TV Production I Exam #1

Common Control Interface

A control surface on an audio board that, when activated, permits the modification of a specific input fader on an audio board.

Master Fader

A fader on the audio board that controls the signal strength of audio program.

Clip Store

A flash memory-based area in a video switcher that can hold short, pre-recorded video clips.

eMem (Electronic Memory)

A flash memory-based storage device built into a video switcher. Save and recall switcher set-ups.

Come-Up

A command cue that instructs the TD to engage a dissolve (or fade) from Black to the video source in Preview.

Take

A command cue to "cut" the video source in Preview to Program.

Sneak

A command cue to slowly fade in an audio source.

Teleprompting Computer

A computer located in the control room that contains the script for the TV program. Converts the script from text to video and allows the controller to "scroll" through the script.

Character Generator (CG)

A computer located in the control room that generates video text (words) that can be keyed over a picture or used alone as a video source.

Gain - audio related

A control on the audio board that permits the amplification of an incoming signal.

Gain - key related

A control on the video switcher that permits the amplification of the video source assigned to the key bus.

Mono

One, unique, individual channel of audio.

3D Animation

Three-dimensional graphic that is programmed with movement.

Fade - video related

To engage a dissolve (mix) either up from Black to an active video source or down to Black.

Fade - audio related

To slowly increase or decrease the strength of an audio source.

Stereo

Two, unique, individual channels of audio.

2D Animation

Two-dimensional graphic that is programmed with movement.

Fader Bar or Paddle

A T-shaped handle in the Transition Area on the video switcher that permits manual control of wipes and dissolves.

Direct Access Key

A button on a switcher that will activate a key layer to program instantly, thus bypassing the traditional "transition area" on the switcher.

Channel One

A channel of audio, the left channel, that is sourced from a stereo audio source.

Channel Two

A channel of audio, the right channel, that is sourced from a stereo audio source.

Cross-Fade

A command cue for Audio to bring one audio source down while at the same time bringing another source up.

Spin

A command cue for graphics to activate a sequence of graphics or animation.

Roll

A command cue for playback to play a pre-recorded video clip.

Lose

A command cue for the TD to deactivate a key.

Tilt

A command cue for the camera operator to pivot the camera either upward or downward.

Pan

A command cue for the camera operator to pivot the camera left or right.

Pedestal - Command

A command cue for the camera operator to raise or lower the height of the camera.

Truck

A command cue for the camera operator to roll the entire camera unit to either the left or the right.

Dolly

A command cue for the camera operator to roll the entire camera unit toward or away from the set.

Filtering

A function of the audio board that permits the isolation of a specific frequency and the removal of all frequency response above or below that point.

Electronic Still Store (ESS)

A graphics computer that captures, stores, manages, sequences, and displays still-images.

Mix Effects Bus (ME)

A group of three rows of buttons on a video switcher. An M.E. is made up of a Preview Bus on the bottom row, a Program Bus on the middle row, and a Key Bus on the top row.

Multiviewer

A large, overhead video monitor that is divided into multiple video-viewing screens of varying sizes.

Directional Locks

A lock located on the pedestal dolly at the end of the strut that sets a line of direction to move in.

Wheel Lock

A lock located on the pedestal dolly wheel that prevents the wheel from rotating.

Percentage of Modulation (PM)

A measurement scale of audio signal strength on a 0 to 100 scale. Averages at 80%.

Volume Unit (VU)

A measurement scale of audio signal strength. Averages at 0.

Teleprompter

A one-way mirror and LCD panel.

Control Room

A physical space containing the staff and equipment that controls the flow and selection of audio and video in a TV program.

Master Control

A physical space in the TV station where the output of the station is controlled. Incoming microwave and satellite feeds are received and managed here. Commercial breaks, network feeds, pre-recorded programming, and live studio programming are controlled in this location.

Mic Check

A pre-production task where the A1 checks and balances the incoming signal strength of a studio mic.

Broadcast Engineer

A production crew member and station employee responsible for audio and video routing, signal quality, signal balance, and equipment repair.

Scene Dock

A room used for the storage of set materials.

Preview Bus

A row of buttons on the video switcher that permit the direct selection of the Preview Video Source. The bottom row of the M/E Bus.

Program Bus

A row of buttons on the video switcher that permit the direct selection of the Program Video Source. The middle row of the M/E Bus.

Key Bus

A row of buttons on the video switcher that permits the selection and assignment of a key video source. The top row of the M/E Bus.

