Glossary -O-
Obie — On-board camera light.
Object based modler — Modler using spheres, cubes, and other shapes to form objects. Solid models are resolution-independent; round edges stay round as you zoom in on them.
Oblique angle — Camera angle that shows the front and a side, or maybe two sides of an object. Oblique angle shots convey more dimensionality than face-on shots.
Off-line editing — Making a “practice edit” using inexpensive video equipment. Result is a lower-quality “draft” copy used for decision making and to create a list of edits to be performed later on-line.
Ohm — A measure of electrical resistance or impedance. Things must have the same impedance to be electrically compatible with each other. In video, 75 ohms (75) is standard for cables, inputs, and outputs.
Ohm — The symbol for ohm is . TV antenna wires are generally 300, 75, or 72. Ohm is an electrical property of the wire indicating its resistance to certain signals passing through it.
Omnidirectional light — Light that travels in all directions, like from the sun or a bare light bulb.
One-chip camera — One image pickup chip senses all the colors plus black-and-white aspects of a TV picture.
On-line editing — Editing a video tape with the highest-quality VTRs and editor controllers. Process results in final edited master but costs more than off-line editing.
Optical disk recorder — Device that records analog video onto a plastic disk, like a laser video disc.
Optical scan conversion — Aiming a TV camera at a TV screen and recording the result, useful for copying the picture from a nonstandard or troublesome tape.
Optical zoom ratio — The actual zoom ratio (smallest focal length divided into the largest focal length of the lens) of the physical lens without any digital enhancement from the camera.
Optical-sight viewfinder — Inexpensive, simple lens scope, gun-sight or cross hairs used to help aim a TV camera.
Optical-to-electrical (O/E) converter — Device that changes light from a fiber to electrical signals.
Output selector — Switch determining which of several signals will be fed to a VCR’s output for viewing.
Outtake — A shot which for some reason (i.e., a flubbed line) you don’t plan to use in the final production.
Overdub — Recording sound on one audio track and then recording a related sound on another track. Each track may have its unique sound recorded or may be a mixture made from the playback of an already-recorded track plus the new sound.
Overmodulating — Using too much video signal when making an RF signal, which results in buzzing from the TV speaker when white lettering appears on the screen.
Overscanned — A TV picture blown up too big on the screen, causing the edges of the picture to be cut off and hidden from view.
