Glossary of Techno-Terms

Algorithm

The formulas or logical process that computer software uses to convert and modify data in a program.

Aliasing

Distortion in a video image.  In analog video, this is caused by interference between different signal frequencies; in digital video, it’s caused by poor sampling in the digitizing process.  On the screen, the result is that angled lines look jagged.  Anti-Aliasing is the process of smoothing out those jagged lines.

Analog

A signal that varies continuously in a wave form, as opposed to digital where the signal varies in discrete amounts.

Anchor

Synonymous with hyperlinks, anchor refers to non-linear links among documents. Or more simply put, it's the word or phrase that can be selected to connect to another spot on a page or even another page or resource.

Animation

A moving image that’s drawn or created in your computer, rather than captured live in a camera.

Artifacts

Defects in the video signal, usually caused by compression errors.

ASCII

(pronounced "Ask-ee") An acronym for American Standard Code for Information Exchange, ASCII is an international standard in which numbers, letters, punctuation marks, symbols and control codes are assigned numbers from 0 to 127. Easily transferred over networks, ASCII is a plain, unadorned text without style or font specifications.

Aspect Ratio

The ratio of a screen’s width to height.  In standard television, this is 4:3; in widescreen, it’s usually 16:9.

Asychronous Connection

The type of connection a modem makes over a phone line, this connection is not synchronized by a mutual timing signal or clock.

Audio Tracks (or channels)

The sound channels that accompany your image.  Most camcorders record two tracks of sound; some can record four.  When editing, your editing software will let you manipulate the audio tracks.  Depending on the software, you can use anywhere from two channels of sound to as many as 100 when editing.

Authoring Software

This term refers to software that enables the creation of multimedia or hypertext documents and presentations.

AVI (Audio Video Interleave)

Microsoft’s format for digital audio and video files. ........................................................................................Top

Bandwidth

Refers to the amount of information that can be transmitted over a particular line, wire, or method of linking communication devices.  It is the range of transmission frequencies a network can use. The greater the bandwidth the more information that can be transferred over that network at one time. Therefore, the term bandwidth broadly includes throughput, meaning the amount of data sent.

Baud

A unit of speed in data transmission, or the maximum speed at which data can be sent down a channel. Baud is often equivalent to bits per second. Named after J. M. E. Baudot (died 1903).

Bit

A contraction of binary digit, a bit is the smallest unit of information that a computer can hold. Eight bits is equivalent to a byte. The speed at which bits are transmitted or bit rate is usually expressed as bits per second or bps.

Blog

An online diary; a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a Web page; also called Weblog, Web log. Typically updated daily, blogs often reflect the personality of the author. Etymology: shortened form of Weblog

Broadband

Simply put:  A fast connection for computer communications (like Cable or DSL).

Less Simply:  A transmission method in which the networks range of transmission frequencies is divided into separate channels and each channel is used to send a different signal. Broadband is often used to send different types of signals simultaneously.

Browser

Examples: Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer.

A type of software that allows you to navigate information databases.

Byte

The number of bits (8) used to represent a character.  A group of data bits that are processed together.  A single frame of uncompressed video requires about 1 megabyte of storage space.......................................................Top

Cache

Pronounced "cash," is a fast storage buffer in the central processing unit of a computer. Also called cache memory. It can be either a reserved section of main memory or an independent high-speed storage device.
 

Capture Video

The process of feeding video from your camcorder into the computer.  If you have a digital camera, you probably connect through an IEEE 1394 or FireWire connection.  If you have an older analog camera (VHS or Hi-8), you’ll need a video capture card in your computer that will convert your analog video into digital video for editing.

CCD (Charge-Coupled Device)

An electronic chip that samples an analog signal, i.e., it’s the widget that captures the pictures in a digital camera.

CD-ROM

Compact Disk-Read Only Memory; an optical disk from which information may be read but not written.

CD-R or Compact Disk-Recordable

Refers to computer peripheral disk drives that allow the user to record content on to a blank compact disk.

Chromakeying

The process of layering one video signal over another, but only on a specific color; also called blue screen or green screen, depending on the color being replaced.  This is the process that lets your local TV weather-person stand in front of weather maps and satellite images.

Chrominance (or Chroma)

The color portion of a video signal.

Cinepak

            A video compression algorithm often used on CD-ROMS.

Client

A computer that has access to services over a computer network. The computer providing the services is a server.

