| handheld mic |
A microphone that a person holds to speak or sing into. |
| Hard Disks |
Common digital storage component in a computer. For video use, hard disks need: 1) an access time of less than 10 milliseconds; 2) a sustained throughput (data transfer rate) of 3 Megabytes per second; and 3) a maximum time for housekeeping of 33 milliseconds (one video frame). |
| Hard Light |
Type of light that creates brilliant highlights and sharp shadows. |
| Harry |
Trade name of a sophisticated digital effects system by Quantel. Includes Quantel's Paintbox digital effects generator. |
| HDTV |
(high-definition television) "In the works" television system standard affording greater resolution for sharper pictures and wide-screen viewing via specially-designed TV equipment. |
| Head |
[1] Electromagnetic components within camcorders and VCRs that record, receive, and erase video and audio signals on magnetic tape. [2] Tripod's camera mount. [See fluid head, friction head.] |
| Headroom |
Space remaining between the top of a subject's head and a monitor's upper screen edge. Composition consideration. |
| Hi8 |
(high-band 8mm) Improved version of 8mm videotape format characterized by higher luminance resolution for a sharper picture. Compact "conceptual equivalent" of Super-VHS. [See 8mm.] |
| Hi-fi |
(high fidelity) Generalized term defining audio quality approaching the limits of human hearing, pertinent to high-quality sound reproduction systems. |
| high impedance |
A characteristic of microphones that have a great deal of opposition to the flow of alternating current through them and therefore must have short cables; they are less likely to be used in professional situations than low impedance microphones. |
| Hiss |
Primary background signal interference in audio recording, result of circuit noise from a playback recorder's amplifiers or from a tape's residual magnetism. |
| home entertainment network |
A network that handles mostly audio and video. |
| home multimedia media center |
An A/V client that is designed to be the central point of a home A/V system. See A/V client. |
| Horizontal Resolution |
Specification denoting amount of discernable detail across a screen's width. Measured in lines, the higher the number the better the picture quality. [See resolution.] |
| Horsepower |
The rate at which an engine produces energy. |
| hub |
A simple networking device that transmits all incoming packets to all connected devices. Inefficient by design. Switches are generally considered to be a better solution from a network design standpoint. |
| Hybrid Vehicle |
Has electric components, but uses a non-grid fuel source. |
| Hydrometer |
Tests the specific gravity of a fluid. |
