Graphics/ Video/ Network-Internet/ Misc./ Programs/ Measurement/ Media Formats/ File Formats

 Graphic/Image Terms:(top)

Alpha Channel – A sample of a pixel's data that has been saved to help define the transparent areas in an image (for use with keying and superimposition). It is a mask that specifies how the color of a pixel should be merged with another pixel when one is placed above the other.

Bitmap – A raster graphics image that relies on a grid of pixels to represent the picture.

CMYK – A color model based on the colors that are used in printing. Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (Black) can be mixed to create the other colors in an image.

Grayscale – A mode of colors that only uses white, black and shades of gray.

Layers – Layers are graphics in a computer program that can be stacked one on top of the other; much like multiple sheets of paper can be stacked.

Mask – An image which defines the areas in a graphic which are to be transparent.

Pixel – One of the many tiny dots of color that make up an image.

Raster – A term for graphics that use a collection of pixels to represent images. Also known as a bitmap. Unlike a vector image, when a raster image is scaled, the quality will deteriorate.

Resolution – The dimensions of an image as described by of the total number of pixels in an image. This can be found by multiplying the number of pixels in the horizontal axis by the number of pixels in the vertical axis. A higher resolution means the image has more pixels, and can consequently have more detail and print in a higher quality.

RGB – A color model based on the three basic colors found in light (or on the computer screen). Red, Green and Blue can be mixed to create the other colors in an image.

Vector – A term for graphics that uses points and lines to represent images. The size of a vector graphic can be increased or decreased without corrupting the quality of the image.

Video Production Terms:(top)

Analog – Analog is an electrical signal that refers to a continuous (in both time and frequency) spectrum of values that are used for input, data storage and transferring.

Animate – The process of simulating the movement of an object through the consecutive display of stationary image elements (with the use of individual pictures or frames). Or to move and manipulate an object over time (such as with a title or transition between frames).

Artifacting – Artifacting is a side effect of the compression algorithm in a video, typified by unwanted visual distortions that might include blocking, halos or blurring.

Aspect Ratio – This is the width-to-height ratio of an image. The number is found by dividing the displayed width of an image by its height. A traditional television screen's aspect ratio is 4:3. High definition televisions use an aspect ratio of 16:9.

Capture – To import and convert a video and/or audio file from an external device, such as a camcorder or VCR, into a digital format for storage on a computer. Also known as Digitizing.

Clip – A short piece of audio and/or video that often will contain an individual scene.

Composite – To layer multiple tracks onto a timeline.

Composite Video – The format of an analog video signal in which three source signals are combined (by frequency multiplexing). This enables all of the video data to be carried as one signal. These signals are known as Y, U and V. Composite video is also often referred to as CVBS.

Compress – To reduce the size of an audio, video or data file. It helps to decrease the use of valuable resources, such as disk space or connection bandwidth.

Crop – The process of cutting away unwanted areas from a digital image. This also refers to the removal of the unnecessary edges of an image in order to get it to fit within a new aspect ratio.

CVBS – This acronym is often used in reference to composite video. It can mean “Color, Video, Blank and Sync”, “Composite Video with Burst and Sync”, “Composite Video Burst Signal”, or “Composite Video Baseband Signal”.

Digital – Digital is an electrical signal that refers to a system that uses numbers (esp. binary numbers) for input, data storage and transferring.

Digitize – The process of converting an analog signal into a digital representation of that signal. Typically involves the scanning of a photo, video and/or audio file into your computer for editing.

Effect – A transformation applied to an audio or video file in order to improve or distort it.

Encoding – In reference to making a DVD, encoding is the process of converting video content into MPEG-2 format. Encoding can also refer to the process of compressing audio and/or video data.

Frame – An individual video image that makes up a moving series of images. Typically in film production, 30 frames will make up one second of video.

Key – To specify a certain region of an image to be made transparent in preparation for being composited with other superimposed images and video tracks. The transparent area allows the images/tracks underneath to show through.