Client-Server Architecture

An information-passing scheme that works as follows: a client program, such as Netscape, sends a request to a server. The server takes the request, disconnects from the client and processes the request. When the request is processed, the server reconnects to the client program and the information is transferred to the client. This architecture differs from traditional Internet databases where the client connects to the server and runs the program from the remote site.

Clip

1)      In keying, the trigger point or threshold at which the key signal takes place; 2) A specific segment of video that’s used in an edit.

Clip Sheet (Clip Bin)

The location of video clips in your desktop editing system.

Codec (Coder/DECoder)

The thing that converts analog signals to digital and vice versa.

Color Correction

Fixing the color in a video clip; for example, if the exposure was off when shooting and skin tones had a green tint to them.

Compression

The process of reducing the size of a data file, usually accomplished through software processing.  Compressed files save storage space and reduce transmission times.

Compression Ratio

The percentage of compression of the original data file.  The larger the compression ratio, the more information that’s lost during the compression and decompression steps.

Configuration

This is a general-purpose computer term that can refer to the way you have your computer set up. It is also used to describe the total combination of hardware components that make up a computer system and the software settings that allow various hardware components of a computer system to communicate with one another.

CPU

The "Central Processing Unit" is the chip that is the heart of the computer which control all the calculations the computer can do. Examples include the Pentium III and IV chips.

Cross Platform

Programs or applications that work on different machines or operating systems. For example, REAL player can be installed and work on a Dell PC or a Mac or a Unix machine.

Cut

The instantaneous transition from one clip to another.........................................................................................Top

DAC

Digital to Analog Converter.

Database

An electronic filing system to store and retrieve any information a computer can store.

Data Compression

Literally to "compress" or reduce the amount of space any data (text, pictures, etc.) take up in a computer. Generally on pc's programs like "ZIP" can reduce the size a picture takes on your hard drive by half or more.

DHTML

 Dynamic HyperText Markup Language is the language used to create “Dynamic” Web sites that enable various effects to display, like page transitions (e.g. dissolves), animations, and other special effects.

Dial-up Connection

The most popular form of Net connection for the home user, this is a connection from your computer to a host computer over standard telephone lines.

Digital Video

A recording process that captures each image frame as binary data.

Direct Connection

A permanent connection between your computer system and the Internet. This is sometimes referred to as a leased-line connection because the line is leased from the telephone company.

Dissolve

A gradual transition where one clip blends into the next.  Dissolve rates from a half-second to two seconds are most common.

DNS

An acronym for Domain Name Server, DNS refers to a database of Internet names and addresses which translates the names to the official Internet Protocol numbers and vice versa.

Domain Name

A name that identifies one or more IP or internet addresses. For example, in the URL http://www.fordham.edu, the domain name is fordham.edu.

Download

To transfer to your computer a copy of a file that resides on another computer.

Drag/Drag & Drop

“Drag” means holding the left mouse button down WHILE moving the mouse.  “Drop” means letting go of the mouse button.

DV

The digital VCR format.

DVD

(Digital Versatile Disk)  A high-density version of the original compact disk.  It holds seven times more information on a side, about 4.38 gigabytes......................................................................................................Top

External Viewer

A program used for presenting graphics, audio and video files. Programs that allow the viewing of GIF and JPEG files and the hearing of AU files fall into this category.

Fade In (or fade up)

A transition from a blank screen to an image.

Fade Out (or fade down or fade to black)

A transition from an image to a blank (usually black) screen.

FAQ

This is the acronym for Frequently Asked Questions. A common feature on the Internet, FAQs are files of answers to commonly asked questions. Read FAQs before wasting electrons asking obvious questions. Saves you from receiving flames.

Firewall

This term refers to security measures (like a wall, boundary, fence, gate, etc.) designed to protect a networked system from unauthorized or unwelcome access.

FireWire or IEEE 1394

A high speed, low cost digital interface, used for capturing video and other data directly into a computer.

Frame

One full screen of video.  In broadcast television, each frame is made of two interlaced fields.  The first field contains all the odd-numbered lines and the second field contains all even-numbered lines.

Frame Rate

Broadcast Television (NTSC in the US) has 30 frames per second.  Most modern computers are powerful enough to run video at this rate.  However, you may choose to use a slower rate (15 or 10 frames per second) if you’re tight on storage space, or if you want your video to more easily stream down the Internet.  Computer graphics may use frame rates as high as 100 frames per second.

Freeware

This term refers to software that is available totally for free on public networks and BBSs. Sometimes there are minor restrictions like not altering the program if you give it away, etc.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol is a protocol that allows the transfer of files from one computer to another. FTP is also the verb used to describe the act of transferring files from one computer to another.................................................Top

GIF

This acronym stands for Graphics Interchange Format, a commonly used file compression format developed by CompuServe for transferring graphics files to and from online services. Its use was implemented to allow one format to work on many different platforms or operating systems.

