Apple Final Cut Pro 6 - Manual (Page 1935)

452 Glossary
color depth The possible range of colors that can be used in a movie or image. There
are generally four choices with computer graphics— 8-bit (grayscale), 16-bit, and 24-bit
(millions of colors). Higher color depths provide a wider range of colors but require
more space for a given image size. Broadcast video is generally 24-bit, with 8 bits of
color information per channel. See also channels.
colorist A professional who performs color correction. The colorist, in consultation with
the cinematographer, director, or producer, works shot by shot to determine the look of
each clip according to the needs of the project.
component video A type of analog video signal in which the luma and chroma signals
are recorded separately for better video quality. Professional video equipment, such as
a Betacam SP deck, uses component Y´C
R
C
B
(also called component YUV) video inputs
and outputs. Another form of component video, component RGB, is not as widespread
on video gear as component Y´C
B
C
R
.
composite video An analog video signal that combines all chroma and luma
information into a single waveform running through a single cable. This can result in
analog “artifacts,” affecting the quality of the video signal. Nearly all video equipment
has composite inputs and outputs.
compositing A process in which two or more images are combined into a single
frame. This term can also describe the process of creating various video effects.
compression The process by which video, graphics, and audio files are reduced in size.
“Lossy” compression refers to a process of reducing video file sizes through the removal
of redundant or less noticeable image data. Lossless compression reduces file sizes by
mathematically consolidating redundant image data without discarding it. See also codec.
contrast The difference between the lightest and darkest values in an image.
High-contrast images have a large range of values from the darkest shadow to the
lightest highlight. Low-contrast images have a more narrow range of values, resulting
in a “flatter” look.
coverage A series of medium shots and close-ups, taken after the master shot, all of
which cover the same material in the script. Used when shooting a scene with
continuity. These shots are called coverage because they’re often used to cover
different edits made in the scene.
crop To mask a specified amount from the total frame size of an image. You can crop
the top, left, right, and bottom of an image independently.
cut An edit in which one clip immediately follows another, with no transition effect.
This is the simplest type of edit.