Update your geek knowledge, Video Editing terminology

This post contains terminologies and their definitions related to Video Editing in a Computer. For details, you are suggested to google them. The definitions are adapted from Nero 9. If you are looking for Disc Burning terminology, visit this post.

AVCHD
The Advanced Video High Definition is a new file format for HD captures on DVD, memory
card or hard drive. Especially new camera modules use high-resolution formats that capture
AVCHD in various variants (e.g. 1920x1080i or 1080p). The video material is compressed
with the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 codec. Audio is saved in AC3 (Adaptive Transform Coder 3)
format or for the standard NTSC and PAL formats in Linear PCM format.

Bit rate
Bit rate refers to the amount of data (binary digits) that is transmitted within a time unit (generally
1 second), i.e. in bits/s. The higher the bit rate, the better the image quality.

Blu-ray
Blu-ray technology refers to burning on special data carriers. In comparison to DVD's, which
use a red laser in order to read and write data, Blu-ray discs are written with a blue laser.
The shorter wavelength (405 nm) of this blue laser makes it possible to position the laser
with greater accuracy. Data can be written in a more compact manner and takes up less
space on the disc. A Blu-ray disc can store up to 25 GB on a single layer disc and up to 50
GB on a dual layer disc.

Book Type
The book type defines the specification (e.g. DVD-, DVD+, DVD-ROM) of a DVD. In order to
ensure correct playback, the DVD specifications are defined in books so that all media can
be read correctly. The specifications are defined in the so-called Rainbow Books, which are
distinguished by means of their color (e.g. Yellow Book).

Capturing
The capturing depicts the transmission of, e.g. audio or video data in their original quality on
the computer. Here the data can then be further edited.

Digital TV Card
With a digital TV card, digitally transmitted content can be received. Digital TV signals are
compared to analog signals by their higher quality,

Disc format
Disc format defines the the format in which the data is organized on a disc. For example, the
disc format DVD-VR is only supported by and can only be used with DVD-RW and DVDRAM
discs. For example, Video CD (VCD), Super Video CD (SVCD), miniDVD and (if supGlossary
ported) HD-BURN can be burned to CD-R and CD-RW disc formats. The technical options
available, such as subtitle or multiple sound tracks, are a factor of the disc format.

Disc type
Disc type refers to different optical storage media with different specifications. The best
known are CD's and DVD's that can be written to once or multiple times, and which are manufactured
with different storage capacities.

Dual
The Dolby Digital compression procedure is a multi-channel sound system that is used on
DVDs, in cinemas.and on TV. It supports bit rates of 32 kbits/s to 448 kbits/s and permits a
high grade sound reproduction over up to 6 channels.

Dual tuner card
If you wish to simultaneously see a TV channel and wish to capture another one, then a second
tuner must be integrated in the TV card.

DVD+VR
The DVD+Video format recording (video mode) is a particular variant of the DVD-Video offering
three possibilities missing on DVD-Video: 1) On-the-fly capture of videos on the disc in
real time is possible. 2)The data on the disc can later be edited and altered. 3) More video
titles can be added if space is still available on the disc. This means that a DVD+VR is similar
to a video cassette, but of a far superior quality. Once the disc has been finalized, the
DVD+VFR format is essentially compatible with DVD-Video and can be played in most DVD
players. The storage capacity doubles for burning to a DVD+R DL disc as does the space for
the DVD+VR.

DVD-VFR
The DVD-Video format recording (video mode) is a particular variant of the DVD-Video offering
three possibilities missing on DVD-Video: 1) On-the-fly capture of videos on the disc in
real time is possible. 2) the data on the disc can subsequently be edited and changed. 3)
More video titles can be added if space is still available on the disc. This means that a DVDVFR
(video mode) is similar to a video cassette, but of a far superior quality. DVD-VFR (video
mode) allows you to create menus like DVD-Video, although without chapter menus and
playlists. A DVD-VFR is compatible with DVD-Video as far as possible after finalizing the
disc and can be played back on most DVD players.

DVD-Video
The DVD-Video disc format uses the MPEG-2 video codec for compressing video files onto
a DVD. This compression allows a 4.38 GB DVD-R/-RW/+R/+RW to hold up to 135 minutes
of video with significantly higher quality than that achieved with a VHS video or with a video
CD. The disc can be played on most DVD players, which means, for example, that you can
store home videos with very high quality. Computer DVD drives with appropriate software
can also play DVD-Video. A DVD-DL disc (DL = double layer) doubles the storage capacity
of a disc and, as a result, the space for a DVD-Video.

