2k An image that is roughly 2000 pixels along one edge.
4k An image that is roughly 4000 pixels along one edge.
Academy aperture An aperture used for film material.
Access rights See “file permissions.”
action safe The safe area defining where the picture content is visible.
aliasing The effect in which the edges of pixels are clearly visible; the process of creating this effect. See also “anti-aliasing.”
alpha Transparency information; an image channel not normally displayed.
analog A continuously variable signal; not digital.
anamorphic A type of lens for compressing an image; an image that has been compressed, typically along the horizontal axis; a format using anamorphic compression.
anamorphic squeeze The process of distorting an image to an anamorphic format.
answer print A film print for generating release prints.
anti-aliasing A technique for minimizing aliasing effects.
aperture The part of an imaging device that controls the amount of light received into the device; the area of a frame used for an image.
aperture correction See “sharpen.”
artifact A defect in an image.
aspect ratio The ratio of an image’s width to its height.
authoring The process of combining elements, typically when creating DVDs.
background plate A shot serving as background for another element, typically for a visual effect; a placeholder for a shot.
banding See “posterize.”
bandwidth The data transfer rate, usually measured in bytes per second.
bit binary digit, the smallest unit of computer data.
bit-depth The possible range of color information that can be encoded. See also “precision.”
bitmap A raster image; an image containing only black or white pixels; a Windows bitmap-formatted image.
bit rate A measurement of bandwidth.
bluescreen See “chroma-key.”
broadcast-safe color See “legal color.”
burn in To encode information directly into an image.
byte A data measure consisting of 8 bits.
cache A store of data, which can be accessed rapidly; a copy of an image held in the store for fast display or processing.
cadence The ordering of frames in a pulldown sequence. See also “pulldown.”
cathode-ray tube A device that uses an electron beam fired down a vacuum tube to create an image.
CCD See “charge-coupled device.”
CDL See “color decision” list.
center cut-out A method for converting an image to another aspect ratio by cropping the picture around the center.
CG Computer-generated—images that have been generated by a computer.
channel An individual component in a digital image.
charge-coupled device A device that detects and measures incident light, typically arranged in an array to allow image recording.
checksum A file value calculated by adding up all of its binary digits; a signature used to identify a digital file.
chroma See “chromaticity.”
chromaticity The color component of light.
chroma-key A method for creating a key based on a certain color; a screen of solid color; the process of shooting foreground elements in front of such a screen.
CinemaScope A specific anamorphic aperture used for film material. See also “anamorphic.”
Cineon printing density (CPD) is a digital image color space designed to mimic the response of film.
client A computer system that receives data from a server.
clone To make an exact copy of a video tape using digital means.
closed-caption A text element that doesn’t form part of the recorded image.
cluster A group of computer systems that combine resources to perform a single task.
CLUT Color lookup table. See “lookup table.”
CMYK A color model combining proportions of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.
color cube See “lookup table.”
color decision list A portable list containing grading parameters to be applied to footage.
color space An imaging system’s reproducible color range.
color timing See “color grading.”
color correction See “color grading.”
color grading The process of altering an image’s colors.
component video A video signal that separately encodes every color component.
composite An image that contains composited elements.
composite video A video signal that encodes color components together.
compression The process of reducing image dimensions or color ranges, either by discarding or by reorganizing information.
conforming The process, usually performed automatically, of assembling source material into a program.
consolidate To move elements to one location, often combining them; to remove all extraneous material from a program.
contrast ratio The ratio of the brightest color to the darkest color in an image.
corruption A fault in a digital file.
CPD See “Cineon printing density.”
crop To remove one or more edges of an image.
CRT See “cathode-ray tube.”
cue To spool to a specific point in a video sequence or on a tape.
cut A version of an edited program; a transition between a frame of one shot to a frame of another shot; to copy and remove a shot.
cut list A list of edits within a sequence or program. The edits are usually specified in terms of key numbers.
cut point A frame number or time code position where a transition occurs.
dailies Raw, unedited footage from a shoot; the process of watching such footage.
data Information, typically in digital form.
day-for-night A technique for shooting a scene during the day and using various processes to make the scene appear to have been shot at night.