LP Mode – Long Play Mode. Also known as Extended Play. When using a camera, you have a choice of recording in Long Play (LP) Mode or Standard Play (SP) Mode. Long Play Mode allows you to record more minutes of video on the same amount of tape. LP Mode uses less tape to record the same amount of data by squeezing the information together into a smaller space. But it also runs the risk of resulting in dropped frames and noise during playback. LP Mode is better to use when guaranteed quality isn't as important as getting more time out of the tape.

MPEG – Moving Picture Experts Group. Refers to a family of video and audio encoding standards and file formats. There are three major MPEG standards: MPEG-1 is the designation for the initial video and audio compression standards. MPEG-2 is the name for a group of video and audio coding standards. MPEG-4 identifies a group of coding standards for video and audio that is predominantly used on the Web and for CD distribution, videophone and broadcast television.

NTSC – The analog television system used in the United States and certain other places around the world. The abbreviation stands for the National Television System(s) Committee, which is the standardization body that created it. The NTSC standard for television defines a composite video signal that has the ability to display 525 lines per frame, while using a refresh rate of 60 fields per second, or about 30 interlaced frames of video per second.

Pass – A term that refers to a single render for an effect.

Post Production – A term that is used to describe any stage or process of film production that takes place between the actual shooting and the finished show. These processes can include, but are not limited to, editing the video or audio, and adding visual or sound effects.

Render – A process that involves calculating the effects, transitions and tracks in a video editing file to generate a video production in its final form. Rendering essentially polishes the different aspects of a video file in order for it to play smoothly.

SP Mode – Standard Play Mode. When using a camera, you have a choice of recording in Standard Play (SP) Mode, or Long Play (LP) Mode. It is better to use SP Mode when the guaranteed quality of the video is more important than attempting to get more time out of the tape.

Storyboard – A series of panels which have been drawn to describe a movie shot by shot.

S-Video – Separate Video. This is an analog video signal that carries video data in two separate signals (brightness and color). Also known an Y/C (Y: luminance and C: modulated chrominance).

Track – In video editing, the term refers to a series of video or audio clips in a timeline that are to be incorporated into a final production.

Transition – A visual effect that is used to help a video clip or scene advance into another clip/scene. It can be a cut – where the clip suddenly switches itself to another, or it can be made more interesting by fading, dissolving or wiping between adjacent clips.

YUV – A model that defines color space in terms of one luminance and two chrominance components. “Y” represents the luminance component, while “U” and “V” represent the chrominance components. YUV is essentially derived from RGB, and is closer to modeling the human perception of color than the Red, Green and Blue color model. Each individual Y, U or V signal can be created by utilizing an equation that uses the combined weighted values of R, G and B.

Network and Internet Terms:(top)

CMS -  Content Management Systems. CMS is a method of organizing and facilitating the development of digital content. This is frequently used in the creation of dynamic websites. (More Information)

FTP – File Transfer Protocol. A commonly used format for transferring or exchanging files over a network (such as the Internet or an intranet).

Hosting – This is the process of providing organizations and/or individuals with the ability to put content onto the Internet.

ISP – Internet Service Provider. A business or organization that provides users with the ability to access the Internet and related services.

Streaming – A process that allows media to be viewed over the Internet without having to be completely downloaded first. The media can be viewed at the same time it is being transferred to your computer.

Misc. Terms:(top)

bit rate (bit/s) – The frequency with which bits are being transferred from one device to another. Bit rate measures quantity/time; typically by bits per second.

Burn – The recording process that puts data (video, audio or other) onto a CD or DVD.

Duplication (CD/DVD) – The process of burning information from a master disk onto a recordable CD or DVD. Duplication is more cost-effective when you only require a few copies. If you want a larger order, the alternative to Duplication is Replication.

DVD Authoring – The process of creating a DVD. Involves designing the general look, navigational structure and menus, preparing and laying out the video, audio and images into tracks, streams and chapters, linking to the elements and building the final production to write to disk.

Glass Master – A glass plate on which data is written to make a metalized glass master and then utilized to make stampers. This is done inside of a Class 1000 clean room. A glass master is used in the process of replicating CD's and DVD's.

