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Glossary
Appendixes
152 Appendixes
AES/EBU format
A unified format for digital audio signals.
It allows a single XLR connector to carry
the signals for two channels.
Assemble editing
Editing in which new video/audio is added
in sequence to the end of existing recorded
video/audio. See also “Insert editing”.
Bridge connection
A connection which allows a signal input
to an input terminal to pass through the
unit and exit from an output terminal as
input to external equipment.
B–Y signal
One of the color difference signals, the B
(blue) signal minus Y (luminance) signal.
C signal
See “Chrominance signal”.
Capstan
A drive mechanism that moves the tape at
a specified speed. Its rotation is normally
synchronized with a reference sync signal.
Chrominance signal
A signal which carries information about
hue and saturation. Also called “C signal”.
Condensation
Moisture which condensed on tape
transport mechanisms. If there is
condensation on the head drum, tape sticks
to drum and the VCR may malfunction.
Component video signal
A signal that consists of a luminance
signal (Y) and two chrominance signals
(R–Y, B–Y).
Composite video signal
A signal that consists of video, sync and
color burst signals.
CTL
Control signal in the form of regular pulses
recorded along a longitudinal track on the
videotape. By counting these pulses, it is
possible to determine the number of
frames, and hence the tape’s running time.
Used mainly to adjust the tracking position
of video heads, and to achieve timecode
continuity in continuous recording.
Digital VCR
On a digital VCR, video and audio signals
are recorded on magnetic tape and, unlike
on an analog VCR, can be played back
without any quality deterioration.
Drop frame mode
Time code runs at 30 frames/sec. The
NTSC system, however, runs at about
29.97 frame /sec. Drop frame mode
adjusts this difference. The timecode and
video are synchronized by dropping the
first two frames of the timecode every
minute, except at the ten-minute marks.
Drum
See “Head drum”.
E-E mode
Abbreviation of “Electric to Electric”
mode. In this mode, video and audio
signals input to the VCR are output after
passing through internal electric circuits,
but not through magnetic conversion
circuits such as heads and tapes. This can
be used to check input signals and for
adjusting input signal levels.
Emphasis
The signal is emphasized at high
frequencies. During playback, it is de-
emphasized. This suppresses noise
without affecting the original signal.
External lock/Gen-lock
Synchronizing one equipment (controlled
or slave unit) to another (controlling or
master unit). The signal and tape run of
the VCRs used for editing, player and
recorder, are usually synchronized.
Gen-lock (generator lock)
See “External lock”.
Head drum
A metal cylinder to which a video head is
attached. This drum is rotated at high
speeds in synchronization with the sync
signal during recording and playback.
Insert editing
Editing in which new video/audio is added
into the middle of existing recorded video/
audio. See also “Assemble editing”.
IRE
A unit for representing a video level laid
down by the IRE (Institute of Radio
Engineers). The IRE is now the IEEE
(Institute of Electric and Electronic
Engineers).
Linear editing
Editing while playing back video and
audio signals recorded on video tape.
See also “Non-linear editing”.
Loading
Also called “threading”. To pull the tape
out of the cassette case, thread it along the
specified tape path, and wrap it on the
drum in order to prepare it for recording or
playback. The VCR automatically loads
the cassette tape when you insert the
cassette into the cassette compartment.
There are two loading modes: standby-on
mode and standby-off mode.
Loop-through connection
See “Bridge connection”.
LTC
Abbreviation of “Longitudinal Time
Code”. This timecode is recorded on a
longitudinal track on the tape. Reading is
unreliable at low speeds, and not possible
at all during still playback. See also
“VITC”.
Luminance signal
A signal that determined the brightness of
the picture. Also called “Y signal”.
Non-drop frame mode
The number of frames of the timecode and
video run is not adjusted. When you use
the timecode in non-drop frame mode, the
real playback time will be about 86
seconds shorter per day than the timecode.
If you edit frame by frame or if you
determine the length of a shot by counting
the timecode, use drop frame mode.
Non-linear editing
Editing while playing back video and
audio signals recorded on hard disks.
Video scenes stored on disk can be cued
up quickly, for increased editing
efficiency. See also “Linear editing”.
PCM audio
This is an audio signal represented by
pulse code modulation. The analog audio
signal is first broken down into a
sequences of pulses, and these are then
represented digitally.
Preroll
Running of a video tape to a prior to an
edit-start point to enable the tape to reach a
steady speed and to be synchronized with
other video tapes.
Glossary