DCDM See “digital cinema distribution master.”
D-cinema See “digital cinema.”
DCP See “digital cinema package.”
decrypt To rearrange encrypted data so that it can be viewed correctly.
deinterlaceing The process of removing interlacing from a frame or sequence.
density The level of developed grains at a specific point in film material.
detective quantum efficiency An objective measurement of image quality, combining MTF measurements with signal-to-noise ratio measurements. See also “modulation transfer function”; “signal-tonoise ratio.”
DF See “drop-frame timecode.”
difference matte An image showing the difference in pixel values between two images.
digital A signal consisting of discrete units of information.
digital cinema Motion picture theaters that use digital material rather than film material; the process of providing digital cinema.
digital cinema distribution master A DCDM is the digital output used for digital cinema exhibition.
digital cinema package A collection of elements for digital cinema projection.
digital dailies The process of watching dailies in a digital environment.
digital source master The digital master created at the end of the digital intermediate process.
digital versatile disc A DVD is an optical disc-based digital storage medium; consumer-grade digital video format.
digital video Video material encoded in a digital format; moving images encoded in a digital format; consumer-grade digital video format.
digitize To make digital, usually by sampling an analog signal. See also “sampling.”
directory See “folder.”
dissolve A transition from one shot to another using a blend.
D-max The maximum density level in a film image.
D-min The minimum density level in a film image.
downrez See “downsample.”
downsample To decrease the number of pixels, usually by interpolation, in an image.
DQE See “detective quantum efficiency.”
drop-frame timecode A method whereby certain frame numbers are omitted from the timecode to synchronize playback to real-time clocks.
dropout A fault on a video signal where picture information is missing or damaged.
dropped frame An individual frame that is omitted from a sequence, including during playback.
DSM See “digital source master.”
dub To copy—usually applies to video tapes.
dust-bust The process of removing dust, scratches, and the like from scanned film.
DV See “digital video.”
DVD See “digital versatile disc.”
dynamic A parameter that varies over time; an effect utilizing varying parameters.
dynamic range The response of a system to various luminance levels; the system’s capacity for encoding a range of different luminance levels. See also “luminance.”
edit To manually assemble footage to form a sequence or program.
edit decision list A portable list of edits, usually specified in terms of reels and timecodes, making up a sequence or program.
EDL See “edit decision list.”
EI See “exposure index.”
encode The process of storing data in a particular format.
encrypt To alter data so that it can be accessed only by someone with the proper credentials.
enlarger A device used to increase the size of a photographic image.
event A shot in a sequence; a shot in an EDL. See also “edit decision list.”
exposure A measurement of the amount of light incident on a particular point over time; the act of exposing a sensitive material to light.
exposure index A method for recording film speed, accounting for other factors. See also “film speed.”
exposure latitude The potential range of exposure recordable by a given material.
extract To remove a shot from a sequence so that the adjacent shots cut together.
eye-match To visually match two images.
false color A method for applying color to a monochrome image.
field Half of a video frame. Each field is usually recorded when no other field is recorded., Fields are usually recorded in an interlaced manner.
file attributes Data attached to files and folders by the operating system that may contain additional parameters or information about the file.
file extension The suffix at the end of a filename, usually to denote the file type.
file permissions Data attached to files and folders that denote who has access to perform certain functions, such as viewing or editing the files.
file security See “file permissions.”
file header The metadata contents of a file.
film negative Film material containing images with reversed color. A negative must be printed before it can be viewed normally.
film positive Film material containing images that can be viewed directly, such as by projection.
film print See “film positive.”
film scanner A device used to digitize film images.
film speed A value for the sensitivity of film material to light.
film stock A type of film material with specific characteristics, such as sensitivity to light.
film-out The process of recording material onto film from a digital source.
filter A device, attached to an imaging system, to modify images during recording; a digital process used to modify images.
firewire A data transfer technology defined by the IEEE1394 specification.
flare An effect caused by light reflection on the lens; a process mimicking this effect.
fog Light contamination, usually from stray light; an effect to add depth to an image.
folder A structure on a disk that can contain files.
footage A collection of moving pictures.
