IDE Acronym for Integrated Drive Electronics, a common hard disk interface for PCs. Most disk controller logic is on the drive itself, not on the controller board.

image compression Method of reducing the amount of data stored in a file containing a digital image.

image enhancer Video signal processor that compensates for picture detail losses and distortion occurring in recording and playback. Exaggerates transitions between light and dark areas by enhancing high frequency region of video spectrum.

image sensor See pickup.

in-camera editing Assembling finished program "on the fly" as you videotape simply by activating and pausing camcorder's record function. Reduces or eliminates post-production work, but allows less control over finished program and usually imposes quality concessions. [See edit.]

incident light That which emanates directly from a light source, measured from the object it strikes to the source. [See reflected light.]

indexing Ability of some VCRs to electronically mark specific points on videotape for future access, either during the recording process (VISS: VHS index search system) or as scenes are played back (VASS: VHS address search system).

insert edit Recording video and/or audio segment(s) within/between existing footage without disturbing what precedes and follows. Must replace recording of same length. [See edit, assemble edit.]

interlaced video Describes the refresh method that most televisions use. Process of scanning frames in two passes, each painting every other line on the screen, with scan lines alternately displayed in even and odd fields. NTSC is interlaced; most computers produce a noninterlaced video signal. [See noninterlaced.]

iris Camcorder's diaphragm lens opening or aperture, regulates amount of light entering camera. Size measured in f-stops. [See f-stop.]

irrelevance Irrelevant (unimportant) information can be eliminated during image data compression because the human eye does not recognize that the information is missing.

jack Any female socket or receptacle, usually on the backside of video and audio equipment; accepts plug for circuit connection.

jitter Video image aberration seen as slight, fast vertical or horizontal shifting of a picture or portion of one.

jog/shuttle Manual control on sophisticated VCRs, facilitates viewing and editing precision and convenience. Jog ring moves tape short distances to show a frame at a time; shuttle dial transports tape forward or reverse more rapidly for faster scanning.

JPEG Acronym for Joint Photographic Experts Group. JPEG is one standard used for compressing images.

jump cut Unnatural, abrupt switch from and to shots identical in subject but slightly different in screen location. Awkward progression makes subject appear to jump from one screen location to another. Remedied with cutaway.

Kelvin Temperature scale used to define the color of a light source; abbreviated as "K." [See color temperature.]

key light Principal illumination source on a subject or scene, normally positioned slightly off center and angled to provide shadow detail. [See back light, fill light, three-point lighting.]

keystoning Perspective distortion from a flat object being shot by a camera at other than a perpendicular angle. Nearer portion of object appears larger than farther part.

lag Camera pickup's retention of an image after the camera has been moved, most common under low light levels. Comet tailing is a form of lag.

laser disk A medium for storing analog video. Laser disks are a read-only medium.

lavaliere Small, easily concealed, unobtrusive, and aesthetically pleasing microphone, typically attached to clothing or worn around the neck for interview settings.

linear editing Analog, tape-based editing. Called linear because scenes are laid in a line along the tape. Has many disadvantages, such as the need to rewind and fast forward and the inability to insert footage without re-recording everything that follows. Compare with nonlinear editing.

lip sync Proper synchronization of video with audio -- lip movement with audible speech. Better known as technique widely practiced with music video recordings, whereby "vocalists" mime to playback of prerecorded music. [See synchronous sound.]

long shot Camera view of a subject or scene, usually from a distance, showing a broad perspective. [See closeup, establishing shot, medium shot.]

LP Acronym for Long Play. Middle tape speed of a VHS VCR, accommodating four-hour recordings. [See EP, SP.]

LTC Acronym for Longitudinal Time Code. Frame identification numbers encoded as an audio signal and recorded lengthwise on the edge of a tape. (See time code, VITC).

luminance Black-and-white portion of video signal, carries brightness information representing picture contrast, light and dark qualities; frequently abbreviated as "Y." [See chrominance.]

lux Amount of lumens in a square meter. Means of measuring a camcorder's low-light sensitivity -- minimum amount of illumination required to record an "acceptable" image. Lower the lux reading the greater the sensitivity.

macro Lens capable of extreme closeup focusing, useful for intimate views of small subjects.

master Original recorded videotape footage; "edited master" implies original copy of tape in its edited form. Duplications constitute generational differences.

matched dissolve Dissolve from one image to another that's similar in appearance or shot size. [See dissolve.]

medium shot Defines any camera perspective between long shot and closeup, whereby subjects are viewed from medium distance. [See closeup, long shot.]

memory effect Power-loss phenomenon alleged of NiCad -- camcorder batteries, attributed to precisely repetitive partial discharge followed by complete recharge, or long-term overcharge. Considered misnomer for "voltage depression" and "cell imbalance."

mic "Mike," short for "microphone."

MIDI Acronym for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. System of communication between digital electronic instruments allowing synchronization and distribution of musical information.

mix [1:audio] Combining two or more sound sources, with various channels controlled to achieve desired balance of single audio signal output. Executed with audio mixer. [2:video] Combining video signals from two or more sources.

model release Agreement to be signed by anyone appearing in a video work, protecting videomaker from right of privacy lawsuit. Specifies event, date, compensation provisions, and rights being waived.

monitor [1:video] Television set without receiving circuitry, wired to camcorder or VCR for display of live or recorded video signals. Most standard TVs have dual- function capability as monitor and receiver. [See receiver.] [2:audio] Synonymous with speaker.

monopod One-legged camera support. [See tripod.]

montage Rapid sequence of video shots assembled to communicate a particular image or mood. Juxtaposition of seemingly unrelated material can conjure new idea or message.

mosaic Electronic special effect whereby individual pixels comprising an image are blown up into larger blocks -- a kind of checkerboard effect. [See DVE.]

motion JPEG Format used in Video for Windows for storing JPEG video sequences, as specified by Microsoft.

MPEG Acronym for Motion Pictures Expers Group. A standard used for compressing moving images.