Grass Valley Dictionary
Grass Valley Dictionary
Dictionary of Technical Terms - M
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C D E F G
H I J K L M
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M
M
Mega. One million.
m
Milli. One one-thousandth (1/1000).
M-format
A component video format invented by Panasonic for
use in videotape recorders. The signal set consists of separate Y,
I, and Q signals. The M refers to the way in which the tape is
routed through the recording mechanism.
MII format
A second-generation component video format invented
by Panasonic for use in videotape recorders. The signal set
consists of separate Y, scaled R-Y and scaled B-Y signals. The M
refers to the way in which the tape is routed through the recording
mechanism.
mA
Milliampere. One one-thousandth of an ampere. (0.001
ampere).
MAC
Multiplexed Analog Component video. This is a means
of time multiplexing component analog video down a single
transmission channel such as coax, fiber or a satellite channel.
Usually involves digital processes to achieve the time
compression.
machine language
A computer language consisting of code numbers that
serve as direct instructions for controlling a computer. Machine
language is the lowest level of computer language.
machine room
A room near a studio and control room where the tape
machines and electronics frames associated with the video switching
and graphics equipment are located.
Macintosh(R)
An Apple(R) brand computer used in desktop video
production.
macro
A function that provides a one-key-stroke
streamlined operation in place of a procedure having many
keystrokes.
MAG
Magnitude. Also magnify.
magnitude (MAG
Related to switcher wipe rotation.
MAN
Metropolitan area network.
manipulation
In a digital picture manipulator, the various
processes used to alter a video image, such as transformations and
programmed effects.
mark in
To select the point where an edit will begin (the
first frame that will be recorded).
mark out
To select the point where an edit will end (the
first frame that will not be recorded).
mark table
A list of edit in and out points and the sources to
be used.
mask
A key mode that allows use of a wipe pattern, a box
shape, or an external mask signal to prevent some undesirable
portions of the key source from cutting a hole in the background.
The key occurs only in the area covered by the mask pattern; areas
not covered by the mask pattern consist entirely of background
video (no key).
mask bus
Hardware unique to the Kadenza switcher which
provides the K-MASK features, including modification of wipes,
keys, and mattes.
mask invert
A keyer mode similar to mask except that the sense
of the mask is inverted so that the key appears only in the area
not covered by the mask pattern. The area covered by the mask
pattern will consist entirely of background video (no key).
master
1. An original recording (video or audio tape, for
example) as opposed to a copy. 2. In the Master 21 switcher, those
customer-defined parameters entered during system setup.
MASTER Interactive Distance Learning
System
A fully interactive teaching and conferencing system
for multiple schools and classrooms made by Grass Valley.
MASTER 21™
A Grass Valley Group master control switcher.
master control system
The switching link for video and audio sources used
between a television facility and a transmitting device.
master reference synchronizing pulse generator
(master SPG)
A synchronizing pulse generator that is the
precision reference for an entire teleproduction facility.
MASTER SYSTEM™
Grass Valley Group interactive distance learning
system that uses a variety of telecommunications equipment.
master timing
The main sync pulse generator used as the reference
for any number of slave generators. A facility should have only one
active master sync generator to feed synchronizing signals around
the facility.
master/slave
1. In editing, the process in which one or more VTRs
(slaves) are controlled by another VTR (master). 2. In sync
generators, the process in which several sync generators (slaves)
are controlled by one main sync generator (master).
match
In editing, a command that calculates the match
frame for the time specified in the R-VTR's mark table IN
column.
match-frame edit
An edit in which a scene already recorded on the
master is continued with no apparent interruption.
material dispersion
A characteristic of fiber optic transmission in
which the velocity of light through a glass fiber varies with
wavelength of the transmitted signal. Material dispersion can
impair the bandwidth, information carrying, and distance capability
of the system.
matrices
Plural of matrix.
matrix
A logical network configured in a rectangular array
of intersections of input-output leads. In routing switchers, a
signal switching frame configured such that any frame input may be
selected at any frame output. In a color television set or an
encoded chroma keyer, the section that combines the luminance and
color signals and transforms them into individual red, green, and
blue signals. In the TV set, these signals are then applied to the
picture-tube grids. In the encoded chroma keyer, these signals are
used to generate a chroma key.
matte
A solid color signal that may be adjusted for
chrominance, hue, and luminance. Matte is used to fill areas of
keys and borders.
matte background
A solid color created from a matte generator and
used as a background for a key.
matte copy
In video switchers, the ability to copy the settings
of one matte generator to another.
matte fill
Matte video used to fill the hole in a key
effect.
matte generator
A video generator that produces a solid-color output
which can be adjusted for hue, chroma and luminance.
matte key
A key effect in which the inserted fill video is
created by a matte generator.
MAU
Medium access unit. A device for connecting
equipment to an ethernet network.
mbps
Megabits per second. Digital transmission speed in
millions of bits per second.
MCF Video Transmission System
A fiber optic multichannel digitized video and audio
transport system made by Grass Valley.
M/E
Mix/effects.
meter
Unit of measure of length. One meter equals 3.28
feet or 39.37 inches.
mezzanine
A printed circuit board that mounts on top of
another printing circuit board to form a sandwich or stack.
Sometimes called a submodule or daughterboard.
megabyte (Mbyte)
One million bytes (actually 220 or 1,048,576); one
thousand kilobytes.
megahertz (MHz)
One million Hertz.
megohm (Meg, M ohm )
One million ohms.
megawatt (M)W
One million watts.
