TEST FOR AV STAFF
1. NLE:
In video, a non-linear editing system (NLE) is a video editing (NLVE) or audio editing
(NLAE) system which can perform random access on the source material.
Non-linear editing for films and televisionpostproduction is a modern editing method
which involves being able to access any frame in a digital video clip with the same ease
as any other. The data is either recorded directly to the storage device or is imported from
another source like hard disks or other digital storage devices. Once imported they can be
edited on a computer using any of a wide range of software.
One of the primary concerns with non-linear editing has always been picture and sound
quality. The need to compress and decompress video leads to some loss in quality.
2. ON LINE /OFF LINE EDITING:
Offline editing is the film and televisionpost-production process in which raw footage is
copied and edited, without affecting the camera original film or tape. Once a programme
has been completed in offline, the original media will be conformed, or on-lined, in the
online editing stage. Modern offline editing is conducted in a non-linear editing suite.
Online editing is generally the final stage of video editing. When the offline edit is
complete, the pictures are re-assembled at full or 'online' resolution.
3. GAIN:
One of the camcorder's optics adjustments and is used to amplify signal strength in lowlight conditions.
What gain does is amplify the signal off of that image sensor. It turns the brightness level
up or down. It allows you to get a brighter image, but not having to deal with an f-stop or
a shutter speed to do it. It allows you to brighten up that image, but there's a bit of a
compromise to gain. The more you increase the gain, the noisier the image gets, or the
film, or the grainier it gets.
4. FOCUS:
The ability to manually focus your camera is a critical skill at any level of video
production. It is the process of adjusting the lens in order to obtain a sharp, clear picture.
Soft: Out of focus, Sharp: In focus, Depth of Field: The range of distances from the lens
at which an acceptably sharp focus can be obtained, Pull focus: Adjust the focus to a
different point during a shot.
5. F-STOP:
f-stop (or f-number) is a measurement of the size of the aperture (opening) of the camera
iris. If the aperture is wider, more light enters the lens and the picture is brighter.
Higher f-stop numbers indicate a smaller aperture diameter - in other words, as the iris
opening decreases in size the f-stop number increases.
F-stop settings are normally written with a forward slash like so: f/16. Common f-stops
are: f/1.4, f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, and f/22. Small f-stop (large aperture) results
in a small depth of field and a larger f-stop (smaller aperture) gives a large depth of field.
6. WHITE BALANCE:
White balance basically means color balance. It is a function which gives the camera a
reference to "true white" — it tells the camera what the color white looks like, so the
camera will record it correctly. Since white light is the sum of all other colors, the camera
will then display all colors correctly.
WB should be adjusted at the beginning of every shoot, and every time the lighting
conditions change. It is especially important to re-white balance when moving between
indoors and outdoors, and between rooms lit by different kinds of lights. During early
morning and late evening, the daylight color changes quickly and significantly (although
your eyes don't notice, your camera will). Do regular white balances during these periods.
7. FILTER WHEEL:
Camera filters are transparent or translucent optical elements which are either attached to
the front of the lens or included as part of the lens housing. Filters alter the properties of
light before it reaches the CCD (charge-coupled device).
8. ND FILTER:
A color-neutral filter which absorbs light evenly throughout the visible spectrum. Used to
reduce the amount of light coming through the lens in strong lighting situations.
A neutral density filter or ND filter can be a colorless (clear) or grey filter. An ideal
neutral density filter reduces and/or modifies intensity of all colors of light equally,
giving no changes in hue of color rendition.
9. SHUTTER:
It describes a mechanical "door" between the camera lens and the film. When a photo is
taken, the door opens for an instant and the film is exposed to the incoming light. The
speed at which the shutter opens and closes can be varied — the faster the speed, the
shorter the period of time the shutter is open, and the less light falls on the film. Video
camera shutters work quite differently from still film camera shutters but the result is
basically the same. Difference is that, rather than using a mechanical device, the shutter
speed is adjusted by electronically varying the amount of time the CCD is allowed to
build a charge.
Shutter speed is measured in fractions of a second. A speed of 1/60 second means that the
shutter is open for one sixtieth of a second. A speed of 1/500 is faster, and 1/10000 is
very fast indeed.
The main effect of higher shutter speeds is that individual frames appear sharper, due to
the minimisation of motion blur.
10. CAMERA AUDIO MIC OR LINE:
A Mic jack sends out a small bit of power to operate a microphone. You should not use
this jack for anything other than a microphone. The Line In jack is for low-level audio.