FPS See “frames per second.”
frame A single image within a sequence; to position and compose an image; the area containing a viewable image.
frame patch The method of replacing a shot’s individual frames with other frames; a frame used for this purpose.
frame rate The speed at which individual image frames are displayed to form a moving sequence, usually measured in Hertz or frames per second.
frames per second A unit of frequency used to describe the rate of picture images shown every second in a moving picture sequence.
full aperture An image-recording method, usually for film material, that uses the maximum imaging area.
fullscreen A 4:3 image format.
gamma the relationship between a pixel and the corresponding point of light displayed on a device such as a television; a value describing the amount of gamma correction used; a method for altering the brightness and contrast of an image.
gamma-correction The process of modifying a pixel value for display on a device with a nonlinear response.
gamut See “color space.”
gate The part of an imaging device that crops an image, usually to constrain the image to a particular format.
gauge The size of a film image.
GB See “gigabyte.”
generation A copy, usually of analog material.
generation loss The loss of quality that occurs when a new generation is created.
gigabyte A measure of 1024 megabytes.
global grading See “primary grading.”
grading flash A discontinuity in color in a sequence.
grading list See “grading metadata.”
grading metadata Data concerning the grading to be applied to an image or sequence.
grain A light-sensitive region in film material; a the smallest part of a film image.
graininess A subjective measurement of the amount of grain in an image.
granularity An objective measurement of the amount of grain in an image.
greenscreen See “chroma key.”
gray scale An image without chromacity.
handle Additional frames of a shot that extend beyond the cut points.
hard cut A cut within source footage.
HD See “high definition.”
HDR See “high dynamic range image.”
HDTV See “high-definition television.”
header See “file header.”
headroom The region of an imaging system above the maximum or below the minimum displayable brightness value.
high definition A video format with increased resolution.
high-definition television A video signal that carries high-definition video suitable for television; a television that can display this signal.
high dynamic range image A digital image format capable of encoding color in an objective way, typically as coordinates on the CIE chromacity chart.
histogram A method for displaying the distribution of pixel values in a digital image.
HLS A color model combining hue, luminance, and saturation.
hue The angle of a color’s wavelength, as measured on a color wheel.
in-place edit The process of making changes to a file directly without creating new files or rendering.
interlacing A method of combining two fields in a frame, by encoding lines of alternate fields to each frame.
inter-neg See “inter-negative.”
inter-negative An intermediate film negative.
interpolate to estimate intermediate values, usually in terms of pixel values
inter-pos See “inter-positive.”
inter-positive An intermediate film positive.
inverse telecine The process of relating an edited pulldown sequence to the original film footage. See also “pulldown.”
ISO See “film speed.”
jog To progress through footage, usually a frame at a time.
KB See “kilobyte.”
key A region of transparency or selection, usually based on a color range; the method used to create transparency or selection; the color used to do this.
key number A code that uniquely identifies a frame of film.
keycode See “key number.”
keyframe A frame that specifies a particular setting at a particular point in time, usually for dynamic effects or animation purposes; the process of creating keyframes.
kilobyte A measure consisting of 1024 bytes.
Lab A color model combining luminance and chromacity coordinates.
lag An effect that’s created when frames aren’t delivered fast enough for real-time display.
