making the transition less apparent. Another method of anti-aliasing
involves using higher resolution output devices.
Aspect ratio: The ratio of width to height in an image or graphic.
Keeping the aspect ratio fixed means that any change to one value is
immediately reflected in the other.
AVI: Audio Video Interleaved, a standard format for digital video
(and Video for Windows).
Batch capture: An automated process that uses an edit decision
list to locate and recapture specific clips from a videotape, usually at
a higher data rate than the clip was originally captured.
BIOS: Acronym for Basic Input Output System, which refers to
basic input and output commands saved in a ROM, PROM or
EPROM. The essential task of the BIOS is the control of input
and output. When the system is started, the ROM-BIOS carries out
some tests. Parallel port, IRQ, I/O
Bit: Abbreviation of “BInary digiT”, the smallest element of a
computer’s memory. Among other things, bits are used to store the
color values of pixels in an image. The more bits used for each
pixel, the greater the number of available colors. For example:
1-bit: each pixel is either black or white.
4-bit: allows 16 colors or gray shades.
8-bit: allows 256 colors or gray shades. 16-
bit: allows 65,536 colors.
24-bit: allows about 16.7 million colors.
Bitmap: An image format made up of a collection of dots or
“pixels” arranged in rows. Pixel
Blacking: The process of preparing a videotape for insert editing by
recording video black and continuous control track on the entire
tape. If the recording deck supports timecode, continuous timecode
will be recorded simultaneously (also called “striping”).
Brightness: Also “luminance”. Indicates the brightness of video.
Byte: One byte corresponds to eight bits. With one byte, exactly
one alphanumeric character can be displayed (i.e. a letter, number).
