Chapter 10 - Video Recording and Playback

After reading this chapter, you should know . . .

  • The basic components and special attributes of video signals.
  • The advantages of digital signals over analog signals, and the basic methods of encoding digital video.
  • The importance of compression in digital video, and the major methods of compression.
  • The basic design and operation of digital video servers, including the concepts of ingesting and asset management.
  • Other digital-based storage options for video, including optical media and memory cards.
  • The basic layout and operation of typical videotape recorder operational controls.
  • The basic process of creating digital video files for use with computers and portable devices.

1. Sketch the control panel and the connection area of the most commonly used video recording devices in your school’s facility. Clearly indicate the signal input and output receptacles.

2. Analyze the process of gathering, editing, and outputting video footage at your school. How is footage gathered (analog tape, digital tape, hard drive)? How is it edited (switcher, linear editing, nonlinear editing)? If it is edited on nonlinear systems, how is the footage ingested? What are the options for outputting?

3. Take a video clip and experiment with different types of compression. Note any differences in the quality of the versions and indicate the file size of each.

1. What are the basic attributes of video signals? How do these attributes affect how video information is channeled, monitored, recorded, and played back?

2. What are the basic methods of encoding digital video? What do the terms sampling and quantization mean, and how do these concepts affect the quality of the resulting digital video signal?

3. Discuss the four major compression methods. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? How prevalent is each method in the industry?

4. What are some of the parameters that can be set for video formats designed for downloading or streaming?