LAN See “local area network.”
latent image The invisible image formed on exposed photographic film that is developed to form a visible image.
layer An individual image in a composite image; a process applied to an image, such as a “grading layer;” a single track in a vertical editing system.
leader Frames that precede a program or sequence.
legal color A color, typically in video formats, within a particular color space.
letterbox A method for converting an image to another aspect ratio by filling the missing area with black.
lift To remove a shot from a sequence without altering the timing of the sequence, usually leaving a gap; to adjust the black level in an image.
line spread function See “spread function.”
local area network A group of computer systems that are able to communicate with each other, usually through cables or wireless transmission.
log See “logarithmic.”
logarithmic An exponential numbering scale; measurement on this scale; an image encoded using values on this scale.
longitudinal timecode Timecode information that is encoded to a specific part of a video tape.
lookup table A lookup table (LUT) is a method for replacing stored colors with other colors; a LUT is typically used to convert between different color spaces. More sophisticated LUTs may use “color cubes,” or other 3D mathematical models.
lossless compression Compression that doesn’t result in a loss of information.
lossy compression Compression that results in a loss of information.
LTC See “longitudinal timecode.”
luma Gamma-corrected luminance.
luminance The intensity of a particular color; the component of an image pixel or signal measuring the intensity. “Luminance” is synonymous with “brightness” and “luminosity.”
LUT See “lookup table.”
mask A shape that constrains an effect applied to an image.
master To create a final production for a specific format; the media containing this material.
matrix See “video-switching matrix.”
matte An image used to constrain an effect applied to another image.
MB See “megabyte.”
megabyte A measure consisting of 1024 kilobytes.
megahertz A unit of frequency in the order of millions of cycles per second; see also “millions of instructions per second.”
megapixel A unit of measurement of digital image area; one megapixel consists of one million pixels.
metadata Data concerning other data; typically data that can be encoded that doesn’t contain image information.
MHz See “megahertz.”
millions of instructions per second A measurement, typically used with computers, to denote the number of calculations that can be performed in one second.
MIPS See “millions of instructions per second.”
modulation transfer function MTF is an objective measurement of a system’s response to different frequencies.
monochrome An image consisting of a single color.
motion control A programmable motorized unit, allowing for precise and repeatable motion of a device, typically a camera.
movie A film production; a moving picture sequence; a digital moving picture sequence file.
MTF See “modulation transfer function.”
NDF See “non-drop-frame timecode.”
nearline storage Storage whose contents are accessible but at a slower rate than online storage.
negative See “film negative.”
NLE See “nonlinear editing.”
noise Random fluctuations in a signal.
non-drop-frame timecode A timecode method whereby frame numbers are counted in a continuous fashion.
nonlinear editing Editing footage in any order.
NTSC National Television Systems Committee; a video standard used in most of North America and parts of east Asia.
offline edit An editing phase performed without permanent changes, usually without working with original, full-quality material.
offline storage Storage whose contents are not immediately accessible.
one-light grading To apply simple, overall color grading to an image, usually for viewing purposes.
online edit An editing phase that replicates to the original, fullquality source material the changes made in an offline edit.
online storage Storage whose contents are immediately available.
operating system Software used to control the basic hardware functions of a computer system.
optical Pertaining to a lens or an image-recording system; an effect applied to an image; an image or shot that has had an effect applied to it.
OS See “operating system.”
overscan The region of an image outside of the safe area. See also “safe area.”
overwrite To replace a file with another one; in non-linear editing, to replace all or part of one or more shots with another shot.
PAL Phase-Alternate Lines; a video standard used throughout most of the world.
pan and scan The process of repositioning and resizing material to fit different aspect ratios; footage that has undergone this process.
panorama An image that has a wide field of view; an image formed by placing multiple images side by side.
parallax An effect in which distant objects appear to move at a slower rate than closer ones.
perf See “perforation.”
perforation A hole, in a series of holes, along the edge of a strip of film, which is used to position images.
Picture line-up generation equipment A device used to calibrate a display.
pin registration A feature of some film scanners that for registering film scans more precisely.
pixel Picture element; the smallest spatial component of a digital image.
pixel aspect ratio The ratio of a pixel’s width to its height.
platform See “operating system.”
