SMPTE EG 28:1993

Abtract:

Program production, as a skill and an applied art, historically began when photographic cinematography followed the Greek theater, and from there, expanded to embrace television and video. Now essential further contributions and modulations are recognized from computer graphics, data processing, graphic arts, telecommunications, psychophysics, etc., and their affiliates. Each of these technologies not only contributes associated hardware and software resources, but — since each has had an independent development — brings unfamiliar terms and uniquely specific definitions to a nominally common vocabulary. — Program production, which is defined in overview in figure 1 and in detail within the text of this glossary, is increasingly reliant upon this full spectrum of resources to be effective and efficient in its subsets of origination, post-production, and distribution. — Program origination is provided with a multiplicity of potential sources for capturing, generating, and evaluating images. Post-production offers an increasingly evolving pallet of tools for merging, integrating, and evaluating source material to achieve maximum artistic impact. Distribution channels and facilities are multiplying both in number and in diversity, suggesting that programs' creative formats may need to be transformed eventually into a multiplicity of distribution formats in order to meet definitive needs. — Specific technical glossaries have developed within each technology. In the broadly electronic environment — embracing electronic imaging, computer graphics, data processing, and telecommunications — the primary reference directing unambiguous communication is ANSI/IEEE 100, Dictionary of Electrical and Electronics Terms, with 24,793 entries in the fourth edition. Within the photographic environment there have been several more informal glossaries. ISO 4246, Cinematography — Vocabulary, is taking leadership in coordination with a multilingual vocabulary responding to international concerns for precise communication. Graphic arts is another present focus for integrating technologies. And psychophysics identifying and quantifying the transfer function to human perception is defining the validity of assumptions on what is acceptable and improving methods of evaluation. Each of these technologies meets at the interface with program production as an essential partner. — This glossary beings together many of the terms that are essential in the production process. It draws upon the existing data bases when appropriate, noting the specific definitions and interpretations that apply to program production. Its intent is to include only those terms which impact upon production's basic needs and procedures, and whose clear interpretation in this environment is therefore essential. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize prevalent alternate definitions, perhaps relating to other applications of the participating technologies and thus to caution and to identify that one specific definition which may be most appropriate to program production. — Annotations are an essential component of this glossary since translations often must be accompanied by explanations. It is thus the objective of this limited scope glossary to help clarify and promote both communication and understanding among the formerly distinct technologies involved.