Injection Molding – A manufacturing technique used in the process of replicating CD's/DVD's. Molds are mounted into an injection mold machine, and polycarbonate plastic is injected to the mold under high pressure.

Master – The source for making copies of a video or audio file. This is the final version of a video production. The first tape or disk that is made from a video or audio file.

Multimedia – The use of several different types of media to present text, graphics, animation, audio and video.

Programming – A term used to describe the technique of writing a source code in a particular programming language in order to produce a computer program or task.

Replication (CD/DVD) – A manufacturing process that “stamps” the data into injection molded CD's or DVD's. The original master disk is used to make a glass master and a stamper, which transfers the information from the glass master to the final CD or DVD. Replication tends to be used when a larger order of copies is needed.

Rip – To extract data from a disc.

Stamper – The “blueprint” for the CD/DVD replication process. It is a metal stamp which has been created from a glass master, and is then used to mold the CD/DVD.

Programs:(top)

Photoshop – Adobe Photoshop is a popular bitmap image editing program used to create and edit graphics. Gives the user the ability to work on multiple layers of an image.

Illustrator – Adobe Illustrator is a program that is used to create and edit vector-based drawings. Gives the user the ability to work on multiple layers of an image.

Flash – Macromedia Flash is a multimedia authoring program which creates content to be used by the Macromedia Flash Player. Flash supports the use of both vector and raster graphics and uses a scripting language called ActionScript to code movies, animations, text and events.

Units of Data Measurement:(top)

bit (b) – A binary digit. A number in the binary numeral system. It is the smallest unit of information in a computer. A single bit is either a one or a zero. It can be referred to as being on or off and also as true or false.

Byte (B) – A unit of information made up of 8 bits. The size of computer data is measured in bytes.

Kilobyte (kB) – A unit of information equal to one thousand bytes. (1,000 bytes.)

Megabyte (MB) – A unit of information equal to one million bytes. (1,000,000 bytes.)

Gigabyte (GB) – A unit of information equal to one billion bytes. (1,000,000,000 bytes.)

Media Formats:(top)

¾ Inch – A format which has a tape width of three quarters of an inch, and is used for recording video.

1 Inch – A tape format characterized by having a tape width of one inch.

8mm – A compact tape format that uses 8 millimeter wide magnetic tape and encompasses a group of videocassette formats that include Video8, Hi8 and Digital8.

Betacam – A group of high-quality, professional videotape formats developed by Sony. Variants include Betacam, Betacam SP, Digital Betacam, Betacam SX, MPEG IMX, HDCAM and HDCAM SR.

Business Card CD – A business card disc is a CD-R with a (smaller) standard diameter of 3 inches. It can hold about 5 minutes of video, and typically has a rectangular or hockey rink shape.

CD (R, RW) – Compact Disc. A CD is an optical disc that is used to store digital data; commonly used for storing music and other forms of audio. A CD-R is a blank, recordable CD. Once a CD-R has been written on, the data is permanent and cannot be changed or erased. A CD-RW is a blank, recordable CD which is re-rewritable; meaning the data that has been stored on the disc can be altered or added to.

DAT – Digital Audio Tape. A magnetic tape cassette that is used for recording sound. The medium uses 4mm tape and is about half the size of a compact audio cassette.

DV – Digital Video. A tape and compression format that uses intraframe compression. The three tape formats for DV include MiniDV, DVCAM and DVCPRO.

DVCAM - DVCAM is a semiprofessional variant of DV that has a faster tape speed and a track width of 15 micrometers. It is a sturdy and dependable format for use in quality productions.

DVCPRO - DVCPRO is a variant of DV that has better linear editing capabilities and a track width of 18 micrometers. It uses a metal-particle tape for higher durability.

DVD (R, RW) – Digital Versatile Disc, or Digital Video Disc. A DVD is an optical disc that is used to store digital data; typically used to store movies with high video and sound quality. While DVD's do resemble CD's, they are encoded in a different format and at a higher density. A DVD uses the MPEG-2 standard for storing video and audio. A standard DVD can also hold several times the information of a CD. A DVD-R can be recorded on once. A DVD-RW is rewritable, allowing you to erase the data and rewrite to it.