PLUGE See “picture line-up generation equipment.”
point spread function See “spread function.”
positive See “film positive.”
posterize A digital image artifact caused by low color precision. A posterized image displays steps in color. Also, a process used to exaggerate this effect. See also “precision.”
post-roll The amount of time required by a linear system to decelerate from real-time playback speed to a stop.
precision The degree of accuracy in reproducing colors and in recording colors; a measurement, usually in bits per pixel or bits per channel of this degree of accuracy.
pre-roll A period used by a linear system to accelerate from a stop to real-time playback speed; the amount of time required to do so.
primary grading Color grading that affects an entire image.
printer light A measurement of grading film chemically; a light used for making film prints.
printer point See “printer light.”
privileges See “write-once read-many.”
program A collection of shots making up a complete production.
progressive scan A frame that doesn’t consist of fields; a method of recording video without recording fields.
progressive segmented frames A method of storing progressive scan video material using fields.
proxy image An image copy, usually downsampled, to which changes can be made that are later applied to the original image.
PsF See “progressive segmented frames.”
pulldown A method of translating film frames to video frames; a sequence that has undergone this process.
punch hole A frame used as a sync point; a hole punched into a frame of film.
RAID See “redundant array of inexpensive disks.”
RAM See “random access memory.”
random access memory A non-permanent memory store used by computer systems, typically for performing calculations.
raster A digital image consisting of regularly arranged pixels, usually rectangular.
rasterize The process of converting a nonraster image to a raster image.
raw scan The unmodified image data, as created by a film scanner; any unmodified acquired image.
real time Footage shown at the rate it was recorded.
reconform To apply changes (usually automatically) to an existing conformed sequence. See also “conform.”
redundant array of inexpensive disks A specification for combining multiple digital storage devices together to act as a single highcapacity device, optionally with some form of data protection.
reel A single unit of footage, such as of film or a video tape; a collection of shots; a part of an output production.
registration The positioning of an image within a frame.
release print A film print used by cinemas for projection.
remaster To create a new master from a program that has already been mastered. See also “master.”
rendering The process of applying changes to an image; processing image data; outputting digital images.
render farm A number of computers used for rendering.
resample To upsample or downsample an image; to redigitize an image from its source, usually at a different resolution.
resolution An image’s spatial detail; the number of pixels in a digital image; the number of lines in a video image.
resolution-independent An image that can be of any resolution; a system that conforms images of different resolutions.
resolving power The measurement of an imaging system’s resolution.
reversal film Film material that records a positive image directly from a source.
rewritable A type of media that can be recorded onto multiple times; a device used with such media.
RGB A color model combining proportions of red, green, and blue.
ringing The effect produced when images have been artificially sharpened too much.
rotoscope The process of generating masks or mats for every frame in a sequence; the result of this process.
rushes See “dailies.”
safe area A region within an image where elements are generally guaranteed to be visible across different display devices.
sampling ratio The ratio of different color components, typically Y:U:V or Y:I:Q, in video.
SAN See “storage area network.”
saturation The purity component of a color.
scanner See “film scanner.”
scene An environment used for filming; a collection of shots within a particular location or time frame.
scrambling A type of encryption that modifies all or part of a visible image, typically obscuring details.
SD See “standard definition.”
secondary grading The process of adjusting color in selected parts of an image.
seek To go to a specific point in a timeline or in data.
selective grading See “secondary grading.”
sequence A collection of shots and/or individual images.
server A computer system that sends data to a client.
sharpen A process of exaggerating the edges of an image.
shoot and protect A method of shooting onto a particular aspect ratio, which ensures that other aspect ratio images can be extracted later.
shot A collection of moving pictures, typically of continuous action without transitions; having photographed an image.
shuttle To progress through footage at a rate that’s a multiple of real time.
signal-to-noise ratio The ratio of image information to inherent noise within a system.
silver halide The light-sensitive crystals within film material.
slate A description of a sequence—typically in the form of an image at the start or end of the sequence.
