Glossary of Terms

This is a glossary of terms used on this wiki.

Technical Terminology

Aspect Ratio

The relationship between the width of an image and its height, usually expressed as W:H, with the the height set to a value of 1. That is to say, if the width (W) of an image is 1.85 times as wide as the height (H), the ratio would be expressed as 1.85:1. Sometimes, aspect ratios are expressed as whole number ratios, such as 16:9 or 4:3.

Original Aspect Ratio

The original aspect ratio (OAR) is the intended presentation of a given aspect ratio, established in pre-production.

Original Theatrical Aspect Ratio

The original theatrical aspect ratio (OTAR)The aspect ratio of the original theatrical presentation. More often than not, it is indistinct from the OAR, however, in may instances in the early days of widescreen, certain presentations would be matted to fit smaller screen sizes (e.g. a 1.85:1 picture matted to fit a 1.66:1 screen).

Home Video Aspect Ratio

The home video aspect ratio (HVRA) is the aspect ratio for a given titles specific release.

Full Screen

The term 'Full Screen' (Also known as Full Frame and Standard) refers specifically to an aspect ratio of 1.33:1. It is important to note that it does not mean the display will necessarily be filled. An undistorted Full Screen presentation on a widescreen (16:9) display will result in Pillar Boxing

Pan & Scan

A style of image formatting used to reduce a widescreen picture to a fit on a 1.33:1 display without letterboxing.

Open Matte

A style of image formatting used to open up the image frame from its intended presentation, by adding picture content to the top and bottom of the image so that the widescreen image will fit in a 1.33:1 display. This technique requires pre planning so that the image can be protected for Open Matting.

Widescreen

The term widescreen refers to any frame size that is wider than a 1.33:1 aspect ratio. An undistorted widescreen presentation on a full screen display will result in letterboxing.

Letterboxing

Letterboxing is the process of adding black bars to the top and bottom of a picture to preserve the OAR.

Common Terminology & Acronyms

Homebrew Collections

A homemade video set, usually sourced from television broadcasts, often circulated among collector's when no official home video release is available.

JIP

Joined in progress. This can refer to a segment in a video, or to a video's recording. If a video recording is joined in progress, (e.g. if the recording of a live broadcast of an event starts after the event has already commenced), then the term VIDEO JIP should precede the listing.

Clip

A clip, either as part of a video, or the video itself is a clip, such as of a segment of a news broadcast.

OOP

Out of Print. No longer produced, or in circulation. Original copies may be available through collectors directly, or at auction.

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