Tektronix: Video Test > Video Glossary Part 3
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Video Terms and Acronyms Glossary P Pack – A layer in the MPEG system coding syntax for MPEG systems Packet Video – The integration of video coding and channel coding to program streams. A pack consists of a pack header followed by zero or communicate video over a packetized communication channel. Usually more packets. It is a layer in the system coding syntax. these techniques are designed to work in the presence of high packet jitter Pack Slip – A lateral slip of select tape windings causing high or low and packet loss. spots (when viewed with tape reel laying flat on one side) in an otherwise Packets – A term used in two contexts: in program streams, a packet is smooth tape pack. Pack slip can cause subsequent edge damage when a unit that contains one or more presentation units; in transport streams, the tape is played, as it will unwind unevenly and may make contact with a packet is a small, fixed size data quantum. the tape reel flange. Packing Density – The amount of digital information recorded along the Packed 24-Bit – A compression method where a graphics accelerator length of a tape measured in bit per inch (bpi). transfers more than one bit on each clock cycle, then reassembles the Padding – A method to adjust the average length of an audio frame in fragmented pixels. For example, some chips can transfer 8, 24-bit pixels time to the duration of the corresponding PCM samples, by continuously in three clocks instead of the four normally required, saving bandwidth. adding a slot to the audio frame. Packed Pixel – Color information for a pixel packed into one word of Page – Usually a block of 256 addresses. The lower eight bits of an memory data. For a system with few colors, this packed pixel may require address therefore specify the location within the page, while the upper only a part of one word of memory; for very elaborate systems, a packed eight bits specify the page. pixel might be several words long. See Planar Painter’s Algorithm – In traditional painting, paint is applied in layers, Packet – a) A unit of information sent across a (packet-switched) network. and the last paint applied is what is visible. Digitally, the last value placed A packet generally contains the destination address as well as the data in a pixel determines its color. to be sent. b) A packet consists of a header followed by a number of contiguous bytes from an elementary data stream. It is a layer in the Pairing – A partial or complete failure of interlace in which the scanning system coding syntax. lines of alternate fields do not fall exactly between one another but tend to fall (in pairs) one on top of the other. Packet Data – Contiguous bytes of data from an elementary data stream present in the packet. PAL – See Phase Alternate Line. Packet Identifier (PID) – a) MPEG-2 transmits transport stream data PAL 60 – This is a NTSC video signal that uses the PAL color subcarrier in packets of 188 bytes. At the start of each packet is a packet identifier frequency (about 4.43 MHz) and PAL-type color modulation. It is a further (PID). Since the MPEG-2 data stream might be in multi-program mode, adaptation of NTSC 4.43, modifying the color modulation in addition to the receiver has to decide which packets are part of the current channel changing the color subcarrier frequency. It was developed by JVC in the being watched and pass them onto the video decoder for further process- 1980s for use with their video disc players, hence the early name of ing. Packets that aren’t part of the current channel are discarded. Four “Disk-PAL”. There is a little-used variation, also called PAL 60, which is types of PIDs are typically used by receivers. The VPID is for the video a PAL video signal that uses the NTSC color subcarrier frequency (about stream and the APID is for the audio stream. Usually reference-timing data 3.58 MHz), and PAL-type color modulation. is embedded into the video stream, though occasionally a PCR (program PAL Format – A color television format having 625 scan lines (rows) of clock reference) PID is used to synchronize the video and audio packets. resolution at 25 frames per second (25 Hz). See PAL. Compare NTSC The fourth PID is used for data such as the program guide and information Format. about other frequencies that make up the total package. b) A unique PALE – See Phase Alternating Line Encoding. integer value used to associate elementary streams of a program in a single- or multi-program transport stream. Palette – a) The limited set of colors that a computer can simultaneously display. A typical palette contains 256 