Decibel Scale (dB)

A scale for measuring the strength of an audio signal. Averages at -20.

Aux Bus

A single row or a group of two rows of buttons on the video switcher that are selectively programmable.

Input Fader

A sliding knob on the audio board that controls the input signal strength of an individual audio source.

Output Fader

A sliding knob or set of knobs on the audio board that control the output signal strength of audio program.

Tripod Shoe

A small plate that is used to attach the camera plate to the tripod.

Viewfinder

A small video monitor located on the top of the studio TV camera that shows the operator what the camera is seeing.

Digital Video Effects (DVE)

A special effects processor either embedded within or hooked into the video switcher.

Solo

A switch on the audio board that permits the operator to isolate and monitor a single audio source apart from the mix.

Microphone

A transducer. Changes soundwaves into an electromagnetic signal.

Key

A video layer.

Wipe

A video transition that uses an effect to separate the outgoing video source from the incoming video source.

Dissolve

A video transition where one video source is gradually replaced by another.

Pedestal Steering Wheel

A wheel that is located mid-level on a studio camera pedestal that is used for pushing, pulling, and steering a studio TV camera.

Gain - video related

Amplification of a video signal.

Undermodulation

An audio signal of little electrical strength.

Overmodulation

An audio signal that is too strong. The excess electrical strength will distort the signal.

Line Source

An audio source that is generated at a normalized signal strength.

Digital Disk Recorder (DDR)

An audio/video playback and/or audio/video recording device.

Cut

An instant transition between two video sources.

Edit Mode

An operating mode of a teleprompter that permits changes to the script to be made.

Prompt Mode

An operating mode of a teleprompter where a script is actively in "recall" and "viewable" by the talent.

Audio Source

Any machine or device that generates an audio signal.

Video Playback Device

Any machine that can play a pre-recorded video clip.

Mic Source

Audio generated from a microphone. Weaker than audio generated by a Line Source. Need to be amplified before mixing with Line Sources.

CMOS

Chips inside cameras that convert light into video signals. Professional cameras have 3 CMOS, , one to image red, one to image green, and one to image blue.

Faders

Control the input and output flow of audio through the Audio Board.

Audio Board

Equipment that controls the selection, flow, modification, and mix of audio sources. An audio selection device.

Monitor Wall

Numerous video monitors that reveal video sources that can be selected from Preview Video and Program Video

Tally Light

Indicates whether the camera is "active" or selected to the program bus.

Lens

Interchangeable, sold separately, and the length tells you how far the cameras can see.

Head

Located above the steering wheel and allows the camera to tilt up and down.

Preview (PVW)

The video source that is on-deck, or next-in-line.

Grip

Production crew member responsible for assembling sets, managing boom-mounted mics, managing jib-mounted cameras, and other manual tasks.. Works in the studio.

Graphics

Production crew member responsible for creating, managing, sequencing, and playing back CG, still images, 3D models, and animations. Works in the control room.

Gaffer

Production crew member responsible for hanging, aiming, and tuning the lighting instruments. Often electricians. Works in the studio.

Pedestal Dolly

The bottom area of a camera w/ struts and wheels.

Left Stick

The camera's focus control.

Right Stick

The camera's zoom control.

Program (PGM)

The final mix of audio and/or video sources that is assembled as a TV program. What is live.

Audio Program

The final output of the audio board sent out for recording or broadcast.

Studio

The large space in a TV station where the set for a TV program is located. It contains lighting equipment, audio acquisition equipment, and the studio TV cameras.

Transition

The manner in which one video source replaces another.

Pedestal

The mount for the studio TV cameras.

Camera Operators

The people who control the cameras. Work in the studio. Referred to by their camera numbers; e.g. Camera 1, Camera 2, etc.

A2 / Audio Assistant

The person responsible for audio within the studio.

Floor Director

The person responsible for cuing the talent, relay command and timing information from the Control Room, assist other studio crew members, and are responsible for studio safety. Works in the studio.

Assistant Director

The person responsible for timing the show.

Audio / A1

The person who controls the audio board. Works in the control room.

Playback

The person who controls the playback devices. Works in the control room.

Prompter

The person who controls the teleprompter. Works in the control room. Often a part of the production staff.

Technical Director

The person who controls the video switcher. Works in the control room.

Video Background (BKGD)

The primary or dominant video source as used in Preview and Program.

Equalization (EQ)

The process of increasing or decreasing the sensitivity of a specific audio frequency or group of frequencies.