Apple Final Cut Pro 6 User Manual download pdf (Page 179)

178 Part III Setting Up Your Editing System

Video Signals and Connectors

When you capture and output, the type of video signal you use to connect your

equipment is a critical factor that goes into determining the quality of your video.

Video camcorders, decks, and monitors can use different types of signals, depending

on the environment they are intended for. Consumer equipment usually has limited

video signal choices; professional equipment gives you the greatest range of options.

For more information, see Volume IV, Appendix A, “Video Formats.”

Composite

Composite is the lowest common denominator of video signals. A composite signal

runs all color and brightness information on a single cable, resulting in lower-quality

video compared to the quality of other formats. Nearly all video devices have a

composite input and output. This format uses a single RCA or BNC connector.

In professional editing environments, composite video signals are most commonly

used for troubleshooting, for menu outputs, and for low-quality preview monitoring.

For consumer and home use, composite signals are often used to connect VCRs or

DVD players to televisions.

S-Video

S-Video, also known as Y/C, is a higher-quality video signal used by high-end

consumer video equipment. The image looks sharper and has better color than a

composite video image because S-Video keeps the color and brightness information

separate on two cables. Most low-cost analog-to-digital video interfaces have S-Video

as their highest-quality video connector. Use care when working with S-video

connectors; the four delicate pins can be bent easily.

RCA connector

BNC connector

S-Video connector

1 2 ... 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 ... 202 203

No comments

Apple Final Cut Pro 6 User Manual Page 179