No power is sent out from this jack so a microphone would not operate when plugged in
here. It is designed for connecting a device that audio with very low power. The line-in
can handle a heavier load. Being a stronger and more robust signal, line level is the
standard signal strength used by audio processing equipment and common domestic
equipment such as CD players, tape machines, VCRs, etc.
11. ZEBRA:
Zebra stripes, or zebras, are a feature of professional cameras which give an indication of
exposure levels. When activated, diagonal lines appear across any part of the picture
which is approaching over-exposure. These lines appear only in the viewfinder — they
are not output from the camera or recorded.
Some cameras have option to change zebra settings like 75% or 100%.
12. SMPTE:
SMPTE Bars are part of the technical equipment test patterns and are "split field" bars
composed of:
Frame Height (Approx)
Type of Bars
Top 67%
Standard EIA 75% amplitude white bars
Next 8%
Reverse blue bars
Lower 25%
Pluge signal
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Turn on the monitor and allow it to warm up (10-15 minutes).
Using a guaranteed source, display SMPTE color bars on monitor.
Turn the monitor's chroma off or down completely.
The pluge pattern consists of the three dark bars at the lower right - superblack,
black, and gray. Adjust the monitor brightness until there is no discernable
difference between superblack and black, but there is a difference between black
and gray.
Adjust the monitor contrast until a smooth gradient of gray appears along the top
bars.
Turn the red and green guns off (there may be a "Blue gun only" option to achieve
this). If your monitor cannot do this, look at the bars through a blue filter.
Turn the monitor chroma up until the far left bar (white) and far right bar (blue)
have the same brightness.
Adjust the monitor tint (hue or chroma/colour phase) until the third bar from the
left (cyan) and the third bar from the right (magenta) have the same brightness.
13. DROP/NONDROP FRAME:
Drop frame timecode dates to a compromise invented when color NTSC video was
invented. Drop-frame and Non-drop frame timecode only applies to NTSC video.
Timecode is used to provide search ability on your tapes, disks, and other media. t
measures time in Hours:Minutes:Seconds:Frames. Drop frame and non-drop frame
timecode do not alter the visual image in any way. No frames or images are lost in drop
frame; it is simply a way of labeling every frame.What's actually being dropped are some
of the timecode "labels". In order to make an hour of timecode match an hour on the
clock, drop-frame timecode drops frame numbers 0 and 1 of the first second of every
minute. Time codes may use a number of frame rates. Common ones are:

24 frame/sec (film, ATSC, 2k, 4k, 6k)

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25 frame/sec (PAL (Europe, Argentina), SECAM, DVB, ATSC)
29.97 (30 ÷ 1.001) frame/sec (NTSC American System (US, Canada, Mexico,
Colombia, etc.), ATSC, PAL-M (Brazil))
30 frame/sec (ATSC)
14. INTERLACED VIDEO:
Interlaced video was designed for display on CRT televisions.
This technique uses two fields to create a frame. One field contains all the odd lines in the
image, the other contains all the even lines of the image. A PAL based television display,
for example, scans 50 fields every second (25 odd and 25 even). The two sets of 25 fields
work together to create a full frame every 1/25th of a second, resulting in a display of 25
frames per second.
15. PROGRESSIVE SCAN VIDEO:
Progressive or non-interlaced scanning is a method for displaying, storing or transmitting
moving images in which all the lines of each frame are drawn in sequence.
16. MPEG:
MPEG video is a series of video standards defined by the Moving Picture Experts Group
(MPEG).
MPEG-1Approximately VHS-quality, commonly used for Video CD (VCD) and CDROM.
MPEG-2DVD-quality, commonly used for DVD, digital television, set-top boxes, etc.
MPEG-4Scalable delivery, used in various applications including Internet, cell phones
and television.
MPEG-7(Under Development) A standard for description and search of audio and visual
content.
MPEG-21(Under Development) A new multimedia framework standard.
17. JPEG:
is a commonly used method of lossy compression for digital photography (image). JPEG
compression is at its best on photographs and paintings of realistic scenes with smooth
variations of tone and color.On the other hand, JPEG may not be as well suited for line
drawings and other textual or iconic graphics, where the sharp contrasts between adjacent
pixels can cause noticeable artifacts.
