Basic Television Final Exam
Auto-transition - ANS-An electronic device that functions like a fader bar.
Bus - ANS-A row of buttons on the switcher.
Delegation Controls - ANS-Buttons on the switcher that assign specific functions to a bus.
Downstream Keyer (DSK) - ANS-A control that allows a title to be keyed (cut in) over the picture
(line-out signal) as it leaves the switcher.
Effects Buses - ANS-Program and Preview buses on the switcher, assigned to perform effects
and transitions.
Fader Bar - ANS-A lever on the switcher that activates preset transitions, such as dissolves,
fades, and wipes, at different speeds. It is also used to create superimpositions. Also called
T-bar.
Framestore Synchronizer - ANS-Image stabilization and synchronization system that stores and
reads out one complete video frame at a time. Used to synchronize the scanning of a variety of
video sources that are not genlocked.
Genlock - ANS-The synchronization of two or more video sources to prevent picture breakup
during switching. A house sync signal synchronizes the raster scanning of a variety of video
sources.
Key Bus - ANS-A row of buttons on the switcher, used to select the video source to be inserted
into a background image.
Key-level Control - ANS-A switcher control that adjusts the key signal so that the title to be
keyed appears sharp and clear. Also called clip control and clipper.
Layering - ANS-Combining two or more key effects for a more complex effect.
M/E Bus - ANS-Short for mix/effects bus. A row of buttons on the switcher that can serve a mix
or an effects function.
Mix Bus - ANS-Rows of buttons on the switcher that permit the mixing of video sources, as in a
dissolve or super.
,Preview/Preset Bus - ANS-Rows of buttons on the switcher used to select the upcoming video
(preset function) and route it to the preview monitor (preview function) independently of the
line-out video. Also called preset/background bus.
Program Bus - ANS-The bus on a switcher whose imputes are directly switched to the line-out.
Allows cuts-only switching. Also called direct bus and program/background bus.
Super - ANS-Short for superimposition. A double exposure of two images, with the top one
letting the bottom one show through.
Switching - ANS-A change form one video source to another during a show or show segment
with the aid of a switcher. Also called instantaneous editing.
Wipe - ANS-Transition in which a second image, framed in some geometric shape, gradually
replaces all or part of the first image. One image seems to "wipe off" (replace) the other from the
screen.
Dissolve - ANS-A gradual transition between two shots in which they temporarily overlap.
Fade - ANS-The gradual appearance of a picture from black (fade in) or its disappearance to
black (fade out).
Headroom - ANS-The space left between the top of the head and the upper screen edge.
Leadroom - ANS-The space left in front of a person or an object moving toward the edge of the
screen.
Noseroom - ANS-The space left in front of a person looking or pointing toward the edge of the
screen.
Time Code - ANS-Gives each television frame a specific address (number that shows hours,
minutes, seconds, and frames of elapsed tape).
Vector - ANS-Refers to a perceivable force with a direction and a magnitude. Vector types
include graphic vectors, index vectors, and motion vectors.
VR Log - ANS-A list of all takes -both good (acceptable) and no good (unacceptable)- in
consecutive order by scene number and time code address. Often done with computerized
logging programs. A vector column facilitates shot selection.
Complexity Editing - ANS-The juxtaposition of shots that primarily, though not exclusively, helps
intensify a screen event. Editing conventions as advocated in continuity editing are often
purposely violated.
, Continuity Editing - ANS-The establishment of a visual flow from shot to shot - to make the
series appear seamless.
Cutaway - ANS-A shot that is thematically connected with the overall event. When inserted
between jump-producing shots, it will camouflage the position shift. Used to facilitate continuity.
Graphic Vector - ANS-A vector created by lines or by stationary elements in such a way as to
suggest a line.
Index Vector - ANS-A vector created by someone looking or something pointing unquestionably
in a specific direction.
Jump Cut - ANS-Cutting between shots that are identical in subject yet slightly different in
screen location, or any abrupt transition between shots that violates the established continuity.
Mental Map - ANS-Tells viewers where things are or are supposed to be in on and off screen
space.
Montage - ANS-The juxtaposition of two or more separate event details that combine into a
larger and more intense whole - a new gestalt.
Motion Vector - ANS-A vector created by an object actually moving or perceived as moving
on-screen.
Vector Line - ANS-An imaginary line created by extending a motion vector or converging index
vectors. Also called the line, the line of conversation and action, and the hundredeighty.
Aperture - ANS-Iris opening of a lens, usually measured in f-stops.
Auto-focus - ANS-Automated feature whereby the camera focuses on what it senses to be the
target object.
Calibrate - ANS-To present a zoom lens to remain in focus throughout the zoom.
Compression - ANS-The crowding effect achieved by a narrow-angle (telephoto) lens wherein
object proportions and relative distances seem shallower.
Depth of Field - ANS-The area in which all objects, located at different distances from the
camera, appear in focus. Depth of field depends on the focal length of the lens, its f-stop, and
the distance between the object and the camera.
Digital Zooming - ANS-Simulated zoom that crops the center portion of an image and
electronically enlarges it. Digital zooms lose picture resolution.