GUI

An acronym for Graphical User Interface, this term refers to a software front-end meant to provide an attractive and easy to use interface between a computer user and a computer program or application. The Macintosh and Windows operating systems have a GUI, DOS does not..................................................................................Top

Hard Disk

Generally, the internal storage device in a computer called "hard" to distinguish it from a soft, or floppy, disk. Hard disks hold more data and are faster than floppy disks. Sometimes they are called "fixed disks" because they are not removeable.

Home Page

The document displayed when you first open your Web browser (which you may change in your preferences file). Home Page can also refer to the first document you come to at a Web site.

Host

A computer acting as an information or communications server.

HTML

An acronym for Hyper-Text Markup Language, HTML is the language used to tag various parts of a Web document so browsing software will know how to display that document's links, text, graphics and attached media.

HTML Document

A document written in Hyper-Text Markup Language.

HTTP

The abbreviation for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, HTTP is used to link and transfer hypertext documents.

Hypermedia

The hypertext concept extended to include linked multiple media.

Hypertext or Hyperlink

Refers to the highlighted text in Web documents or computer programs that allows documents to be cross- linked in such a way that the reader can explore related documents by clicking on that highlighted word or symbol.

IEEE 1394 (or FireWire).....................................................................................................................................Top

A high speed, low cost digital interface, used for capturing video and other data directly into a computer.

Inline Images

These are the graphics contained within a Web document.

I/O (Input/Output)

Sending signals to and from a device.

IP

The abbreviation for Internet Protocol, IP refers to the set of communication standards that control communications activity on the Internet. An IP address is the number assigned to any Internet-connected computer.

IPOD

A portable music player into which you may download and play/use music and other data.

ISP

Internet Service Provider: a service like AOL or the University, providing your connection to the Internet

ISDN

The abbreviation for Integrated Services Digital Network, ISDN is a telecommunications standard that uses digital transmission technology to support voice, video and data communications applications over regular telephone lines.

JPEG

The acronym for Joint Photographic Experts Group, JPEG is an image compression format used to transfer color photographs and images over computer networks. Along with GIF, it's one of the most common ways photos are moved over the Web.......................................................................................................................................Top

LAN

Local Area Network generally refers to a small interconnected group of computers networked together.

Links

These are the hypertext connections between Web pages. This is a synonym for hotlinks or hyperlinks.

Lossless Compression

A compression that returns all the original data when uncompressed.

Lossy Compression

Compression algorithms that throw out insignificant data in the compression process.

Mask.....................................................................................................................................................................Top

A blank graphic that covers a portion of the screen to allow another image to show through.

Matte

The process of using an electronic mask to cover part of a video image and replace it with another image.

Memory

Internal storage area in the computer. The term memory identifies data storage that comes in the form of chips, and the word storage is used for memory that exists on tapes or disks. Moreover, the term memory is usually used as a shorthand for physical memory.

MPEG, MP3, etc.

The acronym for Moving Pictures Expert Group, MPEG is an international standard for video compression and desktop movie presentation. MPEG achieves a high compression rate by storing only the changes from one frame to another, instead of each entire frame. A special viewing application is needed to run MPEG files on your computer like Windows Media Player or Real Player (both available free). MPEG-1 standard provides a video resolution of 352 X 240 at 30 frames per second (fps).  This produces video quality slightly below the quality of a home VHS videotape.  MPEG-2 (used by DVDs) offers resolutions of 720 X 480 at 60 fps, with full CD-quality audio.  This is sufficient for all the major TV standards, including NTSC and new high definition television.  MP3 is a format for high quality audio compression.........................................................................................................................Top

Non-Linear Editing

Editing systems where any piece of video is available almost instantly without having to run through it in real time, and that can be easily assembled in any order.

Node

A device attached to a network. A node uses the network as a means of communication and has an address on the network.

NTSC

The National Television Standards Committee is the group formed by the FCC to set the technical specifications for broadcast television.  NTSC also refers to U.S. television standards; 525 scan lines interlaced at 60 fields, making 30 frames per second......................................................................................................................................Top

Operating System (OS)

The primary program in a computer - without this the computer makes a fine door-stop. This program controls all functions within the computer and its communication to peripheral devices like disk drives, printer, keyboards, etc. Examples are: Windows, OSX, Linux, Unix, etc.