18. PZT:
A Pan tilt zoom camera (PTZ Camera) is a closed-circuit television camera with
remote directional and zoom control.Auto Tracking: A new innovation to the PTZ
camera is a built-in firmware program that monitors the change of pixels generated by the
video chip in the camera. When the pixels change due to movement within the cameras
field of view, the camera can actually focus on the pixel variation and move the camera
in an attempt to center the pixel fluctuation on the video chip. This process results in the
camera following movement.
19. CCTV:
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) is the use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a
specific place, on a limited set of monitors.CCTV is often used for surveillance in areas
that may need monitoring
20. BALANCED AUDIO:
Balanced audio is a method of interconnecting audio equipment using impedancebalanced lines. This type of connection is very important in sound recording and
production because it allows for the use of long cables while reducing susceptibility to
external noise.
Balanced connections use three-conductor connectors, usually the XLR or TRS
connector. XLR connectors, for instance, are usually used with microphones because of
their durable construction, while TRS jack plugs are usually used for mixer inputs and
outputs because of their smaller profile.
A typical balanced cable contains two identical wires, which are twisted together and
then wrapped with a third conductor (foil or braid) that acts as a shield.
21. MONO:
Monaural or monophonic sound reproduction (often shortened to mono) is singlechannel.
22. STEREO:
Audio stereo means sound which is divided into two separate channels. These two
channels are played back simultaneously via separate speakers. The effect is to create a
fuller sound, and provide the ability to mix certain sounds between channels.
23. DB:
Logarithmic measurement of signal strength.1/10 of a Bel.
The decibel is widely known as a measure of sound level. The decibel is commonly used
in acoustics to quantify sound levels relative to a 0 dB reference. The reference level is
set at the typical threshold of perception of an average human.
24. IRIS:
The circular opening (aperture) which controls the amount of light passing through to the
camera's sensing element or film.
The iris is an adjustable opening (aperture), which controls the amount of light coming
through the lens (ie. the "exposure"). The video camera iris works in basically the same
way as a still camera iris -- as you open the iris, more light comes in and the picture
appears brighter.
MICROPHONES:
25. Hand held
The term "hand-mic" generally means any microphone held in the hand and used to pick
up human speech. Hand-mics are used in a huge variety of settings, from musical
performances to television interviews.
26. Lavaliere / clip-on
Lavalier microphones are also known as lav, lapel or lap microphones. A lavalier mic is
a very small condenser mic designed to pick up speech from a single person. Lavalier
mics are usually attached to the subject's clothing with a specialised clip. It is ideal for
interview situations in which each participant has their own mic.
A small wind filter can be used to reduce wind noise.
27. Shotgun
Shotgun microphones are the most highly directional. It is very directional and
eliminates most sound from the sides and rear. Shotgun microphones are commonly used
on television and film sets, in stadiums, and for field recording of wildlife.
28. Dynamic Microphones
Dynamic microphones are versatile and ideal for general-purpose use. They use a simple
design with few moving parts. They are also better suited to handling high volume levels,
such as from certain musical instruments or amplifiers. They have no internal amplifier
and do not require batteries or external power.
29. Condenser/Capacitor Microphones
Condenser microphones require power from a battery or external source. The resulting
audio signal is stronger signal than that from a dynamic. Condensers also tend to be more
sensitive and responsive than dynamics, making them well-suited to capturing subtle
nuances in a sound. They are not ideal for high-volume work, as their sensitivity makes
them prone to distort.
30. Phantom power supply
Phantom power is a means of distributing a DC electric power current through audio
cables to provide power for microphones and other equipment. The supplied voltage is
usually between 12 and 48 Volts, with 48V being the most common. Individual
microphones draw as much current from this voltage as they need. Phantom power does
not affect the quality of audio.
CONNECTORS:
31. BNC:
BNC is a connector used for carrying composite video signals of moderate bandwidth
over a coaxial cable. The BNC connector comes in two types: male and female. It a
cylindrical bayonet mechanism that operates with a twist-locking motion. To connect,
align the grooves of the male connector with the projections on the female connector.
Push them together and twist until they lock.
32. BNC-T:
BNC T-connectors are female devices for connecting two cables.It has two male ends and
one female end. A BNC barrel connector allows connecting two cables together.
33. RCA:
RCA connectors, also known as phono connectors, are a common type of connector used
with consumer-level audio and video systems. The design is a simple non-locking
male/female connection. The male plug has a centre pin surrounded by a ring, the female
socket has a corresponding hole for the pin and slightly smaller surrounding ring. The
connection is made by simply pushing the plug into the socket.
