| XLR |
Three-pin plug for three-conductor "balanced" audio cable, employed with high-quality microphones, mixers, and other audio equipment. Also called "Cannon." |
| Y |
Symbol for luminance, or brightness, portion of a video signal; the complete color video signal consists of R,G,B and Y. |
| Yellow Book |
See compact disc standards. |
| Y/C |
Video signal type (also known as S-video) employed with Hi8 and S-VHS video formats and analog output -on digital camcorders. Transmits luminance (Y) and chrominance (C) portions separately via multiple wires, thereby avoiding picture quality degradation. |
| YUV |
(y=luminance, u=B-Y or blue and v=R-Y or red) Video signal used to compose a component NTSC or PAL signal. [See RGB] |
| Zoom |
Variance of focal length, bringing subject into and out of closeup range. Lens capability permits change from wide-angle to telephoto, or vice versa, in one continuous move. "Zoom in" and "zoom out" are common terms. |
| Zoom Happy |
One who indulges in the gratification of zooming in and out to the torment of viewers. Common in home movies. |
| Zoom ratio |
Range of a lens' focal length, from most "zoomed in" field of view to most "zoomed out." Expressed as ratio: 6:1, for example, implies same lens from same distance can make same image appear six-times closer. [See focal length, zoom.] |
| Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) |
A vehicle that does not emit pollutants. |
| Zinc-Air Battery |
Has potassium hydroxide as the electrolyte with a zinc electrode and an air electrode. |
| zoom ratio |
Range of a lens' focal length, from most "zoomed in" field of view to most "zoomed out." Expressed as ratio: 6:1, for example, implies that the same lens from the same distance can make the same image appear six-times closer. [See focal length, zoom] |
