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Dictionary of Technical Terms - M


A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Num

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).
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Num

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We've recently redesigned our website so your bookmarked links may no longer work. Please use either the search bar at the top right of this page or select an area from one of the tabs above to find what you are looking for.

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About Technicolor| Investor Center| Press| Careers| Technology

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