34. F:
35. ¼” PHONE:
Jack connectors, sometimes known as phone connectors, are very common in audio
equipment. The original 1/4" size was used in early telephone switchboards and has since
become a standard connector for musical and other audio equipment.
The jack is available in three sizes: 2.5mm (3/32"), 3.5mm (1/8") and 6.3mm (1/4").
Connectors can be either mono (tip/sleeve) or stereo (tip/ring/sleeve).
36. 1/16” MINI JACK:
37. XLR:
A professional multi-pin connector.Available in male/female with different numbers of
pins. 3-pin is the most common, used primarily for balanced audio signals. XLR
connectors, also known as cannon connectors, are an industry-standard professional
range of connectors. The most common XLR is the 3-pin XLR, or XLR3. This is used to
transmit a balanced mono audio signal or unbalancedstereo signal.
CABLES:
38. CO-AXIAL:
A professional connector used for carrying composite video signals.
Coaxial cable, often referred to simply as coax, is a common type of cable used in audio
and video work. It consists of a central conducting wire surrounded by an insulating layer
(dielectric), which in turn is surrounded by a conducting sheath and a further insulating
layer. The central wire conductor carries the signal, the sheath acts as a shield.
39. MICROPHONE:
Low-Impedance Microphone Cablesprovides less resistance to the signal passing
through it. The lower the impedance, the more signal passes through the cable. However,
more signal may also mean more signal noise, which is a common deficiency in these
types of microphone cable. Low-impedance microphone cables with braid shielding and
3-pin XLR plugs are among the best types of microphone cables available.
High-impedance microphone cableshave higher signal noise potential of these types of
cables. The advantage is that a microphone with a high-impedance cable can be plugged
directly into a variety of power sources, such as guitar amplifiers and lower-priced audio
mixers. It is important to use a shorter cable for high-impedance microphones to avoid
unwanted, extraneous signal noise.
Balanced and Unbalanced Microphone Cables
An unbalanced cable generally has just one signal wire inside wrapped with shielding.
The design theory is to reduce noise emitted by radio frequencies or other external
sources, but because both the positive and negative currents are flowing through the same
signal wire, will create the potential for more signal noise.
A balanced cable has two separate wires inside, one for each of the current factors
(positive and negative). The noise is kept to a minimum because current factors are
separated.
The XLR cable (3 prong) is a common microphone cable. May also be used as a line level cable for gear that has
balanced ins and outs.These cables can go long distances, even to another room if required.
The TRS is a cable for balanced signals just like the XLR, it just has different connectors. Note that TRS cables are
typically used for mono, not stereo, signals in most studio gear. The exception being the headphone jack.
The TS cable is for unbalanced signals. These cables should be kept as short as possible. Keep them under 12 feet and
away from power transformers (wall warts) or they may pick up dreaded hum and ruin your audio signal.
The RCA Cable ("home stereo" cable) Because each cable in the RCA pair (as shown below) only has 1 conductor
plus ground, it is for unbalanced signals, just like the TS cable above. Keep them as short as possible.
40. TWISTED PAIR CABLE:
Twisted paircabling is a type of wiring in which two conductors (the forward and return
conductors of a single circuit) are twisted together for the purposes of canceling out
electromagnetic interference (EMI) from external sources.
Cables must be two wires enclosed by a shield, and the wires should be twisted.
41. FIBER OPTICS:
An optical fiber is a thin, flexible, transparent fiber that transmits light between the two
ends of the fiber. Optical fiberspermits transmission over longer distances and at higher
bandwidths (data rates). Fibers are used instead of metal wires because signals travel
along them with less loss and are also immune to electromagnetic interference.
Fiber-optics use light pulses to transmit information down fiber lines instead of using
electronic pulses to transmit information down copper lines.
At one end of the system is a transmitter. This is the place of origin for information
coming on to fiber-optic lines.
EQUIPMENT:
42 v. MOTU, AMADEUS, IRIS AUTOPATCH, AMX, EDJE, PYRO LINK.
Mark of the Unicorn (MOTU) is a music-related computer software and hardware
supplier. Products by MOTU include:



Digital Performer
AudioDesk
BPM



MachFive
MX4
Unisyn
IRIS autopatch is a protocol by which wysiwyg can transfer the patch hookup to a
compatible console. It is part of the Cast-software’s wysiwig Perform. It is offline editor
and it is used for pre-visualization of light.