a shot gives you choices in the editing room.

tease

The beginning of a story, where you introduce the main characters and engage the viewer in the story.

three-to-one rule

A microphone place�ment principle that states if two mikes must be side by side, there should be three times the distance between them that there is between the mikes and the people using them.

tilt

To pivot the camera in a vertical plane, so objects in the frame move up or down.

time code

Discrete addresses given to each frame of video in Hi8, Digital8 and DV, as well as professional video formats. Time code makes frame-accurate editing possibleand allows editors to identify scenes pre�cisely in a log.

timeline

An editing interface that lays out a video project in a linear fashion horizontally across a monitor. This is the most common interface used by more advanced video edit�ing software programs and almost all audio editing software programs. Clips of various durations appear at different relative lengths on the timeline. ** A view of the workspace that focuses on the timing of your clips.

titling

The ability to add text over a piece of video. Title programs integrated into edit sys�tems, as well as title plug-ins, generally pro�vide the ability to roll and crawl text.

transition

Any visual changes between two discrete scenes. Cuts, dissolves, fades and wipes are the most common types of transi�tions. Mosttransitions in a video production should be cuts, but modern software has dozens of fun transition options. ** The method of moving from one video clip or photo to another, such as a cut, dissolve, or fade.

transport controls

Buttons that appear in the user interface of Windows Movie Maker when a DV device is detected.With these controls, you can play, stop, pause, rewind and fast forward the recorder.

treatment

A short document that describes the story and characters in a movie.

trim points

The points at which playback of a clip begins and ends. There are two trim points: start trim pointand end trim point.

trimming

The process of removing parts of a clip that you do not want in your project without deleting them from the original source material. You can trim by adjusting the start or end trim points of a clip.

turnkey system

A computer'system that is pre-configured to edit video or burn DVDs directly out of the box: just turn the key and edit An increasing number of turnkey systems are capable of both video editing and DVD burning.

"U"

unidirectional

Highly selective micro�phone pickup pattern,rejects sound coming from behind while absorbing that from in front. [See bidirectional, omnidirectional.]

"W"

wild sound

Nonsynchronous audio recorded independent of picture (rain on roof, five o'clock whistle) - often cap�tured with separate audio recorder.

Windows Media file

A file created by using Microsoft Windows Media Technologies that contains audio, video, or still images stored in Windows Media Format. It is highly optimized for streaming. This file can be streamed by Windows Media server and played by Windows Media Player.

Windows Media Technologies

Tools and services for creating, storing, and streaming live and on-demand content.

Windows Movie Maker

A feature of Windows Millennium Edition that helps you capture audio and video source material and edit them into movies.

windscreen

Sponge-like microphone shield, thwarts undesirable noise from wind and rapid mike movement.

wipe

Transition from one shot to another, where a moving line or pattern reveals the new shot.

work print

A film copy that is made from the camera original footage. A film editor uses the work print to edit a film.

workspace

The area of Windows Movie Maker in which you create your movies. It consists of two views: storyboard and timeline, which act as a container for work in progress.

"X"

XLR - (ground-left-right)

Three-pin plug for three-conductor "balanced" audio cable, employed with high-quality micro�phones, mixers and other professional audio equipment.