Audio/Video Glossary

A compact consumer videocassette record/playback tape format utilizing eight millimeter wide magnetic tape. A worldwide standard established by Sony in 1983, the small size of the cassette made the palm-sized camcorder a reality. Hi-8 is a format offshoot which increases the horizontal video resolution to over 400 lines, improving reproduced picture quality, sharpness and detail. The two formats are incompatible although Hi-8 equipment can record and play standard 8mm tapes.

EAN (European Article Number)

A unique thirteen-digit catalog number assigned to a compact disc in order to identify it when sold commercially. The number, controlled by the EAN Council located at Rue des Colonies, 54-BTE8, 1000 Brussels, Belgium, is written in the disc’s Table of Contents. The U.S. equivalent is known as the UPC.

ECC (Error Correction Code)

A system of scrambling and recording redundant data onto disc as it is premastered. On playback this redundant information helps to detect and correct errors that may arise during data transmission.

EDC (Error Detection Code)

32 bits in each sector which are used to detect errors in the sector data.

EDIT CONTROL

A connection on a video tape machine, VCR or camcorder which allows direct communication with external edit control devices. (e.g., Sony P2, LANC (Control-L and Control-M).

EDITING

The action of adding, removing, reordering or manipulating selected portions of audio, video or film program material in order to create a new, combined version. In the 1950s, audio and video material was edited like film, with razor blades and splicing blocks. While this continues to be the preferred way to edit the "celluloid" medium of film, it left much to be desired for the "electronic" mediums of audio and video.

Video was first to take advantage of early "electronic editing" systems in the 1960s, by using multiple video recorders. Unfortunately, audio continued to be edited "the old fashion way" throughout the 1970s. With the advent of digital audio and video hard disk recording in the 1980s, extremely precise edits can now be accomplished in a fraction of the time it took previously. Edits can now be previewed and reversed if necessary, a difficult job if the tape was cut.

Professional video editing is done using time code recorded on every frame of the magnetic tape, allowing single frame accuracy. Audio editing is often carried out simultaneously with video editing. In the last half of the 20th century, we have seen the editing process evolve into a highly specialized art form. Editing is probably the most important aspect of storytelling, responsible for the cinematic masterpieces we see today.

EDIT POINT

The location in an audio or video program where a production event or change occurs (e.g., audio segue or video dissolve/wipe).

EDL (Edit Decision List)

A list of a video production’s edit points. An EDL is a record of all original videotape scene location time references, corresponding to a production’s transition events. EDLs are usually generated by computerized editing equipment and saved for later use and modification.

EFM (Eight to Fourteen Modulation)

Used on every compact disc for modulation and error correction.

EIA RS-170A

The timing specification standard for NTSC broadcast video equipment.

ELECTRET MICROPHONE

A condenser microphone that converts (transduces) acoustic energy into electrical energy using electrostatic principles. Instead of requiring an external high voltage power source like phantom power, these mics have permanently charged elements, requiring only a low voltage battery for the internal preamp. Although much improved today, the permanent element charge can degrade over time if mishandled, which is why this microphone design is only used as a cheaper alternative to the standard condenser mic.

ELECTROFORMING

A means of creating a “father” metal master disc by electroplating nickel onto the glass master until a sheet of nickel has been built up to a usable thickness (typically 0.3mm). Although this metal master could be used as a stamper to replicate discs, it usually undergoes further processing to create a “mother” metal master disc from which stampers are then made.

EMPHASIS

In an effort to improve the already excellent signal-to-noise ratio of the compact disc, CDs (as well as digital tapes) can be recorded with emphasis. If used, the recording is made with a high frequency boost (called Emphasis). During playback, a corresponding high frequency rolloff is applied (called Deemphasis) and in theory, the signal-to-noise ratio is improved. An automatic data flag in the CD’s PQ subcode, tells the player when to apply the deemphasis. There have been many problems with the use of emphasis (loss of headroom, wrong PQ codes, inaccurate deemphasis circuits) and therefore most CDs made today do not use emphasis.

ENCODE

The process of combining separate signal components, e.g., red, green and blue, into one composite analog or digital video signal.

ENG (Electronic News Gathering)

News production done on location, sometimes taped and sometimes live, but usually with an imminent deadline.

ENHANCING

Improving a video image by boosting the high frequency content lost during recording. There are several types of enhancement. The most common accentuates edges between light and dark images.

EXABYTE

System for recording/reading digital data using 8mm video cassettes. One of the preferred mediums for sending audio data to CD replicators.

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