Auto-transition - ANS-An electronic device that functions like a fader bar.
Bus - ANS-A row of buttons on the switcher.
Delegation Controls - ANS-Buttons on the switcher that assign specific functions to a bus.
Downstream Keyer (DSK) - ANS-A control that allows a title to be keyed (cut in) over the picture
(line-out signal) as it leaves the switcher.
Effects Buses - ANS-Program and Preview buses on the switcher, assigned to perform effects
and transitions.
Fader Bar - ANS-A lever on the switcher that activates preset transitions, such as dissolves,
fades, and wipes, at different speeds. It is also used to create superimpositions. Also called
T-bar.
Framestore Synchronizer - ANS-Image stabilization and synchronization system that stores and
reads out one complete video frame at a time. Used to synchronize the scanning of a variety of
video sources that are not genlocked.
Genlock - ANS-The synchronization of two or more video sources to prevent picture breakup
during switching. A house sync signal synchronizes the raster scanning of a variety of video
sources.
Key Bus - ANS-A row of buttons on the switcher, used to select the video source to be inserted
into a background image.
Key-level Control - ANS-A switcher control that adjusts the key signal so that the title to be
keyed appears sharp and clear. Also called clip control and clipper.
Layering - ANS-Combining two or more key effects for a more complex effect.
M/E Bus - ANS-Short for mix/effects bus. A row of buttons on the switcher that can serve a mix
or an effects function.
Mix Bus - ANS-Rows of buttons on the switcher that permit the mixing of video sources, as in a
dissolve or super.
,Preview/Preset Bus - ANS-Rows of buttons on the switcher used to select the upcoming video
(preset function) and route it to the preview monitor (preview function) independently of the
line-out video. Also called preset/background bus.
Program Bus - ANS-The bus on a switcher whose imputes are directly switched to the line-out.
Allows cuts-only switching. Also called direct bus and program/background bus.
Super - ANS-Short for superimposition. A double exposure of two images, with the top one
letting the bottom one show through.
Switching - ANS-A change form one video source to another during a show or show segment
with the aid of a switcher. Also called instantaneous editing.
Wipe - ANS-Transition in which a second image, framed in some geometric shape, gradually
replaces all or part of the first image. One image seems to "wipe off" (replace) the other from the
screen.
Dissolve - ANS-A gradual transition between two shots in which they temporarily overlap.
Fade - ANS-The gradual appearance of a picture from black (fade in) or its disappearance to
black (fade out).
Headroom - ANS-The space left between the top of the head and the upper screen edge.
Leadroom - ANS-The space left in front of a person or an object moving toward the edge of the
screen.
Noseroom - ANS-The space left in front of a person looking or pointing toward the edge of the
screen.
Time Code - ANS-Gives each television frame a specific address (number that shows hours,
minutes, seconds, and frames of elapsed tape).
Vector - ANS-Refers to a perceivable force with a direction and a magnitude. Vector types
include graphic vectors, index vectors, and motion vectors.
VR Log - ANS-A list of all takes -both good (acceptable) and no good (unacceptable)- in
consecutive order by scene number and time code address. Often done with computerized
logging programs. A vector column facilitates shot selection.
Complexity Editing - ANS-The juxtaposition of shots that primarily, though not exclusively, helps
intensify a screen event. Editing conventions as advocated in continuity editing are often
purposely violated.
, Continuity Editing - ANS-The establishment of a visual flow from shot to shot - to make the
series appear seamless.
Cutaway - ANS-A shot that is thematically connected with the overall event. When inserted
between jump-producing shots, it will camouflage the position shift. Used to facilitate continuity.
Graphic Vector - ANS-A vector created by lines or by stationary elements in such a way as to
suggest a line.
Index Vector - ANS-A vector created by someone looking or something pointing unquestionably
in a specific direction.
Jump Cut - ANS-Cutting between shots that are identical in subject yet slightly different in
screen location, or any abrupt transition between shots that violates the established continuity.
Mental Map - ANS-Tells viewers where things are or are supposed to be in on and off screen
space.
Montage - ANS-The juxtaposition of two or more separate event details that combine into a
larger and more intense whole - a new gestalt.
Motion Vector - ANS-A vector created by an object actually moving or perceived as moving
on-screen.
Vector Line - ANS-An imaginary line created by extending a motion vector or converging index
vectors. Also called the line, the line of conversation and action, and the hundredeighty.
Aperture - ANS-Iris opening of a lens, usually measured in f-stops.
Auto-focus - ANS-Automated feature whereby the camera focuses on what it senses to be the
target object.
Calibrate - ANS-To present a zoom lens to remain in focus throughout the zoom.
Compression - ANS-The crowding effect achieved by a narrow-angle (telephoto) lens wherein
object proportions and relative distances seem shallower.
Depth of Field - ANS-The area in which all objects, located at different distances from the
camera, appear in focus. Depth of field depends on the focal length of the lens, its f-stop, and
the distance between the object and the camera.
Digital Zooming - ANS-Simulated zoom that crops the center portion of an image and
electronically enlarges it. Digital zooms lose picture resolution.