MII – A professional videocassette format that uses component video recording.

Mini CD (Mini Round) – A mini round is a CD-R with a standard diameter of 3 inches. It can hold about 18 minutes of video, and has the same (round) shape as a regular compact disc.

MiniDV – Mini Digital Video. A smaller form of the DV tape. A MiniDV tape can hold 30, 60 and 80 minutes of video when it is recorded in SP mode (Standard Play). The tape can hold 45, 90 and 120 minutes of video when it is recorded in LP mode (Long Play).

VCD – Video Compact Disc. This is a standard digital format for storing video and audio on a CD. It uses the MPEG-1 standard for storing the video and audio in a high density form.

VHS – Video Home System. VHS is a recording and playing cassette for use in a VCR, or Video Cassette Recorder. The cassette contains a ½ inch wide magnetic tape. There are several variants: S-VHS (Super VHS) is simply an improvement on the original VHS cassette. D-VHS is a digital video format which records a digital representation of the video signal. W-VHS is used for high definition video. VHS-C is a compact version of the VHS, and can be used in some camcorders.

File Formats:(top)

.aac – Advanced Audio Coding file. Audio file that has been highly compressed. Similar to MP3.

.ai – Adobe Illustrator document. An image file created by Illustrator. Can include layers and vector graphics.

.aiff – Audio Interchange File Format. A high quality audio file. Uncompressed, and similar to a WAVE file.

.avi - Audio Video Interleave File. A video file that is high-quality, and can contain both audio and video.

.bmp – Bitmap image. A image file in an uncompressed raster format.

.cda – CD Audio Track. A shortcut to an audio track on a Compact Disc (CD).

.css – Cascading Style Sheet. A Web file that uses a stylesheet language to describe the style of elements in a document that uses a markup language (such as HTML).

.doc – Microsoft Word Document. A text file created by Microsoft Word or WordPad.

.exe – Executable. A common filename extension used to identify an executable file (a program).

.gif – Graphical Interchange Format. An image file that can use up to 256 indexed colors. Commonly used for Web graphics.

.htm – Hyper-Text Markup Language. A file that is made up of the language that Web pages are written in.

.html – Hyper-Text Markup Language. A file that is made up of the language that Web pages are written in.

.jpeg – Joint Photographic Experts Group. An image file with 24-bit compression. Common format for Web graphics and photos.

.jpg - Joint Photographic Experts Group. An image file with 24-bit compression. Common format for Web graphics and photos.

.mov – QuickTime Movie. A multimedia container file that can contain audio, video, text and/or effects.

.mp3 – MPEG Audio Layer 3. An audio file compressed to reduce the amount of data required to represent the audio, but designed to sound like higher-quality, uncompressed audio.

.mpg – Moving Picture Experts Group File. A video file often used for downloadable movies, and can include both audio and video. One of a number of file extensions for MPEG-1.

.psd – Photoshop Document. An image file created by Photoshop that can include layers and other Photoshop-specific elements.

.pdf – Portable Document Format. A document file which can contain images and text, and appears on the screen as it will on paper when printed.

.swf – Flash Movie. A video file that plays an animation created by Flash.

.tga – Targa Graphic. An image file with a raster format.

.tif – Tagged Image File Format. An image file used for high color-depth images.

.tiff – Tagged Image File Format. An image file used for high color-depth images.

.wav – Windows Wave Sound file. Audio file format similar to AIFF.

.wma – Windows Media Audio. An audio file part of the Windows Media framework.

.wmv – Windows Media Video. A video/audio file part of the Windows Media framework.

.xhtml – Extensible Hyper-Text Markup Language. A file that is made up of the language Web pages are written in, but has a stricter syntax.

.xml – Extensible Markup Language file. A text-based database that uses tags to define different types of data.

.zip – Zipped file. A compressed file format typically used with Windows files.

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