Pixel

(Picture Element)  The smallest dot that’s used to build an image on the screen.  In digital, a pixel contains data for its position, intensity and color on the screen.

PNG

Portable Network Graphics: a type of code for storing graphics (like JPG) used extensively in programs like Photoshop and Digital Image Pro, etc.

Protocol

A set of standards that define how traffic and communications are handled by a computer or network routers.

QuickTime

This is a digital video standard originally developed for Apple Macintosh computers and available on Windows computers as well. Special viewing applications are needed to run QuickTime movies like the Quicktime player available at http://www.apple.com (for both Mac’s & PC’s)............................................................................Top

Real

This is the most popular cross-platform digital video standard.  Real Networks (www.real.com) makes and distributes many free applications for streaming video on the web, including viewing, digitizing and server programs.

Real Time

In video editing, manipulation of the signal that takes place as the video plays.

Router

A communications device designed to transmit signals via the most efficient route possible.

Search Engine

This term refers to a program that helps users find information in databases, web sites, computer storage.

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Security

In recent years a must for all computers and networks - refers to firewalls, anti-virus programs, anti-spyware and spam protection.

Server

A computer system that manages and delivers information for client computers. Note: in an X-11 environment, the meanings of client and server are reversed.

SGML

The abbreviation for Standard Generalized Markup Language, SGML is an international standard for the publication and delivery of electronic information.

Shareware

This term refers to software that is available on public networks and BBSs. Users are asked to remit a small amount to the software developer if they continue to use the program.

Sizing Handles

Sometimes called “sizing squares,” are the little squares or diamonds that appear at the edge of an item when you select it in paint programs and others which allow you to resize or change the size or proportions of graphics and photos.

SLIP

The acronym for Serial Line Internet Protocol, SLIP refers to a method of Internet connection that enables computers to use phone lines and a modem to connect to the Internet without having to connect to a host.

SPAM

Electronic Junk Mail.

Streaming

Either “live” or “archived,” refers to the transmission of audio, video, or both over the Internet.  There are a number of different (some proprietary) methods of “streaming” but all basically differ from downloading and then playing a file in that one views (or hears) the files as it comes into the computer.  One does not have to wait till it is fully downloaded before one can enjoy the contents of the file.  The most popular streaming formats include:  Real, Quicktime, and Microsoft’s Media Player.

Sweetening

Improving the quality of a soundtrack, both by electronic filtering and by adding music, sound effects, narration, etc.

Synchronous Connection

An analog to analog or digital to digital connection that is able to perform two or more processes at the same time by means of a mutual timing signal or clock.

T-1

High-speed data line connection. T-1 operates at 1.45 Mbps. ..........................................................................Top

Tags

These are formatting codes used in HTML documents. Tags indicate how parts of a document will appear when displayed by browsing software.  E.g. “<B>Bold</B> would make the word between the two tags, “Bold.”

TCP-IP

The basic protocols controlling applications on the Internet; it stands for "Transfer control protocol/Internet protocol."

Timeline

(or story line)  1) The sequence of clips you put together when you’re editing; 2) In editing software, the graphic representation of the assembled audio and video clips. .....................................................................................Top

URL

This is what we call the address of a Web site.  It (URL) is the abbreviation for Uniform Resource Locator, the addressing system used in the World Wide Web and other Internet resources. The URL contains information about the method of access, the server to be accessed and the path of any file to be accessed.

USB

Universal Serial Bus: generally refers to a high-speed serial port on computers. Tivo uses USB ports to connect to computers and broadband connections. Most new printers connect to computer via this port.

Virus

A malicious program whose intention is to do damage to a computer or data. ..................................................Top

WAN

Wide Area Network: A large version or combinations of LANs, connecting computers over a larger geographical area.

Web Browser

This is the software that allows a user to access and view HTML documents. Examples of Web browsers include Netscape, Internet Explorer, Mosaic, etc.

Web Document

An HTML document that is browsable on the Web.

Webmaster

This term refers to the person in charge of administrating a World Wide Web site.

Web Page

An HTML document that is accessible on the Web.

Webspace

This term refers to the space created by the World Wide Web.

World Wide Web

Also known as WWW or W3, the World Wide Web is a hypertext- based Internet service used for browsing Internet resources.

Worm

Similar to a virus, a worm has as its intention to slow down or inhibit the functioning of a whole network or computer, generally by reproducing itself to the extent that all space or bandwidth is used up. Unlike a virus, a worm generally does not damage data, but prevents or slows down access to it. ......................................................................Top