MFJ
Modification of final judgement.
micro
One one-millionth (0.000001)
microampere
One millionth of an ampere (0.000001 ampere).
microprocessor
An IC package incorporating logic, memory, control,
computer and/or interface circuits.
microsecond
One millionth of a second (0.000001 second).
microvolt
One millionth of a volt (0.000001 volt).
microwatt
One millionth of a watt (0.000001 watt).
microwave
A term applied to waves in the frequency range of
1000 megahertz and upward.
Miller squared coding
A DC-free channel coding scheme used in D2 VTRs.
milli
One one-thousandth (1/1000).
millimeter (mm)
One thousandth of a meter (0.001 meter). There are
25.4 mm per inch.
millisecond (ms)
One thousandth of a second (0.001 second).
millivolt (mV)
One thousandth of a volt (0.001 volt).
milliwatt (mW)
One thousandth of a watt (0.001 watt).
mix (dissolve, crossfade)
A transition between two video signals in which one
signal is faded down as the other is faded up.
mix/effects (M/E)
A subsystem of a video production switcher where a
composite of two or more images can be created. Each M/E typically
includes crosspoint buses, keyer(s), and mixer.
mixer
1. European term for production switcher. Complete
term is vision mixer. 2. A circuit which can mix two or more video
signals. 3. An audio console for combining audio sources.
MML
Man-machine language. A programming language that
allows a user direct programming access to machine functions.
modal dispersion
See intermodal dispersion.
modem
A device that transforms a typical two-level
computer signal into a form suitable for transmission over a
telephone line. Also does the reverse-transforms an encoded signal
on a telephone line into a two-level computer signal. Modem is an
acronym for modulator/demodulator.
modulator
A circuit that modifies a carrier wave by amplitude,
phase, and/or frequency.
module
A printed circuit board or assembly that contains
electronic components and slides into a cell.
module extender
See extender board.
moire
In video, a wavy pattern that appears as an artifact
in the picture. Caused by two high frequency signals in the picture
that mix together to create a visible low frequency beat
pattern.
monitor
1. In video, a device that directly displays a video
picture from a camera, videotape recorder, or special-effects
generator. 2. A verb meaning to watch or listen to a signal.
mono-black
See monochrome.
monochrome
Black and white video. A video signal that
represents the brightness values (luminance) in the picture, but
not the color values (chrominance).
monolithic
1. A single slice of silicon substrate on which an
integrated circuit is built. 2. Elements or circuits formed within
a single semiconductor substance.
montage effect
In digital picture manipulators, a recursive effect
that develops over time. A composite picture made up of several
different key frame pictures. See multifreeze.
MOS
Metal-oxide semiconductor. A type of semiconductor
material used in ICs.
mosaic effect
In digital picture manipulators, an effect where the
picture seems to be made up of a number of small squares or
tiles.
motherboard
A circuit board that accommodates plug-in cards or
daughterboards and makes interconnections between them. May also
provide cable input/output connections.
motion artifacts
Defects in the video picture that are evident during
motion.
motion decay
A digital picture manipulator effect in which
objects in motion are blurred.
motion estimation
An image compression technique that achieves
compression by describing only the motion differences between
adjacent frames, thus eliminating the need to convey redundant
static picture information from frame to frame. Used in the MPEG
standards.
MPEG 1, MPEG 2
Compression standards for moving images conceived by
the Motion Pictures Expert Group, an international group of
industry experts set up to standardize compressed moving pictures
and audio.
multifreeze
A digital picture manipulator key frame effect in
which a number of images are arranged on the screen to create a
montage.
ms
Millisecond. One-thousandth of a second (0.001
second).
MSA
Metropolitan service area.
MSB
Most significant bit. The bit that has the most
value in a binary number or data byte.
MS-DOS
A computer operating system developed by Microsoft
for IBM personal computers and compatibles.
MSO
Multiple system operator.
MTS
Message telecommunications service.
multiformat
Ability to process multiple signal types, such as
standard digital, analog component, and analog composite inputs and
outputs.
multilayering
Layering of several video sources together at one
time. This can reduce the number of recording passes required to
create a complex effect of many layers.
multilayer effects
A generic term for a mix/effects system that allows
multiple video images to be combined into a composite.
multichannel mode
A method of control panel delegation in which the
panel is in control of more than one channel of a digital picture
manipulator.
multimode effect
An effect that results from the difference in time
required for different light signals to traverse the length of a
multimode optical fiber.
multimode fiber
An optical fiber with a relatively large core
diameter anywhere between 25 and 200 microns in which more than one
mode of light propagation takes place.
multiplex
1. To transmit two or more signals at the same time
or on the same carrier frequency. 2. To combine two or more
electrical signals into a single, composite signal.
multiplexer (mux)
Device for combining two or more electrical signals
into a single, composite signal.
multiplication
1. In switchers, the duplication of wipe patterns.
Instead of one pattern, multiple patterns all of the same shape
appear on screen. 2. Signal mixing that takes place within a
multiplier circuit.
multiplicative key
Method of keying that uses a multiplier controlled
by a key signal to key a fill video signal into a background video
signal. The key signal shapes the fill and background into
complementary shapes that fit together to make a composite image.
See also multiplier.
multiplied effect, multimove
In digital picture manipulators, an effect in which
multiple copies of the picture are produced.
multiplier
A control circuit in which a control signal is
multiplied with one or more video signals. The resulting video
output signal is a mix of the input video signals. The ratio of the
mix is determined by the control signal. A typical formula
governing the output of a video multiplier is XY + (1-X)Z, where X
is the control signal and Y and Z are the video inputs.
mute
A mode that turns off the audio output to the
monitor speakers. Used when a microphone is in the same room as the
monitor.
mV
Millivolt. One one-thousandth of a volt (0.001
volt).
mW
Milliwatt. One one-thousandth of a watt. (0.001
watt).
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