HD Terminology

Photo Courtesy Arizona Highways

The listings of HD terminology below is by no means comprehensive, it should offer a general overview. Of course, if you have any questions, feel free to contact Broadcast Rentals. No question is too simple or too complex. We have the technology and the people in place to assist with any aspect of your HD video production needs. Phoenix: 1-888-686-7368 San Diego: 1-800-804-1358

24p Standardized High Definition production frame rate (24 frames per second), progressively scanned.

30p Refers to 30 full frames per second of digital video, progressively scanned.

60i Describes an interlaced video signal where one-half of the lines that make up the picture are captured and displayed every 60th of a second.

60p Refers to a progressive video signal where one-half of the lines that make up the picture are captured and displayed every 60th of a second.

480p High Definition image with 480 vertical lines by 720 horizontal pixels, progressively scanned. Can be displayed as standard definition video in a 4:3 screen ratio, or as high definition in a 16:9 screen ratio.

720p High Definition production format with a sampling structure of 1280 Horizontal X 720 Vertical and operating at 60 frames per second progressively scanned.

1080i High Definition television image that is 1080 vertical lines by 1920 horizontal lines, interlaced. The screen ratio is 16:9.

1080p High Definition television image that is 1080 vertical lines by 1920 horizontal lines, progressively scanned. The screen ratio is 16:9.

4:1:1 Used in both High Definition and Standard Definition video to describe the ratio between luminance and chrominance samples. In a 4:1:1 sample, there is 1 set of color difference samples for every 4 luminance samples.

4:2:2 Similar to 4:1:1, a 4:2:2 sample has 2 sets of color difference samples to every 4 luminance samples resulting in a higher quality image than seen with the 4:1:1 sampling.

4:4:4 Used to define both standard and high definition video signals where sampling is done equally on the RGB components of the video signal. Very high quality images result.

16:9 Aspect Ratio Signifies the standardized width and height of the high definition video image.

Clear Scan Camera capability to digitally adjust the camera's scanning in order to adjust to a computer screen or other image display that appears in a camera shot. Minimizes or eliminates "screen roll".

Compression A method of reducing the amount of information required to reproduce a television image. Higher compression reduces the amount of digital data. However, high compression can degrade overall image quality. Expressed as a ratio i.e., 5:1 (5 to 1).

Digital A method of sending and/or recording information and data as a series of high (one's) and low (zero's) signals that are separated by a fixed period of time. Also used to describe a general method of recording, processing and distribution of video signals as binary data.

Filter In film production, various filters are used to correct the source of light in a scene with particular types of film stock. In video, filter wheels behind the lens as well as in front of the lens are used for differing lighting situations. Sometimes used for effects such as diffusion, polarization, star effects, etc.

Gamma A general description for the tonal quality of the video signal.

High Definition Television (HDTV) General term for digital television video format utilizing either 720 progressive lines of video, or 1080 lines, progressively or interlaced.

Interlaced Technique of imaging where all odd lines of a video image are captured, followed by capturing even lines. When the two image "fields" are put together the result is one "frame".

Knee Function of analog and digital cameras to adjust the highlights of a video image. Manual adjustments allow the camera operator to achieve a particular "look" to the image.

Progressive Scan Technique of imaging where all of the lines of the image are scanned with every vertical scan.

Resolution Refers to the overall clarity of a video signal. In both standard and high definition video, the Horizontal resolution is the maximum number of lines that are visible on a standardized resolution chart. Native resolution refers to the number of pixels on the screen and is used when referring to digital video camera and screens. Generally, progressively scanned images increase the definition of the image.

Standard Definition (SD) Digital video format with 480 scan lines (480i), similar to traditional analog video which has been in use since the 1950's.

White Balance Camera function that allows the operator to adjust what the camera sees as white under different lighting conditions. Also works in conjunction with the proper filters.