Luminance signal
The signal that determines the brightness of the
picture. Also called Y signal. One of the component
signals.
Metal tape
Magnetic tape coated with microscopic particles of
metal dispersed in a liquid binder. It allows high-
density recording.
Moisture condensation
Condensation of moisture on the tape transport
mechanisms. If moisture condenses on the head-
drum, the tape adheres to the drum and causes
malfunction.
Non-drop-frame mode
A mode of advancing the time code in such a way
that the difference in frame values between real
time and the time code is neglected. Using this
mode produces a difference of approximately 86
seconds per day between real time and time code,
which causes problems when editing programs in
units of seconds using the number of frames as a
reference.
Oxide tape
Magnetic tape coated with microscopic particles of
ferric oxide dispersed in a liquid binder.
R-Y signal
A chrominance signal determined by subtracting
the Y (luminance) signal from the R (red) signal.
One of the component signals.
Reference video signal
A video signal consisting of a sync signal or sync
and burst signals, used as a reference.
SMPTE
Society of Motion Picture and Television
Engineers.
S/N ratio
Abbreviation of Signal-to-Noise ratio. The higher
the S/N ratio, the less noise and higher the picture
quality.
Search mode
A VTR mode used when searching for specific
scenes, by viewing the video output or time codes
while playing back the tape at various speeds in
forward or reverse direction.
Servo lock
Synchronizing the drum rotation phase and tape
transport phase with a reference signal during
.playback and recording so that the video heads
scan the tape in the same pattern during playback
and recording.
Superimpose
To put a picture (or a set of characters) onto
another so that both can be seen at the same time.
S-video input connector
A connector that inputs Y (luminance) and C
(chrominance) signals separately to reduce
interference between Y and C signals, and to help
reproduce noiseless images.
Sync signal
A reference signal consisting of vertical and
horizontal sync signals used for synchronizing the
scanning patterns of the video camera and the
monitor.
TBC
Abbreviation of Time Base Corrector. Electronic
circuits to electrically stabilize the playback
signals by removing color variation and roll in the
playback picture caused by irregularity in drum
rotation and tape movement. Time base
correction reduces deterioration of picture quality
when transmitting or copying playback signals.
Time code
Signals recorded on the tape to supply
information on tape position such as the hour,
minute, second and frame, to assist in setting edit
points or searching for particular scenes. There
are two types of time code: LTC and VITC.
Tracking
Electrically controlling the video head so that the
playback phase matches the recording phase of
the tape. Especially when playing back the tape
with a VTR other than the one used for recording,
adjusting the tracking prevents noise from
appearing on the picture.
User bits
Sections of the time code consisting of a total of
32 bits used for recording information such as the
year, month and day, tape ID number or a
program ID number.
Appendixes A-7 (E)