Sneaker Net A method of transmitting data, by physically relocating storage derices.
soft cut A transition that includes a very brief dissolve.
splice To insert a shot between two other shots; a method for joining two pieces of film; the point on film material where a join has been made.
spread function An objective measurement of image sharpness.
sprocket See “perforation.”
stabilize The process of removing random motion in an image sequence so as to steady it.
standard definition A video format with low (i.e., standard) resolution.
standards conversion The process of converting between different video standards.
still image A single image, which can be part of a sequence.
storage area network A group of storage devices that communicate with other computer systems.
streaming The process of transmitting data for instant viewing.
sync synchronization; two or more sources are said to be “in sync” when their timings are precisely the same.
sync pulse Part of a video signal that indicates the end of a line of picture; part of the video signal that indicates the end of a field.
tape-to-tape The process of transferring material from a source tape directly onto a record tape.
TB See “terabyte.”
telecine The process of transferring film material to video.
terabyte A unit of measure consisting of 1024 gigabytes.
thumbnail A miniature copy of an image for fast previewing.
timecode A method for identifying and counting individual frames in a sequence, typically dependent on frame rate to provide values applicable in real time.
timecode break A discontinuity in timecode within a sequence.
timeline A method for displaying an edited program; a sequence or program.
timestamp The date and time properties of a file.
time warp The ability to adjust the speed of a shot; a shot that has undergone this process.
title safe The safe area of an image that defines the position where titles can be viewed.
tone mapping The process of converting an HDR image to a specific color space. See also “HDR”; “color space.”
tracking The process of tracking the motion of a feature in an image sequence, usually to attach other elements to it.
tracking marker An object placed in a scene during shooting to allow tracking at a later time.
tramline A persistent scratch typically vertical, across a number of film frames.
transcode Modifying the encoding of image data to change the image to a different format.
transition A method of moving from one shot to another.
unsharp mask See “sharpen.”
uprez See “upsample.”
upsample To increase the number of pixels in an image, usually by interpolation.
variable bit rate A data stream with varying bandwidth requirements; a compression method using varying bandwidth requirements.
VBR See “variable bit-rate.”
VCR See “video tape recorder.”
vector A mathematical shape.
vectorscope A method of displaying an image’s chromacity content; a device that displays this information, usually for video signals.
vertical interval timecode A method of recording timecode as part of the video signal.
VHS See “video home system.”
video cassette recorder A device that records and plays video tapes.
video home system Consumer-grade analog video format.
video tape recorder See “video cassette recorder.”
video-safe color See “legal color.”
video-switching matrix A device that routes video to many different places at one time.
vignette An effect caused when light is distributed unevenly across a lens; a process mimicking this effect.
VITC See “vertical interval timecode.”
VTR See “video cassette recorder.”
WAN See “wide area network.”
warp To alter the shape of all or part of an image.
watermark A visible image, typically a logo, placed over all images in a sequence; information embedded imperceptibly into an image.
waveform monitor A device display used to an image’s luminance content, usually for video signals.
wide area network A group of computer systems that communicate with each other over long distances, such as through the internet.
widescreen An image format with a wide aspect ratio, typically wider than 4:3.
wi-fi Wireless fidelity, see also “wireless network.”
wipe A transition that reveals one shot over another.
wireless network A group of computers that communicate with each other without using cables, typically by using radio transmissions.
WORM See “write-once read-many.”
write-once read-many A type of media that can be recorded onto once, but the recorded data accessed multiple times, such as a compact disc; a device used with such media, such as a computer disc recorder.
YIQ The color space used by the NTSC video format, encoding luminance and two chromacity components.
YUV The color space used by the PAL video format, encoding luminance and two chromacity components.