| Watt |
The unit of electrical power. |
| Waveform Monitor |
Specialized oscilloscope testing device providing a graphic display of a video signal's strength. Plus, like a sophisticated light meter, aids in precise setting of picture's maximum brightness level for optimum contrast. |
| WebCam |
Abbreviation for Web Camera. A small camera connected to a computer, usually through a USB port. Webcams usually produce small, progressive-scanned images. |
| Whip Pan |
(swish pan) Extremely rapid camera movement from left to right or right to left, appearing as image blur. Two such pans in the same direction -- one moving from, the other moving to a stationary shot -- edited together can effectively convey passage of time. |
| whip pan |
(swish pan) Extremely rapid pan that creates a blur on the screen. Two such pans in the same direction, edited together -- one moving from, the other moving toward a stationary shot -- can convey the passage of time or a change of location. |
| White Balance |
A color camera function which determines how much red, green and blue is required to produce a normal-looking white. Shots made with improper white balance will have an abnormal color tint. |
| White Book |
See compact disc standards |
| Wide-angle |
Camera lens with short focal length and broad horizontal field of view. Opposite of telephoto, supports viewer perspective and tends to reinforce perception of depth. |
| Wi-Fi |
A wireless networking standard that emcompasses the 802.11b and 802.11g standards. |
| Wild sound |
Nonsynchronous audio recorded independent of picture -- rain on roof, 5 o'clock whistle -- often captured with separate audio recorder. Sound recorded after the visuals and edited into the master to enhance realism. [See nonsynchronous sound.] |
| Window Dub |
Also called a "burn in." A copy of the original camera tape with time code numbers visually displayed. A window dub that is made in the VHS format can be viewed, logged and edited on paper with a home VCR to save editing expenses. |
| Windscreen |
Sponge-like microphone shield, thwarts undesirable noise from wind and rapid mike movement. |
| Wipe |
Picture transition from one scene to another wherein the new scene is revealed by a moving line or pattern. In simplest form, simulates a window shade being drawn. More sophisticated variations include colorized wipes, quivering wipes, triangle wipes, and Venetian blind wipes. |
| wireless access point |
A device that, when connected to a broadband Internet modem, establishes connections to the Internet for wireless devices on the network, as well as facilitates connections between the devices on the LAN. |
| wireless mic |
A microphone with a self-contained, built-in miniature FM transmitter that can send the audio signal several hundred feet, eliminating the need for mic cables. |
| Wireless Microphone |
Consisting of radio transmitter and receiver, utilizes low-power radio signal for cable-free operation. |
| Workprint |
Copy of a master videotape used for edit planning and rough cut without excessively wearing or otherwise jeopardizing safekeeping of original material. Also called "working master." |
| Wow and Flutter |
Sound distortions consisting of a slow rise and fall of pitch, caused by speed variations in audio/video playback system. |