DVD-VR
The DVD video recording is a particular variant of the format of the DVD-Video, which offers
three possibilities that are missing on the DVD-Video: 1) the direct capturing of videos on the
disc is possible in real-time. 2) The data on the disc can subsequently be edited and changed.
3) If there is place still available on the disc, then further video titles can be added. This
means that a DVD-VR is similar to a video cassette, but of a far superior quality. The DVDVR
is specifically designed for capturing directly to disc. A graphics menu is not supported,
but playlists are created instead. Furthermore, the sound track cannot be changed, i.e. it is
not possible to edit or add to the existing track. DVD-VR is not compatible with DVD-Video
and can only be played on special DVD players.

FireWire
FireWire is an interface for the transfer of data at high speed; it was developed for hardware
such as camcorders or hard drives. The serial high-speed bus allows for transfers of 100 to
400 Mbit/s in the so-called IEEE 1394a or FireWire 400 standard and up to 3.20 Mbit/s in the
so-called IEEE 1394b or FireWire 800 standard.

Frame Rate
The frame rate denotes the number of pictures, which are shown per second. The unit is fps
(frames per second). The higher the relationship the more fluid the movements become.

Hybrid tuner card
A hybrid tuner card provides the possibility of receiving TV signals digital terrestrially as well
as analog via cable.

LPCM
The Linear Pulse Code Modulation permits the loss-free capture of digitally coded analog
signals. This technology makes possible the saving of up to 8 channels in different sampling
rates and sampling depths on a single DVD.

MPEG-1
The Moving Picture Experts Group defined this industry standard for video and audio codecs.
MPEG-1 is part of the MPEG compression family and has the highest compression rate.
MPEG-1 is the format for video CDs.

MPEG-2
The Moving Picture Experts Group defined this industry standard for video and audio codecs.
There is little difference between MPEG-1 and MPEG-2: MPEG-2 is a broadcast standard
and better for televisions that are interlaced. MPEG-2 is used as a video format for
DVDs.

MPEG-4
The Moving Picture Experts Group defined this industry standard for video and audio codecs.
MPEG-4 is the latest MPEG standard for video and audio. MPEG-4 combines several
functions from MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and other standards. Nero Digital™ Video and Nero Digital
™ Audio are based on this standard.

Nero Digital
Various MPEG-4 video and audio codecs are collated in Nero Digital and are fully compatible
with the standard MPEG-4. Nero AG is continuing to develop these. In this way a substantially
higher quality of the multi-media data is achieved. Further, additional features such
as subtitles have been implemented.

NTSC
The national television system Committee Standard is a standard for video and TV in the
USA and Japan. NTSC has more individual frames (29.97 frames per second) than PAL, but
has fewer horizontal lines (525 lines).

PAL
The Phase Alternation Line procedure is the TV standard applicable for Europe. PAL possesses
625 lines per screen and the film transmission speed is 25 pictures per second. These
are transmitted in the so-called line-jump procedure where a picture with all the odd lines
and then a picture with all the even lines are created. This corresponds to a half-picture frequency
of 50 Hz.

SmartEncoding
SmartEncoding checks whether your contents are compatible with the respective formats or
are coded into the respective format. This saves time so that coding of the formats can be
dispensed with. The file is not converted only "packed differently". Thus, the contents maintain
their original quality.

Super resolution
The interpolation with super resolution algorithms permits an increase of resolution in picture
and video material. Thus, for instance, old DVDs can be converted to HD material. The increase
in resolution is the result, among others of information on previous and following pictures.

TWAIN
TWAIN is a standard for the exchange of data between a picture input device such as a
scanner and a software for purposes of further editing.

VBR
Material encoded with a variable bit rate (variable data rate) generally provides a better quality
in contrast to normal saving of audio or video files with a fixed bit rate (CBR, Constant Bit
Rate). With a variable data rate individual time sections can be coded with differently customized
data rates. Movement area scenes in videos are stored with a higher data rate than
stationary pictures. Strongly moving scenes thus require more storage space that can be saved
with less mobile scenes.

VCD
The Video Compact Disc saves movies and audio/video data in MPEG-1 format. In doing so,
the video quality from a VCD is similar to a VHS video. VCDs can store up to 74 minutes of
video material including stereo sound on a 650 MB disc. Most optical PC drives and DVD
players can play VCDs.

WMV
The Windows Media Video format is a video codec from Microsoft. The coding is comparable
with the MPG-4 format. The copy DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection is also supported
by the WMV format.

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