College Task 2: Video Technology Standards Fact File

Task 2 – Video Fact File

Analogue films = videos, tape recorders - 4:3 = Square

Digital films = Records onto cards (SD Cards) and Hard Drives

SD = Standard Definition – Resolution: 72 pixels

PAL 720 X 576 (Screen Height and Width)



Frame Rate = 24 frames per second (24 fps)

Elements = Elements are basically what is in the shot (i.e. Green Screen, person etc.)

Composite shots = more than one element working together (i.e. titles, graphics, actors, green screens, music, voice-over, narration, lighting effects, cutaway shots, more than one video playing in the frame, ITV logo in the corner of the screen, colour etc.)





Frame rate = 24 Frames Per Second

CCD = Charged Coupled Device – Size of the Sensor in the digital camera

DV Formats = Digital Video Format

RGB = Red, Green and Blue – Primary Colours

What does 720p and 1080i mean?

When watching television, the picture audiences see are ‘composed’ of many ‘scanned lines’. When put together, they compose the image on the screen.

Interlaced and progressive are the two scanning techniques used. Lines of resolution vary for digital televisions such as ‘480p, 720p’ and ‘1080p’. Therefore, the resolution of a television is defined by the lines and types of scanning.

Progressive scan pushes the limits of standard resolution and provides a more film-like image display that is more pleasing for viewing DVDs on a television display. A 720p resolution is a television with 720 progressive scanned lines.

A 1080i resolution has 1080 interlaced scanned lines. Side-by-side, progressive scan will show a clearer picture than interlaced, but most HD programming is shown in the 1080i (Interlaced) resolution.

Video Links

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DULT4L8c8IM - High Definition Television (HDTV) : Difference Between High & Standard Definition Video

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIXM2DF0dEM - Aspect Ratio 4x3 16x9 4:3 16:9 Letterbox Pillarbox Pan Scan