Studio Camera Studio Camera: A television camera placed on a tripod or studio pedestal for exclusive use within the studio

Studio Pedestal Studio Pedestal: A large, single column on wheels that supports the camera and is pneumatically or hydraulically controlled.

Camera Control Unit (CCU) Camera Control Unit (CCU): A piece of equipment that controls various attributes of the video signal sent from the camera to the video switcher, and is usually placed in the control room. Also commonly called the “remote control unit” (RCU)

Camcorder Camcorder: A portable camera/recorder combination

Convertible Camera Convertible Camera: A camera with a variety of accessory packages available to make it operational in a studio, as a portable field camera, or both.

Camera Head Camera Head: The portion of the video camera that contains all the electronics needed to convert the reflection of light from the subject into an electronic signal.

CCD (Charged Coupled Device) A-component of the camera head into which light enters and is converted into an electronic, or video, signal. Target: Photosensitive surface of a charge coupled device (CCD).

Gain

Viewfinder

Diopter Adjustment

Zebra Stripes

Lens

Focus

Auto Focus

Optical Center

Zoom Lenses

Zoom Lens

Zoom In / Out

Focal Length

Focal Length

Variable Focal Length A camera lens in which the optical center can vary its position within the lens assembly, varying the focal length measurement as well. Also called a zoom lens.

Iris A component of a lens that is comprised of blades that physically expand and contract, adjusting the aperture size.

Auto Iris Auto-Iris circuit: A feature on many consumer and Professional cameras that automatically examines the light levels coming into the camera and adjusts the iris according to generic standards of a “good” picture.

Aperture The opening adjusted by the iris, through Which light passes into the lens.

F-Stop A camera setting that determines the amount Of light passing through the lens by controlling The size of the iris.

Fast Lens / Slow Lens Fast Lens: A lens that has a large aperture setting and lets a great deal of light into the camera. Slow Lens: A lens that its maximum lens opening is small and is limited by the amount of light it allows so enter the camera.

Shutter A circuit on a video camera that regulates how long The CCD is exposed to light coming through the lens.

Subjective Camera A hand-held camera technique, in which the camera itself becomes the eye of one cast member. the viewers see the world through the eyes of that character.

Hot The state of a video camera when the image captured by the camera is being recorded.

Tripod Tripod: A three-legged Stand that supports a camera.

Pedestal Column A column in the center of a tripod used to raise or lower the camera.

Pedestal Control A crank on the side of the pedestal column that twists a gear to raise and lower the pedestal column.

Tripod Head The assembly at the top of the pedestal column to which the camera attaches.

Pan Handle A device attached to the back of the tripod head that allows the camera operator to move the tripod head while standing behind the tripod.

Friction Head A mounting assembly on some tripods that stabilizes the camera using the pressure created when two pieces of metal are squeezed together by a screw.

Fluid Head A mounting assembly on some tripods that stabilizes the camera using the pressure between two pieces of metal and a thick fluid that provides additional resistance to movement

Resistance to movement created Drag Resistance to movement created by tripod head mount.

Dolly A three-wheeled cart onto which the feet of a tripod are mounted. A dolly allows smooth camera movements to be performed.