unique colors, chosen from over Packet Switched Network – Network that transmits data in units called 16 million possible colors. An “optimized palette” refers to a palette whose packets. The packets can be routed individually over the best available colors are chosen to best represent the original colors in a particular network connection and reassembled to form a complete message at the graphic or series of graphics. b) A central location for user-selectable destination. buttons, which you can map to various functions for ease of use. The Packet Switching – The method of dividing data into individual packets command palette houses all the user-selectable buttons that allow you with identification and address, and sending these packets through a to perform a wide range of commands with a single click of the mouse. switched network. Palette Flash – A phenomenon caused by simultaneously displaying more than one bitmap or video that do not share the same palette. 168168168 www.tektronix.com/video_audio Video Terms and Acronyms Glossary PALplus, PAL+ – PALplus (ITU-R BT.1197) is 16:9 aspect ratio version Parallel Data – Transmission of data bits in groups along a collection of of PAL, and is compatible with standard (B, D, G, H, I) PAL. Normal (B, D, wires (called a bus). Analogous to the rows of a marching band passing G, H, I) PAL video signals have 576 active scan lines. If a film is broadcast, a review point. A typical parallel bus may accommodate transmission of usually 432 or fewer active scan lines are used. PALplus uses these one 8-, 16-, or 32-bit byte or word at a time. unused “black” scan lines for additional picture information. The PALplus Parallel Device – Any hardware device that requires a parallel cable decoder mixes it with the visible picture, resulting in a 16:9 picture with connection to communicate with a workstation. the full resolution of 576 active scan lines. Widescreen televisions without the PALplus decoder, and standard (B, D, G, H, I) PAL TVs, show a standard Parallel Digital – A digital video interface which uses twisted pair wiring picture with about 432 active scan lines. PALplus is compatible with and 25-pin D connectors to convey the bits of a digital video signal in standard studio equipment. The number of pixels of a PALplus picture parallel. There are various component and composite parallel digital video is the same as in (B, D, G, H, I) PAL, only the aspect ratio is different. formats. Pan – Term used for a type of camera movement, to swing from left to Parallel HDDR – The recording of multiple PCM data streams which are right across a scene or vice versa. synchronous to a common clock onto multitrack recorder/reproducers. Pan and Scan – A method of transferring movies with an aspect ratio Parallel Interface – A PC port which receives or transmits data in byte or of 16:9 to film, tape or disc to be shown on a conventional TV with a 4:3 word form rather than bit form. aspect ratio. Only part of the full image is selected for each scene. Pan Parallel Port – An outlet on a workstation to which you connect external and Scan is the opposite of “letterbox” or “widescreen”. parallel devices. Pan and Tilt Head (P/T Head) – A motorized unit permitting vertical and Parallel Track Path (PTP) – A variation of DVD dual-layer disc layout horizontal positioning of a camera and lens combination. Usually 24 V AC where readout begins at the center of the disc for both layers. Designed motors are used in such P/T heads, but also 110 VAC, i.e., 240 VAC units for separate programs (such as a widescreen and a pan & scan version on can be ordered. the same disc side) or programs with a variation on the second layer. Also Pan Pot – An electrical device which distributes a single signal between most efficient for DVD-ROM random-access application. Contrast with OTP. two or more channels or speakers. Parameter – a) A variable which may take one of a large range of values. Pan Tilt Zoom (PTZ) – A device that can be remotely controlled to provide A variable which can take one of only two values is a flag and not a both vertical and horizontal movement for a camera, with zoom. parameter. b) The values shown in X, Y and Z in each menu, so called because they represent the numerical values assigned to each feature Pan Unit – A motorized unit permitting horizontal positioning of a camera. of a video picture, size, aspect ratio, etc. Changing these values, shown Pan Vector – Horizontal offset in video frame center position. in the “X, Y and Z” columns, produces ADO’s visual effects. c) A setting, Panel Memory – See STAR system. level, condition or position, i.e., clip level, pattern position, system condi- tion.